LIVE from the unveiling of House of Nwocha's ZION Collection

HOUSE OF NWOCHA rolled the Red Carpets out on Sunday, 24th October for the launch of their ZION Collection at the brand new Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Lagos.

Fashion Enthusiasts in Lagos graced the elegant and very well organised Event in support of Ugonna Omerua, Designer behind the Brand.

TARIERE as usual, has brought a feast for your eyes from the Event...







Designer, MAI, also exhibited some of his work...


MAI Models

The House of Nwocha models' hairstyle is giving me some serious ideas...






Ugonna Omerua, Yvonne Ekwere & Ify


TV Personality, Frank Edoho & MAI Atafo


MC's for the Event: O.C. Ukeje & Ify


Tariere Ekiyor


Tari & Ugonna Omerua


Veronica Ebie of VANESTYLE & Jecintha Powell


Yvonne Ekwere & Tari


Aisha Sheba & Gbemi Phillips


NJ Omerua


MAI Atafo, Ugonna & Ify


Chinele 'Vonne' Nwosu, Latasha Ngwube & Veronia Ebie


Ugonna & 'Debayo Oke-Lawal


Tari & Bibiana Ohio


M.I & Yvonne Ekwere


MAI Atafo & Veno

These group of ladies were soooo HOOTT that someone referred to them as 'Imported Chics'..Lmao!!


'Imported Chics'


Femi Atilade


Efemena interviewing Banky W


Banky W


Efemena & Tari


Eleanor Goodey & Lilian Unachukwu

I was loving these Samurais...



And also...


'Debayo's sandals


'Debayo Oke-Lawal


Tari & Chinele 'Vonne' Nwosu




M.I performing




Tari & MAI Atafo



Ladies & Gentlemen put your hands together for House of Nwocha...


Ugonna Omerua & Model

The 'American' Concept

A couple of weeks ago, I attended a little dinner party with a few African-Americans and Nigerian-Americans here in Lagos.

The introductions were made, food and drink choices were given to the Waiters, and then we got into the tedious part of socializing: making conversation.

Fortunately, I was the newcomer on the table, so I became the silent (and amused) observer. This group of people was remarkable in the sense that they are doing really great work with a group of young boys in Lagos.

They train these boys in the game of Basketball and provide a standard facility for them to develop the acquired sport. They have really good plans for the kids and were very excited as they traded stories about their escapades in ‘giving back’.

One of them spoke about how excited and in awe the boys are of the fact that an American or group of Americans actually take out the time and come all the way into their part of town to mentor them. Others spoke about how the program allows the boys dream that they too can go and play for the major leagues in America.


Photo-Credit: Lukesegars.com

Commendable as the efforts being made by this group is, I couldn’t help but wonder about a certain aspect of it. It was clear to me that like many Nigerians, these young boys hold the idea of ‘America’ (which to most represent the possibility of attaining the dream being communicated to them on TV) and the West in the highest esteem.

The fact that they are so in awe of their ‘American’ trainer even though for the most part, they don’t understand what he says, reminds me of the way a lot of Nigerians I have come across also view the ‘American concept’.

To a lot of Nigerians, anything foreign (not Nigerian) is synonymous with quality. Western fashion, Western music; Western accents, products, names and even cultures, are exalted above and beyond the indigenous Nigerian ones.

It’s actually only recently that a youth sub-culture spurn out of Entertainment has begun to birth a collective sense of identity in young Nigerians.

‘America’ and the West in a lot of Nigerian minds, holds the key to a better existence; the hordes of people you find laboring under the torturous sun (and rain) daily in search of visas, by any means possible, is a testament to the perception most Nigerians have of the West.

Who can blame these young, aspiring pro-Basketball players, for feeling ‘lucky’ that unlike their brothers, relatives and friends who daily go in search of their big Western break, most times to no avail, the West instead came in search of them.

I’m always the first to celebrate good deeds when I see them; I’m excited about the fact that these kids have found an opportunity to express their dreams and skills. However, I wonder; I wonder about the long-tem effect on the psyche of these boys.

I wonder about the possible outcome of their lives in the event that they have come to associate ‘America’ alone with the terms ‘progress’ and ‘opportunity’. What about the sense of racial inferiority they could possibly develop (if not already)?

‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions’

How do you prevent a noble gesture such as this from further depleting the eroded sense of national identity and pride that is like a cancer in many young Nigerians?

Where is the balance?

My Weekend in Pictures (and words)

Monday thru Thursday

Had an Interview with on the 'Working Radio' show with Toolz on the Beat 99.9fm!


Tari & Toolz Oniru

The show is produced by Jobberman...a Job Search and Recruitment Agency. We spoke about opportunities in the Creative Industry here in Nigeria, with special emphasis on my craft, Writing.


Simi & Lekan of Jobberman with Tari

Met the most delightful person EVER!! And she's a TARIERE reader toooooo!! *now feeling like someone who has cool people reading her blog*


Kemi Olu-okun, Beat FM Web Administrator & I

Inspired by a good friend of mine, I went in search of some quality Catfish in a certain Barracks here in Ikoyi!!

The place is nothing fancy; in fact I almost caused a scene as I demanded for the Waitress to clean the area where I was going to be seated, before I graced the chair with my bum-bum (Yes! The Diva was officially in the building!!)

But the Catfish is an expedition on it's own...



It was soooo good, my friend whom I went with kept acting like hewas drunk on fish the entire time!! I would never have forgiven myself if I didn't take some back home for Prof. Mummy who is a real Waterside woman that loves her fish!!

I was right...she loved it!! I love my Prof. Mummy!! *now dancing excitedly*

Wednesday: Went to the Spa to..err...it has something to do with South America sha!! My darling Aisha came to show me moral support and from there we went to hang out with a friend of her's.


Aisha Ibrahim

At Aisha's friend's house, I proved once again why my name should probably be changed to Shakira or something...



As in seriously, how could I have drank this entire bottle of Rose all by myself?!

It's actually not my fault, it's LAGOS!! The Bestie, my sister and I actually had a conversation about the fact that practically everyone in Lagos is an Alchie!!

Like really, there's hardly anything to do in this town that doesn't involve booze!! God help us all...say AMEN!!

So on Thursday, like a true Lagos Alchie, I trooped over to Zamunda (yeah..named after Eddie Murphy's kingdom in 'Coming to America') to enjoy the asun (peppered goat-meat), Live Band and ...Booze!!

I'm sorry oh...but where I come from, you are trained never to say NO to FREE Booze!!


Caesario


Ada & Singer, Waje

Shout-out to Caesario and the rest of the Zamunda crew for inviting me and giving me a GREAT time!!



Me

Note that through this entire week, I had been struggling with Malaria!! It finally kicked in mightily on Thursday-Friday and so I had to fight back...



Yeah..I had to take all those drugs!! *sad face* But I've been a good girl and consistently tool ALL!! Not forgetting the Blood of Jesus which Prof. Mummy and Miss Natural soaked me in to be healed!!

Friday

Was all drugged-out through the day...felt better in the evening and went to Hotel Bon Voyage for the usual Friday Live Band & Grill by the Waterfront!!

It was even more exciting as Key-tarist, JAIYE, was performing with the Band!! I was soooooo NOT disappointed!!

Went to hook up with The Kingpin afterwards...had no clue I was going for a Halloween Party, but was pleasantly surprised when I got there...



Yes...this guy came as a White Garment Prophet, complete with his bell which he kept ringing in people's faces!! Lol...it was sooo funny!!



Was also loving the Bartenders, Bouncers and Waiters costumes and make-up!!



..and my Henny glass too!!

Haven't hung out with my Tones recetly, so was super-excited when I bumped into her Man!!


L'erin Davis & I

Made me feel like she was there!!

I love papping the Paparazzi *wicked grin*...


Kola Oshalusi - Event Photographer



Introducing: Water Martini

I tricked The Kingpin into having a sip...when he found out it was water, he told me I just spoilt his entire taste buds by giving him water to drink...Lmao..freaking Alchie!!

The Kingpin has beautiful feet!!

Saturday

Had an Amala craving yet again so went to get some...



When the lady serving the Amala begins to jump up and hug you when you arrive...you know there is trouble!!

May curiosity not kill Tari one day!! I saw this in the pot and asked the lady what it was...she told me and even though I was shocked, I decided to brave it and asked her to give me!!


Goat Heart

Even though we are brutal carnivores in this country, something just felt absolutely WRONG about eating the heart of another of God's creatures!!

That just gives new meaning to the phrase 'Eat your heart out'...as in the poor goat probably had dreams and a future, never imagining that one day, it's heart would be on the menu!!

I couldn't go through with it...Queen (house-maid) gladly did me the honors!!


Greta Timbuktu

This Greta can like to fall my hand!! I always have to remind her to sit proper...



Then once I'm not looking, she goes right back to it!!

I haven't spoken about the Timbuktu's much recently, this is because they've been going through a rather difficult time as a family and I felt it would be intrusive to give you Live Updates!!

But their holding up well, and once all is sorted (soon I hope), I'll give you the Lowdown!!

Sunday

Re-discovered one of my old Secret Places!! Gosh I treally loved (and apparently still do) that place!!

I used to work out of there like on the regular..it was soooo peaceful and inspiring!! I wrote some of my really great work there!

Had a delicious breakfast there which amazingly enough, cost just N500!!





My friend decided to pap me while we were there...



Later went for the Fashion Show by Ugonna Omerua's House of Nwocha line at the Four Points Sheraton...


Ugonna Omerua & 'Debayo Oke-Lawal

(Live from House of Nwocha Show..coming soon)

Special shout-out to Erumu Odiete whose birthday is coming up this week!!


Erumu

Oh..by the way, I got published on 234Next!! Just for fun, you might wanna check out how I've been shredded apart there..Lol

ARTICLE

A major TARIERE photo-shoot is coming up really soon...interested Make-up Artistes, Stylists and Designers should contact me on tariekiyor@hotmail.com let's have FUN!!