Sociotectonic Mourns Amaka Igwe

So sad to start the day with the news of the death of one of Nollywood's finest producer and director, Amaka Igwe. reports have it that she suffered an asthmatic attack (more on the Genevieve Magazine facebook page).

We mourn this creative lady who has produced and directed movies that have stood the test of time. May her soul Rest In Peace.

Winner of The Blog GiveAway

Firstly, I wish to thank everyone who took time out to leave a comment on the blog for my mum (read the comments here). I really do appreciate and so does she. Still thanking the L'oreal MD and team for the cosmetics package.

I got a colleague to do a raffle and here is who won

Congrats Rowland and I do hope you enjoy reading the Genevieve Magazine and I will advice you pass on the Tara lipgloss to one of the women in your life; mum, sisters or girlfriend *lol*.

My dear sociotectonic readers, keep reading and sharing the blog posts with others. You just may be the next winner.

Watch out this Friday's post of the Role model of the Month....

Reasons Why We Do Not Obey

Last week, we did talk about what we thought Obedience meant. If you missed it, read it up here.

This week, I will like to discuss a few reasons why people do not obey.

1. Pride; Remember how I mentioned in the last post that, obedience is humility (If you missed the post, click here)? The opposite of humility has to be pride. I like one of the definitions of the Merriam Webster dictionary which says, 'Pride is a feeling that you are more important or better than other people'. Deducing from that definition, you can understand why one with pride will not obey instructions. This is because the person believes that no one can be above him or her and is not willing to submit to the authority of another.
2. Fear: As defined on the discovery channel website, 'Fear is a series of reactions in the brain triggered by a stressful stimulus and ending with such physical reactions as tense muscles, rapid heartbeat and rushed breathing'.As strangely as this may sound, some people do not obey out of fear; fear of the consequences of obeying the instruction that may bring them harm. For instance, those in war torn areas may not obey a legitimate government for fear of being attacked by the rebels.
3. Stubbornness: Gotten from the word stubborn, Merriam Webster defines it as, 'refusing to change your ideas or to stop doing something., Thus, one who is stubborn will definitely find it difficult to obey. 
4. Self esteem: For some, low self esteem can make them not to obey. How? Just assuming that obeying will make someone trample on them, people with low self esteem will find it difficult to obey.

  If you have any of these traits, get over it and begin to develop the habit of obeying especially, obeying the right instructions.

Next week, we will take a break from the obedience series and bring you a feature on the role model of the month.

Till then, Stay Inspired.

Oma!

The Dreams4Naija Documentary

Good morning fam. I hope you had a good Easter holiday as I did......

Work has resumed again and what better time than now to begin impacting lives around you and creating a change.

Today, I came across this documentary done by Nigerian celebrities and young people to launch the Dreams4Naija sponsored by International Republican Institute (IRI) in partnership with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Consulate.

It is a 30 minute documentary but it is worth your time. Watch it and feel free to express your opinions. The change we seek starts from within.....

Obedience is Synonymous to....

Every moment I have to spend in the presence of the Lord is an awesome one. I have come to not only hear the word but it feeds my spirit and inspires me. Each moment I pray for the grace to put into practice all that I have heard.

This week's major post on obedience stems out of the sermon preached by my priest on Sunday, the 13th of April, 2014. For the next few weeks, I hope to take you through a series of topics on obedience. For today, we are discussing what obedience means. 

It seems the most appropriate topic to delve into on Good Friday. According to the first station of the cross where man responds, it states that obedience cost Jesus His life. This is true for it was because He had to obey his father's directives to come and atone for the sins of you and I that He died the most humiliating death, death on a cross.

What then is Obedience?

According to Oxforddictionaries.com, obedience is compliance with an order, request, law or submission to another's authority.

What is synonymous to Obedience?

photo credit: blog.acton.org

Obedience is Love: The Bible does say that the wives should submit to their husbands and the husbands to love their wives and the children to 'obey' their parents. The key terms here are submit, love and obey. From the definition of obedience stated above, submission is obedience and one can only the one he or she loves. Thus, husbands love your wives implies husbands obey your wives.

Obedience is Trust: Can one completely give his or her love to another if he or she doesn't trust that one? Can one submit his will to another if he or she has no trust for that one? Using Christ as an example, even when He asked for the cross to pass Him over, he did say, 'Your will Lord, not mine'. He put his trust in the father and obeyed Him even unto death.

Obedience is Peace: Should we all obey the laws of the land, there will be no chaos or conflict. Speaking of which, I extend my condolence to the families who have lost loved ones in the bomb blast that happened on Monday at the State's capital, Abuja. Their loss is a blow on the entire nation and even to those still in the hospital, we pray that they recover quickly. If we have love in our hearts, we will listen to those who have been put over us to govern us and peace will reign. 

Obedience is Humility: Can one obey if he has no humility. For a proud man, obedience is luxury. If we can imbibe the spirit of obedience, being humble will be no problem. If allowing himself to be insulted by mere mortals for the sake of His father's instructions is not humility, I wonder what else is.

Even as we come to the end of lent period and get into the celebrations of Easter, let us pray for the grace to be obedient so that we will have a peaceful and loving society. 

Till I come your way next week with another topic on obedience, do share your thoughts on the blog or send me an email, ijehiri@gmail.com. Let me know what other synonyms there are to obedience. Also, don't forget that despite the major post comes up on the blog every Friday, there are always other posts on the blog during the week. This I do to make sure that you are not left out of the cool stuffs happening around. 

Till the next post, Stay inspired and do have a great Easter celebrations.

Oma!

Maybelline NewYork Launches The Clear Smooth All in One Powder

'Beauty is not just universal, it is character. Beauty is ethics and ethics is beauty'. These were the words of the Managing director of L'oeal in Nigeria, Mr. Enang, at the press conference held yesterday at the L'oreal headquaters, to launch the Maybelline New York Clear Smooth All in One Powder.

The Clear Smooth All in One Powder was made specifically for the African skin putting into cognisance the hot weather condition of the continent and the oily skin of most African people. This is not to say that it is for just dark skinned people as it comes in 6 shades; toffee, caramel, nutmeg, cinnamon, mocha and cocoa. Other benefits include; 

• Controls shine
• Conceals flaws
• Smoothes
• Evens the skin tone
• Mattifies
• Brightens and perfects the skin tone
• Contains Pro vitamin C and SPF25/PA++

 L'oreal sure knows how to treat their guests right as they gave us goody bags with beautiful items in it. For me, I am eager to try out my Clear Smooth All in One Powder and I urge you to get to the Tara stores nationwide and get one for yourself. As soon as I try mine, I will share the experience with you. However, I met Jennifer of Bella Naija and she did say she has tried it and it is beautiful She had it on and all I can say is ' Maybe she was born with it, Maybe it's Maybelline'. Ofcourse, we couldn't help but take a selfie*lol*.

Also, I want to say a big thank you to the MD and the entire L'oreal team for extending a package to my mum as her birthday treat.

Here she is after receiving the package and trying the powder.

Ladies, get the powder and thank me later. Guys, it is Easter and here's a good  gift for the women in your life. *wink*

Oma

Blog Giveaway

Yipee! God has added another year to my mum's life today.

Happy birthday mum. I am so grateful to have you as my mother. Through my weaknesses, you have loved me still. You have been very patient with me and understanding that I am human. You look beyond my flaws and see the greatness in me. You admire the strength in me and yet teach me the need to be stay calm. Each time I look at you, I see in you the woman I should be if I want the best and most successful relationship on earth. Though your patience can be really scary, I have come to understand it is the only way to have peace in the home. 

I love you mummy!
And it is the birthday of a fellow blogger as well, Jumoke aka Omo Oba. Happy birthday dearie n 2 ur sis as well. 

To celebrate my mum, I am giving out  a copy of the Genevieve Magazine and Tara lipgloss. All you have to do is send a shout out to my mum. Terms and Conditions Apply *wink*

Half Of A Yellow Sun

The weekend started on Friday (11th of April, 2014) for some of us who got invited to attend the film screening of Half of a Yellow Sun and, the official premiere of the movie on Saturday the 12th of April, 2014. I got to attend the film screening for the press and the press conference and both events turned out really nice. I wasn't at the Saturday event but reports from those who attended and the pictures suggest that it was even better. The Film screening and the official premiere took place at the Silverbird cinemas in Victoria Island and the press conference held at the Wheatbaker hotel in Ikoyi.

I got to see the movie with the press people on Friday and I enjoyed it. I did anticipate the movie though since I had watched the trailer and gotten a synopsis of the movie. Besides, the cast seemed cool with Chiwetel Ejiofor who I have come to love after 12Years A Slave  and then Onyeka Onwenu whom I have not seen in a movie in almost a decade or more, in it.

The movie is an adaptation of a book written by Chimamanda Adichie, a Nigerian author whose work has transcended the shores of the nation and gone beyond, earning her a number of awards. It is centered around the political problems faced by Nigeria after its Independence in 1960, with particular emphasis on the Biafran war. However, the director, Biyi Bandele points out that the movie goes beyond the war to highlight the relationships formed and the sacrifices that were made as a result of love.
I do not want to be a spoiler so, I am not going to tell you about the movie itself but I can share some things I found out during the press conference that are not in the movie:

• It was Biyi Banidele's idea that the book be tuned into a movie after he read the book. He did meet Chimamanda in a restaurant event in London and shared the idea to make a movie out of the book. He took the idea to Yewande Sadiku who is the executive producer of the movie. Though she was not interested initially, her husband, Muhtar Bakare, convinced her to take up the project. after which she did commit herself to raising funds for the movie. Unfortunately, I can't quite state a figure in terms of what was expended since I didn't hear it myself but, Yewande did confirm that it did cost a lot. When you see the movie, you will agree with her that it did cost a lot.
• The shooting of the movie was done in Calabar and lasted for 33 days. Though most of the cast and crew contracted malaria and typhoid, none of them left until the movie was over. We also got to find out that, the movie was shot before 12 years a Slave as Biyi  mentioned that Chiwetel had to run along immediately after the shoot for the shooting of 12 years a Slave.
• Chiwetel openly declared on that day, that he is British-Nigerian. contrary to the reactions of many after his statemet at some show that i never saw*lol*, he said, 'when asked where i am originally from o where i was born, i will have to say London because that was where i was born. however, i am British Nigerian an i love Nigeria'. he went on to explain that he is quite passionate about the movie and the Biafran war is the reason why he was born in London. 
• For those of you who may see the movie and wonder why some parts of the book were not contained in the movie, Biyi explained that, a movie with the entire book in it had to be a 24hour movie and not a 2hours movie and I agree with him. Except you want a series or the typical Nollywood part 1-5 movie, you can't have the whole book in it.
• The movie has been premiered in Toronto, London and we are glad it has come here in Nigeria. According to Shareman Media, the Nigerian producer, and FilmOne Distribution, the Nigerian distributor of the film, the movie will be released in all Nigerian cinemas on Friday, the 25th of April, 2014. 
• Some of the cast include, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Thandie Newton, Anika Noni Rose, Joseph Mawle, John Boyega, Genevieve Nnaji and Onyeka Onwenu. 

Here's the official trailer of the movie.

So, get your cash ready to buy the tickets as soon as it comes out and keep visiting the blog because I just may have a goody in stock.

Be Prepared: Shopping List For the Rain

It seems like the rain is around as it has been seen showering or coming down heavy in the past couple of weeks. I have had some not so good experiences with the rain myself (article for another day) but I guess having one or two things with me made it better than some who had none of those things. Out of the love I have for my blog fam, I am sharing with you some of the things you should add to your shopping list for the rain- Oma Ehiri

photo credit: ithomason.wordpress.com

Umbrella: 

It comes in different sizes; small, medium, big and even the really large ones. Ladies love the small ones which they can easily throw into their handbags. However, I advocate for the bigger ones especially on windy days. Though not convenient, they can withstand the strong wind better. 

photo credit: photoshelter.com

Raincoat: 

It may seem really old school but it covers better. 

There are quite a few colourful and beautiful ones as well. It can also be worn yet using an umbrella especially for those ones that do not have the hood. It is most advisable for people who  have to ride a bike in the rain to buy them but the ones with the hood. When you are done, wrap them and throw them into your bag. Don't forget to dry them as soon as you can. 

photo credit: fashioncentral.pk

Rubber shoes: 

It could be slippers, sandals or covered shoes 

but the key word is, "rubber". Put your fancy leather or suede shoes in your bag and you can wear them when you get to your destination. The rubber slippers are now made in fanciful designs as well. I own a few that I rock to the beach or just around the neighborhood.

Tomorrow happens to be the birthday of a friend, Sola. I should probably get her one of these as a gift. Happy birthday in advance girlfriend.

Any idea what more should be on the list? Please, share on the page.....

 

NdaniTv premiers Season2 of The Juice

Saturday the 5th of April was a night of Glamour at the premier of the Season2 of The Juice, held at The Wheatbaker. Asides from starting the event 2hours 30minutes late (which was not the fault of the organisers but guests who didn't start arriving till 8pm), the event was fun.

Liz Yemoja, Toolz, Toke Makinwa, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Sasha, Niyola, Noble Igwe, Olisa, Tunde Demuren, Philomena (My friend who takes care of my makeup most of the time and took care of my hair for this event) and I, were some of the guests at the event.

There were energetic performances by Seyi Shay, Yemi Alade, Harrisong and the limpopo king, Kcee.

Every guest left the venue with a goody bag courtesy GTB. In it was a big note pad, a small diary, a flash drive (8gb which I am loving), a key holder, card holder and a pen. I am proud of my bank *lol*

Toolz

Toolz interviewing Ebuka Obi-Uchedu

Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

Toke Makinwa

Omalicha

Sasha P and Niyola

Onos and Toolz

Yemi Alade

Seyi Shay

Philomena George and Oma Ehiri

Toke and Noble Igwe

Photo Credit: Instagram 

Personality of the Month.

In 2002, our personality of the month graduated from Secondary School and was unable to gain admission into the university due to JAMB issues. We all know how JAMB sell forms to thousands of graduates each year and yet are unable to grant placement to more than half of those who write the examination.

After 4 years of staying home and waiting for JAMB to favor her, she went in search of a job. Fortune smiled on her and she met a lady who bakes cake and needed someone she could employ and teach how to bake. Since she had no option, she grabbed the opportunity. In her words, 'I didn't choose baking, baking chose me'.

In 2 weeks, she impressed her employer by learning enough to have her own first set of students.She has tutored a number of people (mostly over the phone) and they have gone on to become professionals. She says, 'I really do enjoy teaching people how to bake and I hope to start up my own baking school where I can teach interested people how to bake but with more focus on sugar craft.

Understanding the power of education in everything, in 2007, she got admission into Houdegbe North American University in Benin where she studied and graduated with a B.A in International Relations. 

Today, she bakes lovely cakes as you can see, mostly sugar craft and fondant and She teaches others how to bake. Talk about mentoring!

Meet our personality of the Month: Vivian Eloho Omughellie.                         

Her advice to young people is: 'Never give up or be disappointed by the many downsides of the economy. Stay focused. I didn’t give up and while in school, I still baked cakes.  I am a graduate now and I have a skill that has become my hobby'.

Congratulations to Vivian on her achievement and we wish you the very best in actualizing your dreams.

To contact Vivian, send an email on vivian.omughelli@yahoo.com

  
If you are a young entrepreneur or have a story that will inspire others, contact us on ijehiri@gmail.com. You can always recommend others that you willl like to read their story.

Stay Inspired,

Oma!

Winner of Blog Giveaway

Guess who won the March edition of the Genevieve Magazine?
 The question was, what does Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett and Osas Ighodaro have in common?
 Our winner said, ' They are both stage play actresses that have featured  in international stage plays and productions'. In addition, sociotectonic will like you to know that they are both tinsel stars. Taiwo acts as Yahimba (Sheila's mum) and Osas is Ada.

Here is our winner's message:

Yaaaay!!! I'm super happy to win this give-away. Thanks  http://sociotectonic.blogspot.com for the magazine. I'm enjoying the read. The three women are all divas in their time! thanks

And here is our response:

Congratulations Ademide. Glad you love it!

Blog fam, watch out for more give away soon right here.

Oma!