In honor of Women’s Month, Glazia features four ladies who serve as a source of inspiration to other women, have triumphed against odds and continue to stand tall in the midst of chaos. Our March cover girls were beautifully adorned by chic Ankara brand, Design For Love (DFL) founded by Wunmi Olufeko – A pacesetter and one of the first designers to take Ankara to a whole new level.
Get to Know our March Cover Girls
Adesuwa Onyenokwe
Adesuwa Onyenokwe is a media guru in every sense of the word! A veteran journalist, Adesuwua has practiced broadcast journalism for over 29-years. She is the publisher and editor-in-chief of top women’s magazine – Today’s Woman. An interviewer par excellence, Adesuwa executive produced and presented, Seriously Speaking which aired on Channels TV between 2014 and 2018, and TW Conversations transmitted on MNET’s Africa Magic Showcase, 2017-2018. Adesuwa is a fellow of the Bloomberg African Leadership Initiative.
Adenike Oyetunde
Adenike Oyetunde is a lawyer though not in active practice, she delved into the world of media (radio), where she had the only legal show on the air taking on topical issues and helping to solve numerous problems while giving free legal counsel. A qualified human resource personnel and an emotional Intelligence coach, Adenike is a cancer survivor and advocate with great passion for supporting people who have been through the same experience as she. She is the author of self-titled memoir, Adénìké.
Anita Okoye
Anita is an entrepreneur, trained lawyer, social activist, lifestyle influencer. She has an LLB in Law from the University of Abuja and a master’s degree in Oil & Gas from the University of Dundee, Scotland. Before now, Anita worked as a strategic business developer in the Oil & Gas sector for 8 years. She currently works as founder & CEO of Nigerian children’s wear brand Tannkco. She is also the author of children’s book, The ABCs of Africa.
Latasha Ngwube
Latasha is a writer, lifestyle journalist, fashion designer and plus-size advocate. She is the founder of African focused plus size community, Aboutthatcurvylife.com and creative director of Curvy Monroe, a collaborative line – whose aim is to bring stylish, comfortable, modern, feminine and functional clothes to curvy women – with retail chain, Grey Velvet.
Interview on Life changing experiences, embracing womanhood at its finest and living through each day as conquerors.
Glazia – What does being a woman mean to you?
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: A woman is curvaceous bundle of power, wisdom and virtue who is wonderfully created by God to birth and complete life. Being a woman is being aware of all possibilities and ‘cashing’ in on it!
Adenike Oyetunde: Oh well, it means having unwanted, sometimes painful periods, to explain how and why I can afford certain things. It also means never understanding why society defines certain roles as ‘mine’ and standing tall against all odds, pushing and owning success, always. Lastly, it means paving the way and helping pus other women to ascend.
Anita Okoye: Being a woman to me, means being human, staying strong amidst the struggles yet being vulnerable and genuine to yourself and others.
Glazia – This year’s International Women’s Day celebration is themed Each for Equal. In recent times, there’s been a lot of talks, movements etc. on gender equality and girl power. What are your thoughts on today’s woman and where do you think she should be?
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: Each for equal speaks on the need to attain equality between and within genders. Beijing ‘95 is benchmark for loud advocacy for gender empowerment and equality. Thirty-five years after that landmark conference, the fact that we are still fighting for it means that there is a comma. Personally, I think stronger strides would have been made if there was equity within the female gender. We need to replace the ‘PHD (Pull Her Down) syndrome’ with ‘PHU (Pull Her Up)’. Today’s woman needs to see herself bond better with her fellow women because together we achieve more. #eachonepulloneup.
Adenike Oyetunde: Honestly, Today’s Woman has not had it this good in a very long time. For that, she must recognize the privilege and continue to fight for more. Though demanding for it might be insufficient but do take it where you have to. Also, her earning power has increased and so have her qualifications. She’s no longer silent. She’s assertive and vocal. Every cause that is founded on these and more positives, I’d support today, tomorrow and always.
Anita Okoye: I love the idea of Girl Power and the fact that every gender should be regarded as equal. Raising a daughter along with my 2 boys has actually made me more passionate about the movement. My kids all have the same views and approach to life. We don’t have or even say “this is for boys” or “this is for girls”. My Son, Andre loves cooking and doing chores as do Nathan and Nadia. They do not think certain roles are meant for a particular gender. My daughter is also very expressive and speaks up at every given chance. She is one confident little powerhouse. I think today’s woman should be anyone she wishes to be.
Glazia – Have you personally experienced gender inequality? Please share
Adenike Oyetunde: I haven’t noticed it openly yet but I do suspect a few projects/jobs it may have existed. Sadly, I am unable to prove this assertion.
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: No such experience readily comes to mind. Inequality is born out the value(s) placed on genders. I was raised to believe I can achieve my utmost best if I was smart. Since my mum had sons before I was born, there was no discrimination in the kitchen as all my brothers cooked and cleaned like me.
Anita Okoye: Personally, I really can’t say I have experienced gender inequality.
Glazia – If you could give your life a theme for 2020 what will it be and why?
Adenike Oyetunde: Freedom. It’s my year to be free indeed. Free from everything that had held me back in times past; mentally and with my soul.
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: Be More. This is fired by the need to keep moving and not settle by saying “I can’t”. It applies to all aspects of my life but more importantly my finances. I want to earn more money to do ‘more good’ so as to not be ashamed to place and demand monetary value for all I have to offer!
Anita Okoye: My theme is ‘Bloom’. Bloom, Baby, Bloom!!! I’m all about positivity, growth and development in all areas of my life this year.
Glazia – What is your relationship with fashion and how did wearing the Design For Love outfits you wore for this shoot make you feel?
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: I have always been aware of the need to look good. When I was only 16, I remember telling my friends that I would wear the same pair of jeans at 40 – meaning I planned on maintaining my size. Till date, when I think of fashion, what I always look out for is comfort and style. A perfect fit is as important as a design and DFL sure ticks the boxes. I am a sucker for anything that’s ethnic yet stylish and made to international standards. In the DFL pieces I felt stylishly local yet ready and able to act global!
Anita Okoye: My relationship with fashion is pretty easy breezy. Comfort is key for me. I loved the DFL outfits because they made me feel comfortable, stylish and confident. I felt like a Boss Lady, A Sultry Goddess and a Chic Diva all in one day.
Adenike Oyetunde: I am not a big fashion geek. I am not big on brands and all. I look out for comfort, colours and fit. Wonderfully, that was optimally achieved with wearing DFL. I loved it.
“A world without women would be tasteless, flat and no fun! When women are brought to the table, we are just as necessary, capable and resourceful as men, within every sphere of life.” – Latasha Ngwube.
Glazia – Of the pieces you wore for the shoot, which is your favorite and why?
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: I loved them all! Both the girly dress and the elegant kaftan/boubou.
Adenike Oyetunde: The black lace and blue and black adire. Simplicity is my style. The dress also had pockets – a bonus!
Anita Okoye: The Batik Mixed Print Top and Culottes set. It was super comfy and I loved how I looked in it. It can be worn as either a day or night attire.
Glazia – A real woman is…?
Adenike Oyetunde: Who she desires to be. Define your boundaries, set your rules, live by them.
Adesuwa Onyenokwe: Flexible yet firm, trusting in her God given abilities to be the best she can be. ALWAYS.
Anita Okoye: Every Woman!
Glazia – What is the worst setback you’ve faced in business and in your personal life? How did you deal with it?
To see the rest of their fun and insightful cover interview plus all the photos from the shoot, download the march edition of our Glazia Magazine for free HERE.
Cover Details
Interview – Glazia Editor-in-chief, Omawumi Ogbe
Outfits – Design for Love (DFL)
Styling – Tobi Amokedo, 37 Clues Styling
Photography – Remi Apari, PRESTAZ
Makeup – Anti Ayo