By Niyi Tabiti
It was as if Nigeria's First Lady, Mrs Patience Goodluck Jonathan was waiting for the presidential campaign and announcement of results to be over before unveiling her brand new look.
On the day of the inauguration, most Nigerians saw their first lady in another light. She was looking , more than ever before, like a sweet sixteen. She's got the true shape of an African woman and the women behind her new look helped unveil the heavenly beauty.
At a small editorial meeting of
Gistmaster, we decided to caption this week's cover story as "Patience Jonathan's Fashion Cabinet". Talking about some of the women behind the First lady's hot new look.
enjoy.
BANKE MESHIDA-LAWAL: A top make-up artist, Banke Meshida-Lawal got the super deal as Mrs. Jonathan’s official make-up artist. It was obvious that Banke did her job well as because she turned Nigeria’s first lady into a model with her brand of BMPRO product.
Sources said Banke got the deal through Hajia Bola Shagaya, a close pal to Mrs. Jonathan.
[caption id="attachment_5784" align="alignleft" width="306" caption="Banke Meshida"]
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Banke started make-up as a hobby during her days at the University of Lagos. During her stay at Moremi hall, most girls wanted her to do their make up for a fee so she turned it into business.
Banke’s first major job was at Flamingos Restaurant, Victoria Island, when she handed make up at the first Tiffany Amber fashion show.
In an interview with
Niyi Tabiti in 2003, Banke said she was introduced to the owner of
Tiffany Amber by daughters of Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the Osile of Egba oke-Ona. They told Folake about Banke their friend, who knows a lot about Make up.
Eventually, she handled the make-up for the models.
Since then, Banke has not looked back.Making money by handling jobs involving companies, high net worth personalities, brides and also; selling her brand of make up products. She also train people.
RUTH OSIME: If you think all Ruth Osime did during President Goodluck Jonathan's inauguration was only dancing with Wale Babalakin (SAN) and get praises from Sir Victor Uwaifo at the inauguration ball, then you are missing it. She led the photo shoot and THISDAY Style interview with Mrs. Goodluck Jonathan
Sources told gistmaster.com that Ruth is a key member in Mrs. Jonathan's fashion cabinet. An impeccable source told gistmasteer.com that “Ruth Osime did the styling.Many people gave her thumbs up for a job well done after the First Lady's interview was published. The woman was looking off the hook.
You should give her the credit. She is responsible for the new look, she and TY Bello"
Ruth is the editor of Thisday Style, one of Nigeria’s most widely read style magazine. Though publication remain an insert inside Thisday (Sunday) publication, it has become a reference point to many people who want to go into the business of magazine publishing.
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TY BELLO: Toyin Sokefun Bello (TY),a photographer and award winning musician is as important as every other member of Mrs. Jonathan‘s fashion and style cabinet. She ‘composed’ the new look of the first lady with her camera and a bit of photo editing tools.
A stylist based in London told gistmaster.com “I respect TY Bello. The way Mrs. Jonathan’s photo shoot turned out shows she’s a genius. If the hair styling and make-up is right, what if the photography is wrong?” The stylist asks rhetorically. “But in this situation, Ty Bello brought out the best in the woman. Everything was just perfect”.
PELEBO BANIGO: Pelebo Is another wealthy Nigerian woman who is highly connected in the corridors of power. Pelebo, wife of a former bank chairman, Chief Ebitimi Banigo is one of the closest to Nigeria’s first lady. When President went on official visits to the United Nations last year, Pelebo was one of those that accompanied Mrs. Jonathan to New York. She was also with her durning the Presidential retreat at Obudu Ranch.
Sources told gistmaster.com that she is in charge of Mrs. Jonathan’s diet. She is working towards ensuring that the woman keep in shape.
TINUKE: She is one Banke Meshida's most trust hands. She handled the make up for the Thisday photo shoot on behalf of her boss. Banke did the inauguration make up but she travelled to Dubai for the wedding of
Solape Agagu and Brian Hammond in Dubai. So, she delegated the job.
[caption id="attachment_5794" align="alignleft" width="320" caption="Hajia Bola Shagaya"]
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Bola Shagaya: A socialite and businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya is often regarded by Nigerian tabloid as the richest woman in the country. Even if that is in contention, what can not be contended is her closeness to Nigeria’s first lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan.
Fashionable and well endowned, Shagaya is not new to the corridors of power. She had been friends to past first ladies, especially late Mrs. Maryam Babangida.
(See her with the babangida's at Seun Fagbohungbe and Murtala Raji Rasaki's wedding)Shagaya made money doing business in the photo material business,Oil and stocks. She was on the board of intercity Bank, alongside Mohammed Babangida.
Sources told gistmaster.com that Shagaya knows more when it come to Jeweleries. As a friend, she helps the first lady with the right choice of jewellery that would sit well on her.
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