April 17, 2016

THE VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR- Night Of The Torchbearers

2015

Printed and published by Vanguard Media LtdVanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.For advertisement / enquiries, call DEBBIE: 08039675880,

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PEOPLE

• Style First Or Suffer Later?

The Titans Came Out To Celebrate

Contents17/04

15

86

Editor’s Note

When I craved the indulgence of dignitaries who were at the VIP lounge for this cover shoot, I bet I looked like I was out of my mind.

First. My colleagues argued, “You couldn’t capture everyone in the room, at the time, to fit into the cover”.

Second. “It would be too much of a bother to get everyone to pose for it”.

If you are one of those who see with the third eye - the eye of the mind - you always go by that image. I simply followed; reservations, not withstanding.

And so the ‘Vanguard Awards’ provided a platform for honours, backslapping, dancing, singing, and speeches.

The 2015 awards will go down in history as the biggest and most memorable. And, for the year 2016, its the first big event to pull such a large mix of people, all dressed to the nines.

From politicians to industry giants, the academia, Nollywood and the rest of us; everyone turned out for a good time and there was no disappointment.

In the following pages, we have tried to capture, as best we can, the evening Nigeria’s ‘Torchbearers’ shone like stars, giving light to dim horizons, bringing with them a message of hope and a better Nigeria. Read more in Jemi Ekunkunbor’s report on pp. 6-7.

Finally, I want to thank our distinguished guests for obliging me for the cover shoot.

Have a great week!

e m a i l : a l l u r e f o r t h e w o r l d @ v a n g u a r d n g r . c o m

Remmy DiagbareR .

@ Vanguardallure1

The VanguardPersonality of the Year Awards

8COVER STORY

Quotes...

“Life every man holds dear; but the dear man holds honour far more precious dear than life”.

-William Shakespeare

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR YEMISI SULEIMAN

FATIMA GARBAPAMELA ECHEMUNOR

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

“Power is like being a lady... if you have to tell people you are, you aren’t”.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear”.

- Margaret Thatcher

- Nelson Mandela

Vanguard Honours Torchbearers

156

lookposh@yahoo.co.uk suleimanyemisi@gmail.com

pamela.echemunor@gmail.com fatigarba36@yahoo.com

TEAMEDITOR

REMMY DIAGBAREDEPUTY EDITOR

JEMI EKUNKUNBORASST. EDITOR

YEMISI SULEIMANSTYLE REPORTER

PAMELA ECHEMUNORCONTRIBUTORS

PRINCESS KATE EMIKOBAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

JEROME CODJO-YAOVIONIPEDE

CONT. EDITORLATASHA NGWUBECOPY EDITORDODOIYI WILLIAM-WESTCORRESPONDENTSFATIMA GARBADAVINA AYODELELAYOUT / DESIGNGREGORY OBIOLAYIWOLA AJAGBEPHOTOOSCAR OCHIOGU(08034746487)

COVER PHOTO: BAMIYO EMINA Page 4 Pix: Africanstock.com

April 10, 2016 / 3

The 2015 awards will go down in history as the biggest and most memorable. And, for the year 2016, its the first big event to pull such a large mix of people, all dressed to the nines.

From politicians to industry giants, the academia, Nollywood and the rest of us; everyone turned out for a good time and there was no disappointment.In the following pages, we have tried to capture, as best we can, the evening Nigeria’s ‘Torch Bearers’ shone like stars, giving light to dim horizons, bringing with them a message of hope and a better Nigeria.

THE VANGUARD PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS:

Big Event In1 2016st

/ April 17, 20164

Big Event In

Twelve eminent Nigerians, 11 men and one woman who by their achievements and stellar qualities, set themselves apart from

the rest, were last weekend, honoured in Lagos at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2015.Introduced in 2013 by Vanguard Media Limited, the event is aimed at celebrating exceptional achievers. This year’s recipients, known as the Torch Bearers, are remarkable achievers from various fields who are not only considered as national pride and impacted on humanity but have lit a path for others to succeed.The annual awards which enters it’s 4th season and which took place last weekend at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, had the Convention Centre packed full with heavy weights from both the political and business community who came to support one of their own. The awards this year, was broken into five categories; they are Personalities of the year, Governors of the year, Business Man of the year, Hero of Democracy and Lifetime achievement.For those who have never seen former Vice President Alex Ekwueme dance before, the

Vanguard awards provided the platform. The overwhelming support from his kith and kin from the Igbo extraction, brought the elder statesman to his feet as he gyrated to the Igbo traditional tunes. He received the Lifetime Achiements Awards shared with Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Monument Bank, who established the first bank in Nigeria without foreign direct investments, Mrs Onikepo Akande, Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Senator David Dafinone who in 2000, along with his three sons and two daughters, entered the Guinness World Records as the family with the most chartered accountants in the world.Four governors shared the honour under the Governor of the Year category. Adams Oshiomhole for a vibrant administration that brought tremendous growth and development to Edo State, Ibrahim Dankwambo for bringing public accountability and unprecedented infrastructural development to virtually all sectors of Gombe State and Ibikunle Amosun, for elevating Ogun State through initiatives trade empowerment, community

development and poverty alleviation. Also joining in this honour is Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who despite the security challenges in his state, has worked to restore hope to the people as well making strides in education, health care, agriculture and infrastructure. Jim Ovia, an accomplished banker and chairman of Zenith Bank who likes to describe himself as a “job creating machine”, received the Business Man of the year award for transforming a small commercial bank into a financial service conglomerate.Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as the Lion of Boudillion, received the Hero of Democracy awards for his pragmatic political strides especially for spearheading he birth of Nigeria’s then largest opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC.The big masquerade they say comes out last. The Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards crowned the line up of awards for the evening. The award was shared by immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, a man of peace who conceded defeat in a rare show of statesmanship making it the first time in Nigeria’s history that an incumbent had

conceded peacefully even before official result was confirmed and President Muhammadu Buhari (GCON) who contested the presidential election thrice and lost but never gave up and on the fourth attempt won bringing with him change and a determination to improve governance and tackle corruption.Responding to the honour done him, President Buhari, represented by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while appreciating Vanguard, urged Nigerians to believe in the change agenda saying it is real and that Nigerians will get the change they voted for.He debunked the belief in some quarters that Nigeria has entered one chance. According to him, “Nigerians have not entered one chance because, the one chance drivers and conductors have been driven out ot town”.Earlier in a welcome address publisher of Vanguard Media, Mr. Sam Amuka represented by the GM/ Editor-in-chief Mr. Gbenga Adefaye said the annual Vanguard Personality Awards was instituted to create a platform to recognise hardworking individuals who left their mark in the

By Jemi Ekunkunbor Pics By Oscar Ochiogu

Vanguard HonoursTorchbearers

/ April 17, 20166 April 17, 2016 / 7

preceeding year adding that “these twelve are more than worthy to wear that badge”.The event was spiced with musical performances by classical/broadway soloist Olumide Dada, who gave an amazing rendition of the national anthem, Harrysong who got governors Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa to show off dance steps and KC who brought the roof down with his popular tunes. Top comedian Kofi and Helen Paul kept guest thrilled with wise cracks.

His ExcEllEncy AlEx EkwuEmE & sEnAtor ibikunlE Amosun mr DElE AlAkE rEcEivED vAnguArD HEro of DEmocrAcy AwArD for

AsiwAju bolA tinubu, nAtionAl lEADEr APc from Dr obA otuDEko

His ExcEllEncy ADAms osHiomHolE, govErnor of EDo stAtE AnD His

wifE iArA rEcEiving vAnguArD govErnor of tHE yEAr AwArDmr jim oviA & His wifE mrs kAy oviA

gov. ibrAHim DAnkwAmbo of gombE stAtE rEcEiving vAnguArD

bEst govErnor of tHE yEAr from obA otuDEko

obA otuDEko AnD PrincE ADEDAyo ADEyEyE

obong victor AttAH PrEsEnting An AwArD to cHiEf nikE AkAnDE

govErnor kAsHim sHEttimA of borno stAtE rEcEiving

vAnguArD govErnor of tHE yEAr AwArD from obA otuDEko

Twelve eminent Nigerians, 11 men and one woman who by their achievements and stellar qualities, set themselves apart from

the rest, were last weekend, honoured in Lagos at the Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards 2015.Introduced in 2013 by Vanguard Media Limited, the event is aimed at celebrating exceptional achievers. This year’s recipients, known as the Torch Bearers, are remarkable achievers from various fields who are not only considered as national pride and impacted on humanity but have lit a path for others to succeed.The annual awards which enters it’s 4th season and which took place last weekend at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, had the Convention Centre packed full with heavy weights from both the political and business community who came to support one of their own. The awards this year, was broken into five categories; they are Personalities of the year, Governors of the year, Business Man of the year, Hero of Democracy and Lifetime achievement.For those who have never seen former Vice President Alex Ekwueme dance before, the

Vanguard awards provided the platform. The overwhelming support from his kith and kin from the Igbo extraction, brought the elder statesman to his feet as he gyrated to the Igbo traditional tunes. He received the Lifetime Achiements Awards shared with Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, Chairman, First City Monument Bank, who established the first bank in Nigeria without foreign direct investments, Mrs Onikepo Akande, Nigeria’s first female Minister of Industry and President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Senator David Dafinone who in 2000, along with his three sons and two daughters, entered the Guinness World Records as the family with the most chartered accountants in the world.Four governors shared the honour under the Governor of the Year category. Adams Oshiomhole for a vibrant administration that brought tremendous growth and development to Edo State, Ibrahim Dankwambo for bringing public accountability and unprecedented infrastructural development to virtually all sectors of Gombe State and Ibikunle Amosun, for elevating Ogun State through initiatives trade empowerment, community

development and poverty alleviation. Also joining in this honour is Governor Kashim Shettima of Borno State who despite the security challenges in his state, has worked to restore hope to the people as well making strides in education, health care, agriculture and infrastructure. Jim Ovia, an accomplished banker and chairman of Zenith Bank who likes to describe himself as a “job creating machine”, received the Business Man of the year award for transforming a small commercial bank into a financial service conglomerate.Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as the Lion of Boudillion, received the Hero of Democracy awards for his pragmatic political strides especially for spearheading he birth of Nigeria’s then largest opposition party, All Progressive Congress, APC.The big masquerade they say comes out last. The Vanguard Personality of the Year Awards crowned the line up of awards for the evening. The award was shared by immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan, a man of peace who conceded defeat in a rare show of statesmanship making it the first time in Nigeria’s history that an incumbent had

conceded peacefully even before official result was confirmed and President Muhammadu Buhari (GCON) who contested the presidential election thrice and lost but never gave up and on the fourth attempt won bringing with him change and a determination to improve governance and tackle corruption.Responding to the honour done him, President Buhari, represented by Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, while appreciating Vanguard, urged Nigerians to believe in the change agenda saying it is real and that Nigerians will get the change they voted for.He debunked the belief in some quarters that Nigeria has entered one chance. According to him, “Nigerians have not entered one chance because, the one chance drivers and conductors have been driven out ot town”.Earlier in a welcome address publisher of Vanguard Media, Mr. Sam Amuka represented by the GM/ Editor-in-chief Mr. Gbenga Adefaye said the annual Vanguard Personality Awards was instituted to create a platform to recognise hardworking individuals who left their mark in the

By Jemi Ekunkunbor Pics By Oscar Ochiogu

Vanguard HonoursTorchbearers

/ April 17, 20166 April 17, 2016 / 7

preceeding year adding that “these twelve are more than worthy to wear that badge”.The event was spiced with musical performances by classical/broadway soloist Olumide Dada, who gave an amazing rendition of the national anthem, Harrysong who got governors Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa to show off dance steps and KC who brought the roof down with his popular tunes. Top comedian Kofi and Helen Paul kept guest thrilled with wise cracks.

His ExcEllEncy AlEx EkwuEmE & sEnAtor ibikunlE Amosun mr DElE AlAkE rEcEivED vAnguArD HEro of DEmocrAcy AwArD for

AsiwAju bolA tinubu, nAtionAl lEADEr APc from Dr obA otuDEko

His ExcEllEncy ADAms osHiomHolE, govErnor of EDo stAtE AnD His

wifE iArA rEcEiving vAnguArD govErnor of tHE yEAr AwArDmr jim oviA & His wifE mrs kAy oviA

gov. ibrAHim DAnkwAmbo of gombE stAtE rEcEiving vAnguArD

bEst govErnor of tHE yEAr from obA otuDEko

obA otuDEko AnD PrincE ADEDAyo ADEyEyE

obong victor AttAH PrEsEnting An AwArD to cHiEf nikE AkAnDE

govErnor kAsHim sHEttimA of borno stAtE rEcEiving

vAnguArD govErnor of tHE yEAr AwArD from obA otuDEko

April 17, 2016 / 9 / April 17, 20168

THE TITANS CAME OUT TO CELEBRATE

Vanguard Media Limited, recently paid due homage to eminent members of the Nigerian society, who have contributed immensely to the nurturing and growth of the country. The event which held at Eko

Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought under one roof, Chairmen of Industries, Business Moguls, socialites, prominent members of society and Nollywood stars too.It was an evening of entertainment, as guests were serenaded by Harrysong, Simi, K.C and a host of other artists. Pictured here are some of the Titans that graced the occasion.

By Pamela Echemunor Pics By Vanguard Photo Dept.

AdebAyo & Nike AkANde keNNy& AZAkA okoLUGbo

ibrAhim bAbAGANNA & Steve AyoriNde

dr & mrS ALex ekwUeme ereLU doSUNmU SALLy mbANefo

Aremo oLUSeGUN oSobA, NdUkA obAiGbeNA & SAm AmUkAifeANyi okowA& deLe ALAke rep boLA Ahmed tiNUbU

priNce kASSim AfeGbUA & mr emekA UGwU-ojU

hASSAN fAwAZ & hUSSeiN fAwAZGrAce eGbAGbe

ephrAim fALoUGhi

chriS mUroro, johNSoN bAroUbe & SimeoN ohwofA

Gov. kAShim-ShettimA

oprAh beNSoN & iyAbo foreSythe

AdeNike ShobAjo, mUdA yUSSUf, bAbAtUNde rUwASe, & oLAwALe coLe LoUiS odioN, emekA oGwU-ojU & victor ifijeh

chief emmANUeL evNe, A.i. oGiLo, & SoLomoN echojAh

feLiciA oboZUwA, LAdi bALoGUN & NAth Ude

hoN. pAtrick obAhiAGboN ritA Lori

April 17, 2016 / 9 / April 17, 20168

THE TITANS CAME OUT TO CELEBRATE

Vanguard Media Limited, recently paid due homage to eminent members of the Nigerian society, who have contributed immensely to the nurturing and growth of the country. The event which held at Eko

Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought under one roof, Chairmen of Industries, Business Moguls, socialites, prominent members of society and Nollywood stars too.It was an evening of entertainment, as guests were serenaded by Harrysong, Simi, K.C and a host of other artists. Pictured here are some of the Titans that graced the occasion.

By Pamela Echemunor Pics By Vanguard Photo Dept.

AdebAyo & Nike AkANde keNNy& AZAkA okoLUGbo

ibrAhim bAbAGANNA & Steve AyoriNde

dr & mrS ALex ekwUeme ereLU doSUNmU SALLy mbANefo

Aremo oLUSeGUN oSobA, NdUkA obAiGbeNA & SAm AmUkAifeANyi okowA& deLe ALAke rep boLA Ahmed tiNUbU

priNce kASSim AfeGbUA & mr emekA UGwU-ojU

hASSAN fAwAZ & hUSSeiN fAwAZGrAce eGbAGbe

ephrAim fALoUGhi

chriS mUroro, johNSoN bAroUbe & SimeoN ohwofA

Gov. kAShim-ShettimA

oprAh beNSoN & iyAbo foreSythe

AdeNike ShobAjo, mUdA yUSSUf, bAbAtUNde rUwASe, & oLAwALe coLe LoUiS odioN, emekA oGwU-ojU & victor ifijeh

chief emmANUeL evNe, A.i. oGiLo, & SoLomoN echojAh

feLiciA oboZUwA, LAdi bALoGUN & NAth Ude

hoN. pAtrick obAhiAGboN ritA Lori

/ April 17, 201610 April 17, 2016 / 11

THE WOMEN

The women were not left out in the event. They came from all walks of life, decked in their evening best to support their own..

Rita amuka NoNa adimoRa

Bukky LatuNjiNkechi aLi-BaLoguNRose eRewa Bisi idaomi ZemayeFuNmi FagBoRe

Ndidi oBiohaLiLiaN aFegBaiomawuNmi uRhoBo

chioma okoye

/ April 17, 201610 April 17, 2016 / 11

THE WOMEN

The women were not left out in the event. They came from all walks of life, decked in their evening best to support their own..

Rita amuka NoNa adimoRa

Bukky LatuNjiNkechi aLi-BaLoguNRose eRewa Bisi idaomi ZemayeFuNmi FagBoRe

Ndidi oBiohaLiLiaN aFegBaiomawuNmi uRhoBo

chioma okoye

/ April 17, 201612

NOLLYWOOD CELEBRITIES

The night was not all about businessmen and politicians.

Nollywood stars also came out to lend their support, with actress Rita Dominic, Princess Chineke, Annette Cookey, Cossy Orjiakor and others strutting their stuff on the red carpet.

Mary Lazarus

OyOMi sabrin Furchner cOssy OrjiakOr Mercy MackjOeejirO

rita DOMinic DOris siMOn

April 17, 2016 / 13

THE ENTERTAINERS

koffi ajololofinest

kc

helen paul

olumide dada

harrysong entertaining guests

The event was spiced with musical performances by classical/broadway soloist Olumide Dada, who gave amazing rendition of the national anthem, Harrysong who

got governors Adams Oshiomhole and Ifeanyi Okowa to show off dance steps and KC who brought the roof down with his popular tunes. Top comedian Kofi and Helen Paul kept guest thrilled with wise cracks.

011HEALTHY LIVINGBy - Teri Mendes

For comments and questions please email terimendes@gmail.com, @terimendes. I would love to hear from you, till next week. - it’s ta ta for now! XOXO

There’s no denying that as we age chronologically, our body ages right along with us. But research is showing that you can increase your chances of maintaining a healthy brain well into your old age if you add these “smart” foods to your daily eating regimen. Eating well is good for your mental as well as your physical health. The brain requires nutrients just like your heart, lungs or muscles do. But which foods are particularly important to keep our grey matter happy? Foods high in compounds such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can improve brain health and memory, experts say. From fruit to fish, here are six things that, based on various studies, may perk up your gray matter. WALNUTSThey even look like little brains, so maybe that’s Mother Nature’s way of telling us what walnuts are good for.Indeed, a 2009 study in the Journal of Nutrition found that diets in which nuts made up as little as 2 percent reversed signs of aging in the brains of old rats, including the ability of the brain to function and process information.And a study presented in 2010 at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s disease reported that mice with Alzheimer’s demonstrated improved learning, memory and motor coordination after being fed walnuts.Walnuts contain high amounts of antioxidants, which some researchers say may combat the damage to brain cells’ DNA caused by free radicals in our bodies.

CARROTSCarrots have long been known to be good for the eyes and it turns out, they’re good for the brain, too.Carrots have high levels of a compound called luteolin, which could reduce age-related memory deficits and inflammation in the brain, according to a study published in 2010 in the journal Nutrition. In the study, mice whose daily diet was supplemented with 20 milligrams of luteolin had reduced inflammation in their brains. The researchers said the compound also

restored the mice’s memory to the level of younger mice’s. Olive oil, peppers and celery are also high in luteolin. BERRIESAdding some vitamin-rich berries to your diet may not be a bad idea if you want to improve your memory, according to several studies. Vitamin C has long been thought to have the power to increase mental agility. One of the best sources of this vital vitamin are blackcurrants.One study, published in 2010 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, found that after 12 weeks of daily supplements of wild blueberry juice, nine older adults who had started to experience slight memory problems showed better learning and recall abilities than a similar group of adults who didn’t take the supplements. The blueberry group also showed reduced symptoms of depression.And in a 2009 report in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers said they examined a group of studies that showed fruits such as blue and blackberries, elderberries and strawberries, which are high in antioxidants, can decrease a type of stress in cells associated with aging and increase the signaling capabilities in brains. In one of the studies, researchers placed 6-month-old rats on a diet supplemented with blueberry and strawberry extracts (totaling 2 percent of their diet) for nine months. These rats had better spatial and memory skills than rats not given the supplements. FISHAlthough recent research has shown that taking fish oil supplements may not help slow the cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease, other studies have shown that eating fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids could help slow typical cognitive decline that comes with age.A 2005 study in the journal Archives of Neurology found that people 65 and older who ate two meals of fish a week for six years had a 13 percent decrease in cognitive decline, compared with people who didn’t eat any fish regularly. And people who ate one meal of fish a week had a 10 percent decrease in cognitive decline.Fish high in vitamin B12 may also help protect against

Alzheimer’s, according to a study published in 2010 in the journal Neurology.

COFFEE AND TEACoffee and tea do more than keep you awake in the mornings studies have shown they may prevent Alzheimer’s disease and improve cognitive function.A 2010 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that when researchers gave caffeinated coffee to mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s disease, the disease either slowed in progression or never developed. Based on the finding, coffee eventually could serve as a therapeutic treatment for people with Alzheimer’s disease, the researchers said.Tea showed protective effects on the brain, too. Tea drinkers did better on tests on memory and information processing than non-tea drinkers did, according to a 2010 study of 716 Chinese adults 55 and older in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging. Tea also has potent antioxidants, especially the class known as catechines, which promotes healthy blood flow. Bottled or powdered teas don’t do the trick; however, It has to be freshly brewed. Tea bags do count, however. SPINACHYour mom always told you to eat your spinach, and there’s science to back up her advice. The green leafy vegetable is loaded with vitamins C and E, which, studies have shown, help to improve cognitive abilities.A 2000 study in the Journals of Gerontology showed that rats whose diet was supplemented with vitamin E experienced a 500 to 900 percent increase in brain and nerve tissue over an eight-month period, as well as an increase in the release of dopamine in the brain, the “pleasure” chemical that controls flow of information to different parts of the brain.And a 2000 study in the journal Brain Research found that aging rats had some of their age-related memory and motor deficits reversed after they were fed diets supplemented with spinach, strawberries or blueberries.

That is it for today my readers! Hope you enjoyed this piece! Remember you read it here first!

TERI SpeaksDear Teri,

Thanks for a great job on dark arms and we are waiting for the next issue on ways to eradicate such.Please keep us posted.

Sunday

Dear Sunday,Thanks for writing in!Hope you enjoyed the piece!Follow me on Twitter @terimendes for more quick tips.Let me know how you get on!Best wishes,

Teri M

Smart Foods That Are Good for Your Brain6

HEALTH

/ April 17, 201614

By - Dr. Aham Onyike

WELLNESS

April 17, 2016 / 15

EFFECTS1. The higher your heels, the more pressure that is put on the ball of your foot. 1-inch heels puts 22% of your body weight on the ball of your foot, versus 3-inch heels which puts 76%! This means the lower part of your body will naturally lean forward more to compensate, which causes your upper body to lean back and overarch your back. The result is bad poture, which leads to lower back and knee pain.2. As you wear high heels, especially those above 2 inches in height, your body attempt to compensate by forward bending your spine and hips. Over time, the normal s-curvature of the spine, which acts as a shock absorber, begins to flatten. When this happens, your body anatomy changes, and a condition such as spondylolisthesis occurs, which means one vertebrae in your back slipping forward over another.

3. Extended wear of high heels can cause your toes bending in an unnatural position, which means you’re at risk of ingrown toe nails and damage to leg tendons.

4. Pointed toe heels cause your feet to cramp themselves into a narrow toe box. This spells out nerve damage, calluses, hammertoes, or plantar

Yes, that perfect pair of 4-inch stiletto heels can make your outfit, yet this style pick can bring you much pain in your lower back, spine, and joints such as your hips, knees, ankles. Dr. Aham Onyike, Orthopedic Surgeon at the Center for Advanced Specialty Surgery, shares how prolonged wear of high heels can affect you over time, and solutions to help you steer clear from injury and walk with your best foot forward!

STYLE FIRST, OrSUFFER LATER?

fascitis, which means

numbness, tingling, or burning in the bottom of your foot due to swollen tissue.6. Back pain. Lots of it. The change in position of your spine puts pressure on nerves in the back and can cause sciatica, a condition where nerves become trapped. This triggers numbness and pain that worsens over time.

HIGH HEEL SOLUTIONS1. If you must wear heels, invest in shoes with soft, leather insoles. This prevents your foot from slipping and reduces impact on your knees.2. Try to limit heel height to 1 1/2 inches inches or less. Remember, the higher the heels, the more of your body weight that is being carried on the ball of your foot.3. Alternate your shoe choice through the day or from one day to the next. Wear athletic or walking shoes for commuting to and from work, to give your feet a rest.4. Stretch your leg muscles before and after wearing heels. One example it to sit on a flat surface or mat with your feet straight in front of you, reach for your toes, and hold the stretch for at least 20 seconds. Repeat three times. This helps to stretch the back of the legs, eases

Dr. Onyike is the founder of Avante Orthopaedics, a private practice in Capitol Hill, Washington DC. His areas of interest include biologic regenerative treatments, sports medicine, minimally invasive surgeries, joint replacement surgery and fracture care. He is also a co-founder of the Center for Advanced Specialty Surgery (CASS), a boutique surgical practice with branches in Lagos and Owerri. Dr. Onyike will be contributing to Vanguard Allure by addressing some common ailments we experience in our bones and joints, and best practices to experience relief. You can connect with Dr. Onyike on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn @DrOnyike, and @CASSurgery

tightness and discomfort.5. Buy shoes in the afternoon, when your feet are at their largest. This way, when you wear them at the start of the day in the morning, they are more likely to feel comfortable.

A final word from Dr. Onyike:You feet are literally your body’s base of support. It is possible to be stylish and pain free, and it starts with new choices in your shoe selection. If your feet are not happy, everything above them follow suit. Ensure you balance lower heels with flats, wear insoles, and stretch your way to fashionably happier feet.

toke makinwa

alexandra Burke