By Abimbola Ola

Perfume is more than just a fragrance; it is an invisible accessory that speaks volumes about who we are. It lingers in the air long after we have left the room, leaving traces of memory, emotion, and identity. A well-chosen perfume does not just make a person smell good — it tells a story, evokes emotions, and sometimes defines how we are remembered.

There is something deeply personal about the way perfume blends with the skin. It transforms differently on everyone, becoming a scent that is uniquely theirs. Some perfumes carry sweet, fruity notes that remind one of summer days, ripe fruits, and soft laughter. Others reveal floral tones, blooming like gardens in spring, or woody and musky scents that whisper of confidence, depth, and mystery. Each fragrance family carries its own character, and together, they form a language of scent understood without words.

Perfume, in many ways, represents personality. For men, it often symbolizes strength, power, and confidence — a silent yet potent declaration of presence. For women, perfume mirrors grace, beauty, and sensuality — a fragrance that can captivate and inspire. There are scents that command attention, those that calm the soul, and those that awaken nostalgia. Some perfumes travel farther than the person wearing them, leaving behind trails that open doors of admiration and even success.

There are moments in life when a fragrance becomes inseparable from memory. Some people never forget another simply because of the perfume they wore — that lingering scent etched into the corners of memory like an old song. Perfume, when chosen carefully, has the power to become part of one’s identity. It can make someone unforgettable, even when words fail or time fades.

Yet, as powerful as perfume can be, not every space welcomes it. Certain workplaces and institutions — especially daycares, hospitals, or organizations where people may have allergies or respiratory sensitivities — often discourage the use of strong fragrances. This is not a rejection of beauty, but a reminder of care and consideration for others. In such environments, subtlety becomes the key — a light, airy scent that soothes rather than overwhelms.

Still, in social settings and personal moments, perfume remains one of the most intimate and expressive accessories one can wear. It completes an outfit, boosts confidence, and sometimes even sets the tone for the day. It can make a person feel powerful, alluring, or simply clean and refreshed. Beyond fashion, it connects to emotion — that invisible link between self-expression and memory.

Perfume is not just about smelling good; it is about being remembered. It travels farther than sight, reaching into hearts and minds in ways words cannot. It has the power to change moods, influence perception, and tell stories of who we are and who we aspire to be.

In a world full of fleeting trends and changing styles, perfume remains timeless — a silent companion that walks with us through the seasons of life. Whether fruity, floral, woody, or spicy, the right scent becomes a signature — invisible, yet unforgettable.

By Abimbola Ola
Growing up in an African home came with discipline, structure, and deeply rooted cultural values. Yet, one thing that was often missing in the average African household was open affection. Watching a romantic movie or a love scene with your parents was almost a crime. The moment two characters leaned in for a kiss, you would quickly switch the channel or pretend to be uninterested. Everyone in the room understood the silent message — affection was private, even forbidden to be acknowledged.
But this brings us to a striking question: why is showing affection not paramount in most African families?
In many African cultures, love is not shown through words or gestures but through responsibility and sacrifice. A mother waking up at 4 a.m. to prepare food for her children, or a father taking extra jobs to pay school fees — these are considered acts of love. The African parent rarely says “I love you” or gives random hugs, but they show it through dedication and provision. Love is lived, not spoken.
Yet, beneath that strength lies a gap. Many children grow up emotionally distant from their parents. They know they are loved, but they never feel it. Some struggle to express affection as adults, finding it difficult to say “I love you” to their partners or even to their own children. They were taught that love should be quiet, controlled, and hidden behind responsibilities.
It is also common to see couples who have been married for decades, yet no one has ever seen them hug or hold hands. We see our mothers get pregnant and have children, but never witness any public affection between them and our fathers. Love happens behind closed doors — private, unspoken, and modest. To many, affection is seen as weakness or even disrespectful in front of children.
However, times are changing. The new generation is beginning to understand that affection does not erode respect — it enhances it. A hug does not make a parent less authoritative; it makes them more approachable. Saying “I love you” does not spoil a child; it reassures them. The world has moved forward, and emotional intelligence has become as important as cultural discipline.
It is time to break the silence around affection in African homes. Our culture is beautiful and rich, but we can enrich it further by embracing expressions of love. Let children grow up seeing their parents smile at each other, hearing words of affirmation, and feeling the warmth of a hug.
Because affection is not a foreign act — it is a human one. Love is not only meant to be known; it is meant to be shown. And perhaps when we begin to express it more openly, the next generation will no longer feel the need to switch channels when love appears on the screen.

The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), spearheaded by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in collaboration with the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) and supported by the Rivers State Government, has empowered 1,000 women in Rivers State with N50,000 each in free cash grants.
Under the partnership, the RHI and TEF provided N50,000 each to 500 women, while the state government, led by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, extended the same support to another 500 beneficiaries.
Speaking at the Women Economic Empowerment Programme held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Thursday, Mrs. Tinubu—represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara—said the initiative was designed to promote women’s entrepreneurship and strengthen small-scale businesses.
She commended the resilience of Nigerian women, praising their determination to sustain their families, educate their children, and uplift their communities.
“Let me emphasize that this is not a loan; it is a grant and a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalize existing businesses. I strongly believe that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed a nation,” Mrs. Tinubu said.
She expressed appreciation to the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its N1 billion donation to support 18,500 women across Nigeria through the Renewed Hope Initiative. “Five hundred women from each of the 36 states and the FCT will receive N50,000 each to strengthen and recapitalize their small businesses,” she added.
Mrs. Tinubu also thanked Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his wife for their support in implementing the RHI’s programmes and urged others to emulate the philanthropic spirit of Tony Elumelu.
In her remarks, Lady Valerie Fubara said the empowerment initiative was aimed at boosting women’s economic capacity and helping them address daily challenges. She noted that the RHI, over the past two years, had provided agricultural, educational, and economic support to families across the country.
“The Renewed Hope Initiative has embarked on several interventions for women and the elderly, and we are proud of our partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, whose N1 billion donation is uplifting women in all 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
Lady Fubara commended the initiative’s impact in Rivers State, describing it as “gratifying and transformative” for women and their communities.
Explaining further, she said, “At this programme today, all 500 beneficiaries will be given N50,000 each courtesy of Tony Elumelu Foundation and RHI partnership. In deepening the gains of this partnership, the Rivers State Government is also giving N50,000 to yet another 500 women, making a total of 1000 women who will be receiving this grant.
“This collaboration has come to represent a commitment to improve the economic capacity of women in the State, and I urge other well-spirited organizations, corporate entities, and business interests to emulate this noble gesture by partnering with RHI.
“His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, believes that empowerment should be value targeted and has therefore asked me to congratulate beneficiaries of this empowerment programme”.
While commending the Tony Elumelu Foundation and the National Office of the Renewed Hope Initiative for the empowerment, Lady Valerie urged the recipients to utilize the proceeds from the partnership to support beneficial ventures that would improve the economy and their families.