The Lagos Issue
It’s been a long time coming and it’s finally here! The magazine is ready, it’s stunning and we could not be more excited. Without further ado, we present to you, irin journal: The Lagos Issue.
Review by Immaculata Abba
I have been excited about @theirinjournal since I heard first word about it because many of its contributors were some of the first people I started following since I moved into the internet after boarding school.
In this first issue of a journal I hope to God is here to stay, Lagos of beforebefore and nownow are paid due attention. In the beforebefore section, we read about the Nigerian jazz scene and some Nigerian/Lagos music history; the enduring legacy of Ówàmbè, one of Lagos’s partying cultures; Yoruba food cousins Akara in Nigeria and Acarajé in Brazil; the inspiring and colourful lives of Fela and Sunni Smart Cole (from whom I learn about nightlife in civil war time Lagos); leadership in Makoko (‘the floating slum’); the need to preserve the heritage of Badagry, a town central to West Africa’s history of slavery and cosmopolitanism; the architecture of the Federal Ministry of Justice building as a reflection of/metaphor for stagnant values in the collective Lagos consciousness and stuckness in individual psyches; and personal and cultural histories of Catholic middle-class Igbos in Lagos through a documentary Yadichinma makes of her friend Sheila’s childhood home.
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In nownow, we see photos from Logor’s Monochrome Lagos and Kene Nwatu’s People of God; a literally-handwritten interview with artist/creative Abba T Makama; Agege bread french toast recipes; an essay on hair that considers Iya Ramadan (“who does not consider herself an artist”) an artist; a lovely vibe of creative partnership between Oroma and Osione Itegboje; what living in Tarkwa Bay is like through the lens of artist and ‘baba of surfing at tarkwa bay’ Wale da Silva; Amir Denzel Hall’s slow, perceptive and anxiety-inducing reflection of the thousand dramas that become swallow for hungry Lagos nights; what Computer Village means for the disenfranchised; and a personal essay on belonging in Fope’s signature style which you cant find in the market.
Immaculata Abba
This is a cacophonous invitation to eat, smell, walk through, dance with, surf, build Lagos. And it’s worth everything
It’s been almost a year since we took the step towards print and we are so pleased that the magazine is finally here. The Lagos Issue is ready, it’s beautiful and we ship worldwide so grab your own copy from our online shop
Huge shout out to the Team
Ayomide Aborowa (@mimalee), Aanu Ademuson (@demi_volepavard), Yadichinma Ukoha-Kalu (@yadichinma_), Daberechi Ukoha-Kalu (@daberechi_), John Asuquo (@_itsjohn) and Orinayo Adeoti (@orinayo_)
Our Contributors
Afopefoluwa Ojo (@fope_), Amir Denzel Hall (@amirdenzelhall), Chibundu Onuzo (@chibundu.onuzo), Feyikewa Animashaun (@kewaskitchen), Ifeoma Nnewuihe (@ifeomathecreator), Tosan Wiltshire (@tosanwilts), Yegwa Ukpo (@ivwri), Amanda Iheme (@amandaiheme), Ebunife Esan (@ebunife), Kene Nwatu (@kenenwatu), Logor Oluwamuyiwa (@logorofafrica), Michelle Igwilo (@ogoisliving), Nkemka Uche (@kemsuche), Tobi Smart Cole (@superstoneluxury), Ugochukwu Emebiriodo (@hitchoflife), Chioma Ebinama (@chiomaaaaa), Olusegun Akande (@segunakande), Oluwatosin Adeshokan (@oluwatosinadeshokan), Ore Fakorede (@orefakorede), Ozoz Sokoh (@kitchenbutterfly), Kelechi Anabaronye (@thefacadenigeria), Nasir Ahmed (@nvsirr_), Olaloye Oyedotun (@kingloye), Torinmo Salau (@torinmosalau), Adetomiwa Isiaka (@gurusista) and Harmony Christopher (@chrizharmony)
The People we Featured
Kunle Tejuoso @jazzholelagos), Sunmi Smart-Cole (@sunmismartcole), Thai Thai Ng (@thaithai.ng), Oroma Cookey-Gam (@oromatherapy), Osione Itegboje (@osi.one), This Is Us (@thisisus), H Factor (@hfactor.co), Abba T Makama (@abbatmakama), Sheila Chukwulozie (@heauxmosapiens) and Wale Da Silva.
Our amazing Kickstarter backers
Dara Oke, Zubby, Seun AA, Sonder & Tell, Damola O, Toba Fatimilehin, Olaitan K, MBA Feil, Michael Becker, Peter Kroptkin, Moyin Odugbemi, Moyo Fab, Ire Aderinokun, Omobola Odanye, Moyo Oyelola, Roselyn Sonuga, Justice Nnanna, Degason Dental, Mayowa Oshin, Joshua Kissi, Oreoluwa G-T, Leonetta Elaiho, Dami Khadijah, Tolu Alugo, Lola Oyegunle, Tony Chijoke Nwwachukwu, Nike Ademuson, Kanyinsade Ademuson, Michael Kula, Karen Okigbo, Ayomi Obileye, Nikki Famb, Chidubem Nwabufo, The Igun’s, Dennis Osadebe, Usen Esiet, Ariel Celeste, Tinu-Ololade Folayan, Mrs Idowu, Tolani Lawal, LB, Abba T. Makama, Adebola Coker, Roli Binitie, Loriade Akin-Olugbade, The Fleming and Lomax Families, Theresa Olloh, The Bello’s, Jordan Hoxsie, Saif Edu, EA, Yvonne Maxwell-Emuveyan, Alexander Erinle, Reni Oluwadare, Ope Taiwo and Benazir Ademola-Bawallah… #CommunityStrong
And every single person that came together to make this magazine a reality! We appreciate you 🙂
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