The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Good times for Ekua Abudu

    Ekuau Abudu is no longer the butt of juicy gossips as her marriage has been let off the grip of controversy. And like the proverbial rampart in the thick of storms, Ekua Abudu’s faith in God provided her a worthy solace in those trying times. Industry is the greatest part of her life and marriage and motherhood are things she wants to make sure work at all cost.

    Little wonder the owner of Greenwood House School, a private nursery and primary school based in Lagos, offers a rare education in industry and romance. Like two reflections from the same mirror, her exploits as a professional and her romantic entanglements offer contradictory images of her life.

    Ekua has undoubtedly distinguished herself as a force to reckon with in the world of business and industry. The fact that her marriage to Wale Abudu hit the rock due to ‘irreconcilable differences’ is no longer a hot issue. She has moved on with her life and is currently savouring the success her career yields.

  • Bishop Tom Samson gets 2014 Rolls Royce Phantom as birthday gift

    For workers in the vineyard of God, the perks and blessings are unlimited. This may best explain Bishop Tom Samson’s recent birthday gift in form of a wonder on wheels. The General Overseer of Christ Royal Family Int’l Church on Sunday March 27 received a gift of Rolls Royce Phantom as birthday gift.

    The 2014 customised extended wheel base beast was a gift from the organising committee of his 50th birthday in appreciation of his impact on their lives as his flock.

    The bishop was more than pleased at the gesture and could not find the words to express his gratitude to the committee, led by Deacon Iyke Kanu. According to the committee head, the Delta State-born bishop has impacted their lives tremendously and there is nothing more befitting of his 50th birthday celebration than an automobile of royal ensemble.

  • Tunde Soleye changes lifestyle

    The easiest way to thrive in a fast evolving generation is to open one’s mind up to change. Elegant medical doctor and socialite, Dr. Tunde Soleye, perhaps understands the philosophy of change better than most people his age. He lives by the creed that change can come in many forms. It can come forcefully like a tidal wave or creep in incrementally like a glacier. It can also come in form of devastating tragedy, difficult choices or even new opportunities.

    Sometime ago, the Nigerian social scene adored Soleye and he was one of the esteemed guests that graced many A list events. In recent times, however, the bearded former husband of ex-beauty queen Nike Oshinowo has been scarce on the social scene.

    Some say the easygoing doctor’s new lifestyle might not be unconnected with his separation from Nike, while others say his new attitude to life is based on his realisation that he is not getting any younger. Be it as it may, he tactfully selects the events he attends these days.

  • What’s up with Gbemi Saraki?

    Gbemi Saraki, the beautiful daughter of the late strongman of Kwara politics, Dr. Olusola Saraki, and younger sister of the new Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, wakes up every morning telling herself never to be in a hurry or lose her inner peace for anything even if the whole world seems upset.

    Perhaps one of the reasons she thrives in politics, a terrain dominated by men, is that, like most men, she refuses to pursue pleasure with such breathless haste that they hurry past it. Gbemi, a woman of a strong resolve, has always been a tough cookie to crack by her political opponents.

    Now she seems determined to learn from her past mistake by shielding her heart against the enticing strings of love. Since her marriage to Segun Fowora collapsed many years ago, the top politician and mother of three has remained single. While her ex-husband, who hails from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, has since remarried, the beautiful lady has refused to give marriage another shot.

    Shortly before her 50th birthday last year, it was rumoured that Gbemi, who has since defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), might use the occasion to introduce the man she intends to spend the rest of her life with. But the elegant woman shocked all when that part was excluded from the colourful event.

    However, Celeb Watch gathered that the frontline politician has not ruled out another shot at marriage and may in fact unveil the man who has captured her heart soon.

  • No regrets for Cecilia Ibru at 70

    An interesting fact about the storms of life is that once the storm is over, you forget the pains that went with getting through it. And when the storm is over you are not likely to remain the same.

    The foregoing appears to be the case with former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru. She is no longer the same person she used to be after her battles with the anti-corruption agencies. Not only has she sat at the feet of life to receive lessons that only life itself is capable of teaching, her perception of life has been restructured by the hard blows.

    Ibru has attained that curve of life where words can no longer make up for her misdeeds. After the woes that befell the former boss of the defunct Oceanic Bank, she has rediscovered the essence of philanthropy.

    She was full of smiles as she clocked 70 penultimate Tuesday, March 22, 2016, and despite all that she has been through, Cecilia remains strong and ageless. The former bank chief, popularly called the first lady of banking back then, suffered a reversal of fate when she was hit by the Sanusi Lamido Sanusi-led Central Bank of Nigeria’s tsunami, following allegations of financial recklessness levelled against her. The influential banker was forced to crawl away from the social scene back into her shell.

    Noted for her generous disposition, Cecilia was instrumental to the rise of many men and women to the esteemed circle of the rich in contemporary Nigeria. Some of the gestures landed her in trouble, but she has no doubt learnt from her mistakes.

    Conscious of the transient nature of power and affluence, Cecilia has renewed her passion for philanthropy with unparalleled vigour. She currently helps the needy through her brainchild, the Michael and Cecilia Ibru Foundation.

  • Where is Faysal Harbs?

    Talks on Faysal Harbs’ whereabouts has kept the social media buzzing for a while. Like shy elves hiding from the traveller’s eye, Faysal suddenly disappeared from the social radar, hiding out where no one but his close family members know.

    Harbs had once made Ilorin, the capital city of Kwara State, his oyster. He remains yet a prominent player in the city’s economic and social spheres. Not only does he call the shots in the city’s social scene, his wife, Chief (Mrs) Jumoke Harbs, is also a famous socialite and highly regarded woman.

    However, in recent times, the popular businessman has vanished from the social scene like an ice at the mercy of a blazing fire. Lately, the well connected dude seems to have little or no interest in social affairs. Faysal, who used to be the rallying point of major social functions in Ilorin, hardly attends social events these days, no matter the status of the people involved.

    While no one seems to know the reason for his sudden sabbatical from the social scene, rumour has it that Harb’s businesses are facing some hard times. Due to this, he is committed to resuscitating his business while staying away from the eyes of the public.

    Others have, however, countered the rumour, insisting that Fayasal remains financially solid. His wife, however, remains a regular face in social circles.

  • Princess Ronke Ademiluyi moves on

    Armed with the knowledge that worry does not take away tomorrow’s troubles but only takes away today’s peace, beautiful Princess Ronke Ademiluyi is not given to worries at the moment. The social diva has metamorphosed into a big fashion entrepreneur and big promoter of African fashion on the global scale through her annual platformAfrican Fashion Weekin London.

    Begun about five years ago, African Fashion Week has today become an event that stakeholders in the fashion industry look forward to. The tales of her intended marriage to Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, has been firmly dumped in the dustbin of history.

    Princess Ademiluyi has grabbed life by the lapel, making fate do her biddings.

  • Mina Okoloko yet to get her groove back

    The technicalities needed in re-establishing a man’s reputation are more complex than those needed in building a reputation. This may explain Mina Okoloko’s difficulty in reviving her status on the social scene.

    Many years ago, Okoloko was one of the flower girls of high society. However, when her marriage to Jite Okoloko hit the rocks a few years ago, she veered off the social space. The owner of Beauty Concerns disappeared from the social scene she had become accustomed to.

    Her admirers are worried that long after her exit from the social space, she is yet to make a rebound.

     

  • A tale of three monarchs

    A tale of three monarchs

    Like minds, they say are easily are easily attracted to one another. This perhaps explains why the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanni and the Elegushi of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, are best of friends.

    The three bosom friends have a lot in common. They are young and are of the same age bracket; they are very passionate about service to their people and they are well exposed and rich. The trio have finesse, class and socially savvy. What is more, they had been friends before they became Obas.

    Whichever function you find the Ooni, it is almost certain that the Oluwo and the Elegushi of Ikateland would be there. They are bound together not just by royalty but also their love for the best things of life; a fact made obvious by the state-of-the-art cars that make up their convoy.

    The three young monarchs are trending as three of the most glamorous, stylish and handsome Obas in Yorubaland. They are a source of inspiration to the youth as they have made royalty more fascinating.

  • Ladun Sijuwade hits three scores

    With advanced years comes preference for mellowness over pomp and pageantry. Wild celebrations begin to give way to quiet times and introspection takes over glitz and glamour. This is the case for Olori Ladun Sijuwade, who seems to have assumed the age of self introspection.

    On Thursday, March 17, 2016, the Lagos social scene was at a standstill as noble individuals converged to honour a woman after the heart of many. The revered matriarch of the Nigerian social establishment clocked 60, but rather than celebrate her three scores in an elaborate manner, she opted for low-key celebration as a mark of respect for her beloved husband, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse 11, the immediate past Ooni of Ife who joined his ancestors last July at the age of 85.

    Her children, Aderenle Fayose and Aderemi Sijuwade, were said to have put together the classy surprise dinner to honour their mother. But for their intervention, Olori Ladun might not mark her special day in anyway other than saying a word of prayer to her Maker.

    The birthday dinner, a black tie affair, was held at Angelika’s, the upscale restaurant on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.