The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Between Otunba Subomi Balogun and Oba Sikiru Adetona

    Between Otunba Subomi Balogun and Oba Sikiru Adetona

    A friend, according to William Shakespeare, is one who understands where you have been, accepts what you have become and still gently allows you to grow. Shakespeare’s assertion seems a perfect representation of the blooming relationship between the Chairman of First City Monument Bank, Otunba Subomi Balogun and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

    Those who should know told Celeb Watch that their friendship has lasted more than two decades and seems only to be growing stronger as they both advance in years. Those who sighted them at the just concluded Ojude Oba festival attested to the fact that despite their old age, the duo exhibited genuine love‎.

    While Globacom was the major sponsor of the event, Balogun’s FCMB was also said to have heavily supported the festival, which was attended by prominent Nigerians.

  • New lease of life for Omowunmi Akinnifesi

    New lease of life for Omowunmi Akinnifesi

    Omowunmi Akinnifesi vanished from the social scene just when it seemed that she was about to become one of the most sophisticated and enduring ladies on the scene. The ex-beauty queen-turned-businesswoman and Lagos State’s Ambassador for the Environment seems to have opted for a low profile lifestyle.

    So conspicuous has been her absence that the social circuit is now abuzz with speculations on her whereabouts. In 2005, Akinnifesi was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria at the age of 18, making her eligible to represent Nigeria at the Miss World pageant in China the same year.

    At the global beauty contest, she shone brightly and also engaged in tree planting for the Chinese government. Today, Omowunmi, currently the CEO of Elle Poise, a public relations and usher-hiring outfit, has disappeared from the social radar to the dismay of her fans and high society.

    While she reigned as Nigeria’s beauty queen, no A-list event was complete without her as she dazzled all and sundry with her modish attires and stunning gait on the red carpet. As would be expected, her sudden disappearance from the social scene has given rise to rumours and speculations.

  • All set for Oba Gbadebo’s 10th coronation anniversary

    All set for Oba Gbadebo’s 10th coronation anniversary

    Almost a decade ago, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo ascended the throne as the Alake of Egbaland with a promise to rule in all fairness and uphold justice at all cost. Oba Gbadebo has stoically kept his promise and earned the love and respect of his people.

    He will soon clock 10 years on the throne and we gathered that the lovable monarch is planning a big event to mark the occasion. It was gathered that he is planning to confer chieftaincy titles on some prominent Nigerians, including AIG Tunji Alapini, who he plans to make the Bobadara of Egbaland.

    Some of the country’s who is who are already gearing up to share the joy of the day with the kabiyesi and his Egba kinsmen.

  • Jide Balogun makes dad proud

    Jide Balogun makes dad proud

    A child whose feet are set on the right path will not depart from it even as an adult. That has been the case with Prince Jide Balogun. Equipped with sound moral values from childhood, Balogun is still toeing the right path as an adult, conquering life’s challenges and establishing himself as one of the most respected men on the social scene. Starry-eyed idealism, wild imagination or whatever you choose to call it, the offspring of Otunba Subomi Balogun, founder of First City Group, remains focused and unwavering.

    Determined to make his father proud and extend the family’s business empire, Jide has taken charge of the real estate arm of the family business called PRIMROSE Development Company. The thriving real estate company is an indigenous real estate development company which is set to complete the first environmentally certified commercial building in Nigeria to be called Heritage Place.

    No doubt, Otunba Subomi Balogun is brimming with pride and admiration of Jide’s efficiency and business prowess.

  • Yemi Osindero adopts low profile

    Yemi Osindero adopts low profile

    The entrepreneurial skill that has kept Yemi Osindero afloat in spite of the recession that has hit the Nigerian economy cannot be attributed to sheer luck. But for a gracious twist of fate, Osindero would have been drowned in the tsunami that swept the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways away from the grip of Richard Branson, its former owner and seasoned British investor.

    Having equipped himself with a First Class degree in engineering, enviable experience from Goldman Sachs and inestimable knowledge in investment finance, Osindero, as the Chief Operating Officer of the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways, was said to have alerted the company’s CEO then, Clifford Conrad, of the precarious economic condition of the airline. Unfortunately, his fears were said to have been dismissed by Branson and Conrad who assured that there was nothing to fear. But a suspicious Osindero saw through the impending doom and decided to leave the airline while the ovation was loudest.

    True to his suspicions, the airline wobbled and caved in the wake of the global economic recession. Eventually, another businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim, acquired the airline. Dr. Osindero has since joined Standard Chartered Bank Private Equity as a director with primary responsibility for the West African markets.

  • Friends, associates celebrate Banire

    Friends, associates celebrate Banire

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, no doubt falls in the category of Nigerians who have defied all odds to climb the ladder of success. His determination to succeed explains his being honoured recently as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

    In appreciation of the professional height he just assumed, he held a special thanksgiving last Saturday at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event was attended by senior colleagues, family members, friends and associates. They included the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN); Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi; former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola; Senator Ganiyu Solomon; Mrs. Kemi Nelson and Hon. Funmi Tejuosho, among others.

  • Hadiza Akala savours marital bliss

    Hadiza Akala savours marital bliss

    Hadiza Akala would not be wrong if she thinks of herself as the most favoured woman on earth. She has found herself a good husband, hence she hums tones of joy, recites poems of love and shuts her heart to life’s problems as she struts around town with an air of confidence.

    The British-born daughter of billionaire businessman, Aare Rasaq Akanni Okoya, and wife of Olamiju Akala is one happy lady at the moment.  In a fit of intense creativity, Jane Austen asserted that happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. She probably failed to realise that there could be rare exceptions like the case of Hadiza and husband. The couple say that theirs has been a smooth ride since they began their journey to living happily ever after.

    As a mark of their abiding love for each other, they have been touring the world together, bucking and clawing as they seek to shut the world out of their marriage. The couple was sighted on Sallah Day at the bride’s father’s compound where they had gone to celebrate Sallah with Aare Rasaki Akanni Okoya.

    Hadiza’s husband, Olamiju Akala, is the son of former Oyo State governor, Otunba Alao Akala. He is reputed for dotting over Hadiza and splashing her with the good things of life money can buy.

  • Obong Victor Attah clocks 80 in style

    Obong Victor Attah clocks 80 in style

    Obong Victor Attah is one of the few elite who understand the advantages embedded in privacy. For the past seven years, Attah has maintained a low profile, choosing to stay off the socio-political radar. Obong Attah is the immediate-past governor of Akwa Ibom State before Godswill Akpabio took over.

    As you read things, plans are being made to celebrate Attah in a grand style. In a bid to honour a man who has contributed to the growth of his state and the country in general, the Nigerian high society is planning to celebrate one of their own as he clocks 80.

  • New Lease of life for Ibidun Ighodalo

    New Lease of life for Ibidun Ighodalo

    When Ibidun Ighodalo began making waves on the social scene and establishing herself as one of the most incisive beauty queens in the country, nobody expected that the gold fish would fade off the lime light any time soon.  The former beauty queen and wife of popular Lagos pastor, Ituah Ighodalo, rocked the social scene and enchanted many with her pretty face and charming disposition. She is in the news again and this it isn’t because Ibidun, the boss of Elizabeth R Event Company, is launching a new business venture, but because many have been wondering what she has recently been up to.

    Ibidun has for some time now recoiled into a cocoon, staying off the social radar for reasons best known to her. Ibidun is in no way down, financially or health wise; however, she has reduced her appearance on the limelight.

  • Banke Meshida’s new looks

    Banke Meshida’s new looks

    The hand of the diligent maketh rich.” This Proverbs verse truly holds for Banke Meshida-Lawal. She understands that the expectations of life depend upon diligence, and that the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools. Without mincing words, Banke has paid her dues in the high society, and whatever good comes her way are dividends of the diligence she has put into work and life over these years. She has given her all to her goals and hasn’t slowed down in accomplishing them.

    The story of the blossoming make-up industry in Nigeria today cannot be complete and accurate if Banke’s name is not mentioned by its narrators. She, along with very few personalities, built the industry when it was very odd for anyone to own up to calling the art of make-up a profession. Banke added glamour, colour and prestige to the trade which has become a source of livelihood for millions of Nigerian youths, female and male alike.

    Her recently released video tape enjoyed a rave review in the new and traditional media. For a clientele that parades first ladies, top women who have shattered the glass ceilings in the corporate world, to rave-of-the-moment artistes, Banke, the Head and Chief Executive Officer of BMPro Make-Up Studio, has continued to take make-up arts to a global notch. Sighted at the Jonnie Walker event last week at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, she now looks very smart and trim. She is looking younger than her age.