Category: Celebrity

DEEP grief, remarks Elizabeth Barrien, is sometimes almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place.

It would seem that Barrien had Dupe Jemibewon’s current situation in mind when he made this insightful observation many years ago. Dupe, wife of former Police Affairs Minister, General David Jemibewon, lost her father, Pa John Bosede Ajayi, on June 22, 2015. The octogenarian, who passed away in his sleep at his Ibadan, Oyo State home, was born in 1930 and was aged 85.

Since the news of Pa Ajayi’s death broke, the Jemibewons have been inundated with condolence messages from eminent Nigerians. Plans to give the deceased a befitting burial are already in full swing and Dupe’s friends are warming up to give support for the lovable and connected woman.

According to those in the know, the late community leader will start his final journey home on August 6, 2015. A service of songs will be held for the deceased on Thursday, August 6, at Ikolaba High School, Ibadan, followed by a commendation service at Catholic Church of Ascension, Bodija, Ibadan the following day.

Thereafter, Pa Ajayi’s body will leave for his ancestral home town of Orin Ekiti.

EVEN in death, a man who lived an exemplary life continues to permeate the hearts of those who knew him. The late Senator Simeon Oduoye was a super cop who did not only earn the rank of AIG before retiring but also had the privilege of serving as military administrator in Ebonyi and Niger states.

He also did well on the political lane. Apart from being a one-time gubernatorial aspirant, he got elected and served as a senator representing Osun Central from 2007 to 2011.

While supporters, friends and associates of the senator naturally lamented his exit, they have taken solace in Kayode Oduoye, who has not only successfully filled the gap left by the death of his father, but is also imbued with burning interest to help in turning things around in the state.

Kayode, a legal practitioner cum businessman, is a devout Christian. He recently hosted a post-Sallah get together, which was one of the legacies left behind by the late senator. It was a good platform to merry, interact and unwind, as top faces in the state’s political circle, the private sector and other categories of people gathered at Kayode Oduoye’s Osogbo residence for the 2015 Sallah party last Sunday.

Among those who graced the occasion were former local government boss, Bamidele Salam; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Sola Oladehinde; Hon. Abiodun Ojo and Chief Bisi Jinadu, among others.

The Onigbaye of Igbaye, Oba Joseph Okunlola Oni, added a royal touch. Star actress, Mosun Filani, Kayode Oduoye’s wife, stood as a good co-host, ensuring that things went well.

THE presence of gaily dressed people, including the popular Pastor of the Word and Spirit Assembly, Satellite Town, Lagos, Dr. Chris Ekeh, at the Maximum Security Prisons and the Female Prisons, Kirikiri, last weekend may have elicited some questions. But you need not search further, the visit to the prison by the pastor’s team was part of the activities marking the 40th birthday of the Lagos pastor, Ekeh. While many expected him to throw big party, the handsome cleric shocked many; he chose the occasion to lift the abandoned and the neglected in the society. He put smiles on the faces of the inmates by donating food items and other personal effects to the inmates. He also took care of their spiritual needs.

He did not stop at that, he also visited the Heart of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere, Lagos, where he also made some cash donations and also gave out some food items to the inmates of the home.

DESCRIBING the Olugbo of Ugbo Kingdom, Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, as Nigeria’s richest monarch is stating the obvious. His pocket is deep just as his influence transcends the shores of Africa. Respected international magazine, Forbes, once listed him as one of the five richest monarchs in Africa. Oba Akinruntan, according to the magazine, is worth more than $300 million.

Aside commanding immense wealth, the respected traditional ruler is a man of class and style. He exhibits sheer sophistication as he stations luxury cars in his magnificent palace. His status as a man of class became undisputable in 2012 when the 2014 edition of Bentley was made for Queen Elizabeth of England in the belief that other people would wait till 2014 to ride it. But Oba Akinruntan shocked all by buying the same version in 2012.

And just as he has dazzled all on land, he is also dazzling people on water.

Those who should know say he controls some of the most expensive yachts. The billionaire businessman owns the largest petroleum depot ‎in Africa.

IBIDUN Ighodalo’s continued absence from the social radar has become a puzzle for many society watchers. The former Miss Lux and boss of Elizabeth ‘R’ Event Company seems to have totally vanished from public glare.

Understandably, her prolonged sabbatical has sparked speculations. Some say she is on her way out of hibernation, others say the issues responsible for her exit from high society were being resolved, meaning that she could stage a comeback anytime soon.

FOR the upright in heart, gladness is sown like seed; merriment and triumph dwell at his threshold. These biblical lines appear to have been the lot of Pastor Femi Emmanuel, who is believed to have impacted positively on the lives of many.

The quitessential evangelist is the pastor of Livingspring Chapel International, a fast growing Pentecostal church in Nigeria, with headquarters in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The winsome pastor will be 60 in a few weeks time, and it was gathered that no expense would be spared in making the celebration elaborate and memorable.

The much-anticipated celebration is billed to begin on July 31 with a praise night, followed on August 1 by a diamond service.