The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • High society mourns Hon Kazeem Alimi

    High society mourns Hon Kazeem Alimi

    It is often said that each birthday brings us closer to the day we answer the heavenly summons. Sadly, this aphorism has proven real for deceased member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Kazeem Ademola Alimi.

    The Lagos social scene has been thrown into mourning since the news of his death broke penultimate Tuesday, following his brief illness. The late lawmaker represented Eti-Osa Constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly and had celebrated his 50th birthday just two weeks earlier.

    The deceased lawmaker was a Lagosian through and through. Having been born and bred in the state, he also lived and worked there all his life. He was much loved and respected by the people of his constituency who massively re-elected him after he had dutifully represented their interests in the House between 2011 and 2015.

    Until his death, Hon Alimi, who is survived by his wife and children, was the chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was said to have died at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

  • Obaro Ibru retreats into back seat

    There are some teachers, like fame, whose lessons only really sink in when they are gone. When it is around, fame is an enthralling seductress that ensnares the hearts of men in its charms, turning them into thralls to the allure of temporary glory. But when it is gone, it becomes the dream of a better past and cold comfort for the present devoid of the merriment and jollity of yesteryears.

    Obaro Ibru, the fun-loving son of former managing director of defunct Oceanic Bank, Cecilia Ibru, is no doubt learning this lesson in the privacy of his anonymous cocoon. Time was when the son of the scion of the Ibru empire, Chief Michael Ibru, rocked A-list events with so much class and panache. He became the ‘party king’ with a reputation for hosting weird parties that would make a nun recoil in horror.

    From the South African beachside to the Nigerian night life scene, he ruled the party scene everywhere he went until fame packed her bags and left. Abruptly, the parties stopped. The visits to night clubs reduced and the party king morphed from fact to legend as Obaro was hardly seen again.

    All this began after his mother was jailed in 2010 for corruption charges. He tried to make a brief comeback a couple years ago but his allure had worn off and he was left to unceremoniously recoil into his shell.

  • Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    Between Ita-Giwa and Ben Ayade

    The feud between Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade and the state’s frontline female politician, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa is akin to the clash of two titans, one buoyed by the formidable might of state apparatus, the other riding on popular acclaim. Unfortunately, it has the potential of ending with one of the two parties badly bruised.

    For quite some time, speculations have been rife that Governor Ayade is not quite comfortable with the seeming popularity of the woman popularly called Mama Bakassi among the people of Cross River State. But he was able to manage his apprehension until recent developments took both of them on a warpath. Her claim that relief materials meant for Bakassi refugees were diverted by an associate of the governor was said to have irked Ayade, who promptly took the matter up with her.

    Apart from withdrawing the Land Cruiser Prado SUV allotted to her by the state government, Senator Florence became the subject of attacks and intimidation allegedly designed to cow her into submission and silence. Undeterred, the veteran of many previous battles continued her campaign for justice in respect of the refugees.

    Her recent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is said to have further compounded the face-off, as the governor now sees her as a clear threat to his seat in the next governorship election.

  • Son’s birthday reunites Ubi Franklin, Lilian Esoro

    Son’s birthday reunites Ubi Franklin, Lilian Esoro

    The saying that when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers holds true for most broken celebrity marriages and their kids. While the estranged lovers slug it out in bitter fights from courtrooms to social media platforms, it is the poor kids that bear the brunt of the emotional and mental scars of growing up without one or both parents.

    But Triple MG boss Ubi Franklin and his estranged wife Lilian Esoro are glowing exceptions to the rule. In spite of their marriage crashing like a poorly stacked deck of cards not too long ago, the celebrity ex-couple have put aside their differences for the sake of their son Jayden. All is well in the world of little baby Jayden as his parents have entered an unwritten pact to always be there for him and nurture him together with love and care.

    That much was apparent during baby Jayden’s dedication as mummy and daddy were there together, accompanied by friends and well-wishers. The couple and their baby boy were all smiles in sparkling white and blue as they dedicated their child to God at Revival Assembly, Lagos last Sunday.

    Just a few days before that, Lilian, actress and boss of Goldie Locks Hair Salon in Abuja, and Ubi had taken to the social media to share pictures and clips of a fancy house party organised for Jayden as he clocked one. Lilian and Ubi look determined to keep the peace for the sake of their child.

  • Jimoh Ibrahim spreads his wings

    Jimoh Ibrahim spreads his wings

    Flying with others, there is less space for one to manoeuvre. But flying alone, the whole airspace is your playground. The sky is freer, the flight faster and the journey sweeter. Global Fleets boss, Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, seems to have taken this to heart. Gone are the days he was regularly seen in the company of others in the club of the high and mighty. These days, the Ondo-born business mogul has toned down the frequency of his appearance on the social radar.

    Rather than hobnobbing with the likes of Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola and the ilk, Ibrahim has quietly taken to the sky, spreading his wide business wings over other countries in Africa and elsewhere. The former Ondo State governorship aspirant has been making inroads into other African countries with his banking, hospitality and oil & gas businesses.

    Only recently, he completed two master’s degrees from Oxford and Cambridge universities. Not content with that, the billionaire businessman, who turned 50 a few months ago, decided to globalise his business by establishing an investment bank in Hong Kong with a whopping $47 million.

    These days, however, the owner of choice real estates in Lagos, Dubai and elsewhere prefers to operate under the radar.

  • Alakija opts for simple 66th birthday celebration

    Alakija opts for simple 66th birthday celebration

    Contrary to popular belief, the wealthiest people sometimes live the quietest lives. Billionaire Nigerian businesswoman, Folorunsho Alakija, is a case in point. Her birthday celebration when she turned 66 recently was far from being an elaborate affair.

    In view of her stupendous wealth, a lot of her friends and associates had geared up for a lavish celebration. Only last month, the popularly acclaimed richest African woman held a lavish wedding bash for her son, Funsho, and his Iranian beauty in the UK.

    For her own day in the sun, however, the billionaire business tycoon opted for a simple ceremony which was nonetheless attended by the high and mighty. The long list of the rich and famous at the occasion include Femi Otedola, Otunba Subomi Balogun and Tony Elumelu, among others.

  • Triple birthday celebrations for Akinruntan royal family

    Triple birthday celebrations for Akinruntan royal family

    There is no shortage of cheer in the month of July in the royal household of flamboyant monarch, Oba Frederick Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugboland, Ondo State. The whole family is in a frenzy as three of their members celebrate their birthdays.

    The roll call is led by none other than the patriarch of the royal family, Oba Frederick Akinruntan, who turned 67 on Sunday. The wealthy monarch is the head honcho of Obat Oil, one of the country’s oil and gas giants. He is also regarded as one of the richest monarchs in the country.

    His birthday was commemorated with the launch of the Obateru Akinruntan Foundation, which provided free medical diagnosis and treatment for the people.

    It was also a week to remember for the monarch’s second son and heir apparent, Femi Akinruntan, as he attained the symbolic age of 40 on Tuesday.

    Much like his father, Femi opted against throwing an elaborate birthday shindig. Instead, he held a small thanksgiving ceremony at his Ikoyi office, which was presided over by Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and was attended by the likes of Oba Saheed Elegushi.

    Rounding off the trinity of Akinruntan birthdays in the month of July is the monarch’s daughter, Layo, who celebrated her birthday on Wednesday.

  • Umma Babangida gets first baby

    Umma Babangida gets first baby

    Almost everyone is familiar with the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet. For a while, it seemed that the love between Ibrahim Babangida’s son, Muhammed, and daughter of Ambassador Aminu Wali, Umma, would end with both being forced to give up for lack of approval from their parents.

    Fate, however, had a different plan for the two children of prominent northerners. Not only did they get married, Umma’s fervent prayers has also been answered as she was delivered of a bouncing baby boy in faraway USA a couple of weeks ago.

    The arrival of the cute baby named Al-Amin has been a source of joy in the Babangida household after all the negative press caused by the bitter custody fight between Muhammed and his first wife, Rahama Indimi.

    Interestingly, while that battle was fought on the pages of gossip journals and social media, Umma was chilling on the sideline.

  • The Nation editor, Ayobolu, set to bury dad

    All roads will lead to Kabba, the headquarters of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State on Friday next week for the burial of Pa Benjamin Bamidele Ayobolu.

    Pa Ayobolu, father of Segun Ayobolu, an editor and columnist with The Nation newspaper,  transited to glory on May 31, 2017 at the age of 81.

    The interment of the deceased octogenarian at the Ayobolus’ residence at No 106, Kano Street, Kabba, Kogi State at 1 pm on July 28 will be the culmination of the funeral service scheduled to begin with Pa Ayobolu’s lying in state and wake keep at UMTC Chapel on Ajasse-Ipo Road, Ilorin, Kwara State at 2 pm on Thursday, July 27.

    The funeral service will continue at UMTC Chapel at on Friday, July 28, the same day the burial train will move from Ilorin to Kabba for the interment of Pa Ayobolu’s body.

    Reception will follow at 2 pm at God’s Grace Event Hall, FGGC Road, Kabba. On Sunday, July 30, there will be thanksgiving service at UMCA Chapel, Fate Taoheed Road, Off Niger River Basin Road, Ilorin at 9 pm.

  • Sally Mbanefo shuns limelight

    Sally Mbanefo shuns limelight

    No matter the capacity of a phone or car battery, it has to be recharged from time to time to remain useful. Tanks also must be refueled, machinery oiled and phone lines serviced before they can perform to full capacity.

    With the foregoing in mind, it becomes easy to understand why Nigeria’s queen of tourism Sally Mbanefo has been quiet in recent times. The former DG of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation has been taking her time to recharge her batteries since she was eased out of her job late last year.

    Although some people say her withdrawal from the social scene could be connected with fear of government’s anti-corruption hammer, many others would vow that stylish and colourful Sally acquitted herself very well during her stint as tourism boss.

    Nevertheless, the lack of any discernible noise from her end has become a source of worry in some quarters. But those who should know insist that the ex-banker is fine, merely taking her well-deserved rest away from public glare.