The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Terry Waya bounces back

    Once upon a time, the biggest of the ‘big boys’, Terry Waya, bestrode the social scene like a colossus. Armed with a boat load of cash, he ruled the social scene like an emperor. Celebrity women and musicians alike flocked to him like flies to nectar as he in turn showered them with an avalanche of goodies that made many of them to sing his name to the high heavens.

    But fate knocked him out of the social scene like a well-aimed punch knocks an inexperienced opponent out of the boxing ring. For some time, the rumour mill ran with conflicting reports over the condition of the veteran socialite. And though he bounced back from his illness, he did not make a return to the celebrity scene, leaving many to wonder whether his close shave with death had robbed him of the exuberance of yore.

    But old habits die hard. The popular dude, who once courted flower girl Eno Olafisoye with his charms, has made a comeback on the social scene lately. He has been sighted at various shindigs in recent times, including the residence of the recently deceased Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo where he went to commiserate with the late General’s family.

  • High society rallies round Pauline Tallen

    If power and money divide politicians, partying and grieving unite them. So it has been with the outpouring of emotions for Pauline Tallen, the Minister of State for Science and Technology, on the death of her husband, Mr John Tallen, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 83.

    Until his death, John was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the same platform by which his wife served as a minister during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s first term. She later became the deputy governor of Plateau State before she unsuccessfully used the platform of the Labour Party to contest the governorship seat against the then governor, Jonah Jang.

    Leading the women of class and substance in paying their condolences was the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, who paid a solidarity visit to the home of the Tallens. The first lady commiserated with the woman, urging her not to wallow in too much grief.

    Following the first lady’s example, the Tallens’ abode has become a Mecca of sorts to mostly female politicians who have been taking turns to console the bereaved woman.

  • Family intervenes in battle over Obasanjo’s son’s wedding

    Like the mother hen spreading her wings to protect her young ones from the hungry hawk about to swoop on them, the wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and mother of groom-to-be, Olujonwo Obasanjo, has gone to court to seek the postponement of her son’s wedding to avoid a potential calamity.

    Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo’s curious decision has naturally provoked shock and confusion among some members of the Obasanjo clan. The woman has, however, vowed to press on with the case irrespective of whose ox is gored.

    Her son, Olujonwo, is scheduled to tie the nuptial knot with pretty Tope Adebutu, daughter of Sir Kessington Adebutu a.k.a. Baba Ijebu, owner of popular Premier Lotto, on May 11. However, if the court grants Olujonwo’s mother’s unusual request, he would have to await a date after June 1, his birthday, to experience the joy of matrimony.

    The groom’s mother has averred that she was not carried along in the wedding’s planning process. She also claimed that all her efforts to get Obasanjo and Adebutu to see sense and shift the wedding date according to spiritual warnings she received had fallen on deaf ears, hence her resort to the courts.

    Family members and close friends are, however, said to be talking to the aggrieved groom’s mother to withdraw the matter from court.

  • As Walter becomes new ‘bride’

    Fame fades with time, beauty blooms and dies, wisdom diminishes as folly increases, trust is sold in the market for 30 pieces of silver, but a man’s good name endures forever. So many men have come across as heirs apparent for the throne of integrity until riches bedeck their pate and they are exposed as charlatans who cannot resist being captivated by the ephemeral pleasures from luxury.

    Not so Walter Akpan, the man saddled with the onerous task of overseeing the growth of newly-established Providus Bank. Though blessed with wealth like his peers, he stands apart as one who would not engage in unbridled life of luxury.

    Walter’s modest ways appear to have turned into the beautiful bride now courted by all and sundry in the banking sector. Not one used to being the centre of attention, he has managed to shield himself from being lured in by friends with inordinate pleasures and ambitions.

  • Jimoh Ibrahim,wife in differing birthday soirees

    It is no longer news that billionaire businessman and chairman of Global Feet Jimoh Ibrahim turned 50 in February. What many people don’t know is that his lovely wife of many years, Modupe, is only a few weeks younger than him and has since joined him in the 50s’ club. She marked her birthday two weeks ago too.

    The most interesting part, however, is how the couple marked their respective birthdays. Jimoh, a business mogul, had to make do with a birthday devoid of any formal celebration because he was in the UK pursuing another master’s degree in addition to the pile of degrees in his kitty.

    Still, the philanthropist must have thought that his birthday was a good time to reward himself the same way he has been rewarding others. Hence he bought himself a customised Rolls Royce which was believed to have set his pocket back by a whopping N300 million.

    On her own part, Modupe, unencumbered by any academic pursuit, invited the cream of the high society to a birthday bash which took place at the couple’s Victoria Garden City residence. There was a lot of fanfare and merriments at the high octane event which featured performances by popular musicians.

  • Tope Agbeyo bags State of Georgia’s honours

    Tope Agbeyo bags State of Georgia’s honours

    It does not rain, it pours,” goes a popular English saying. Those who think this only applies to bad events should go talk to Tope Agbeyo. The chairman of Cornfield Group has been having a stellar 2017 so far with honours and accolades pouring his way every month. And what is even more remarkable is that each honour, no matter how big, is followed by a bigger one.

    It will be recalled that in January, Joseph Ayo Babalola University conferred an honorary doctorate on the intellectual who heads Cornfield Group (Media Concepts International Limited, Botosoft Technologies Limited, and FOAM Studio Nigeria Limited) for his outstanding contribution to the educational sector in the country. But little did he know that this was just a sign of bigger things to come.

    Only a few days ago, Agbeyo, whose patented KAPTEK set of mathematical instruments is the talk of the town in the education community, was honoured by the US State of Georgia for his commitment to the ideals of youth empowerment, non-violence as a way of life and entrepreneurship as a means to drive economic growth.

    The commendation is just the latest in a long line of accolades for the dude whose membership of the exclusive A. D King Foundation speaks volumes about his standing in the local and international communities.

  • Stan Rerri plans Lagos, London 50th birthday

    Stan Rerri is one man who appears to have struck a lasting covenant with the good life. Armed with a well-cultivated mind to go with his opulent lifestyle, Stan enjoys the attention of elite minstrels and sups in the halls of kings.

    A king in his own right, especially in the hospitality sector, the world is his oyster and joyful is his song. With just over a month to his 50th birthday, Stan has accomplished in half a lifetime what many of his contemporaries spend all their lives striving to do before they sank into their graves.

    Ahead of his birthday on May 14, he has set the machinery in motion for a remarkable celebration. Invited guests will be treated to a lavish two-legged shindig in Abuja, Nigeria, and Dorchester, Parklane, London, United Kingdom respectively.

  • Tola Solomon rules Lagos, Abuja social circles

    Erelu Tola Solomon is a popular name in the Lagos and Abuja social circles, and for good reason too. She is the life of any party, the star attraction at any event she decides to grace with her stylish presence. The woman of means is always on hand to honour invitations, and this has made her the toast of party hosts in Abuja and Lagos.

    One look at the warm and charming woman would clear any lingering doubts about her top notch sense of fashion and style. Never would she be seen sporting mismatching outfits. She is trendy without being outlandish, stylish without being loud, and carries herself with the confidence of a queen.

    The beautiful woman maintains a range of fashion wears designed right from her fashion house, Hair Xcellence. Most of what she wears is based on her own designs. She is a proud ambassador of locally-made products. Her fashion house and boutique are in the business of making others look good.

    Since her marriage to Alfred Solomon crashed, she has pitched her tent with Otunba Lekan Osifeso, the man who now means the world to her.

  • Olumide Osoba takes back seat

    Like a child who buries himself in his room after he was flogged for failing his school exam, Olumide Osoba, son of respected elder statesman, Aremo Segun Osoba, has kept far, far away from the klieg lights of politics. Since he lost his bid to retain his seat as the House of Representatives member for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency in Ogun State, Olumide has recoiled into his shell.

    After his stint in the National Assembly, a position he assumed by leveraging on his father’s political machinery, the younger Osoba was, however, not so lucky with his bid for the House of Representatives seat. And he has yet to make a comeback to the social radar since then.

    Not even his 40th birthday during the week could make him change the lonely song he is currently dancing to. It was an affair devoid of any glitter or glamour. Not many even knew he celebrated.

  • Otedola’s daughter celebrates 21st birthday in London

    If you think that being born as heiress to a billionaire means you have to live the rest of your life on autopilot, spending your parents’ money and not bothering to make a name for yourself or stand on your own feet at some point, you obviously have much to learn from Temi Otedola.

    The youngest in a line of celebrity sisters born to billionaire oil and gas tycoon Femi Otedola, Temi is not resting in the knowledge that her father’s wealth is always there for her. She has gone out to carve a career for herself, slowly climbing the ladder of relevance in the global fashion space through her style blog, JTO Fashion.

    The enterprising woman celebrated her 21st birthday on Monday, March 20 with a quiet dinner in the company of her nuclear family and a few other guests. Present were her father Femi Otedola, her mother Nana and her siblings, among who was Ifeoluwa Otedola a.k.a. DJ Cuppy. Temi posted lovely pictures of the family dinner at Soho, London.