The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Between Niyi Adegbenro and Ebenezer Obey

    High Chief Niyi Adegbenro and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi are two men who have quite a few things in common. Unknown to many, the two, aside from their shared origins in the old Western Region, are bossom friends. That’s not all, they share a unique relationship of being born the same day in the same month in the same year. They were both born in 1942 and will both mark their 75th birthdays on April 3, 2017. Unlike Ebenezer Obey who is a known quantity all over the country, High Chief Adegbenro, though an accomplished politician and veteran socialite in his own right, tends to slip under the radar.

    He is the son of a former premier of the old Western Region Chief Dauda Adegbenro. One of his sons, Adejare Rewane Adegbenro, is the chief executive officer of Balmoral International. He is a veteran on the political scene and had a stint as director in the defunct Allied Bank.

  • Wasiu Ayinde’s glitzy 60th birthday

    Those who doubted the stature of fuji music maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), must have been left eating the humble pie after witnessing the week-long extravangaza rolled out by the music legend to mark his 60th birthday. Beginning on February 19, it was a week of wonderful programmes, during which the living legend showcased both the pious and humanitarian sides of his personality. The highlights of the week were the various visits to religious sites as well as the humanitarian activities spearheaded by his foundation, the Muhtadeen Islamic Foundation (MIFO). In a bid to share the music of hope with the less-privileged, the celebrant visited prisons, orphanages and the likes, where plenty of goodies were distributed.

    The highlight of the celebrations was the Grand Finale and Awards event, which took place at Queen Park Event Centre, Water Corporation Way, Oniru, Lagos. It was a well-attended occasion, featuring royal fathers like Oba Semiu Orimadegun Kasali of Igbogboland, Oba Saheed Elegushi of Ikateland, and Oba Kabiru Agbabaka of Isolo; entertainers like Saheed Osupa; Sule Alao Adekunle and Wasiu Sodiq. During the event, which was presided over by Hamzat Obafemi, who was ably assisted by Mustapha Olowogada and Akeem Sokopao, awards were presented to distinguished individuals for their contributions in various fields. Among the recipients are Engr Gbolahan Toriola, GM, Vehicle Inspection Service Lagos State; Alhaja Mosun Bello-Olusoga, chairperson of Access Bank, and Yemi Adeola, MD of Sterling Bank.

  • Prince Ayo Adedoyin goes into politics

    Kwara ‘big boy’, Prince Ayo Adeoyin, is one man who knows what he wants and how to go about getting it. The Agbamu, Kwara-born business mogul and one-time head of Peacegate Group, a company that specialises in offering professional services to the aviation, real estate, oil & gas, logistics and trading sector of the economy, has conquered the business world to his satisfaction. He has therefore set his sights on ruling a new terrain by joining politics. He has thrown his hat into the ring as one of those making moves to gun for the seat of power in Kwara State come 2019.

    Prince Adedoyin is the son of the foremost industrialist Chief Samuel Adedoyin. He was married to Oghogho Asemota before the union crashed. With a massive war chest, he has no financial constraints to prevent him from aiming for the Kwara top seat. He is currently engaged in covert and overt wooing, trying to bring the main political blocks in the state of harmony to his side. With the battle for 2019 gathering momentum, the handsome dude is high on confidence that his connections in the celebrity sphere, as well as his ties to the top players in several sectors of the economy will help him to capture the governorship ticket.

  • High and mighty converge for Polo finals

    While games like football and basketball have long been acknowledged as the sport of the masses, at least in Nigeria, polo takes the cake when it comes to sports that the high and mighty love to partake in. It has long been regarded as a sport of the elite, a genteel activity made for the bourgeoisie. No wonder when a polo tournament comes to town, you’ll find the high and mighty flocking there in their droves, some to participate and the rest to enjoy the show.

    Not to mention that it serves as a convenient rendezvous for informal business dealings. And that was exactly what happened last Sunday at the finals of the Majekodunmi Cup, which was held at the prestigious Polo Club, Ikoyi. The event witnessed the attendance of the Who-is-Who in the Nigerian political and business climate. Top names like Dangote boss, Aliko Dangote; oil and gas tycoon, Femi Otedola and several big players in the banking industry were there; as was the Senate President Bukola Saraki, his sidekick and fellow senator, Dino Melaye and many others.

  • Shina Peller, Oritsefemi sheathe sword

    Like two exhausted boxers who have reached a stalemate after hours of a grueling contest, popular musician, Majemite Ekele aka Oritsefemi and Club Quilox owner, Shina Peller, have finally thrown down their gloves and called a truce. Three months on from the highly publicised row between the duo, the clouds of rancour have finally made way for the bright rays of amity.

    It will be recalled that Oritsefemi and Shina Peller were involved in a bitter war of words following an incident in November 2016, where the ‘Double Wahala’ crooner injured a Club Quilox bouncer on the head in the heat of a disagreement. The two parties released statements blaming each other for the episode and demanding reparations.

    Eventually, after a few days of hot-blooded vituperations, the MSN Gang Label artiste realised that he had bitten more than he could chew and swiftly released a statement on instagram apologising for his part in the sordid episode and asking for forgiveness and promising to compensate the injured bouncer. At the time, it wasn’t clear whether his apology had been accepted. But, going by what transpired at the Quilox Ultra Pool Party on February 26, 2017, Oritsefemi and Shina Peller have well and truly buried the hatchet. The duo was spotted laughing and joking with each other like longtime friends meeting for the first time in a while.

  • Anna Darius Ishaku comes into her own

    No sooner had her husband been sworn in as the governor of Taraba State than Anna Darius Ishaku swung into action to fulfill her duties as First Lady. Using her background as a barrister and her productive stint in the Kaduna State Ministry of Justice as leverage, she got down to work and was soon launching initiatives targeted at bringing hope to the long-suffering people of Taraba. In just two years, she has got residents of the North Central state smiling again.

    With her flagship project, The Hope of a Fresh Foundation, the hardworking first lady has become a modern day Mother Theresa, bringing succour to women, the youth, the children, physically-challenged and vulnerable groups in the society, all of whom are united by their need for care and comfort. With her empowerment and training programmes, she opened a pathway for many to pursue their ambitions through small scale trading and skill acquisition.

    Fuelled by a burning desire to reach as many Tarabans as possible with the message of hope, she has travelled the length and breadth of the state, reaching inaccessible areas and preaching the gospel of transformation to all and sundry. She’s a woman with a heart of gold whose generosity has seen many people being treated of their illnesses for free. Unsurprisingly, her efforts have earned her the love of her people.

  • High society mourns Jennifer Madike

    Former society babe, Jennifer Madike, has left the ranks of the living. In the 80s, before the advent of the internet, smartphones and technology, Jennifer Madike was one of the hottest names on the social scene. Her fame was arguably bigger than anything most contemporary celebrities will ever have, because she had few rivals to compete with in the black-and-white world of those times, unlike these days when celebrities rise and fall at the click of a computer button. She painted the town red, or rather, the town was painted red for her, as she sped along the fast lane at a dizzying speed.

    She was a maverick socialite whom nobody could contain, even as she dribbled in and out of drug trafficking cases. In her later years, she changed her ways and became a born-again Christian, denouncing her past life. She became a Pastor at the Spirit and Life Bible Church, Benin, and adopted the moniker ‘Pastor Rejoice.’ It never had the same ring as ‘Baby Madike,’ which used to be her praise name when musicians serenaded her during her heydays.

  • Lulu Enaboifo regains groove

    Delta State ‘big boy’, Lulu Enaboifo, caused quite a stir when he was spotted at last Saturday’s celebration held in honour of Madam Iyabo Rewane, who tuned 80. Like a river responding to the call of the sea, Lulu must have been compelled to finally emerge from his cocoon by the recent freedom of his friend and close associate, James Ibori.

    When the going was good, the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, and Lulu Enaboifo were like Robinson Crusoe and Man Friday, master and awestruck associate working in tandem, securing plum contracts and raking in the big bucks. With Ibori’s recommendation, Lulu was made Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Nigeria-São Tomé & Principe Joint Development Authority, under the presidency of late Umaru Yar ‘Adua.

    Though he later stepped down from the plum job, Lulu continued to enjoy the benefits of his friendship to the Oghara chieftain, until the latter’s brush with the law led him to go low profile. The Chairman/CEO, Mega Structures Nigeria Limited, did not abandon Ibori during the latter’s trying times in a London jail but provided moral support from behind the scenes. Now that Ibori is free again, Lulu probably thinks it is time to strut his stuff in public once again.

  • Nike Oshinowo’s new ways

    Man, like nature, is a being of alteration and transformation. As the seasons change from the creeping cold of winter to the green and warm birdsong of summer, so too does man undergo attitudinal changes, shifts in perspective brought about by a number of factors, chief among which are age and experience. The things we used to love begin to seem like a waste of time, mere trifles to be abandoned in favour of more rewarding pursuits. For ex-beauty queen Nike Oshinowo, this seems to be the case these days. Gone for her is the razzle dazzle of high octane events, flowing robes bestriding red carpets and expensive cocktail to finely-glossed lips. In fact, her absence at A-list events has become the norm rather than the exception. The polyglot, who won the MBGN pageant in 1990, has severely toned down her appearances on the social scene of late. Unlike the days when she rocked the celebrity scene like no man’s business, these days, she goes quietly about her stuff, devoting most of her time to caring for her two kids.

    Though no one knows for certain what’s up with Nike, the former wife of bearded Dr Tunde Soleye, perhaps is simply seeking an extended respite from the public eye.

  • What they won’t tell you about Habeeb and Mustapha Fasinro

    It is rare to find two siblings who are success stories in their own right. Typically, especially in Nigeria, you find one brother who is a successful mover and shaker in the political or business world, someone who attracts the ladies like nectar attracts bees; while the other brother, less successful, staring at the looming shadow cast by his wealthier sibling, envy in his eyes and perhaps murder in his heart. The same cannot be said of the special duo of Habeeb and Mustapha Fasinro, two’ big boys’ and siblings who have been doing great things in their respective businesses.

    While Habeeb is stylishly doing his thing in the political and entertainment arenas, his brother, Mustapha, is also making waves in the oil and gas sector through his company Linetrale, whose interests span automotive gas, kerosene, naphta, LPG, petrol and bitumen. Habeeb, on his own part, owns Smooth FM and has represented Eti Osa Federal Constituency at the National Assembly.

    Interestingly, even though their business interests are divergent, the two sons of the late Hassan Fasinro are united by their mutual love of polo. The Lagos ‘big boys’ are permanent fixtures at most polo tournaments. Habeeb sponsored the Eko Atlantic beach polo tourney, the first of its kind in the country, while Mustapha and the Linetrale Delaney Polo Team, which he owns, were winners of the MTN Polo Championship not too long ago.