The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Tina Ogundoyin goes calm

    There is a quote ascribed to JK Rowling, which goes thus: Youth cannot know how age thinks and feels. But old men are guilty if they forget what it was to be young. One person that is certainly not guilty of this is Tina Ogundoyin who, even in her current state of comparative decline, still remembers and relishes the days of her former glory, when she reigned supreme as the First Lady of the Ibadan social scene.

    Indeed, the Tina of those days was always a sight to behold. Resplendent in exquisite lace wear and exotic designer accessories, she walked the corridors of Celebrity land as its reigning queen with her coterie of friends. In those days, the Queen of Sheba, as she is fondly addressed by admirers, was the first name on any list of invited guests at any self-respecting event held in the ancient city. Hosts and hostesses chased after her as if their social lives depended on it. At one point, it would have been no exaggeration to say that the success or failure of an elite event in Ibadan depended on the presence or absence of Tina Ogundoyin.

    All living things are subject to decay, however, and so too is all fame and glory. In recent times, Tina’s star has begun to wane. This is accelerated by her advancing years and further compounded by some emotional issues she had with former lover, Sogo Agboola. These days, Tina steers clear of most events. She seems to have  “retired” from the social scene and left the stage for younger women.

  • Gbenga Daniel not willing to play second fiddle

    There is a saying that two suns cannot exist in the same sky; nor indeed two moons. This saying is a testament to the tendency of those in power to want all the accolades and attention exclusively to themselves, whether they deserve it or not. So, what happens when two or three of this type of men are gathered under the same “roof”? This scenario recently played out at the wedding of Wesco Bet boss, Adewale Oshinubi. The event went on smoothly at the Adeola Odutola Hall, Degun Junction, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, until the politicians, not the celebrants, became the centre of attention.

    Former governor of the state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, was already at the event, lapping up quiet adulations from fans. Also there was Lekan Mustapha who had his own praise-singers gravitating to him. But things really kicked off when Senator Buruji Kashamu breezed into the event.

    Immediately the Ijebu-Igbo-born senator entered the venue, there was a chorus of loud hailing as he completely overshadowed all the other dignitaries at the event, like a large boulder putting smaller rocks in the shade. Even fuji musician, Kolade Onanuga, who was at the bandstand, abandoned every other person and started singing the praises of Kashamu, who is currently facing an extradition case.

    Unsurprisingly, Gbenga Daniel was unable to stomach being overshadowed by someone with such a tainted record, and he swiftly stormed out of the event barely five minutes or so after Kashamu’s arrival on the scene. No one seemed to notice his absence though, as Kashamu remained the centre of attention all through the event.

  • Kashim Shettima goes low profile

    Like a great white whale zipping back and forth majestically across its marine domain, Kashim Bukar Shettima once ruled over the social scene. And, like the same whale wisely slinking to the depths of the ocean floor in order to hide from ruthless human hunters, the Skyejet boss has vanished from the public radar for a while, leading many to wonder what the stylish man of means is up to staying away from the limelight.

    Known as a man with a soft voice and hard work ethics, Kashim Bukar Shettima’s rise through the business and social ranks was a thing to behold. Over the years, he has through dint of hard work expanded his business concerns under the Barbedos Group umbrella to include Barbedos Ventures Limited, an agricultural supply firm that he founded in 1991.

    Shettima’s business interests include Barbedos Cars Limited, Skyjet Aviation Services Limited, and Barbedos Oil and Gas Services Limited, to mention but a few.

    Comparably, as Shettima made his way up the business world’s ladder, his profile and social status also rose to the point where he became the darling of A-list events. These days though, he is nowhere to be seen at public gatherings. Having mustered an unsuccessful bid for political office during the last elections, Shettima has withdrawn to lick his wounds privately in his anonymous cocoon.

  • Another feather in Adebutu’s cap

    Premier Lotto boss, Chief Kessington Adebutu, brings to mind the biblical promise to open the windows of heaven and rain down a deluge of blessings on the deserving. A philanthropist with a heart of gold, Chief Adebutu, who runs the Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), that brings succour to the less-privileged, has more than earned the accolades pouring his way. What’s surprising, however, is that the honours have not stopped coming, especially in recent times, that one begins to wonder whether the Asoju Oba of Lagos will soon run out of space on his cap to attach the feathers.

    Chief Adebutu, who turned 80 not too long ago, is no stranger to awards and conferment, as he has received numerous accolades throughout his business, social and philanthropic career. The latest elevation is in form of recognition by his kinsmen in Ijebuland. The popular and exclusive age grade group, Regberegbes ‘Egbe Bobagunte’ of Ijebuland, penultimate Saturday installed Kessington Adebutu as the Baba Egbe Bobagunte, the equivalent of a group patron. He was given the honour alongside Madam Bisilola Edioseri a.k.a Cash Madam, who became Iya Egbe Bobagunte, the female equivalent of his title.

    Eminent sons and daughters of Ijebu extraction were on hand to witness the event, which took place at the palace of the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. The respected monarch was also present to oversee proceedings and bless the two honourees.

  • Life begins for Real Drill boss @ 40

    The age-long saying that men of substance do not wear gold, but if you scratch them, you will see gold is surely true about Mr Ajani Najeemdeen Babatunde Ajikobi, the Project Director of Real Drill Hydrokonsult Nigeria Ltd, who clocked the proverbial age of 40 on the first day of February, 2017.

    Because of his company’s exploit in the area of sedimentary and basement drilling and the ability to unravel the subsurface with competent geophysicists and high dept probe of geophysical instruments with 100 percent precision, Real Drill has become a household name in the industry.

    He was born to the family of Alhaji and Alhaja Ajani Bamidele of the popular Ajikobi family of Oyo town on February 1, 1977. He started his elementary school at Adenle Primary School, Osogbo, Osun State, before proceeding to Saint James Secondary School, Osogbo. Young  Najeemdeen bagged his Higher National Diploma Certificate at The Ibadan Polytechnic, where he studied Geology.

    To celebrate his landmark birthday, he engaged the services of Islamic scholars for marathon prayer sessions. He also took time out to celebrate with the less-privileged. This is an addition to some corporate responsibility services he engages in by sinking boreholes in some selected cities across Osun State.

  • Lucky Omoluwa’s rising star

    Pinnacle Communications boss, Lucky Omoluwa, is a metaphor for the virtues of unstated diligence and the rewards that come with it. Even though he is a giant among men, he makes himself little, so others can stand on his shoulders. Amidst a landscape of murky, stagnant saltiness, he stands like a sea of freshwater, with innovative ideas and inventive models which quicken the road to success. Little wonder then, that few weeks back, Daily Times bestowed an award on his company, Pinnacle Communications, in recognition of its commitment to the entrenchment of world class digital broadcasting standards in the country.

    The Company of the Year 2016 Award bestowed by the Daily Times was in recognition of  the performance of Pinnacle during the year. Having beaten all comers to emerge winner of the 2nd Broadcast Signal Distribution License Network meant to kick-start the country’s transition into digital broadcasting, the company went on to complete installation of facilities in a record six weeks.

    With the Digital Switch Over now launched in Abuja, the old world of analogue channels is about to pass away in favour of the brand new world of digital broadcasting.

  • Dangote, Amaechi, Folawiyo, others celebrate Jumoke Okoya-Thomas

    Like the evergreen plant which remains fresh as the seasons come and go, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas is as good-looking and bubbly as ever. The revered politician is one of the most formidable women in the country; an icon of the ‘can do’ spirit that has propelled her to success in a male-dominated field.

    The daughter of the late industrialist and CFAO boss, Alexander Molade Okoya-Thomas, recently celebrated her 60th birthday and the high society was out in full force to honour one of their own. The event, which took place on Friday January 20, was a spectacular affair full of vim and colour. Spotting local outfits of varying designs, Jumoke’s family, friends and well-wishers converged on the Oriental Hotel, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue in droves to felicitate with her.

    The three-term former member of the House of Representatives was all smiles at the event as she greeted guests. Although she is currently not serving in any political position, her pedigree was still enough to attract the who is who among the social and political elites, including the Minister of Transport, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi; former Ogun State governor, Olusegun Osoba; the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa and the First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs Bolanle Ambode.

    Chief Razaq Okoya and his wife, Shade, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Oba Otudeko, Mrs. Daisy Danjuma, Mrs Haba Folawiyo and Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi were also on hand to lend colour to the event.

  • Omisore’s rumoured goodbye to governorship ambition

    Few names are as big as that of Iyiola Omisore in the politics of Osun State. He has been deputy governor and senator. He has long nursed the ambition to become the governor of the state. But like the biblical Moses, it now looks like he will have to content himself only with a glimpse of the promised land.

    If whispers are to be believed, Senator Omisore may call it quits next year with his ambition to become Osun State governor. Omisore, no doubt, is a formidable force in the politics of Osun State and the entire South West region; he has built an armada of political connections which would have been enough to land him the governorship seat but for intra-party fighting in the PDP.

    Ahead of the next governorship election in the state, expectations were that Omisore would once again throw his hat in the ring. However, his observable lack of interest has caused others with governorship ambition in the state to start flocking around him in the hope that he would endorse their candidacy like Moses did Joshua.

  • TOKE MAKINWA savours new love life

    While many celebrities wallow in the mud of lingering emotions long after a failed relationship, popular on-air personality (OAP), Toke Makinwa, is not one to be drawn back by such occurrences. A year after her marriage to fitness guru, Maje Ayida, collapsed like a castle built with sand, she has driven herself away from the loneliness speed lane of love.

    Toke and her new heartthrob, Seyi Kuye, are the toast of social media. Kuye is a Nigerian-American businessman. Tall and masculine, he shares more than a passing resemblance with Toke’s ex, making people to wonder whether it is pure coincidence or she just has a thing for tall, black hunks.

    Tope Makinwa made her name as an OAP, television host and blogger before breaking the internet late last year with her autobiography, On Becoming, in which she, among other revelations, made accusations against her ex which she said led to their crashed marriage.

    Hopefully, her fresh dalliance with Seyi, who runs Initor Corporate Services, a civil engineering company, as COO, does not become the basis for another book on a broken union.

  • Titi Oseni steps out with hubby

    Ever since she made history by becoming the first (and only) female speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Titi Oseni has remained in the eye of the public. Her tenure as the state’s Number 3 citizen coupled with her closeness to the then governor, Gbenga Daniel, made her one of the most influential figures in the Gateway State.

    However, since she left office, the chocolate-skinned woman has refrained from visible participation in politics. She has maintained a low profile, living a life of semi-retirement from the political arena. Her non-visibility even led some to suggest that she was busy re-knitting her marriage from the severe strain her involvement in politics had brought on it.

    It was a delightful surprise for many, therefore, when she was sighted at the 60th birthday bash of Senator Jumoke Okoya-Thomas a few days ago. And the fact that she stepped out with her husband was indication that all is well on the home front.