The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • About Orji Kalu’s daughter’s proposed wedding

    Once bitten, twice shy seems to be the new watchword for Neya Kalu. The daughter of former Abia State governor, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has been treading with extreme caution even as her marriage date to Lawrence Iyere approaches.

    Going by the latest development, it would seem that the beautiful Neya has decided that a failed relationship is better than a broken marriage, as the traditional wedding scheduled for December 28 was cancelled, though some people say it was merely postponed to next year.

    Since her relationship with Chima Anyaso, boss of Ceecon Oil and Gas, hit the rocks some years ago, the young woman has learnt to keep her eyes open to ensure she does not fall twice into the same trap. And for a while since she met businessman Lawrence in the UK while pursuing a degree, it seemed that she had finally found the right man. They had a lavish engagement ceremony in August and for a while all seemed well.

    According to whispering birds, it was not long after the ceremony that Neya began to wonder if Cupid’s arrow had shot the right man into her heart, leading to her decision to cancel the relationship. Some are however saying that the marriage was only postponed till February next year for some personal reasons. Time, as always, will tell.

  • Odunzeh gives back to society

    Most employees would tell you that their biggest motivation is not their take-home pay but recognition from their peers and appreciation from their bosses. The boss of EUC Homes, Uchenna Ben Odunzeh, knows this only too well, hence his company has established a tradition for rewarding the most loyal and dedicated employees at the end of each year.

    This year was not any different as EUC Homes combined their end of year party with an empowerment programme that put broad smiles on the faces of lucky staffers and non-staffers alike. Kicking off the day’s unending tales of joy was the raffle draw where the first 100 people to arrive carted away different kinds of gifts.

    Then came the main event where the company went all out to recognise 10 of their employees for their outstanding work throughout the year. The employee of the year smiled home with a choice plot of land at Ibeju-Lekki, a car, two bags of rice and some groundnut oil. The first, second and third runners-up were not left out as they also won plots of land, two bags of rice and some groundnut oil. The remaining employees also went home with some goodies for Christmas.

    The event, which held at the Orchid Hotel, Chevron, was anchored by comedian Kc Brown and featured top artistes like Jaywon, Skales and May D.

  • Sad Yuletide for Babajide Obanikoro

    Life is a microcosm of day. As the nightfall takes over from daylight, so does sadness from joy. Sooner or later, we all experience the truth of the fluctuating nature of life. Some like Babajide Obanikoro are learning this truism at the moment.

    In the midst of the festive season where the majority are wining and dining away all the tears and stress of the outgoing year, Jide Obanikoro is under a deluge of grief. A few weeks ago, his countenance was radiating happiness and relief as his embattled father, Musiliu Obanikoro, regained his freedom from the cells of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But now the tides of grief have overwhelmed him over the loss of a dear friend.

    According to those who know, Dayo Adeleke, the woman who was gorily dismembered by a Cameroonian she had brought to live with her, was a dear friend to Jide. There are even tales to the effect that the former ambassador’s son had romantic feelings for the late Dayo which, though unrequited, did not affect their close friendship. The two pals maintained their camaraderie and comradeship even as Dayo prepared to get married to her lover.

    As fate would have it, however, she was paid in evil by the homeless Cameroonian she had taken in out of pity. The man murdered her in her Park View Ikoyi family home on December 19.

    Dayo was buried on Wednesday at a sombre ceremony graced by a plethora of members of the high society, including Jide.

  • Willy and Nkiru Anumudu celebrate 30 years together

    These days, marriages involving celebrities happen with so much fanfare only to disintegrate like a poorly constructed house a few months later. The situation often leaves people wondering whether the couple knew the meaning of their wedding vows.

    The same cannot be said of top society couple Willy and Nkiru Anumudu whose marriage is still going strong after all these years. On Tuesday, the two lovebirds marked their 30th wedding anniversary. It was a day of joy and thanksgiving in the home of the Anumudus.

    When you talk about top power couples, the names of Willy and Nkiru Anumudu come to the fore, Willy, Globe Motors boss, and his formidable socialite wife, Nkiru, tied the nuptial knot on December 27, 1986 and have walked the troughs of life together ever since.

    The couple’s union has produced four grown children, all of who have acquired their master’s degrees. Reliable sources say they will celebrate their 30th year together by travelling around the world.

  • Ramon Adedoyin hits 60

    Ramon Adedoyin hits 60

    Dr Ramon Adedoyin exemplifies the saying that there is a difference between growing up and aging. While many simply accumulate years with nothing to show for it, the Maye of Ile-Ife is an achiever whose life revolves around selfless round-the-clock service to humanity.

    As the years come and go, Adedoyin’s passion waxes stronger. His achievements grow bigger and his footprints in the sands of time grow larger. The cerebral philanthropist and educationist will clock 60 tomorrow and in his trademark style, he is set to celebrate it by showering hope and gifts on the less-privileged. The poor, the physically challenged, mosques and churches, and the elderly above 85 years will all be beneficiaries of the gift distribution that will take place at the Enuwa City Hall, Ile-Ife.

    Guests and well-wishers will be entertained at the Maye Castle of Peace where evergreen music icon, Chief Ebenezer Obey, will launch an album in his honour.

  • Olori Aramide celebrates two scores in style

    It was celebration galore last weekend as one of the most fashionable royal mothers in the country, Olori Sekinat Aramide Elegushi, marked her 40th birthday in grand style. At a ceremony where big boys and girls flaunted expensive attires, Olori Aramide remained the cynosure of all eyes.

    Dressed in exquisite lace material, she was the centre of attention at the bash hosted by her loving husband, Oba Alayeluwa Saheed Ademola Elegushi (Kusenla III) who, incidentally, is the same age as his wife, having turned 40 in April this year.

    There was food, drink and dance for all at the event which remains yet the talk of the town. Among the top musicians, who performed at the event were Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Adekunle Gold, Lil Kesh, Patoranking, and The Prince.

    DJ Jimmy Jatt was there to do his thing, while fuji music maestro K1 De Ultimate serenaded the roaring crowd with classic numbers.

  • Dangote makes world’s most powerful persons list

    Dangote makes world’s most powerful persons list

    In spite of the biting economic recession, it is not all gloom for the country. One of world’s most respected magazines, Forbes, recently ranked Alhaji Aliko Dangote as one of the most powerful individuals in the world. In this, he is ranked among global political figures like the newly elected President of United States Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    The President of Dangote Group, Nigeria’s biggest business conglomerate, first featured on the exclusive list of world’s powerful people in 2013 when he was ranked the 71st most powerful person in the world and the only African to crack the list. This year’s ranking sees him move up to 68th in the world and second in Africa behind Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is placed 44th on the list.

    Expectedly, the top places on the list are dominated by very visible global figures who have been making waves for right or wrong reasons. Vladimir Putin, the aggressive Russian president, sits atop the list as the most powerful person in the world, followed by Donald W Trump. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is third while Chinese premier Xi Jinping is fourth. Social media champion and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is number 10 on the list released by the magazine.

  • Abiola Ajimobi’s big shoes

    Abiola Ajimobi’s big shoes

    Titles are good. They confer respect, honour and prestige. That is why royal fathers dish out titles to deserving sons and daughters of their domains. But sometimes, a holder of a title raises the bar so high that subsequent holders of the title struggle to fill his or her big shoes.

    The foregoing explains why more than a few eyebrows were raised last week when the Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, and his wife, Florence, were conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Aare and Yeye Aare of Ibadanland. The ceremony took place at Popoyemoja, the residence of the Olubadan, and was presided over by the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Aje Ogunguniso I himself.

    The importance of the title is gauged more by the stature of the past occupants. It will not be forgotten in a hurry that the last Aare was Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao, a formidable figure and consummate philanthropist whose kindness flowed from one end of the country to another.

    Governor Ajimobi himself is a man of no mean repute and there is no doubt he has the clout to wear the big shoes well too.

  • Senator Bode Ola hits three scores

    Senator Bode Ola certainly has a lot to be thankful for. Not only is he a force to reckon with on the political terrain, especially in the South West, just a few weeks ago, the ever-smiling senator clocked 60 years.

    As he entered the club of 60-year-olds in style, he seized the opportunity to launch a book that draws on his decades of experience in the international and local political battlefields.

    Senator Ola was born on November 12, 1956. He obtained an HND in Accountancy in 1962 and proceeded to serve the nation in various capacities in the foreign service between 1983 and 2004. He then joined politics and contested elections to represent Ekiti Central. He was declared the winner by the courts in 2009 and went on to fruitfully represent his constituency.

  • Ogundiwin is next movie star

    After weeks of fierce contest, the 2016 edition of the Next Movie Star dubbed The Supercharged Edition is finally concluded. At the end of the finale, little-fancied Modesinuoluwa Ogundiwin emerged the winner, walking away with a brand new SUV, cash award and movie contracts.

    To get to the top of the mountain, she had to fend off challenges from the likes of Nigeria’s Chinonso Ukah (first runner-up), Ghana’s Kobby Acheampong (2nd runner-up) and Davies Kpoyi of Nigeria (3rd runner-up) to emerge the overall winner after collation of votes from the audience and the decision of the judges who thoroughly assessed each housemate’s acting ability throughout the duration of the show.

    The announcement was made by ace Nollywood actress, Steph Nora Okere, who was ably assisted by media guru Kingsley James a.k.a. KJV. She commended Modesinuoluwa for her stellar performance in the show, describing her as a worthy winner of the popular and long-running reality TV show, which has over the years catapulted names like Tontoh Dike, Chuwang Pam Kevin, Uti Nwachukwu, Anne Idibia and Portia Yamahan to the limelight.

    The Intelligence and Security Studies graduate of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, was visibly delighted by a feat she described as an act of God.