The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Kema Chikwe resurfaces

    Former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, is reputed for carrying herself with the grace of a feline. And beneath her soft demeanour lies a voice of imperious command.

    The National Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been quiet of late. Unlike before when her presence was a sure bet at celebrity parties and society gigs, the mother of ace rapper, Naeto C, now flits in and out of the social radar like a landmass out at sea intermittently obscured by fog. To find her at such ceremonies these days, one would require the skills of a top-level investigator.

    But a goldfish cannot hide for long. A few weeks ago, Chikwe was spotted at a Lagos wedding bash, looking like a young beauty. Garbed in royal blue and in company with her singer son, the former aviation minister enjoyed herself throughout the wedding.

  • Emeka Opara joins golden club

    When the average Nigerian celebrity turns 50, drums are rolled out, red carpets are spread all the way to the next community and eloquent eulogies are rendered to rival the finest poets’ flattery. Everything culminates in a grand celebration where wine and delicacies flow like an ever-running tap.

    For the foregoing reason, family members and friends of Emeka Opara would be forgiven for thinking that the Airtel big boy planned to hold a big party to mark his golden age. But rather than bow to their expectations, the thoughtful dude did the exact opposite by celebrating the day with the less-privileged. He gathered a few of his friends and together they stormed the Mother Theresa Babies Home in Ketu, Lagos, where they showered its occupants with lots of goodies.

    Emeka’s thoughtfulness had combined with his sharp focus to ensure his rise from the branding team of Cadbury to becoming the longest serving top level staff at telecoms giant, Airtel Nigeria. He is the Vice President, Corporate Communications and CSR of Airtel. He has also started a tailoring business as he prepares for life after leaving the corporate world.

  • Proud moments for Olori Odun Sijuwade

    There is no better feeling in the world than realising that your child is growing up the way you desire. Oloori Odun Sijuwade is a very happy woman because her daughter, Damilola Sijuade, is making her a proud mother.

    Even in death, her late father, Oba Okunade Sijuade, the former Ooni of Ife, who died about a year ago, must be feeling happy as Damilola was called to the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, Abuja, three days ago. It will be recalled that the late Ooni of Ife, a foremost traditional ruler in Yorubaland, died in London at the age of 85.

    Oba Sijuwade inherited the Ooni stool in 1980, becoming the 50th monarch of Ile-Ife, the historical town regarded as the source of the Yoruba people. In February 2009, he ended the protracted Ife-Modakeke crisis, which had led to destruction of property, severance of family ties and loss of lives, following his decision to elevate the Ogunsua of Modakeke to the status of an Oba.

  • CLAM Pastor Wole Oladiyun becomes grandfather

    The head pastor and presiding overseer of Christ Livingspring Apostolic Ministry (CLAM), Wole Oladiyun, has no doubt been singing songs of praise and thanksgiving in the past few days. Reason, his beautiful daughter has been delivered of a bouncing baby, making him a grandfather.

    The dynamic founder of CLAM gave his daughter Ayomide’s hands in marriage to Olumayowa Adeoto Oke, a motivational speaker and fellow pastor on December 26 last year at a splashy event. She was delivered of the baby a few days ago in faraway Texas, USA where she lives with her husband.

    Pastor Wole’s daughter, Ayomide, is just 25 years old, and is also a cake maker and graduate of Covenant University. Her father is the president of CLAM Global Outreach (CLAMGO) and has built several hospitals to service the poor, among his other philanthropic gestures. He surely sees this news of a new bundle of joy as a divine reward for his selfless service.

  • Anticipation hots up for Brila FM’s daughter’s high-octane wedding

    One upcoming event that has left the social scene in a frenzy is the wedding of Phoebe Izamoje and her heartthrob, Damilola Asolo. Phoebe is the daughter of Larry Izamoje, owner of Nigeria’s foremost sports radio station, Brila FM, while Damilola is the son of Mr Olusoji Asolo.

    The lovebirds reportedly met in the United Kingdom where they came together in the course of academic pursuits. The two have since returned to the country with their bachelors and master’s degrees, and with an enduring love that is set to be officially ratified in a white wedding scheduled for December 3, 2016 at the Salem International Christian Centre, Km 14, Lekki-Épe Expressway, behind Total Filling Station, Lekki, Lagos.

    Reception will follow at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites on Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The traditional engagement will however hold two days earlier on December 1 at The Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Spectacular as the wedding is expected to be, it may be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for one to gain entry into the venue of the reception or the traditional ceremony because electronically-operated access cards will be required for admittance. The cards are coded to admit only one person and are not transferrable.

    What is more, there is a limited number of access cards, setting off a mad rush among the elite for the few slots available. For the men, the colour code is white attire with navy blue cap, while the ladies are expected to wear sparkling royal blue with white gele.

  • Elizabeth Atuche adopts low profile

    For some people, good fortune is like a daughter or a sister who answers their every call. For others, it is like the legendary Jamaican sprinter, Usain Boltelusive and uncatchable, no matter how fast or how earnestly one runs after it.

    The latter scenario brings to mind the case of Elizabeth Atuche. Since her husband, a former boss of defunct Bank PhB, was arrested for allegedly defrauding the bank, it has been one song of lamentation after another for the former high-flying social bird who now keeps a low profile.

    It was gathered that following her husband’s travails, the once bubbly Elizabeth now moves from one house of God to another, hoping for a miracle that would turn the tides of fortune her way again. She has left the social arena behind and turned a new evangelical leaf.

    Those who have observed the 50-year old wife of Francis Atuche in recent times now comment on her considerable weight loss, a result, perhaps, of constant vigils and fasting sessions.

    However, going by recent developments, Elizabeth is not out of the woods yet and needs to double her spiritual supplications. This is because the Appeal Court recently ordered a retrial of the case against her embattled husband after a lower court had earlier ruled in his favour.

  • Peter Obi, Willie Obiano in verbal war

    The relationship between a governor and his godfather in Nigeria follows a usual pattern: an enviable rapport is followed by the godfather picking the godson to stand for election, the godson wins the election and occupies the seat, and then he falls out with his godfather after a few months.

    The latest example is that of Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano and his erstwhile godfather and predecessor Peter Obi. The two have frequently engaged each other in verbal war since Obiano became governor, sometimes simmering beneath the veneers of civility and sometimes bubbling to the surface. It has, however, come to the boil in recent times in spite of a public show of reconciliation between them in August at the burial of Father Nicholas Tagbo, a former principal of Christ the King College, Onitsha, which they both attended.

    On that occasion, Obiano knelt before Obi and begged the latter to forgive him of all perceived wrongdoings. Obi had embraced his successor to a thunderous applause from everyone in attendance. Alas, it was not to last. Like a temporary bandage on a large wound, the truce proved to be short-lived as both men have since resumed their war of words.

    While Obiano has vowed to deal with Obi and threatened to reveal his alleged dirty secrets while advising him to stay away from the state, the former governor accused Obiano of sponsoring a witch-hunt against him. He also boasted that nobody could stop him from entering Anambra.

    Watchers of the unpleasant drama cannot help but shake their heads at this latest example of what power does to friendship.

  • Lagos stands still for Olugbade, Fatayi-Williams’ traditional wedding

    Last Saturday saw the elite move in droves to Landmark Event Centre, Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos. The occasion was the wedding ceremony of billionaire business tycoon, Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade’s second son, Dademu Akin-Olugbade and Lauretta Fatayi-Williams, a granddaughter of Justice Fatayi-Williams, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

    The parents of both the bride and the groom were in high spirits at the event, which brought together a galaxy of eminent personalities who are ever present on the social scene.

    The groom’s father, Dr Boluwasanmi Akin-Olugbade, is the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owu Kingdom. His deep pocket went a long way in making the event a spectacular feast. Bolu’s vintage Rolls-Royce was the official car for the wedding and was paraded to the oohs and aahs of admiring guests.

    Descending on the event to celebrate with the newest couple in town were Dapo Abiodun, Titi Adenuga, Olori Ladun Sijuwade, Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tunji Alapinni, Otunba Adekunle Ojora and wife, Erelu Ojuolape Ojora, Chief Nike Akande and Dame Maiden Ibru, among other socialites and celebrities.

  • All set for Buhari’s daughter’s wedding

    The nation’s social and political circles are buzzing with excitement over the impending wedding of President Muhammadu Buhari’s daughter, Zahra, and Ahmed Ndimi, son of billionaire businessman Muhammed Indimi.

    Zahra had burst into the social scene on the heels of the 2015 presidential election after her pictures went viral on the internet. Since then, she has become the butt of romantic speculations that linked her to different personalities, including Zamfara State governor Abdulazeez Yari and music whiz kid Korede Bello. She, however, debunked the rumours and the upcoming wedding is sure to lay all that to rest.

    The feelers are that the ceremony will most likely be held in privacy, in line with the President’s ascetic lifestyle. How possible that is remains to be seen, considering that Oxford-educated Zahra is a darling of the social media.

  • Emeka Offor buries dad in style

    The entire Oraifite community in Anambra State was held spellbound penultimate Friday as dignitaries drove into the town for the final burial of the father of prominent businessman and political figure, Sir Emeka Offor. The final burial for Pa Benneth O. Offor (Nnakaibeya) was held at the All Saints Anglican Church, Irefi Oraifite.

    During the ceremony, Sir Emeka Offor could not hold back tears as he wept profusely in a show of love as his father’s body was lowered into the grave.

    A galaxy of eminent personalities was however on hand to console the distraught man. Among them were prominent politicians from the South East, including Governor Rochas Okorocha, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Hon. Tony Nwoye, Bishop Okonkwo, Dr Victor Umeh, Ifeanyi Ubah and Dr Alex Otti.

    Also in attendance were billionaire businessman Alhaji Aliko Dangote, House of Reps Speaker Yakubu Dogara and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

    The Chrome Group boss also drew gasps of amazement with the revelation that his father’s casket was worth about N15 million.