The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Segun Agbaje scoops another award

    Segun Agbaje scoops another award

    Guaranty Trust Bank CEO Segun Agbaje is one man who strives for excellence in life and business. His dedication and committed leadership has helped to position GTBank as a major player in the financial services industry. Since he assumed the helm of the bank some years ago, it has witnessed a rise in fortune.

    The transformation is such that the bank has been scooping awards more regularly than before. The accolades come from such areas as exceptional service delivery, innovation, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and management quality. Some of the awards received by the bank since his appointment as chief executive officer include Best Bank in Nigeria by Euromoney; African Bank of the Year by African Banker Award; Best Bank in Nigeria by World Finance UK; Most innovative Bank by EMEA Finance; Best Banking Group by World Business Leader Magazine and Best Bank in Nigeria award by the Banker Awards.

    The tireless leader of GTBank recently added a feather to his cap in form of the 2016 Ai Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) 30 CEO of the Year award at this year’s 9th annual Ai CEO Investment Summit, which took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. The prestigious Ai Institutional Investment and Capital Market Awards was instituted in 2007 and honours the best performing stock exchanges, listed companies, investment banks, research teams, regulators, socially responsible companies and sovereign wealth and pension fund investors out of Africa.

    With this award, Agbaje joins an exclusive list of African CEOs recognised for exceptional contributions to the business climate. In his usual humble manner, the soft-spoken man deflected all praises and instead dedicated the award to the entire GTBank work force.

  • Kalu’s daughter finally picks wedding date

    The household of former Abia State governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, is buzzing with preparations for the wedding of their beloved daughter, Neya Kalu. After a long wait, the delectable billionaire daughter is set to tie the nuptial knot with her wedding billed for Wednesday, December 26 2016.Close sources to the family of the diminutive ex-governor said Kalu’s country home will host the ceremony.

    Neya and her beau got engaged in August, at a posh restaurant in London. It will be recalled that her first marriage to popular socialite, Chima Anyaso, crumbled like a pack of cards, leading to allegations and counter allegations between the two parties. It was widely believed that Neya’s bid to recover from the shock of the failed union led her to pursue a master’s degree programme at the University of Buckingham. Incidentally, it was there that she met her groom-to-be, Lawrence Iyere, who happens to be a very successful businessman.

    Feelers indicate that the groom’s family is leaving no stone unturned as they join the Kalu family to plan a high-octane wedding that promises to be the talk of Abia State and beyond well into the new year.

  • Njideka returns laughter to the Akunyilis

    Whenever a list of dedicated public office holders in Nigeria is made, one name that is guaranteed to feature is that of the late former Director-General of NAFDAC, Dr. Dora Akunyili, who literally became the face of the war on fake drugs. During her tenure as NAFDAC’s DG, charlatans in the food and drug industry knew no peace. Unfortunately, she departed the world while she still had much to offer.

    Akunyili was barely 60 when she died in India after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Since then, the outlook in the once-bubbling Akunyili home has been noticeably bleak. However, as the saying goes, sorrow may last through the night but joy comes in the morning. A ray of hope has emerged in the person of Njideka Akunyili-Crosby to dispel the gloom.

    Akunyili-Crosby is the daughter of the late former NAFDAC DG. Endowed with her mother’s passion and forthrightness, she has been making waves in the creative industry. The acclaimed painter, who is seven months pregnant with her first child, is currently exhibiting her work at Gallery II, Victoria Miro in London. The young talent has already garnered recognition in form of the Prix Canson 2016, the 2015 Next Generation prize at the New Museum of Contemporary Art, and the 2015 Joyce Alexander Wein Artist Prize at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

    She was also on the list of Foreign Policy’s Leading 100 Global Thinkers of 2015. With someone like her carrying her mother’s torch as she slowly permeates public consciousness, the new found laughter in the Akunyilis’ home will surely last.a

  • Eyes on Adenuga, Kuku, Otudeko for Ogbeni Oja stool

    The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, must be in deep thought these days as he mulls over the illustrious son of Ijebuland to be conferred with the kingdom’s most coveted chieftaincy title for business-minded personalities, the Ogbeni Oja (leader of commerce) of Ijebuland. The monarch’s headache is compounded by the fact that the main gladiators are all formidable men who have proved resounding success in their respective fields.

    The holder of the title is seen as first among equals, representing the commercial interests of the entire Ijebu nation. Little wonder the position is hotly contested. Those who should know say the monarch’s searchlight is being beamed on such formidable businessmen Globacom supremo, Dr Mike Adenuga; Fototek boss, Chief Adegunwa; renowned industrialist, Oba Otudeko and accomplished medical practitioner Oloroogun Sonny Kuku.

    The days ahead promise to be interesting as indigenes of Ijebuland await the monarch’s proclamation.

  • Between Otunba Subomi Balogun and Oba Sikiru Adetona

    One of the qualities of true friendship is for the two parties to understand and be understood; a bond with that special someone so deep that it outlasts the vagaries of an ever-changing world. This perfectly encapsulates the relationship between Oba Sikiru Adetona and Otunba Subomi Balogun. The friendship and sense of camaraderie between the two is like a deep-rooted tree whose roots only grow deeper as the years go by.

    Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, and Otunba Subomi Balogun, the Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, are indeed very close. Those close to the two icons of the Ijebu nation attest to the fact that they have known each other for upwards of two decades, and, like fine, ageless wine which tastes as good as it did the day it was brewed, their friendship seems to be going stronger as they advance in years.

    Otunba Balogun does not miss out on any opportunity to help the Awujale in any project involving the latter. That much was evident during last month’s Ojude Oba festival where Otunba Balogun lavished financial and moral support on the monarch. His company, First City Monument Bank, also played small part behind Globacom, the major sponsors of the event, owned by another prominent son of Ijebuland, Dr. Mike Adenuga.

    With friends like Subomi Balogun, it is no surprise that the Ijebu monarch has experienced a long and peaceful reign.

  • Bola Shagaya to mark 57th birthday in unusual fashion

    Bola Shagaya to mark 57th birthday in unusual fashion

    Hajia Bola Shagaya is one woman who recognises the fact that there is a time for everything and adjusts her plans accordingly. The beautiful and widely respected woman is scheduled to mark her 57th birthday on October 10. But rather than break the bank and throw a lavish party like many of her peers, there are words to the effect that she intends to mark it in a low-key fashion.

    The day would mainly involve wining and dining with her family members and close associates in a quiet environment while she reminisces on her journey through life. The businesswoman, whose interests span banking, photography, oil, laboratory materials and property management, also intends to mark her new age with the less privileged by visiting orphanages and provide succour for those who lack comfort.

    In the recent past, she would prefer the glamour and glitterati of a society party. But the influential boss of PRACTOIL has since altered her priorities about life.

  • Kessington Adebutu celebrates his twins

    Kessington Adebutu celebrates his twins

    Things can hardly be rosier for the family of Chief Kessington Adebutu than they are now. Popularly called Baba Ijebu, every arrow the chairman of Premier Lotto fires seems to hit the desired target. The astute businessman and his charming wife, Temitope, recently threw a birthday party to celebrate their twin children as the latter clocked three years.

    Chief Adebutu, who was recently installed as the Asojuoba of Lagos, and his wife went out of their way to make the occasion a memorable one for their children and other kids by making the event a Disney-themed occasion. The over-excited kids and their adult chaperones were treated to the fabulous Disneyworld of toys and games.

    It was massive fun all round as fast-rising hip hop star, Reekado Banks, entertained guests. Among those who graced the occasion were Joko Oni, Dupe Oguntade, Sade Okoya, Nike Oshinowo, Hon. Ladi Adebutu and many others.

  • Mike Inegbese, wife in marital bliss

    Mike Inegbese, wife in marital bliss

    By their fruits you shall know them, say the holy books. One needs not pry too long into the marriage of Mike Inegbese and his wife Mary to realise that the couple is having a good time with the absence of controversy, unlike in most high profile unions; a home that has had its fill of infant cries and succeeded in shaping the next generation into responsible adulthood; their public displays of affection; joint attendance of parties and other social functions together and sticking together for better or for worse.

    The veteran socialite and his wife, Mary, have been through a lot together. But as fire transforms iron into toughened steel, the tribulations they have encountered have only made their love stronger. The more they grow together, the more they love each other. Such is the level of mutual respect and understanding between the pair that they have been able to ride the malignant waves of hearsay and ridiculous rumours without a dent on their ship of romance.

    The chairman of Ineh Mic Motors and Atunwase of Lagos, hardly misses an opportunity to lavish attention on his beautiful wife. The pair often storm social gatherings together, dressed in stylish garments and accessories. Unlike Romeo and Juliet’s ill-fated romance, their love is destined for a happy ending.

  • Julius Rone plans big for UTM

    Time was when the mention of Julius Rone’s name would be retorted with “Julius who?” The Delta born oil magnate has since moved far beyond his relatively humble, unknown beginnings to become one of the biggest players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.

    The man from the oil-rich Niger Delta now commands the attention of prominent political and business figures in the country and beyond. His company, UTM group, has grown over the years and now occupies a top spot in the energy industry.

    Rone, the Managing Director of UTM, is however not content with the company’s current lofty height as he plots to turn UTM into the very best locally and continentally. Undeterred by the current economic recession, the business mogul recently reorganised the company in a bid to align it with international standards. It is another in a long list of achievements by Rone, who is seen as a local hero and saviour by many in the Niger Delta.

  • Tunji Alapinni’s son set to wed

    Weddings involving top brass of the security services are usually high profile affairs. But when the solemnization of holy matrimony is intended to join two of these families together, the profile of the event is doubly raised. That is going to be the case this October as the families of Brig-Gen Koffi Fidelis (rtd) and AIG Tunde Alapinni (rtd) come together to celebrate the marriage of their son and daughter.

    The love story of Yewande, daughter of Brig-Gen Fidelis and Bankole, AIG Alapinni’s son, is a happy case of life imitating the silver screen. They first met in the 90s when they attended the same primary school, Maryhill Convent School, before losing touch for some time. But love delayed was not to be love denied as the couple reconnected in 2006. Since then, their relationship has grown from strength to strength.

    While Yewande serves as an Education Consultant at Student Travel International in Lagos, Bankole works at Excel Exploration and Production in Lagos. With the initial ceremonies out of the way, their wedding will take place on Saturday October 29 at Catholic Church of the Presentation on Oba Akinjobi Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Reception will follow immediately at The Haven Event Centre, beside Arch Bishop Vining Memorial Church, Fajuyi Way, Ikeja, Lagos.