The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Ex-bank executive Sola Adeoti dedicates life to humanity

    Ex-bank executive Sola Adeoti dedicates life to humanity

    FOR former Managing Director of the defunct City Express Bank, Sola Adeoti, necessity is the mother of not just invention but reinvention also. Since her ‘road to Damascus’ moment in 2005 when she was diagnosed with cancer, the elegant daughter of popular industrialist, Chief Samuel Adedoyin, has experienced a radical change in lifestyle. Her metamorphosis from socialite to a philanthropist has been spectacular.

    Like iron must pass through the furnace to become steel, the former CEO of defunct City Express Bank has passed through the torture of breast cancer and emerged richer and stronger for it. While she battled the dreaded disease with everything she had, including the alleged of four of her houses to pay for treatment, she never lost her faith and resilience.

    But just when she seemed to have conquered the deadly disease for good, her beloved son was diagnosed with brain cancer. Undaunted, the ordained pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God again grabbed her armour of faith and launched into another round of battle against cancer.

    Now she reaping the rewards of her uncommon courage. Battle-hardened Adeoti has dedicated her life to helping others to overcome the monster. Through her MariaSam foundation and the testimony of her own life as a survivor, she is helping to give hope to cancer patients in the society.

  • Ayo Adedoyin bides time on remarriage

    PRINCE Ayo Adedoyin is knee deep in an unusual kind of dilemma. Following his failed marriage with Oghogho Asemota, he has remained single and vulnerable to the lustful eyes of female admirers. The Agbamu, Kwara State indigene has had to endure the challenge of ignoring flirtatious gestures and politely turning down advances.

    Even more confounding for the son of popular business mogul, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, is that the more he masters the act of turning down female advances, the more ladies jostle to win his heart. Although his closest associates claim he is not ready for another marriage, particularly because the scar from his last marriage is still festering like a fresh sore in his heart, it is being speculated in some circles that he may have done away with the heartbreak of the past with something solid in the offing.

    In fact, it was reported sometime last year that a particular Lagos Island-based tall and fair lady, who runs a popular boutique on Awolowo Road, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos had succeeded in capturing the heart of the eligible bachelor. While many had thought that Ayo would settle down with the elegant businesswoman and save himself the pressure from the lustful women that are crowding around him, he seems to be biding his time on the issue.

    The Chairman of Peacegate Group has managed to prevent undue attention from the opposite sex from distracting his focus on business.

  • Babangida’s son, estranged wife in fresh child-custody row

    Babangida’s son, estranged wife in fresh child-custody row

    LIKE a mother hen sits atop its eggs, rumour appears to have perched somewhat permanently on the roof of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida’s son, Mohammed. The latest from the rumour mill concerns the whereabouts of the two children left in the custody of his ex-wife Rahama Indimi after their marriage hit the rocks. Mohammed was said to have obtained a judgment from a Sharia court giving him custody of the children only for Rahama to file an objection at an Abuja court.

    According to the rumour mill, Rahama, daughter of billionaire businessman, Mohammed Indimi, had left the two children in the care of her sister, Zahra, while she and the rest of the Indimi family went to Saudi Arabia on pilgrimage. But the children were said to have disappeared from Zahra’s custody, leaving the police with no choice but to intervene in the matter. Sources said the police were treating the issue as a case of kidnapping.

    Zahra has since posted several messages on the social media, claiming not to have seen the children since the previous Sunday. It was however gathered that the police have managed to narrow their search for the children to Sunnyview Estate, a fashionable estate in the heart of Abuja, the nation’s capital city.‎

  • Herbert Wigwe in moment of glory …as Access Bank wins double recognition

    Herbert Wigwe in moment of glory …as Access Bank wins double recognition

    SOME are born great, some achieve greatness while others have greatness thrust upon them. Herbert Wigwe, the Managing Director of Access Bank Plc could be said to belong to the first category, having climbed the ladder of success through hard work and perseverance.

    The winsome helmsman bank executive may also have had greatness thrust upon him in the form of the awards and recognitions he has been enjoying from his peers in the banking industry. As the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Wigwe was recently voted the Bank Chief Executive Officer of the Year at the annual BusinessDay Awards.

    To make it a doubly joyous occasion, Access Bank, which he has headed since the departure of his immediate predecessor, Aig Imhokhuede, in 2013, also carted home the Bank of the Year award.

    And while he is basking in the euphoria of his accolades, the banking guru remains his humble self, attributing his accomplishments to the support and cooperation of the staff and customers of Access Bank.

  • How Okoya celebrated Sallah

    How Okoya celebrated Sallah

    THE usual practice among Muslims, particularly the affluent ones among them, is to celebrate the Eid el Kabir, with the killing of rams which they share with friends and neighbours. Some mark the occasion by throwing parties attended only by their friends and associates while others simply make the celebration a family affair. Amidst all the pomp and ceremony, many forget that the very essence of Eid is to give to the poor, the homeless and the needy.

    It is therefore always heartwarming to see a few rich Muslims who demonstrate their understanding of the true meaning of Eid through their actions. Among this enlightened few is Alhaji Rasak Okoya, the Chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, who once again threw open the gates to his posh Oluwanisola Estate in Ajah, Lagos for scores of impoverished folks to wine and dine.

    The event started with a special prayer at the Oluwanisola Estate prayer ground. Reception followed immediately at one of his well decorated halls in the estate. The Aare of Lagos and Bobajiroro of Oke Ona, Egba has with this yearly act and others continued to demonstrate that he has a heart of gold.

  • Timi Alaibe in the news

    The former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe, was once a major player and powerbroker in the Niger Delta region. But one thing led to another and he was betrayed and tamed by the intrigues of the conflict-prone oil producing region. Recently, news circulated that Timi would be named as the Head of President Muhammadu Buhari’s amnesty initiative to end militancy in the region. The news afterwards turned into a ruse.

    Back in his NDDC days, Alaibe was the cock of the walk, the ruler of the roost and the major domo in the pantheon of deep pockets on account of his financial liquidity. He was primus inter pares; the guy with the most expensive and flashiest fleet of cars. Add to these his choice taste in designer apparels, a good body structure to carry clothes off and his good looks, and the Bayelsa native left the ladies gaping, while men wished they could become his acquaintance. Those who flocked around him in his day at the NDDC have disappeared into thin air.

  • Otunba Kayode Fasar loses mother

    It is impossible to banish the memory of losing a mother. It is almost impossible to accept the inevitability of death when it claims as its victim a woman who sacrificed all she had for you.

    No matter how old a man gets or how wealthy he becomes, the loss of his mother reduces him to a whimpering child.

    Otunba Kayode Fasar, one of the top managers at Stanbic IBTC, has lost his mother to the cruel hands of death. The highly respected man has been left inconsolable as he grieves over his mother and bids her farewell.

    Madam Ajike Elizabeth lived an admirable life before she passed. She will be remembered as a woman of strong personality.

  • Jide Omokore regains groove

    The social space went into a frenzy last Friday. Some socialites whispered while others stared unapologetically as embattled oil mogul and businessman, Jide Omokore, glided back onto the social space after many thought he had vacated it for good. After a long break from the social scene, Omokore was spotted as a guest at the burial ceremony for Madam Emife, the 106-year-old mother of retired military officer, David Jemibewon. The event was staged in the Iya-Gbede hometown of the Jemibewons in Ijumu Local Council Area, Kogi State.

    According to those who attended, it was a gathering of who’s who from different sectors of the nation’s economy. The event is said to be the first major outing for the troubled Omokore who recently underwent rigorous investigation by an anti-corruption agency on allegations of massive fraud. He was detained for days and eventually released. He faces ongoing moves for seizure of his property within and outside the country. The high octane event was well attended by dignitaries like billionaire Tunde Ayeni, former Ekiti State governor, Segun Oni, Segun Awolowo, Tunbosun Kola Daisi, Yomi Awoniyi, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, among others.  Although he is currently under fire from the anti-corruption agency, Omokore ignored whispers and cold stares as he walked with head held high.

  • Ibori’s influence intact behind bars

    Never underestimate the influence of the human spirit. A thousand soldiers cannot conquer a man whose spirit refuses to be put down. Little wonder James Onanefe Ibori commands respect despite being locked behind bars.

    Though the former Delta State governor is still serving his jail term in the UK, his influence among kinsmen remains indubitable. The once powerful man turned 58 recently. To celebrate him, the incumbent governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, put a paid advertorial in one of the national newspapers.

    Ibori bagged a jail sentence abroad for stealing at least $250 million of public funds while he served as governor of the oil-rich state. Strangely, however, he still manages to peddle his influence even from jail.

  • John Darlington calms down

    John Darlington has had his fair share of setbacks in his professional and personal life. He is at a point in life where his priorities change and daily introspection has become as vital as staying alive. He draws on the great memories of the past to lighten the dark shadows and tragedies of life.

    After he left the banking sector, Darlington remained jobless for many years. Things, however, began to look up when he was appointed as the Deputy Managing Director of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company. He worked there for a year or thereabouts and eventually left the company for reasons best known to him.

    It is unclear whether there was any issue that led to his sudden exit but speculation abound over his sudden exit from the electricity company. He was arrested a few years ago at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) as he was returning from London in relation to the sum of N1.6 billion allegedly embezzled by a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

    His Bond Bank Limited was declared insolvent and it subsequently shut down operations. However, soon after he ran into troubled waters, Darlington suffered scorn from his peers in high society. Shortly after, he suffered ill health.

    He escaped death by a whisker, following a brain surgery performed on him at a London hospital. Darlington is putting his life back in order and taking it easy after his near-death experience.