The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Yeni Kuti gets promise ring

    Like fine wine that gets better with age, Yeii Kuti, first daughter of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, appears to be getting more beautiful as she gets older. She clocked 55 a few days ago and the events that greeted her surprise birthday caused many to double over in glee and the media to buzz frantically. It was gathered that Yeni’s partner of nine years, Theo Lawson, went down on one knee and asked Yeni to spend the rest of her life with him.

    While Yeni denied being engaged, she confirmed that Theo indeed adorned her finger with a ring. The anticipation of wedding sensationalists was cut short when Yeni explained that what she got from her partner was a commitment ring, to be carefully distinguished from an engagement ring. The ring from Theo is simply a symbol of his commitment to her. The ring once belonged to Theo’s mother and he has worn it for quite a while. Yeni emphasised the fact that they are not engaged but are in a committed relationship.

    It will be recalled that Yeni was once married to Femi Segun, a veteran broadcaster who died some years ago from injuries he sustained from a bike accident. Their union is blessed with a daughter, Rolari, who got married to her beau on June 27, 2015 at the African Shrine in Lagos.

  • Orji Uzor Kalu moves into fashion business

    For Orji Uzor Kalu, there is no limit to success because there are no limits to his imaginations and dreams. This has helped him to become a successful businessman with a desire to have his imprint on every aspect of the Nigerian economy. When it comes to making money, Kalu always believes there are endless paths to explore. For this reason, he has his hands in almost every money-making venture.

    Orji Uzor Kalu has already made huge success of SLOK Holdings, a conglomerate consisting a number of successful companies, including the Ojialex Furniture Company, SLOK Nigeria Limited, SLOK Airlines and The Sun and New Telegraph newspapers.

    The former governor of Abia State has his eyes on another line of business. He has plunged into the fashion business and has decided to leave his imprint on the sector. He recently launched a collection of packaged shirts which he named OUK collections, saying that his desire to invest in the textile industry was borne out of the need to reduce excessive importation of goods that can be produced in Nigeria. With the determination and hard work he put into his other ventures, one can be sure his new baby will grow into a giant any time soon.

  • Stylish banker Kennedy Uzoka

    As generations come and go, it is important to admire how the end of one era signifies the beginning of another. Hence when Kennedy Uzoka was tipped to succeed Philip Oduoza as the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the United Bank of Africa (UBA), he knew that a new era was about to begin in his life and career, just as that of Oduoza ended. Kennedy Uzoka was thus thrust into the vortex of history but he does not intend to get consumed by it. Rather than ease into his newfound role as United Bank of Africa (UBA)’s head honcho without colour or verve, he has decided to savour the moment and its privileges while it lasts.

    If there are many ways to describe the hard working banker, ‘boring’ is certainly not one of them. More than most men, he understands the importance of looking good and he never disappoints when it comes to making colourful fashion statements. The new UBA boss is known for his impeccable taste in fashion just as he is known for his invincibleness when it comes to competition in the business world.

    Like the beautiful bride, he is courted by everyone, so much so that he now has more friends than he ever anticipated. As bees to honey, Uzoka now attracts hordes of favour seekers who are ready to do the bidding of the new UBA boss.

  • Mo Abudu listed among world’s 100 best creators

    EbonyLife TV boss, Mosunmola ‘Mo’ Abudu, is one woman who oozes brilliance and elegance from the pores of her skin. Beautiful, stylish and intelligent, the proudly African on air personality and entrepreneur was recently honoured by the international journal, Business Insider, which in its list 100 creative minds around the world listed Mo Abudu as number 56.

    Mo Abudu was listed ahead of global business titans and chief executive officers (CEOs) of Snapchat, Linkedin, Spanx, Spotify, Tory Burch, Fitbit, Zara, and Uber, to mention a few. Ahead of her are the CEO’s of Alibaba, Bloomberg, IKEA, Virgin Group, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, Toms, Google, Starbucks and Facebook. She happens to be the only Afircan and African woman to make the list.

    The ranking, according to the globally respected business magazine, was initiated in celebration of ingenious men and women exploiting capitalism as a force for good. Mo Abudu is celebrated as the chairman and CEO of one of Africa’s most successful new media ventures  the EbonyLife TV. The magazine celebrates her for courageously telling real African stories and changing the conversation around the continent and about the continent.

    The honour comes as EbonyLife TV moves into its third year with the expansion of its operations to more Nigerian cities, including Abuja, Lagos and Calabar. The channel now distributes to 49 African countries, including South African and Southern African countries.

  • Bolajoko Falore’s unusual birthday celebration

    Madam Bolajoko Falore is brimming with contentment as you read this. Although there are numerous paths to happiness, many will agree that true happiness comes from being selfless and generous in spirit. There is a kind of satisfaction that comes from positively impacting lives in a world filled with hate and greed rules.

    Madam Bolajoko Falore has since chosen to walk in the true path to happiness by not living for herself alone but also living to change the lives of others. The Director of Mind Builders School recently clocked 60 and her birthday was not celebrated in the manner many expected. Rather than throw a lavish party, the woman of means has chosen this Sunday to celebrate with friends and family members with hymns and musical presentations at All Saints Anglican Church, Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos, with the Bishop of Lagos Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Olusola Odedeji, presiding.

    In addition to this , she will be empowering 50 widows through her Victoria Thompson Foundation, named after her late mother. Mrs. Falore was born in Ilesa in 1956 to the family of the Thompsons. She is an alumnus of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and the University of Lagos. Over the years, she has had the pleasure of teaching at prestigious schools like Government College, Ikoyi, Queen’s College Yaba and Atlantic Hall before joining the service of the Lagos State Government where she retired as a Senior Inspector of Education.

    She moved on to start Mind Builders School in 1998. She is blessed with a husband and three daughters, namely Olawumi, Olamide and Olatomi, who actively participated in the empowerment ceremony to mark her 60th birthday.

  • Omorede Osifo learns life’s lessons

    There are lots of lessons that are never taught in schools. A truly educated man is one who has sat at the feet of life and sipped from its cup of knowledge. Until life’s hard blows hit her hard, Omorede Osifo never knew that fame is an unfaithful concubine that can leave one high and dry with only memories of the good times to ponder on.

    The former Edo State Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Mobilisation, who was eased out of office a few years ago, has adopted a low profile lifestyle after a seemingly impregnable reign on the social and political scenes. Since Governor Adams Oshimhole pulled the rug from under her feet by handing her a sack letter, Omorede, who once lived on the hype of the media, has disappeared from the limelight, leaving in her wake only the memory of her party-loving days.

    Those days are now placed firmly in the past. No more does she court fame like she used to. Not a few people are shocked to see the once ubiquitous socialite vacate the social scene and recoil into a shell of anonymity.

  • Lekan Osifeso throws gates open for Ramadan

    With the demeanour of a king and the heart of a vicar, Otunba Lekan Osifesso is a personification of humility. Those who know the popular socialite and Chairman of Lekai Group of Companies well would attest to the fact that although he was born into an aristocratic family, he derives a lot of pleasure from mingling with ordinary people. Even more remarkable is his eagerness to spread the love in his heart and share his affluence with others.

    As it has become customary for the President of the Association of Indigenous Contractors, the month of Ramadan has provided another opportunity for him to showcase his humanitarian instincts. Since the Ramadan fast began, the gates of his mansion have been thrown open for the Muslim faithful to break their fast with free meals. Reports say that in the process, the Otunba Adeshemowo of Ijebuland has also provided employments for caterers whose services he has secured to ensure that sumptuous and hygienic meals are provided in large quantity.

    Still fresh in the memory of many is the launch of a foundation named after his father sometime ago. Recently, he was conferred with the Special Recognition Award by the Nigeria Union of Journalists on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day for his contribution to the growth of the union.

    According to some, Lekan Osifeso is simply worming his way into the hearts of people as he prepares the ground for his advent into politics. However, those in the know have refuted this claim, stating that Osifeso has a strong dislike for politics. Only time will tell if Otunba Osifeso intends to dive into the murky waters of politics.

  • Mike Adenuga remembers mum

    The bond between mother and child is one that lasts a lifetime. It is one that cannot be changed by time or distance. It is the purest kind of love; unconditional and true. It understands every situation and forgives every mistake.

    This bond, so pure, holds between Globacom boss, Mike Adenuga, and his mother, Madam Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga. Even in death, Madam Oyindamola Juliana Adenuga retains the very big and impressive part of her billionaire son’s heart. The guru, as Dr. Mike is fondly called, loved his late mother with incredible passion. And even though death has snatched her from him, he still adores her and cherishes his memories of her.

    A disciplinarian of note, the late Madam Oyindamola is credited with moulding the businessman into the success he is today. It therefore comes as no surprise that Mike gave her a very befitting burial upon her demise about 11 years ago. A few days ago, Mike remembered his mother and his father, Pa Michael Agbolade Adenuga, who passed on in 1979. There was a prayer session for the repose of their souls.

  • New lease of life for Chika Mbonu

    You have three options when an event occurslet it define you, let it destroy you or let it strengthen you. After serious consideration, the former Managing Director of the now defunct Citizens Bank, Chika Mbonu, has chosen the third option and risen above the shackles of defeat.

    Many will recollect that he went through a series of trials that nearly marred his social life. But Chika has firmly put the past behind him and is opening a new chapter in his life. Lately, he has begun the process of re-entering the social scene.

    Already, he has appeared at a few private grooves, but with a caveat: he only relates with those he is intensely familiar with.

  • Pastor Odukoya, twin sister Celebrate 60th birthday

    Pastor Taiwo Odukoya of Fountain of Life Church and his twin sister, Kehinde Hassan, clocked 60 on Wednesday and as would be expected, Pastor Taiwo’s phone was bombarded with laudatory calls, Pastors of Fountain of Life Church paid him a surprise birthday visit, members of his congregation took time out to pray for him and his family and friends appreciated the reverenced man of God and his sister.

    It was a day of reflection and gratitude for Taiwo Odukoya who has been a mentor, pastor and friend to thousands of Christians. The happily married father of six took to his Instagram page and shared a picture of him and his lovely sister with a caption that reads: “Today, my dear twin sister and I mark our 60th birthday. Please join us in thanking and celebrating God for the gift of life and for the grace to walk the path of His chosen.

    “It’s incredible how far He has brought us. If there is anything I have learned from my life’s story, it is that God is not a respecter of your background. He chooses whom He pleases. He equips by His grace. If He did it for Kehinde and I, He will surely do it for you. I look forward to many more years of His goodness and mercy. He has never failed me. He will never fail you too, in Jesus name.”

    Just as his South African wife, Pastor Nomthi Odukoya, took to Instagram to pen a heartfelt message to her husband, his first daughter, Tolu Ijogun, also seized the opportunity to laud her father. She described Pastor Odukoya as a man who lives an exemplary life and expressed her gratitude to God for being the child of Pastor Taiwo and his late wife, Pastor Bombo Odukoya.