The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Otunba Lekan Osifeso in unusual birthday celebration

    Otunba Lekan Osifeso, popular socialite and Chairman Lekai Construction Company, one of the big names in construction business in Nigeria, a few days ago added another year to his age. But the ijebu-Ode born politician did not roll out the drums. Neither was champagne popped as was expected from a socialite of his pedigree.

    Otunba Osifeso opted for a low-key celebration and chose to celebrate with the needy. Otunba showed his philanthropic side by visiting several orphanage homes in Abuja to donate handsomely to them.

    The well connected socialite seems quieter than ever these days, concentrating more on his business. He seems to be letting go of his old ways, preferring to devote a few naira only to important celebrations.

  • Bamanga Tukur’s daughter marries Taoheed Adedoja

    Fools have tried and wise men have failed in trying to explain the chemistry that draws two people together. It is the same chemistry that has brought former Minister of Sports and Youths Development, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, together with Jemila, daughter of former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, seven years after the demise of Adedoja’s wife.

    As would be expected, eminent personalities across the country converged at the Civic Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State to rejoice with the new couple on Sunday. Adedoja had on May 20, at the BMT Africa Garden Mosque in Abuja, married Jemila. A day earlier, the event had been marked with a lunch on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Adedoja, a former Provost of the Federal College of Education (Special), Oyo and PDP governorship candidate in the last general election, had lost his wife, Hadijat, on March 6, 2009.

    Among those who attended the wedding were Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan of Ibadan; Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun-Olubadan of Ibadan and Chief Owolabi Olakunlehin, the Balogun of Ibadanland. Also present were Alhaja Aminat Abiodun, the Iyalode of Ibadan; Chief Lekan Alabi, the Agbaakin of Ibadan; Senator Femi Lanlehin; Senator Gbenga Babalola; Senator Teslim Folarin and Alhaji Sharafadeen Alli.

    Others were Elder Wole Oyelese, former Minister of Special Duties; retired Maj.-Gen. Raji Rasak; Alhaji Daud Akinola, the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland and Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty, among others.

  • All set for Gabriel Ogbechie’s 50th birthday

    It is widely believed that by the time one hits age 50, one would have learnt one’s hardest lessons. He or she would have found that only a few things are really important. This is because one of the ironies of humanity is that we have learnt to take life seriously but never ourselves.

    Gabriel Ogbechie has waltzed into the golden age and must have realised that 50 is the youth of old age. Realising the significance of his new age, he is gearing up for a lavish celebration. Stylish, exquisite and unassuming, the billionaire oil magnate and owner of Rain Oil will celebrate his golden jubilee in grand style later today at one the hippest event centres in Lagos.

    Known for his love of the good life, Gabriel will spare no expense to celebrate this milestone. The quiet man that he is, one would have to get very close to him to know that he never dithers when it comes to acquiring the finest luxury money can buy. He has choice cars and scenic houses scattered around the nation, to mention a few of his enviable acquisitions.

    The CEO of Rainoil Ltd’s name may not ring a bell in the ears of many, but his filling stations are quite popular especially in Asaba, Sapele, Oshodi, Okota, Ikom, Abuja and other places.

    Ogbechie is a native of Idumuje Ugboko in Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.  He is from an average home and the fifth of six children. His father was a policeman, so it was only natural that he grew up in the barracks.

  • Obaro Ibru adopts low profile

    Obaro Ibru, the fun loving son of former Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank, Mrs Cecilia Ibru, has come to realise that fame is neither a profession nor a life sustaining necessity. Rather, it is a fickle mistress that seeks a new partner as soon as she gets tired of one.

    A few years ago, Obaro rocked the social space and graced A-list events with so much class and sophistication that admirers were left drooling in his wake. He dictated the pace of high society and brought shindigs alive with his infectious personality. After hosting numerous unconventional parties, he was tagged “the party king”. Night life was his comfort zone and he derived immense satisfaction from the blast of loud music and the rush of night parties.

    Misfortune, however, set in when his mother, Cecila Ibru, was jailed in 2010. As would be expected, Obaro’s status on the social radar received a heavy blow and the once ubiquitous socialite became as scarce as feathers on a fish. Obaro has since tried to rejuvenate his social status all to no avail. In 2015, he made a brief comeback to the social scene when he was spotted at an event. A year has gone by since then and nothing has been heard about him.

    Worse still, no one seems to know where the former party rocker has retired to.

  • Kashamu Buruji, Fayose at daggers drawn

    After years of hobnobbing, things have fallen apart between Governor Ayodele Fayose and his erstwhile friend, Senator Buruji Kashamu. The two socialites turned politicians were close friends until recently. As a matter of fact, Kashamu was rumoured as one of the financiers of Fayose’s governorship campaign a few years ago.

    Those who should know even said that during the campaign period,   once Fayose had said his prayers in the morning, Kashamu was always the next he praised and thanked. But things have changed and the two are currently at daggers drawn over who between them should be the leader of the PDP in the South West. In Senator Kashamu’s recent interview with news men where he spoke about Governor Fayose and Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, he said: ”Both Ekiti State governor, Mr. Ayo Fayose and Dr. Segun Mimiko of Ondo State really disappointed well-meaning leaders and members of the party. It is rather unfortunate that Governor Mimiko allowed himself to be railroaded into Fayose’s den of infamy.”

    Kashamu argued that his erstwhile friend cannot justify his sudden claim to political sagacity. He further tried to make his point by calling Fayose an empty vessel that makes the loudest noise. Although there are no true friends in politics, it is quite shocking to see these once jolly good friends ruin their relationship in the battle for power.

  • A tale of daddy’s girl

    Behind every great daughter is an amazing dad. Anyone in doubt would need a little research into the entrepreneurial exploits of Jennifer Obayuwana and the unending support of her father, John Obayuwana.

    As a little girl, Jennifer saw her father as an undefeatable hero with a soft spot for her. As a grown up woman, she remains her father’s little girl, always on the receiving end of his affections. Many who visit the Polo Avenue, the one-stop shop for expensive designer wears in Lagos, always pray that Jennifer, the beautiful executive director of the company, would find a worthy suitor to crown her efforts. The thinking is that a young lady who is so blessed and hardworking deserves nothing less.

    Unknown to them, John Obayuwana is the standard against which his daughter judges other men. Although Jennifer is currently engaged to Peter Salah, she remains constantly attached to her father for necessary advice. Jennifer has had her share of broken relationships and some of the men who would love to have her are reported to have complained that they are intimidated by her father’s overwhelming influence on her life. The Polo boss is almost always in the company of his daughter.

    In the past, Jennifer got involved with different young men, but none of them seemed to measure up to her standards. While her fiancé seems to have accomplished this feat, many are beginning to wonder why they have not tied the nuptial knot. Many in the social space can’t wait for the date for Jennifer’s wedding, just to be certain that Obayuwana’s love for his daughter is not misplaced.

  • Hajiya Mairo takes charity to remand home

    Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness. Wife of Sokoto State governor and Chairperson of MMAWT Legacy Initiative, Hajiya Maryam Mario Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has chosen to toe the path of creative altruism as she reaches down and extends her benevolent hands to those below.

    Last weekend, the big-hearted first lady of Sokoto State paid a visit to the remand home in the state, bearing many gifts. She was accompanied by Hajiya Kulu Abdullahi Sifawa, the Commissioner for Women Affairs. The governor’s wife and her delegation were received by the facility’s officials and some directors from the Ministry of Social Welfare. During the visit, Hajiya Tambuwal interacted with the inmates and also hosted them for lunch. With her MMAWT Legacy Initiative, she felt it was imperative to give the inmates a sense of belonging by interating with them.

    The gesture elicited tears of joy from some women who witnessed the visit. Hajiya Tambuwal donated complete sets of bedspreads, chairs, prayer mats and mosquito nets to the inmates. She pledged to follow up on their cases individually to enable them get back into the larger society as reformed persons.

    The engaging interaction with the governor’s wife was a tonic the inmates needed to restore their hope. Little wonder they promised the wife of the governor to be of good behaviour and pleaded that she should help fast-track their cases with the respective authorities and possibly help them to secure amnesty.

    Some of those who accompanied Hajiya Tambuwal also counseled the minors. Prominent among them were the Commissioner for Women Affairs, wives of the commissioners for local government, health and commerce, representatives of APC women elders in the state, top female politicians and other women groups.

  • Obozuwa twins unfazed by single status

    It is double the giggles and double the grins for friends and associates of Patricia and Felicia Obozuwa. The profiles of the abundantly blessed set of twins are assuming the dimension of folklore. While Patricia, an accounting graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), works at Procter and Gamble, Felicia, also an OAU alumnus, is a top manager at First City Monument Bank. They both live large and hobnob with the high and mighty.

    The icing on their enticing cake is the fact that Patricia and Felicia are representations of every man’s fantasy. They are endowed with assets that would make any man fall head over heels. They are not only homely and down to earth, they are also stunningly beautiful. Their professional accomplishments portray them as women who are in charge of their lives and on top of their game.

    However, to the consternation of their friends who have held them in awe since their school days where their beauty and brilliance always stood them out, the two sisters are yet to add any suffix to their names. This, we learnt, might not be unconnected with their elitist disposition, which tends to scare the men away.

    But the Obozuwa twins are obviously not daunted, preferring to consolidate on their individual successes and enjoy themselves while their single status lasts.

  • Hassan Fatungase soars with Beij Inn

    There is no limit to success. As long as one keeps breathing, there is room for growth and opportunity to expand one’s frontiers. It is a season of growth for Hassan Fatungase, one of the first set of Nigerians to become managers at the prestigious Hilton Hotels in the 1980s.

    He is spreading the tentacles of the hospitality industry where he is a director with the opening of the new Beij Inn and Suites. The hotel, located inside Ogudu, GRA, Lagos, boasts an esoteric architectural design with a banquet hall, state of the art decor and other high standard features.

    Fatungase says his HIC Company is counting on its connections to draw the attention of patrons with flare for taste and good life to the hospitality centre. Not only that, the hardworking dude is relying on the experience of the staffers, who are complete professionals with experience at different hospitality centres.

  • Aisha Falode rebounds

    Like the gold fish without a hiding place, Aisha Falode is one woman who elicits admiration. Her presence causes many to stop in their tracks in pure approbation of beauty and strong will.

    When she lost her only son in Dubai a few years ago, many thought it would take her eternity to regain her groove. But like the phoenix that rises from its ashes, Aisha is once again a happy woman. It is a proof of the extent of her strength that she has survived a tragedy that destroyed many other women.

    The ace TV sports presenter has rediscovered joy in her brilliant daughter Toluwalase who has just bagged a master’s degree in Law from Duke University School of Law.