The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • Yemi Osindero lies low

    Yemi Osindero has a healthy relationship with fate. Not a few wonder how her business thrives even when the economy is in recession. His entrepreneurial skill is perhaps the greatest factor that keeps him afloat even in the midst of economic chaos.

    His entrepreneurial insight became obvious when he narrowly escaped the tsunami that swept the defunct Virgin Nigeria Airways from the grip of Richard Branson, its former owner and seasoned British investor. As a First Class degree holder in engineering and having garnered enviable experience from Goldman Sachs, Osindero, as the Chief Operating Officer of Virgin Nigeria Airways, noticed that the airline was headed for doom because of its precarious economic condition. Unfortunately, his fears were dismissed when he alerted the company’s CEO, Clifford Conard, and he was told that there was nothing to be afraid of.

    Osindero however saw through the impending doom and decided to leave the airline when the ovation was loudest. And true to his suspicions, the airline wobbled and virtually caved in before it was acquired by Jimoh Ibrahim.

    Osindero has since joined Standard Chartered Bank Private Equity as a director with primary responsibility for the West African markets, but he has been lying low ever since.

  • Maiden Ibru’s third daughter marries

    Lady Maiden Alex-ibru, publisher of The Guardian newspaper and widow of Alexander Uruemu Ibru, gives out the hand of her daughter, Osei Yvonne Tosan Ibru, in marriage today. Tosan, the third daughter of Lady Maiden Ibru to get married in six years, will walk down the aisle with Jude Anthony Edema Awam, a London-based financial expert.

    According to the invitation sent out to friends and well wishers by Lady Maiden Ibru herself, the traditional marriage of Tosan and Jude holds today at Landmark Centre, Water Carrington Road, Victoria Island Annex, Lagos. Like the previous marriages of her two daughters, it is only the traditional leg of the marriage that will be done in Nigeria. The white wedding will take place in London on a date to be announced later.

  • John Shittu set to wed Vivian Chiologi

    A huge social event that would cause jubilation in high society and the football world, especially is about to occur in Lagos. It is no less an event than the wedding of football aficionado, John Shittu, and her socialite heartthrob, Vivian Chiologi.

    While it may come as a surprise to many who did not even know that the duo had been involved in a relationship, Shittu, an NFF-licensed player agent and stunning beauty Vivian are set to tie the nuptial knot on June 6 at Mayfair Library, London, United Kingdom.

    John Olatunji Shittu is the agent that handles the affairs of Chelsea and Super Eagles midfielder, Mikel Obi. He is reputed for playing a prominent role in the transfer saga that pitted Manchester United against Chelsea over Mikel’s acquisition. Shittu is no doubt a big boy in the UK as a partner to Jerome Andeson’s SEM, a top sport agency in the country. As a matter of fact, he was an official of SEM before he broke off to stay on his own.  Shittu lost his wife years ago.

    Vivian Chiologi is no small fish either. She is blessed with abundant beauty and grace only goddesses can boast of. She is the darling of high society and a head turner at social gatherings as she constantly flaunts pricey clothes and accessories from the stables of world’s renowned designers.

  • Happy times for Prince Dapo Abiodun

    In happy times, one gets to smile without reservations, love without limitations, laugh without restrictions and excel beyond expectations. Dapo Abiodun is currently in a time of happiness. Not only does his heart glitter in bliss, his steps are laced with leaps of glee.

    As he adds another year to his enchanting life, the blue flame of joy burns through his towering frame, brightening his world and burnishing his persona with irrepressible glow. The boss of Heyden is besides himself with joy for being privileged to witness yet another glorious addition to his inspiring days. As he clocks 55, the billionaire oil magnate fondly called a man of the people, glides smoothly on the surface of life’s stormy sea. He comes across not as a diver, mariner or seeker of buried treasure, but as a real man in a sea of ciphers.

    His closest friends and family members can hardly wait to celebrate with him as he adds yet another year to his inspiring life. The CEO of Heyden Oil, who recently opened a new branch of his filling stations in Ogun State, believes in adding value to the society, particularly the people around him. That is why he never shies away from lending a helping hand to the needy.

  • Jide Balogun on the march

    To feel accomplished, you don’t have to be the richest man or own the fanciest of things; you only have to be better than the man that raised you. This seems the creed that propels Jide Balogun’s life, a creed that has shaped him into an exceptional businessman.

    But becoming better than his father, Otunba Subomi Balogun, would not be an easy task, considering the brilliant accomplishments of the latter, who happens to be the founder of First City Group. Jide has however carved a niche for himself in the business world. He has toed the right path as an adult, conquering life’s challenges and establishing himself as one of the most respected men on the social scene.

    Although Jide decided to toe the line of his business-minded father, it remains unknown to many that Otunba Subomi Balogun does not only play big in the banking industry, he literally dominates the property and real estate business in Lagos, especially in Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah axis of the city.

    Determined to make his father proud and extend the family’s business empire, Jide has taken charge of the real estate arm of the family business called PRIMROSE Development Company. The thriving real estate company is set to complete the first environmentally certified commercial building in Nigeria to be called Heritage Place. Otunba Subomi Balogun would no doubt be brimming with pride over Jide’s efficiency and business prowess.

  • Derin Agbaje puts right foot forward

    The Managing Director and CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, and his beautiful wife, Derin, are credited with always portraying a picture of true love. Not only do they turn heads when they make public appearances, they appear so much in love that other couples begin to wish for a bit of what they have.

    The love birds were seen again at the inaugural edition of GT Bank’s Food and Drink Fair which held in Lagos last weekend. Their presence didn’t go unnoticed as many stopped in their tracks to admire them. The two were impeccable in their stylish appearance. Their prim and dapper looks provoked applause from the crowd.

    Derin was dressed to the nines and she mingled effortlessly with attendees at the fair that hosted some of the best chefs from within and outside Nigeria.

  • I became Miss Nigeria by accident -Ex-Miss Nigeria Rosemary Okeke

    I became Miss Nigeria by accident -Ex-Miss Nigeria Rosemary Okeke

    After her stint as Miss Nigeria between 1984 and 1985, Rosemary  Nkemdilim Okeke ventured into the fashion industry. She has also functioned as Senior Special Assistant to the Imo State governor in charge of the Abuja Liaison office of the state. She spoke with OKORIE UGURU about her tenure as a beauty queen and how it has affected her life generally, among other issues.

    You have not been visible in the public for quite a while. What has been happening to you?

    Nothing has happened to me, if I may put it that way. It is just that for about three years, I worked with the Imo State Government, and for about a year, I was in Owerri, Imo State. By the nature of my job, I was kept quite busy in Owerri. So, I hardly had the time to be in Lagos or Abuja or attend any of the national functions. Right after, I was promoted to the Imo State Liaison Office, Abuja as the Liaison Officer. All of that kept me really busy.

    It still sounds as if you deliberately decide to lie low, because with the kind of job you are doing with the Imo State Government, you ought to be in the limelight.

    Even from when I was Miss Nigeria, I won’t say I was exactly out there. I only attending to functions and programmes I needed to attend to. So, if you are captured, that is fine. But you don’t go about making sure you are captured everywhere. Maybe that is just the difference. I was doing the work I was doing. I was where I was supposed to be at any given time. I was doing my assignments at the state level and all of that.

    Many Nigerians know Rosemary Okeke as Miss Nigeria 1985. Before then, there was Rosemary Okeke who was unknown to most Nigerians. How was your early life?

    Rosemary is one conservative lady…

    A lot of people would raise an eyebrow at that statement

    Yes, I guess that is why it seems I was not out there even when I was Miss Nigeria. But as a role model, when you become a national figure like that, you can play your role quite effectively without a lot of noise but just affecting the places you need to. So, Rosemary is, what would I say, hardworking, family orientated and actually very interested in moving Nigeria to the next level, and being part of anything that will move, not just my state, but the country forward.

    Let’s talk about your growing up

    I was born in the former Bendel State, now Edo State. I was born in Benin City actually, and my parents were in a place called Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). My dad was one of the senior officers working in the palm plantation research. He was heading the agronomy division.

    If you know NIFOR, you will know it is one conservative place out of town. But they had everything that they needed, and that was the kind of place that I grew up and I guess that is part of what forms my person then and now. I grew up in a closely nit family; very loving. Unfortunately, I lost my dad years ago as I was rounding off as Miss Nigeria and also lost my mum just last year. I have two brothers and two sisters.

    Were there lots of dos and don’ts in those days?

    Yea, my parents were quite strict, although loving. We were not allowed to do just anything we wanted. We were not allowed to go to parties and stuffs like that. My dad was a core agriculturist and so he would make sure that once he got back from farm, we would go with him to the farm. He had a large farm and we helped out with the ones we could do.

    You did farming?

    Yea, I did.

    You don’t look like somebody that ever engaged in farming

    Oh I did farming, especially during harvesting. When they harvested, we would help with the piling of the corns. We were always there to do our own bit, especially my junior brother and I, because the rest were away in school and we stayed back with our dad and all that. So, that basically was what formed my childhood.

    At what point did you leave home?

    After my primary school at NIFOR, I went to St. Maria Gorothy in Benin City. You can imagine this kind of childhood from NIFOR to a school run by reverend sisters with all the dos and don’ts. You were not allowed to go to parties and stuffs like that. This was all part of my growing up. It was after I had left school that I got exposed.

    I went into College of Education, Agbor, and studied English Language and Religious Studies. Right after that, I went for my youth service in Jos. I was rounding off in Jos so that I could continue with my education when the Miss Nigeria issue came up.

    How did it come about?

    That was between 1984 and 1985. Should I call it a coincidence? I didn’t set out to go for any beauty contest. I have always been a very shy person. I had this gentleman, Ben Olaiya, who was running a modelling agency. He was the one that encouraged me. He just called me one day and said look, I think you should do this. Actually, it was not for Miss Nigeria; it was for Miss Africa, a different pageant.

    Not from Daily Times?

    No; a different agency. They were advertising for Miss Africa and the gentleman said, ‘Why don’t you go for it?’ I mean, I was never thinking of myself in that light. Jokingly, I said okay, why not? I was not doing anything then; I was just waiting to finish my youth service and continue my education, so I had the time.

    That was how we started practising for Miss Africa. But along the line, something happened. We were not hearing anything about it. I don’t know what happened to the organisers. In the papers, they were not saying anything anymore. Then we started seeing the advert for Miss Nigeria. He said, ‘Okay, since they are not ready, why don’t we go for Miss Nigeria?’ I said okay. Up till this point, I thought it was a big joke. I was just having fun. That was how I saw it. He would teach me the cat walk and so on. I said no problem, I was having fun. That was how we registered for Miss Nigeria.

    We later got a feedback that I had been nominated for the zonal contest. It was to take place in Warri. I had returned to Benin. It was at this point I said what is this? Ben said ‘You are already one of the contestants for this zone; you just have to go.’ So, I said okay, let us do this and see what it would lead to. We went for the zonal contest in Warri and I won. I was shocked. I said is that all? Honestly, I didn’t quite understand it. I was just having fun.

    So, when I won the zonal contest, it dawned on me that this was getting serious. I was not going to go for anything national and fail. It was there in the papers. I was getting calls from friends and family members. People were getting in touch with the family. It was like ‘oh, you won! This is fantastic! You must go on and win Miss Nigeria.’ I asked Ben, ‘What did you put me into?’ I said to myself this is not about me anymore, I need to win. I need to make an impression. I need to be successful.

    To be honest, I didn’t like getting myself in anything that I would not do well. I decided to go all out. I asked, ‘What does it take?’ We were told your outfits and so on. That was the year they introduced the national outfits, promoting Nigerian made fabrics. We were told that we must come for our evening wears in African fabrics. So, it meant going to buy…well, the most popular then was adire. Then the issue of the talent show came up. I said wow, If it is singing, count me out. Dance? I could manage that; but everybody knows how to dance. That was my assumption. So what was it that I needed to do to stand out? I guessed that at that time, it wasn’t very popular for people who were not in the music industry to come out and play musical instruments. That was how we said okay, we had time, let us go into it. I started with the guitar, but along the line, I started having problem with my fingers. It didn’t work out. So, the time was getting short. We immediately decided to go for the piano, and as soon as I started playing that, I was enjoying it. That was how I learnt to play that.

    But we needed a unique tune. We couldn’t think of anything that would cut across than our national anthem. That was what I eventually presented at that time. As God would have it, everything played out well.

    How did your parents feel about it?

    They were very happy, to be honest. Who wouldn’t be? You have a child that went for something and she was successful. I had their support and they were very happy. Before I went for the zonal one, I didn’t particularly tell my dad, but my mum, yes. And my elder brother who sponsored me at that time also supported me. Right after I won the zonal contest, the whole family was behind me to make sure that I succeeded. So, they were quite happy. My siblings too were happy.

    What was the experience like during your one year reign? Were there regrets?

    There were no regrets whatsoever. My experience was a good one. It was at a time that beauty pageant wasn’t as popular as it is right now. Anywhere you went, you were cheered, you were supported, they were happy to have you and stuffs like that. This was a 20, 21-year-old girl being celebrated all over. So, it was a fantastic experience. I was wining and dining with top functionaries in and out of government. We were travelling. So, for a young girl, it was a good experience. I started with going for Miss Nigeria to have fun and ended up winning it. I found that winning it was also fun. It was a lot of fun promoting the products of the company that sponsored the pageant. It was a good experience.

    I met a lot of people. That helped me to go into the business I went into right after my reign. I went into the fashion industry. It opened doors for me. Meeting people helped me to understand it was just a beginning and that it was an opportunity to establish oneself and move forward in life.

    How would you compare beauty pageantry then with what obtains now?

    Well, I won’t say they are the same. There is obviously more awareness and you have a lot of companies and government getting interested in what is going on in the industry. And they even have, I would say, better packages for them now. I mean the more the people who are playing the game now, the more the exposure, the resources and all kinds of things that come into it. So, I think it is getting better now. There is much more glitz and glamour. They have a lot of international exposure as well, not just national.

    For me the highest in terms of international experience was going for Miss World. I think mine was the last by Daily Times before Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria took over. But lately, there have been efforts to resuscitate it. They are working on it but, of course, not under Daily Times.

    How did you find yourself in government?

    The first thing that took me to Imo State was tourism, because I had a tourism project. I went to Imo State to discuss with them about supporting the project and I met with the then Imo State Commissioner for Tourism, just at the time they were about to make up their mind on having something to do…or maybe my meeting with her triggered something about cultural pageantry. After my discussion with her and I left, they started discussing about Ada na Opara Imo. It was a beauty pageant for male and female. The commissioner then called me to come and assist her in running the programme because of my experience in that field. So, I went there, I was with them for over a month working on this. We had the first Ada na Opara Imo. Within that period, we had reasons to meet with Governor Rochas Okorocha a couple of times and that was when the job was offered to work for Imo State and I gladly took it because Imo State at that time was doing something fantastic with a new governor who was working in all the sectors. He was turning Imo State into what he wanted it to be.

    How would you describe your fashion sense? Flamboyant or African?

    The truth is that I don’t think I can capture my fashion sense in one word, because I love fashion. That is why I went into fashion after my reign as Miss Nigeria. I was handling clothing for people from different backgrounds and that exposed me to quite a lot when it comes to fashion. For each unique style, I only saw the best in it.

    So, I won’t say that I love one more than the other. I just rise to the occasion. I go for whatever dress sense that is needed for anything. If it is Nigerian attire, I wear it with a lot of relish, and if it is not, I also feel good and comfortable. I’m just a creative person. Creativity is in me. I guess that is why I am also into tourism. Beauty pageant and fashion are all part of tourism. They are intertwined.

    If you want to pamper yourself, what do you do?

    Buying clothes for myself, producing a new dress and wearing it, or just making a new outfit for myself. I love fashion. I love clothes. Any day, I will like to get my dress first before I think of the accessories.

  • Pastor Oladiyun loses mother

    The death of a mother is the first sorrow wept without her. It makes the hurt of such loss deeper and the grief longer. Pastor Wole Oladiyun, the senior pastor of Livingspring Apostolic Ministry, has been plunged into grief as he mourns the death of his mother, Deaconess Dorcas Ejiolape Oladiyun. There is something about losing a mother that is permanent and inexpressiblea wound that never heals completely.

    A few days ago, Deaconess Dorcas passed on, leaving her son and loved ones bereaved. We gathered that the pastor, who gave his daughter’s hand in marriage a few months ago in a high-octane event, is planning a befitting burial for her. Although the details of the burial are still under wraps, it was gathered that it would be nothing less than a carnival-like outing.

    While he mourns his late mother, Pastor Oladiyun has expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support he has received from friends, church members and other concerned individuals in his moment of grief.

  • Omosede Igbinedion finds love again?

    A few days ago, Omosede Igbinedion, a House of Representatives member and daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, grew a year older, and she was celebrated by family members and friends in a low-key birthday soiree. But many who had waited to catch a glimpse of Omosede’s new beau at the occasion went home disappointed.

    It was gathered that Omosede is relishing her single status and is not in a hurry to explore another marriage. Sometime ago, she was linked to Niger Delta big boy, Ayiri Emani, and many had waited for them to make their relationship official. However, nothing serious came out of it. She had stopped being Princess Omosede Igbinedion Akenzua when her marriage to Prince Avan Akenzua was dissolved in a court of law.

    Omosede and her former husband, Prince Akenzua, lived like Romeo and Juliet until a few years ago when the centre of their marital union could no longer hold. Before then, Prince Akenzua had openly declared his love for her, saying that the quality that endeared him to her the most was her transparency. Apparently, their love waned when they discovered under the harsh floodlights of marriage the true nature of each other.

    The marriage produced a baby boy in 2009 and was widely celebrated by the Igbinedions in grand style. Trouble started when Prince Akenzua began to complain about Chief Igbinedion’s alleged meddlesomeness in their relationship. The situation further degenerated when armed mobile policemen, said to be acting on the orders of the Esama, stormed the palatial home of his in-law in dozens to evacuate his daughter’s belongings. Avan alleged that In the course of doing so, valuable items belonging to him were also carted away.

    Omosede has since reverted to her maiden name, and has moved on with her life. She has indeed bounced back and is said to be in a new relationship.

  • DJ Cuppy makes dad proud again

    The best way a man can train his children is to allow them to do things by themselves so they can experience life on their own terms. Learning from their mistakes, they can become better people and believe more in themselves.

    Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola has done just that and this has made him, not just an astute business tycoon, but also a proud father. His daughter, Ifeoluwa Otedola, has carved a niche for herself in the entertainment industry and has become one of the most sought after disco jockeys in Nigeria. Widely known as DJ Cuppy, Ifeoluwa, has always been a source of pride to her father, and despite her choice of career, Otedola has stood by her unconditionally.

    On Tuesday, May 10, 2016, DJ Cuppy reached another milestone which caused her doting father to brim with pride and glow with joy. Ifeoluwa took to her Instagram page to share the news of her graduation with her fans and followers. The celebrity DJ is now an M.Sc degree holder from the New York University Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development.

    DJ Cuppy already has a degree in Business and Economics, which she bagged from King’s College London in July 2014. After two years of hard work, she is now a M.Sc degree holder.