The Nation Newspaper

Category: Celebrity

  • For Farouk Lawan, an era ends

    If you were to ask Farouk Lawan how fast fortunes change, his answer will probably be “faster than the speed of light”. From being a high ranking member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the ad hoc House Committee on Oil Subsidy Probe, which had led to him being tipped as a good contender for the 2015 governorship election in Kano State, to being humbled and touted as an alleged bribe taker, Lawan can only watch helplessly as his political career takes a nosedive. In addition to the misfortune that has befallen him lately, Lawan lost the 2015 House of Representatives contest.

    Until he was caught in the controversy of the bribe money he allegedly demanded from popular oil magnate Femi Otedola, Lawan was popularly known as Mr. Integrity in the House of Representatives. He had championed the removal of Nigeria’s first female Speaker, Patricia Etteh, over an allegation that she misappropriated public funds. With such a lofty reputation, there was no hiding place for Lawan when the lid on his alleged complicity in a bribery scandal involving Otedola during an oil subsidy probe blew open.

    The diminutive ex-lawmaker is now left to reflect on the glorious past and imagine what the future holds in the face of the present circumstances.

  • Pasuma, Lanre Teriba wow guests as Gani Adams marks 46

    The 46th birthday celebration of the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) may have come and gone, but the juicy stories from the event will reverberate in the social circles for some time.

    The event, which held at the exclusive Batten House, Plot A2 Block G, MKO Gardens Road, Ikeja, Lagos, attracted dignitaries that cut across the political, business, traditional and entertainment sectors.

    One after the other, friends and associates of the OPC leader took turns to extol his virtues, which many of them said have endeared him to them. Adams, who thanked the large crowd of friends and admirers for honouring him, said he would have wished for a quiet celebration in line with the state of affairs in the country but quickly added that there was no way he would have turned down such honour from his people.

    The roof of the beautifully decorated hall was almost brought down when Fuji music exponent, Pasuma, took the stand and everybody scrambled to join the celebrant on the dance floor. Gospel act, Lanre Teriba, aka Atorise, who performed earlier on, served the dual purpose of doing a praise worship, which saw many sang in praise of God, and later switched to some danceable tunes. He wowed the crowd with his beautiful stage crafts, which left them asking for more. The high point of the event was the cutting of the birthday cake, which saw dignitaries joining the celebrant and his wife.

  • Bigwigs honour Olufunso Amosun at 50

    Apart from being an attractive woman, Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, is also compassionate and hard working. She seeks to make the best of any situation she finds herself and this has endeared her to many. Her philanthropic nature is one of the many virtues that distinguish her from other women of her status.

    The wife of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, is as busy as a bee as she constantly seeks new ways of advancing the cause of the less-privileged and championing initiatives that support the needy. Most of her time and resources are dedicated to uplifting mankind.

    For the foregoing reasons, among others, she was celebrated in a grand way as she clocked 50 on Monday. It was a grand affair as her governor-husband left no stone unturned in celebrating his beautiful wife’s 50th  birthday in Abeokuta, the state capital. The event was attended by the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari; wife of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs Zainab Umar Shinkafi, and the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, among other guests.

    She had had a thanksgiving service the previous day where her doting husband seized the opportunity to thank God for her life and joined her in cutting her birthday cake alongside family members, friends and members of the Ogun State Executive Council who were at the church service.

    Special prayers had earlier been held for the founder of Upliftment Development Foundation (UDF) at the Government House mosque. UDF is a private, non-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youths.

  • No marriage on Funke Kuti’s card

    Funke Kuti, the beautiful former wife of Afro music star, Femi Kuti, wakes up every morning telling herself never to be in a hurry or lose her inner peace, even if the world is crashing. Since her marriage to Femi collapsed, she has moved on with her life, relishing her status as a single mother.

    Femi had said that marrying her was a mistake since he does not believe in the marriage institution. Funke, the ravishing beauty who oversees multiple and strategic departments at the lottery company, NSI, believes that challenges are there to be conquered and conquering them guarantees one’s progress in life.

    No more is Funke nostalgic about the companionship that comes with being married. She is used to her independence and is no longer in a hurry to give that up any time soon. She is focused now on being a good mother to her son, Made, who she bore for Femi. The two ‘exes’ have put negative feelings aside and have come to terms with what fate has thrown their way.

  • Where is Rilwan Aleshinloye?

    Apart from being an attractive woman, Ogun State First Lady, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, is also compassionate and hard working. She seeks to make the best of any situation she finds herself and this has endeared her to many. Her philanthropic nature is one of the many virtues that distinguish her from other women of her status.

    The wife of Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, is as busy as a bee as she constantly seeks new ways of advancing the cause of the less-privileged and championing initiatives that support the needy. Most of her time and resources are dedicated to uplifting mankind.

    For the foregoing reasons, among others, she was celebrated in a grand way as she clocked 50 on Monday. It was a grand affair as her governor-husband left no stone unturned in celebrating his beautiful wife’s 50th  birthday in Abeokuta, the state capital. The event was attended by the wife of the President, Mrs Aisha Buhari; wife of Kebbi State Governor, Mrs Zainab Umar Shinkafi, and the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode, among other guests.

    She had had a thanksgiving service the previous day where her doting husband seized the opportunity to thank God for her life and joined her in cutting her birthday cake alongside family members, friends and members of the Ogun State Executive Council who were at the church service.

    Special prayers had earlier been held for the founder of Upliftment Development Foundation (UDF) at the Government House mosque. UDF is a private, non-profit organisation dedicated to making a difference in the lives of youths.

  • Elizabeth Atuche born again?

    There are few things human beings detest as much as sudden change. It leaves the mind befuddled and one’s affairs in disarray. That seems the situation with Elizabeth Atuche, wife of former Managing Director of Defunct Bank PHB Plc, Francis Atuche.

    From being one of Nigeria’s high flying social birds, Elizabeth is now battling with the challenges that fate has thrown her way. Elizabeth has suffered some ‘hard times’ over her husband’s travails and has had to abandon her comfort zone in the social arena for a reprieve in the house of God. Today, she is a devout believer and ardent church attendant.

    Atuche, hardworking financial expert, has been a regular face in court since his unceremonious exit as a helmsman at the then Bank PHB. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refused to back down on his case and seems bent on seeing his back as he matches to jail. He was one of the bank executives accused of mismanaging customers’ and share-holders’ hard-earned funds on account of which Bank PHB’s operations were taken over by AMCON.

    Also feeling the heat as Atuche’s next of kin, Elizabeth has taken their case to God, perhaps for mercy and grace. She has made a sharp U-turn that has seen her drop social adventures for spiritual voyage. She has also cut down considerably on her weight; a new frame observers say might not be unconnected with continual prayer and fasting.

  • Hon. Jibrin in the eye of the storm

    You can always trust life to force humility down the throat of a seemingly great man. Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin has not only embraced humility, he has done so under unexpected circumstances. His name has been one that resonates in the controversy that surrounded the 2016 budget. The former Chairman House Committee on Finance is presently the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation.

    The youthful lawmaker has seen his integrity called to question as accusing fingers point in his direction over the controversial removal of the Calabar-Lagos rail project from the 2016 budget and the allocation of the sum meant for the project to his constituency and others in the northern parts of the country.

    Determined to keep a good record of his political career, he has denied the allegations and even engaged his colleagues and fellow members of the House Committee on Appropriation, who were said to have abandoned him to face the ordeal all alone. While the urbane and well-educated legislator is presently keeping a low profile, it is certain that the last has not been heard on the matter.

  • Mairo Mustapha savours new marriage

    Early this year, Mario got married to the Sokoto State governor and former Speaker of House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, in a private wedding ceremony in Sokoto, the state capital. Needless to say that she is still basking in the euphoria of her new status.

    It therefore goes without saying that the pretty woman is having the time of her life. After all, her husband is up to the task of making life a fairy tale for the former Lagos big girl. Good times have a way of making people forget their unfulfilling pasts and Mairo is not an exemption. It is hoped that her marriage story would be one that ends happily ever after.

  • Emerging face of Araromi-Ale Kingdom

    Towards the border city of Badagry, Lagos State is located a serene kingdom called Ale before its name was changed to Araromi-Ale Kinngdom. Although it has had its name changed due to public misconception of it, Araromi-Ale kingdom has retained its uniqueness among other Yoruba kingdoms. One of such is the fact that its progenitors and leaders are called Oga-Ilu (head of the community) rather than the Oba which they are called in most Yoruba kingdoms.

    In spite of its allure, something remains strange about Araromi-Ale. The kingdom had been without an Oga-Ilu for 50 years. However, in February 2013, Chief Jelili Adele Ashade, Gboyed I, was appointed as the first government-recognised Baale of Aworo Community in Araromi-Ale kingdom. Interestingly, Araromi-Ale is about to be more recognised for something more phenomenal. Chief Jelili recently announced that the kingdom will be thrown into commemoration as they celebrate the lives of his father and his great grandfather. The two will be given a burial befitting of royals today.

  • Graceful, exotic world of Siju Iluyomade

    Many rich and privileged women totter into fashion, but it takes a profound and perceptive one to mirror the depth of current trends to the world. These, incidentally, are traits that Siju Iluyomade has mastered. Not only does she possess the verve and charisma needed to dictate the pace of fashion, she has metamorphosed into an ambassador of modern Christianity.

    The wife of Pastor Idowu Iluyomade of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David Parish, Victoria Island, Lagos, is not just a pastor’s wife. She lives her life like a queen, always dressed in Gucci, Zagliani, Hermes and Marc Jacobs products. For her, Christianity has evolved beyond conservative dress. Among other pastors’ wives in Nigeria, she reigns as the queen of style and fashion.

    Although she is a pastor’s wife, she remains the essence of glamour, elegance and unrestrained aura. City of David, arguably one of the richest RCCG parishes in Nigeria, is filled with elegant women who appear in church in elegant and immaculate dresses. But they mostly pale into insignificance compared to the flamboyance of their pastor’s wife. Her pretty face looks more like a work of art. She drives the best of cars and wears the most expensive of accessories.

    Heads turn each Sunday when she steps into church in appreciation of her beauty, while some ladies are simply green with envy. Her jewellery twinkle with carats of diamonds and gem stones and cause the hearts of many to overflow with longing.