The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Funmi Goka clocks 57

    AGIP top shot, Funmi Goka, turned 57 a few days ago but decide to have a modest observation of this crucial turn of her life. Like a princess of commerce that she is, Funmi spends her days working and strategising in the crafty and cold world of Nigeria’s oil industry. Consequently, she has amassed some good fortune at 57.

    Funmi parades an elegance that surprisingly presents an admirable rampart to her personality especially when she is assessed in the light of her stunning intellect. The result is a woman of poise and infectious charm that can disarm even the most hostile adversary.

    As she clocked 57, quite a number of her friends, family members and business associates were disappointed that she maintained her resolve to shun any lavish celebration.

  • Wizkid, Davido duel on Twitter

    THOUGH an eventful year, 2014 sailed on without any serious incidence among artistes as it were. But, as time went on, the hitherto unspoken rivalry between hip hop acts, Ayo Balogun, aka Wizkid and David Adeleke, aka Davido snowballed into an all-out Twitter war.

    Prior to performing at a sold out show featuring Wale and Akon in the US, Wizkid took to his Twitter handle to post thus; “Just landed in NYC! Let’s turn up! We do proper shows and proper venues.”

    Davido, who had performed at another show that was perceived as a flop, took the post as a direct assault and then launched an attack at the Starboy. Without specifying who he was referring to, Davido traded shots in what many regard as a response to Wizkid.

    Having concluded his show, Wizkid again posted; “Thank u so much NewYork!! Amazing show last night!! Big up @wale nd @akon for showing me love!! Proper show! Proper venue! Boys talk!! Men work.” Davido again responded; “Pull half my crowd before talking shit! Loser!”

    Things came to a head when other artistes including Saeon and Iyanya saw the need to weigh into the row and call their colleagues to order.

  • Tears off the screen

    THERE were moments of gloom for the Nigerian entertainment world. Moviedom was thrown into a mourning when, in the month of April, its matriarch and pioneer, Amaka Igwe passed on to eternal glory.

    According to reports, Amaka had gone to Enugu in company of her husband for a pre-production preparation for a new Igbo sitcom when the sad incident occurred. She was said to have suffered asthmatic attack and was immediately rushed to a hospital, but died before getting there.

    Amaka is survived by her husband of 21 years, Charles Igwe, three children, and an aged mother. Born Amaka Isaac-Ene, the deceased was an accomplished writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and teacher.

    She founded the BoB TV Expo, and was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Top Radio 90.9 FM, Amaka Igwe Studios, and the newly-launched Q Entertainment Networks. Amaka hit national limelight as the writer and producer of the award-winning TV soap, Checkmate and Fuji House of Commotion.

    The entertainment world was yet to recover from the death of Igwe when, in the month of June, the news of the passing on of one of its musical greats, Kefee Don Momoh nee Obareki broke. The singer reportedly fell into a coma while on a flight to Chicago, United States. The plane was forced to make an emergency landing and she was rushed into the Intensive Care Unit of a hospital in Los Angeles. She died few days later.

    Again, in October, the industry recorded another death, when it woke up to the news of the demise of Taiwo Oshadipe, one half of the popular Oshadipe Twins singing duo. The sensational and dynamic identical set of twins Taiwo and Kehinde Oshadipe are known for contemporary, inspirational and specifically gospel music.

  • All set for Rasaq Okoya’s 75 birthday

    IT is no news that whenever an Okoya holds a bash, the entire Lagos freezes. Even fellow socialites marvel at the affluence and glamour on display. Now another of such moment is in the offing and bigwigs are set to grace it. Alhaji Rasaq Akanni Okoya, the billionaire industrialist and Aare of Lagos will be 75 on January 12, 2015.

    Five years ago, Okoya clocked 70 and he was not quiet about it. In fact, his 70th birthday bash remains a reference point for party freaks till date. It was gathered on good authority that his beloved wife, Sade, and his children are planning to make his 75th birthday party a bash to remember. In the first quarter of 2014, the business tycoon officially tied the nuptial knot with his youngest wife and mother of his four children in a fairy tale wedding.

    Rasaq Okoya is the owner and founder of Eleganza Group of Companies whose sphere of operation cuts across the entire Western Africa region. He is the owner of the magnificent and Oluwa ni Shola estate described by some as the home of expatriates because of the high number of expatriates that live on it.

  • The rise of the blockbusters

    The rise of the blockbusters

  • Debbie Ogunjobi learns life’s lessons

    LEADING female clothier and owner of Everywoman, Debbie Ogunjobi, hasn’t quite changed from the low-cut spotting, enterprising woman that she has always been. It is a posture that thrust her into national prominence.

    But after going through two marriages, which produced two kids, with the concomitant heartbreaks, Debbie is now much wiser about life. Beautiful Debbie has pitched her tent with a widower, Pastor Jide Ojo of the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

    Incidentally, Debbie is a member of the church and was very close to Pastor Ojo and his late wife, Remi, who she fondly called Aunty. So close was Debbie to the couple that she penned an emotional article published in a national daily when Remi died in 2011.

    Titled ‘And the Beat Goes On,’ she wrote in the article: “A beautiful soul had just passed very suddenly and unexpectedly, and we had all been struck by the sad event. As Christians, we know not to sorrow because of the promise of seeing those who sleep in Christ again, but the flesh was in shock and we were all saddened greatly.

    “Pastor Mrs. Remi Ojo was a very vivacious and lively member of the King’s Court Parish of the RCCG and the suddenness of her passing was a shock to say the least. I had always been especially fond of her and her husband, Pastor Jide. They were always very kind to me and I could count on their support in whatever I wanted to do.

    “They were a staple; if you saw one, the other was not far behind. My immediate dilemma that day was how to look at the pain I was bound to see in his eyes. I hate my loved ones to suffer and I didn’t want that pain for him; they were so good together!

    “It was at their house that the conversation above took place and while Aunty Remi, as I called the deceased, was spoken of in wonderful terms by everyone, it was still sad to watch her family suffer.”

    It therefore came as a shock to members of the church that Debbie wormed her way into the widower’s heart and before anybody knew what was happening, they were married. There have been sneers and sniggers as to her perceived treachery but Debbie is past caring. And she is not willing to let go of her third husband. Who would?

  • Cheerful moments

    ON the flip side, the entertainment industry witnessed its glory moments as some of its bests took the bold step to settle for marital life. After his introduction to his fashionista beau, Simi Osomo last December, Mavin Crew’s Dr Sid made it formal by taking her to the altar in the month of July.

    In a related news, celebrity couple and Tinsel stars, Damilola Adegbite and Chris Attoh welcomed a bouncing baby boy in faraway United States on Friday, September 5.

    When news of wedding plan by Nollywood actress, model and president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberesima first broke, many waved it aside as a mere rumour. However, as the days went by, what started as a rumour gained credence and culminated into a two-day carnival-like wedding. On December 18 and 19, family, friends and colleagues celebrated Ibinabo and Uche Egbuka in a lavish ceremony which held at Okrika, Rivers State.

  • Airtel partners Lagos on Countdown Festival

    TELECOMMUNICATIONS company, Airtel Nigeria, has partnered the Lagos State Government to host the 2014 edition of the Lagos Countdown Festival.

    The Lagos Countdown Festival, which holds at the Bar Beach, Victoria Island, Lagos, from December 22, 2014 and runs into the early hours of the New Year, seeks to institute an enduring crossover tradition.

    According to the management of Airtel, the festival will provide an opportunity to bond with young Nigerians and will also create a platform for the display of some of its leading value offerings, including Airtel Trybe and Red Hot promo.

    Commenting on the event, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, described the Lagos Countdown Festival as a glorious initiative, saying Airtel is passionate about young Nigerians and the youth culture.

    “The Lagos Countdown festival provides Airtel an outlet to interact with the youth on a more personal basis. This year, we will showcase our flagship product, Airtel Trybe, a value offering that is specifically designed to meet the aspirations of young Nigerians and the young-at-heart. We will also have on display, our revolutionary Red Hot promo to further empower more Nigerians to become millionaires.

    “The festival will be a great opportunity to celebrate and close the year in grand style. Airtel is calling on all Lagosians and Nigerians to be part of this great event. We also urge everyone to visit the Airtel stand at the venue as we will be showcasing our superior 3.75G Network,” he said.

    He also commended the efforts of the Lagos State government, adding that the initiative was consistent with Airtel’s ardent drive towards excellence.

    According to the organisers of the festival, the Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Lagos countdown is a viable platform for commerce, encouraging brand development, job creation, leisure, entertainment and tourism.

    The festival features music performances headlined by top music artistes, an enchanting cascade of lights, fireworks and pyrotechnics, all combining to transform the Bar Beach stretch on Victoria Island, Lagos, into a melting pot for culture and commerce.

    Last year, the festival drew an audience of over 60,000 revelers, thus becoming arguably Africa’s biggest New Year’s Eve party. Every year, the Lagos Countdown kicks off in December and runs till January 1.

    The Lagos State Countdown is an initiative of Governor Babatunde Fashola which started in 2012 with the aim of putting the state on global map, in the league of cities such as New York, Dubai, London, Sydney and other major destinations that celebrate the cross over into a New Year.

  • Tayo Ayeni plans 52nd birthday bash

    TAYO AYENI, one of the country’s most famous auto dealers, will clocks 50 in a few days time. And while his life has witnessed many memorable days, his 50th birthday promises to be a different ball game.

    It is once again that time of the year when Tayo Ayeni, the chief executive officer of Skymit Motors, reaches out to friends, neighbours and relations. It is not that he would be engaging in a humanitarian activity of any kind, even though he has a penchant for philanthropic activities. Instead, the Ilesha-born business mogul has started pulling the strings to make his forthcoming birthday an affair to remember.

    To those who are very conversant with the ways of the electrical engineer turned car dealer, he is someone who takes his time to prepare for whatever he sets his mind at. It therefore did not come as a surprise when words filtered in that the Ijesha socialite was already putting finishing touches to arrangements for the celebration of his birthday, which coincides with the Yuletide.

  • Poju Oyemade finally picks wedding date

    Poju Oyemade finally picks wedding date

    AFTER months of speculations, Poju Oyemade has finally picked a date for his long awaited wedding. Although it was initially planned to hold December, it has been postponed to February 7, 2015 because of the annual West Africa Faith Believer’s Convention coming up in January. When the news of the impending end to his bachelorhood filtered out in October, some hearts were broken as some female admirers have to look elsewhere for Mr. Right.

    Poju is the Senior Pastor of Covenant Christian Centre. The motivational speaker seldom reveals details about his personal life or the fact that he has been single and discreetly searching. Ironically, Poju heads the Singles’ Summit, which has transformed the lives of many, changing their perspectives to dating and securing long lasting relationships. It has helped a lot of bachelors and spinsters to find their soul mates after years of searching.

    His long years as a bachelor had baffled many as he has all it takes to have any kind of woman he desires. Years ago, there were unfounded rumours that the good looking preacher was about to tie the nuptial knot. The dynamic pastor strongly believes that being single is not a stigma but an opportunity to build an outstanding career and develop an enviable relationship with God. Therefore, he chose to bide his time in searching for his God-approved soul mate.

    Those who should know informed us that his upcoming wedding is going to be one of the best weddings of the year. The name of the lucky lady still remains hidden, but she is said to be an active member of his church.