The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Mo Abudu celebrates 50 in style

    Mo Abudu celebrates 50 in style

    The Grand Ball Room of Oriental Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, witnessed an exceptional gathering of personalities, who joined popular TV entrepreneur, Mo Abudu to celebrate her 50 birthday.

    The presence of these men and women of class gave credence to the popularity of Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV, a station touted as Africa’s first global black entertainment and lifestyle network.

    Some of the guests at the event are, governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, his wife Obioma Imoke and his predecessor, Mr. Donald Duke.

    Others are, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State, Chief Dele Momodu, Hon. Abike Dabiri, Genevieve Nnaji, Tiwa Savage, Funke Akindele, Basketmouth, Tonye Cole, Mai Atafo, Julius Agwu, Iyanya, Adesuwa Onyenokwe, Joseph Benjamin, Uti Nwachukwu, Bode Pedro, Uche Pedro, Niyola, Ebuka Obi Uchendu, Pastor Ituah and Olisa Adibua.

    Celebrated as a success story of African women in general, Abudu used the occasion to further inspire her folks, whom she said have got more to offer the society in their personal lives and businesses.

    Tagged “Mo@ 50…Celebrating Sisterhood”, Abudu, through the black tie event , gave awards to 10 categories of people she described as unsung heroes for their quiet but extraordinary and exemplary achievements.

    The event also witnessed resounding performances from music artistes such as Tiwa Savage, Chidinma, Seyi Shay, Yinka Davies, Ara, Waje and Ghanaian singer, Efya among others.

    No doubt, Abudu has created impact with her channel, which occupies the popular Tinapa Studios in Calabar, airing on DSTV Channel 165, as well as in the UK on the TalkTalk platform. The channel is known for providing premium home-grown programmes to its viewership.

    Abudu, for her outstanding work in the media and service to humanity, has been honoured with many laurels, including Forbes Media’s recognition as the first African woman to launch a Pan-African TV channel.

  • Biyi Samuel releases new album, Finally

    Biyi Samuel releases new album, Finally

    Gospel singer, Biyi Samuel, is set to release a 10-track album titled Finally under Adedotun Ajala’s Moyinnet Entertainment Company.

    The artiste, who described it as a long-awaited album since he gained fame with Igi Aruwe over a decade ago, said:  ”It may take a while for God to bless a man or bring breakthrough his way. But that doesn’t imply that God can’t turn around a man’s captivity. This is the story of Biyi Samuel because God has turned around my captivity, after many years. After many years of challenges and doubts, I am now releasing an album that carries a God’s seal.”

    He said the title was a child of necessity, adding that “God has finally smiled on me and lifted me beyond doubts. By his grace, I want to take my music to the international stage. My dream is that if God permits me, I want to do a duet with R. Kelly someday. Lucky Dube is another great artiste I would have loved to collaborate with, if he was alive.”

    Recalling his journey into music, Samuel, who started out as a chorister in his church, said: “I was inspired by my mum who was also in the adult choir. Music is a calling for me. Even if I had studied medicine, my dream profession, I would have still returned to music.”

    Biyi Samuel is a graduate of International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

  • BBA: Organisers find new venue

    BBA: Organisers find new venue

    •Announce new launch date

    Barely two weeks after a fire outbreak was recorded at the venue of the Big Brother Africa reality TV show, the organisers of the show, M-Net and Endemol, have confirmed that this year’s edition tagged Big Brother Hotshots will officially be launched on Sunday, October 5, having found a new house in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    The search, according to the M-Net’s management, was concluded after exploring all possible options, both locally and internationally, for a suitable venue to produce the ninth season of the Africa’s biggest reality show.

    It will be recalled that on Tuesday, September 2, the Big Brother house was razed by fire, thereby causing M-Net and Endemol SA to postpone its launch, which had earlier been scheduled for Sunday, September 7.

  • Ovia set to complete Civic Towers

    Ovia set to complete Civic Towers

    Jim Ovia has continued to stamp his entrepreneurial footprints beyond the confines of the banking industry where he first came into the limelight. By the time the current calendar year runs out, the billionaire businessman and Chairman of Zenith International Bank Plc would have completed his architectural wonder on Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Named the Civic Centre Commercial Towers, the magnificent building is already close to completion. And if feelers from the construction giants handling the project are anything to go by, the building, which may redefine hospitality business in Nigeria, may open for business by Christmas. The multi-billion naira edifice is one of the most massive building projects that G. Cappa has embarked on in many years.

    The imposing structure was initially promoted as a joint venture between Jim Ovia’s Quantum Luxury Properties and Marriot Hotel Group. Sited on a land size of 4158.477 square metres, the 13-storey building is a commercial development structure strategically located at a water front and near iconic structures like Oriental Hotels and Mobil House. It is also close to a helipad and a jetty.

  • Bashy Kuti ups the ante

    The Good Book says, “Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings.” Not only has Bashy Kuti, the owner of popular fashion house BKK Ultimom, located in Ibadan, Oyo State, sat before men and women of honour, clout and means within and outside the shores of Nigeria, he has evolved into a brand with whom the high and the mighty love to associate.

    His trade and expertise have continued to make way for him where others struggle to find a path. In a matter of months, the Abuja branch of BKK Ultimon will be officially opened in a bid for him to get closer to his ever growing clients, especially in the National Assembly where his labels and services enjoy a lot of patronage.

    Bashy, who celebrated his 50th birthday a few months ago, is one of those that brought revolutionary changes into the fashion world, and he is not showing signs of slowing down in the highly competitive and dynamic sector.

  • Amazons battle for Margaret Okadigbo’s seat

    Amazons battle for Margaret Okadigbo’s seat

    Anambra is reputed as a state that parades top socialites who are blessed with beauty and brawn. And 2015 promises to witness a battle between three of its rich and influential amazons for the sole senatorial slot of Anambra North. The seat is presently occupied by Senator Margaret Chuba-Okadigbo, wife of the late former Senate President, Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

    The journey to the Senate had been a long one for Margaret who went through tortuous legal battles to secure a Supreme Court verdict that pronounced her the winner of the election in 2012. As 2015 draws near, two female gladiators, Princess Stella Oduah and Senator Joy Emordi, have not only signified their intention to oust Chuba Okadigbo’s widow, they are already investing heavily in the political project.

    But Maragaret Okadigbo is also not resting on her oars as she looks forward to clinching a second-term ticket. The contest promises to be fierce in that all of them will be slugging it out on the same political platformthe Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Senator Joy Emordi, who was fondly called ‘Joy of the Senate’ by her senator colleagues, had her second tenure truncated in 2010 by Senator Alphonsus Igbeke, courtesy of a court verdict, while Stella Oduah had her controversy-ridden tenure as Minister of Aviation abbreviated by a scandal that culminated in her removal in February this year.

  • Bola Dare strikes gold

    Whenever a discussion is centred on Nigerian women who make things happen at the topmost level of the Nigerian society, Yeye Bola Dare’s name is certain to feature. Yeye Dare, whose skills in grassroots mobilisation have endeared her to the powers that be, is currently one of the few women with unfettered access to the presidential villa in Abuja.

    That she is riding the tide of good times is evident in many of her recent acquisitions, the latest of which is a gigantic building at AIT Junction in Asokoro, Abuja. The house is an architectural masterpiece by any definition. It has been a breath of fresh air for the Osun State-born woman who almost went out of circulation after the demise of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. She was the ‘woman-Friday’ of the former First Lady, Turai Yar’Adua.

    The opportunity to worm her way back into the Presidency did not take long to come as she keyed into the aspirations of the Jonathan family and earned a close relationship with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan. It has been a jolly association ever since with the perks and perquisites that come with such privileged friendship.

    She is the Director of Strategy and Logistics of the Goodluck Support Group (GSG). Yeye Bola Dare is not just a successful businesswoman but a free-giving philanthropist who founded Mother Theresa Children’s Home in Abuja.

  • Mohammed Babangida keeps them guessing

    Muhammed Babangida is not a man of many words. In fact, most reports about him have been based more on what he did than what he said. It is within the foregoing prism that one can situate the ongoing speculations about his plan for 2015.

    Talks about his rumoured ambition for the number one seat in Niger State have been circulating in the media for some time. Some have even mentioned a former senator as his deputy. In spite of all the talks, Mohammed, the heir apparent to former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, has maintained a silence that has continued to confound many in the politics of Niger State.

    Although there was a report a few months ago to the effect that the energetic polo player did not plan to contest the governorship election, the polity has rested from the rumour. IBB’s eldest son, known for his disarming humility, has simply kept himself busy with running his businesses and travelling to different parts of the world to strike lucrative deals.

    Muhammad Babangida currently serves as special advisor to Santa Isabel Petroleum Company, which is a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Company. He is responsible for negotiating and coordinating with appropriate governmental agencies on behalf of Santa Isabel in Equatorial Guinea where Santa Isabel operates.

    However, political watchers say his silence should not be taken for lack of interest.

  • Jide Adenuga not in a hurry

    When the news filtered out that Jide Adenuga, the first son of Globacom boss, Mike Adenuga, was ready to bid farewell to bachelorhood, Celeb Watch took time out to verify its veracity. The outcome of is that if the Adenugas were planning anything at all, it was how to corner the lion’s share of Africa’s telecommunication market and other sectors in which the second richest man in Nigeria has interests.

    According to those who should know, Jide is not in a hurry to settle down, though he has a lady in his life, whose identity he has kept to his chest. Jide has been more involved in wine business than he has been emotionally attached to any relationship. What appears to be important to him for now is how to grow his wine business from its leading position in Nigeria to a continental giant. He is said to be as aggressive in business as his father.

    He has been the most independent-minded of Adenuga’s children in that he has chosen to create a path for himself away from the shadow of his father and his chain of businesses, many of which are managed by Jide’s siblings.

  • Toyin Saraki’s unforgettable birthday bash

    He build-up to the 50th birthday ceremony of Kwara State’s former First Lady, Toyin Saraki, was full of promises, and the event itself lived up to them. Call it the‎ best of all shindigs if you wish.

    The Former Kwara First Lady was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as her family and friends rallied round to make her 50th birthday an unforgettable experience. Even the busiest of Nigeria’s billionaires took time out to show their love and solidarity to the woman who is fast becoming the face of humanitarian service.

    The ever busy President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was at the event in company with his buddy billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola.

    Being Dr. Bukola Saraki’s wife also made a telling impact as first class politicians and occupants of top public offices were present. Notable among them were the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, and the Kwara State Governor, Ahmed AbdulFatah, who played the perfect host.

    Toyin had no choice but to acquiesce as her family members and friends broke her tradition of low profile celebrations and treated her to a memorable birthday shindig. One of the high moments of the event was the passionate kiss which Bukola and Toyin exchanged to highlight an undying love that has lasted decades.