The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Bayo Fatusin’s lifelines for the underprivileged

    Bayo Fatusin’s lifelines for the underprivileged

    BAYO FATUSIN might not readily ring a bell in the social circle, but even prominent socialites in the South-West know that the Ondo State-born businessman is a master in the art of philanthropy. For the chairman of Joseph & Abraham Company, giving back to the society has become a culture.

    The founder of Bayo Fatusin Foundation recently rolled out an empowerment programme in which millions of naira were doled out to hundreds of youths and women for small and medium scale businesses. The event, which held at the secretariat of the foundation in Ondo town, had Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko; his deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi; former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, among others, in attendance.

    Many of the beneficiaries were full of praises for Fatusin as they danced round the town singing about his good deeds.

  • Otedola’s burial UNITES Dangote, Otudeko

    Otedola’s burial UNITES Dangote, Otudeko

    IT would not come as a piece of news to many that Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, and one of Nigeria’s biggest industrialists, Oba Otudeko, were not in good terms for quite some time. The two had been at daggers drawn over a parcel of land. The dispute was said to be so serious that the two were not even on talking terms. But all that appeared to have changed last week when they met at the funeral of former governor of Lagos State, Sir Michael Otedola, in Odoragushin, Epe, Lagos.

    Sensing that they might once again spite each other at the occasion, friends of the two heavyweights wasted no time in urging them to exchange greetings as soon as they met. Femi Otedola himself was seen muttering some words to the two; a gesture that caused many of the onlookers at the event to burst into laughter.

    It will be recalled that there were media reports sometime ago claiming that Otudeko, the Chairman of Honeywell Group, had filed a suit against the Dangote Group and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), claiming $48 million as damages for breach of contract over a 10.8 square metre-land within the complex of the NPA, known as the 5th Apapa Wharf Extension.

    In the said suit, the NPA, the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Dangote Industries Ltd, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Greenview Development Nig. Ltd, were listed as first, second, third, fourth and fifth defendants respectively. In his statement of claim, Otudeko averred that by an agreement, NPA leased the land to him for five years for N2.2m yearly. He said the land was to be used for the setting up of a bulk food handling facility, adding that in keeping with the agreement, it paid the amount and additional N290,000 for survey.

    According to the plaintiff, the BPE suddenly suspended his pre-existing rights and granted the concession to Greenview Development Ltd, which belongs to Dangote.

  • Bimbo Daramola on the march to History

    Bimbo Daramola on the march to History

    THOSE who have had close interaction with the Director-General of Kayode Fayemi Campaign project, Bimbo Daramola, would always speak about his tenacity of purpose. The House of Representatives member who, unlike most of his counterparts, would not have himself introduced with the title of ‘Honourable’, has been one of the busiest politicians in the country lately.

    The reason for his busy schedule is not far-fetched. He has stated without any equivocation that he is handling his most challenging job ever at the moment, namely, ensuring that Dr. Fayemi wins the governorship election scheduled for June 21 and clinching a second term.

    The grassroots politician has been combing through the nooks and crannies of Ekiti State to mobilise the people to vote for Fayemi en masse. Endowed with a lot of energy and cerebral, his closeness to the grassroots was said to have formed the real basis for his appointment as Fayemi’s campaign manager.

    A lot of people wonder how he has been able to effectively combine his legislative duties with managing Fayemi’s governorship campaign without any visible sign of stress.

  • Nigeria’s rich and famous light up Otedola’s burial

    Nigeria’s rich and famous light up Otedola’s burial

    ALL roads led to Odoragushin Epe, Lagos State, last weekend as the remains of former Lagos State governor, Sir Michael Otedola, were committed to mother earth. With a stupendous display of wealth by his billionaire son, Femi Otedola, the event will go down as one of the most memorable in recent times, particularly with the calibre of people who came to pay their last respects.

    The Chairman of Forte Oil displayed so much class to ensure that his father’s last journey the talk of the town for a long time. The ambience of the hall that hosted guests was simply confounding. Every table was laden with exotic drinks. Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade, was on the bandstand to dish out melodious tunes to the listening and dancing pleasure of guests. Also on hand was hip-hop star, 9ice, who rendered some of his rich lyrics to the admiration of guests. Femi’s daughter, DJ Cuppy, also thrilled guests with her performance.

    The former governor was laid to rest at his compound in Ibowon, Epe, after a farewell mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ibuwon, Epe. President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo topped the list of dignitaries at the burial.

  • Friends celebrate Dokubo-Asari at 50

    Friends celebrate Dokubo-Asari at 50

    ALHAJI Mujahid Dokubo-Asari may have made enough enemies with his ethnic outbursts, but he is still admired by many, particularly from his roots in the Niger-Delta. That much was evident on Monday when the self-professed Niger-Delta freedom fighter hit the golden age of 50.

    A day earlier, family members and friends of the former Niger-Delta militant had thrown a small get together for him. Many of his former lieutenants were also there to ensure a befitting birthday soiree.

    One of the most conspicuous celebrations of Asari on his birthday came from Hon. Kingsley Kuku, the man in charge of the Federal Government Amnesty Programme for Niger-Delta militants. Kuku did not only place congratulatory adverts for Asari, his glowing tributes were an indication of how much influence the ex-militant wields in the South-South.

  • ‘Clark’s wife has enough political clout’

    ‘Clark’s wife has enough political clout’

    •RIGHT OF REPLY

    MARRIAGE can rob a woman of absolute love for her roots but not so for Dr. Bisola Sodipo-Clark.  The Abeokuta, Ogun State-born wife of elder statesman and former Federal Commissioner for Information, Chief Edwin Clark, has an enduring love for her home town and her trajectory of service as a public office holder is readily cited.

    Reacting to our story published penultimate week on her latest political moves, one of her aides, Mr Ibrahim Tony, dismissed speculations which suggested that she lacks political antecedents to aspire for elective positions. He said she has more than just her marriage to the South-South leader as selling point.

    “When has it become a crime for a woman from the South-West to be married to an elder statesman of the South-South origin? Does marriage make one to lose her roots and political rights in her own state of origin? Dr. Sodipo-Clark, a renowned medical doctor, founding member of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was a two-time commissioner of Health, Commerce & industry and Women Affairs in Ogun State, at different times, is a household name politically in Ogun State.

    “Her achievements are indelible. She is relevant and in touch with the people. She is eminently qualified as a descendant of an illustrious political family and someone who had paid her political dues in the state to stand with the people to achieve any noble goal,” her aide added.

  • Gbenga Ogunniya replies critics

    Gbenga Ogunniya replies critics

    WHEN, last week, we served you a report about Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and his seemingly deeming political profile, it was not unexpected that the politician of note during the late Dr. Segun Agagu administration in Ondo State would react to the story. Our suspicion was therefore confirmed hours after the story was published. The dark and handsome politician, who spent 12 years in the Senate, spoke to Celeb Watch on the phone in respect of the story.

    Ogunniya did not only disagree with the claim that he was no longer as visible as he used to be in the Ondo social and political firmaments, he said matter-of-factly that he was not only still very relevant in politics, he maintained a record which no other Yoruba politician had broken.

    He said: “To the glory of God, I have contributed my own quota to Ondo State politics. I am still the only Yoruba person that spent three terms in the Senate.”

    He also explained that he had to slow down because at close to 65, he was already advancing in age. “So, I need to slow down and allow younger politicians too,” he said.

    He also debunked his rumoured plan to jettison the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he achieved his senatorial ambition.

    “I’m still a PDP chieftain,” he said, adding that he was working with other top shots in the Ondo political space to bring back the glorious days of the PDP.

  • Tolu Oniru, Tunde Demurin still an item

    Tolu Oniru, Tunde Demurin still an item

    THE marriage of popular on-air personality, Tolu Oniru, with Captain Tunde Demurin has come under public focus lately. While the rumour mill is abuzz with speculations that their much celebrated relationship is on the brink of collapse, others say that close friends and associates of the couple are doing everything they can to salvage whatever is left of it.

    But contrary to the foregoing, Celeb Watch has gathered that the rumoured collapse of their marriage may not be true afterall. Findings by Celeb Watch indicate that the love birds hardly engage in arguments, let alone a quarrel that would cause them to go their separate ways. Captain Tunde, a co-owner of EME Records with Banky W, is reputed for his calm mien, while Tolu’s amiable personality is well known to the public.

    Although it took Tolu a while to admit dating Tunde on a television programme, the lovebirds are always together except for the periods that the demands of duty separate them. What is more, both of them are fond of exchanging gifts through the social media as many times as birthday, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, New Year and other social events present the opportunity.

    Tolu and Tunde are still very much in love. Indeed, plans are reportedly underway to consummate their relationship before the year runs out.

  • ‘Deolu Adeboye on different page with dad, siblings

    WHEN King Solomon wrote in the bible that you should train your child the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it, he was emphasising the need for parents to guide their kids in the right direction. This biblical injunction appears to be holding true for Deolu Adeboye, son of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E. A. Adeboye.

    While the senior Adeboye has not relented in his efforts to win souls into the kingdom of God, the junior Adeboye has continued to win more and more customers for his business. Deolu, the boss of Wisemen Apparel, a leading fashion outfit in Nigeria, has also become a major player in the real estate sector in London.

    He has been able to conquer many territories by opening more outlets in London and adjoining cities while his Nigerian businesses have also been expanding. While his father and siblings have adopted a Spartan lifestyle, Deolu makes no pretence about living life to the fullest. Unlike most of his siblings, Deolu is a lover of state-of-the-art-cars. He is also reputed as a power dresser.

  • What’s up with John Fashanu and Abigail Igwe

    What’s up with John Fashanu and Abigail Igwe

    THE silence from the camp of ex-footballer, John Fashanu, and his lover of almost five years, Abigail Igwe, has stirred up a lot of speculations. At the height of their affair, the lovebirds were always together, holding hands everywhere they went. But since the rumour of their planned wedding died down, both of them have been very quiet, fuelling speculations that the fire of their romance might have died out.

    Abigail, mother of former beauty queen and wife of Joseph Yobo, Adaeze Igwe, is reported to have been spending more time in Nigeria than UK where Fashanu is based.

    About 10 years ago, Fashanu parted ways with his wife of nine years, after the union had produced three kids. Fashanu and Melissa Kassa-Mapsi sold their plush £1 million home. Melissa, who stood by Fashanu during his trials over match-fixing allegations, had to move into a flat in a plain block with their two sons and one-year-old daughter.