The Nation Newspaper

Category: Happenstances

  • The other side of Peter Obi

    The other side of Peter Obi

    If  there is one governor in Nigeria who can be described as very humble, it will be Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State. When he assumed power as governor some years ago, not a few people thought that power would soon go to his head. But many years after, Governor Obi remains his humble self.

    Celeb Watch ran into him aboard Virgin Atlantic aircraft on his way to London penultimate Wednesday as he left the first class cabin of the aircraft to say hello to one of his old friends at the economy section. Obi, who sported a pink striped shirt, chatted with his dark and slim friend for close to one hour.

    He was also generous with greetings and good words to the few people who recognised him, without any air of arrogance.

  • Wedding rumour trails Jennifer Obayuwana

    Wedding rumour trails Jennifer Obayuwana

    Those who have been to Po Store, a one-stop shop for expensive wrist watches in Lagos, are usually full of praises for the beautiful executive director of the company, Jennifer Obayuwana. Jennifer is the daughter of the store’s owner, John Obayuwana. The commendations are in respect of the zeal with which she runs her father’s company. Courteous and pleasant, she lavishes kind words on everyone that visits the shop.

    The general thinking is that a beautiful, young lady who is so hard working deserves nothing but the best of suitors. But a life partner is still eluding the winsome lady who had been linked with some young men in the past.

    While she is not known to jump from one man to another, Jennifer has had her share of broken relationships. At the moment, however, the Lagos social space is buzzing with the rumour that marriage is in the offing for the mother of one.

  • Gbemi Saraki goes quiet as she turns 48

    Gbemi Saraki goes quiet as she turns 48

    Senator Gbemi Saraki, daughter of Dr. Olusola Saraki, the late strong man of Kwara politics, turned 48 last Friday. But somehow, she has not been visible in recent times. The last time the former senator representing Kwara Central was sighted publicly was when she lost her father some time last year.

    Many had expected that she would seize the opportunity of her father’s burial to re-launch herself into public consciousness and once again highlight her governorship aspiration, especially after she had sheathed swords with her elder brother. But weeks have rolled into months and the colourful lady remains off the socio-political radar.

    Those who should know told Celeb Watch that a federal appointment was in the offing for the University of Sussex, United Kingdom graduate of Economics.

  • Kola Ayanwale bounces back

    Whenever the story of leading advertising companies which have worked with top companies in Nigeria and carved a niche for themselves is told, Centerspread, an advertising agency owned by Kola Ayanwale, will enjoy a mention. Without an iota of doubt, Ayanwale etched his name in gold in the advertising sector as an active player for decades.

    In the last few years, his company has handled the accounts of many leading banks. One of the biggest accounts it handled was that of Skye Bank. While his childhood friend, Akinsola Akinfenwa, remained the managing director of the bank, Centerspread handled all the bank’s campaigns. He was so close to Akinfenwa that he only needed to ask and it would be given.

    But after a CBN policy sent Akinsola on compulsory retirement, Kehinde Durosimi-Etti took over and immediately terminated Centerspread’s contract with the bank. The move made by the new Skye Bank MD was said to have caused some financial setback for Ayanwale and his company. Consequently, he went on low profile.

    But Celeb Watch gathered that the dark and handsome man has bounced back with his friend now the chairman of the new Heritage Bank. Kola Ayawanle’s Centerspread Advertising Agency is now said to be in charge of Heritage Bank’s accounts. Things, certainly, are looking up for Ayanwale again.

  • Patience Jonathan dumps FFLN

    Patience Jonathan dumps FFLN

    Nigeria’ s First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, must be enjoying a new lease of life since she returned to the country after series of surgical operations abroad. The woman who once liked to be measured by the number of high networth individuals she had around her appears to have made a volte-face, preferring to stay all by herself and without some fussy groups of friends.

    And she makes no pretence about her preference for the company of her husband to friends that would only gossip and take undue advantage of her office. Her decision to shed many of her friends’ companionship might not be unconnected with her perception that many of them were behind some ugly stories that made the rounds about her ill-health.

    A group known as Friends of the First Lady of Nigeria (FFLN) had been formed few months after her husband became the President. Made up mainly of self-acclaimed society women, the association’s objective was believed to be nothing more than ‘reaping’ bountifully from Jonathan’s presidency. The same women had formed an impregnable ring around Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, wife of the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, but shifted their allegiance to Dame Patience Jonathan after Yar’Adua’s death.

  • Remi Adikwu- Bakare resurfaces

    Remi Adikwu- Bakare resurfaces

    In the Lagos socio-political space, Chief (Mrs) Remi Adikwu-Bakare is a name that readily rings a bell. Perhaps the last time the public heard about Remi, the beautiful wife of Chief Stephen Bakare of the Oluwalogbon fame, was her botched attempt to become the governor of Lagos State. But the dogged governorship aspirant seems to have surfaced again after giving social outings a wide berth.

    Celeb watch gathered that her son, Micheal Osondu Olabode Adiukwu, will be tying the nuptial knot in the next few weeks with his heartthrob of many years. Micheal is her last born and we learnt she is pulling all the strings to give him a grand wedding in Anambra State and London. The first leg of the wedding holds in Anambra State on May 18.

    The latest groom in town will have his traditional marriage with Princess Angel Amaka Nwokedi, the beautiful daughter of the late Akuwate Fidelis Nwokedi from Amukabia, Achalla, Anambra State. The groom is the son of the late Otunba Major Remigius Onyeanaucheya Adiukwu from Eziudo, Ezinihitte, Mbaise, Imo State. The traditional marriage of the lovebirds will hold at Uthoko Na Eze palace, Amukabia Achalle, Anka North, Anambra State.

    Stylish Remi Adiukwu-Bakare is already exhalling whoops of joy because it is the first time a son of hers would be tying the nuptial knot.

  • Dimeji Bankole’s latest moves

    Dimeji Bankole’s latest moves

    Just when he appears to have disappeared from the minds of many, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, is staging a comeback. Those who should know say Bankole is quietly putting structures in place to re-launch himself into political reckoning.

    Insiders claim he is still very close to many members of the House of Representatives. That, according to an inside source, is why he is staying put in Abuja where things are happening. Bankole is widely believed to have fallen out with the presidency and others on account of his differences with President Goodluck Jonathan.

  • Rita Amene lies low

    The whereabouts of Rita Amene, the erstwhile lover of Benny Obaze, the owner of Bevista and Rivista, a fashion outlet that stocks wears and accessories for socialites, celebrities and fashion connoisseurs, is the question on many lips at the moment.

    A couple of years ago, the duo were an inseparable pair. At a time, it was speculated that they were planning a superlative wedding. Many looked forward to the wedding but it never materialised. The love-filled bubble, however, burst and the two went their separate ways. Their supposedly altar-bound romance fizzled into the air like smoke. Rita inevitably went off the social radar and Benny moved on to marry a Port Harcourt-based big girl.

    Rita, a successful banker, is still hugging her cloak of anonymity long after the break-up and everyone keeps wondering where she is.

  • Abike Dabiri-Erewa gets credit

    The Black and White cum Elegance and Style Awards have come and gone, but those who were part of the soiree have not stopped talking about it. The ball, which also featured an award ceremony at Ruby Gardens, Lekki, Lagos penultimate Sunday, also recognised outstanding fashion enthusiasts. The tube girl turned House of Representatives member, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was one of those recognised. She was voted the most stylish lawmaker.

    Dabiri, a journalist with the Nigerian Television Authority before embracing politics, was nominated alongside some other female House Representatives members. Still basking in the euphoria of the award, Dabiri-Erewa had another feather added to her cap recently when a street in Ikorodu part of Lagos was named after her on account of her contributions in the House of Representatives.

  • Florence Ita-Giwa celebrates 67

    Florence Ita-Giwa celebrates 67

    It was another opportunity for the high and mighty to gather as Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, former Special Adviser to President Umaru Yar’Adua on National Assembly Matters, celebrated her 67th birthday on Tuesday.

    At the birthday bash held inside Sky Restaurant at Eko Hotel and Suites, Mrs Abba Folawiyo, Tuface and Annie Idibia, Iyanya, Patrick Doyle, Oge Okoye and over 100 other celebrities were on hand to grace the occasion.

    At 67, Ita-Giwa is blessed with a lovely skin, glowing smiles and kind words. Younger ladies aspire to look as pleasant as she is at 67. She also remains fashionable and is a role model with a multitude of followers. She is the founder of Children of Bakassi Foundation, which caters for hundreds of displaced Bakassi children.