The Nation Newspaper

Category: Happenstances

  • Patience Jonathan dumps association of friends

    Patience Jonathan dumps association of friends

    Success has many relatives, goes the saying. Even if one did not know this before now, the load of goodwill messages that have come the way of the Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, during her thanksgiving party last weekend, has lent credence to that assertion. It is therefore not surprising that many women in the corridors of powers are fervently courting her attention after abandoning her during her trying times.

    The First Lady, who recently opened up for the first time on the health crisis that almost claimed her life last year, admitted that she was in coma for more than one week. She also said she underwent surgery nine times in one month. Now she is back and better. This explains why she staged an elaborate thanksgiving party in Aso Villa last Sunday, in appreciation of God’s goodness.

    However, some of her friends, whom she said abandoned her on her sick bed, are now trying to worm themselves back into her heart, singing her praise to high heavens. Happenstances gathered that the First Lady has now separated her real friends from favour seekers and has also dumped the Association of Friends of the First Lady of Nigeria (FFLN).

    In a bid to be part of the group, not a few women in the social space, particularly the high society, are engaged in tireless hustle to be part of it. But at the moment, the First Lady has decided to severe her relationship with them.

  • Between Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida

    Between Toke Makinwa and Maje Ayida

    Popular Rhythm FM presenter, Toke Makinwa, and Maje Ayida, were once an item in the media. Their sizzling romance was like a nectar-butterfly relationship. They were always seen together in social circles. The emotional union between the lovebirds reached its crescendo when news of their wedding filtered into the public a few months ago. The media then waited for the announcement of the wedding date with bated breath, but it was not forthcoming.

    Then tongues began to wag. Toke later denied the story of any impending wedding, though she did not refute the existence of a relationship between them. But their silence over their marriage plans left much to be desired.

    Happenstances ran into Toke at Darey Art Alade’s show in Eko Hotel recently and she looked radiant and cheerful. Many of the celebrities at the event warmed up to her and exchanged heart-warming pleasantries. She was dressed to the nines. But the million-dollar question is: what is happening between Toke and Maje?

  • Mike Adenuga gears up for 60th birthday

    Mike Adenuga gears up for 60th birthday

    It is a season of celebration for the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Ishola Adenuga Jnr. The pillar of sports in Africa is visibly excited about her approaching 60th birthday. The business mogul will clock 60 on April 29.

    Although the nature of the celebration remains under wraps, those in the know are already gearing up to celebrate the man who changed the face of telecommunication business in Africa. The Apesin of Ijebuland has played a major role in the development of the Nigerian economy. Like a bull, he braves the odds of the difficult business environment in Africa with a strong blend of determination and tenacity of purpose.

    From an early age, he had always wanted to make a difference. And rather than take the well beaten path of mediocrity, he followed the narrow path of seriousness, dedication and diligence.

  • Eki Igbinedion on the rebound?

    One woman who is fast losing her place in the corridors of power and high octane social functions is the amiable former First Lady of Edo State, Eki Igbinedion. Even her pet project, Idia Renaissance, has gone into oblivion. The non-governmental organisation by which Eki sought to restore hope and dignity to humanity and promote the cultural values of the people of Edo State is now history.

    At inception, the project enjoyed widespread acceptance due to the twin scourge of prostitution and women trafficking that constituted major headaches to the ancient city of Benin. But in spite of the remarkable success that attended the initiative at inception, it has gone the way of many of its kind established by some other first ladies in the past.

    Since 2007 when Lucky igbinedion finished his two terms as governor with virtually nothing to show for it, Eki seemed to have also disappeared from the social radar. And so has her Idia Renaissance project, with all the money invested in it going down the drain. But those who are close to her told Happenstances that she is planning to revive the moribund project. How true? Well, time will tell.

  • Marriage not on the card for Omasan Buwa

    Omasan Buwa is having a rollicking time at the moment. The one time beauty queen is happy with her new lease of life. She has decided to shed her toga of shyness to wear the garb of courage and make the best of this season. Hardly would you see Omasan now without smiles on her face.

    Happenstances gathered that the former London-based BEN TV presenter came about this new mood when she secured an appointment as the Executive Assistant on the Physically Challenged to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State. According to an insider, her happiness has nothing to do with any pecuniary gains associated with political appointment. She is still single after divorcing her husband of 13 years.

    Rather, her cheery posture has to do with the fulfillment she is deriving from putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged who are the focus of her appointment and in whom she has found companionship. Omasan came into national consciousness after winning the second edition of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant in 1987. She later represented Nigeria at the Miss Universe, Miss World and Miss Intercontinental.

  • Hadiza Okoya comes of age

    Hadiza Okoya, the gorgeous 25-year-old lady who recently relocated to Nigerian from England, was honoured by his billionaire father penultimate Sunday. The Aare of Lagos welcomed his love child, who a Sierra-Leonean woman had for him in London 25 years ago, with a soiree held inside the banquet hall of his Oluwa ‘Ni ‘ Sola Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

    It was a two-in-one shindig as the welcome party coincided with Hadiza’s 25th birthday. Aare Okoya’s wife, Shade, was more like the chief hostess. Also at the event were Chief Demola Seriki and his wife, Wosilat, and other Okoya’s children. They included Tunde, Aina and Taofiq. There were many other guests in attendance and it was fun Hadiza’s step-mother ensured that every guest was treated to a nice time.

    Hadiza attended the University of Hertfordshire, London, England, where she studied Advertising and Media. She will be going for her national youth service programme any time soon. Those who should know told Happenstances that she has blossomed into a beauty reminiscent of her mother’s attractive looks.

  • Anxiety over Akeem Shodeinde’s health

    Anxiety over Akeem Shodeinde’s health

    For those who have been wondering about the whereabouts of Akeem Shodeinde, owner of Movada Night Club, one of the biggest night clubs in Nigeria located in Ikoyi, Lagos, Happenstances has gathered that he has been under the weather in the past few months. One of his close friends told Happenstances that the night club owner had been battling with a certain ailment in the last few years.

    He was said to have travelled to India for treatment last year and actually seemed to have recovered only for the sickness to relapse a few months ago. An inside source said: “Akeem is very ill and has been advised by his doctors to stay off alcohol and smoking.” At the moment, his health is said to have deteriorated and he has lost weight. He is also said to be undergoing treatment at one of the private hospitals on Victoria Island, Lagos.

    He no longer appears and has left the club business for his brother to run. The story of his illness provides an explanation for his sudden and continued disappearance from the social scene.

  • Kema Chikwe set to become grandmother

    Kema Chikwe set to become grandmother

    She has sown the seeds and her time to reap is here. Any moment from now, there will be the cry of a new baby to signal the arrival of former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Kema Chikwe, into the world of grandmothers.

    Nicole, wife of her musician son, Naeto C, is heavily pregnant. And with the way she paraded her protruding tummy last Saturday when computer guru, Leo Stan Ekeh, gave her daughters hand out to Tolu Ijogun in an elaborate wedding ceremony, it was evident that she might be delivered of a baby at any time.

    Nicole and her husband were the cynosure of all eyes at Ekeh’s daughter’s wedding at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos last Saturday. All things being equal, the couple will contribute their quota to the nation’s population any time from now and Chikwe will proudly become a grandmother.

  • Sherif Shagaya’s new vocation

    Sherif Shagaya’s new vocation

    The number of silver-spoon aspirants in line for the 2015 general elections is growing by the day. The news currently making the rounds in the socio-political milieu is that Sherif, son of billionaire businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya, is about to register his presence in the nation’s political landscape. Rumour is rife about Sherif’s plans to contest for a seat in the lower chamber of the National Assembly come 2015.

    Already, he is said to be mobilising support for his ambition, and he is reportedly being encouraged by some political forces in his home state in Kwara as well as in Abuja as their candidate for the election. Many political observers believe his background as son of a very rich and influential mother will be a plus for his aspiration. Sherif is also a son-in-law to Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, the national chairman of the PDP. He got married to Tukur’s daughter in an elaborate ceremony a few years ago.

    Happenstances gathered that Sherif has been making secret moves and wide consultations with people that matter in his constituency and state. We gathered that the arrival of Sherif Shagaya on the political scene is causing jitters in the camp of the incumbent House of Reps member, Hon. Moshood Mustapha, who is nursing a second-term ambition.

  • Leo Stan-Ekeh becomes father-in-law

    Leo Stan-Ekeh becomes father-in-law

    Popular IT guru and chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan-Ekeh, was all smiles last Sunday when the high and mighty in the nation’s socio-economic hub gathered to honour his daughter, Gozy, and her husband, Tolu Ijogun, in a traditional wedding ceremony. Stan-Ekeh had every cause to wear a cheerful look on the day because it marked his advent into the world of fathers-in-law. It was the first time the man would give the hands of any of his daughters out in marriage.

    The traditional ceremony took place in Ubomiri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area, Imo State, where Stan-Ekeh recently built a Catholic church for his community. The white wedding, it was gathered, will take place in Lagos today with a reception following at the prestigious Eko Hotel, Lagos.

    Leo seeks to usher his daughter into marital bliss in the grandest way as he has planned for her the wedding of a lifetime.