The Nation Newspaper

Category: Happenstances

  • Pastor Odukoya’s daughter in marital bliss

    A wedding ceremony that boasts A -list guests, sumptuous local and international meals, choice drinks and impressive gifts for new couple is nothing but a huge success. So it was for Tolu, the amiable daughter of Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, the Senior Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos and her heartthrob, Olumide Ijogun. The two exchanged marital vows at the church last Saturday.

    The reception, which held at the upscale events place, Haven, drew a perfect blend of guests ranging from clergymen and technocrats to industrialists and young professionals who see the bride’s father as a role model. The couple’s love story spans close to 10 years. They were high school lovers and were very close all through. Olumide later studied a computer-related course while Toluwani did business-related courses in the United States of America and Nigeria. Both are currently doing well in their respective fields. Olumide works at Honeywell Group, a company owned by popular industrialist, Oba Otudeko. Toluwani is the brand manager for Lucozade Sport.

  • Uju Muphy savours single’s life

    Leggy beauty and top socialite, Uju Murphy, is having a ball. She is savouring her ‘freedom’ from matrimonial entanglement. The social lioness seems to be not in a hurry to settle her differences with her estranged husband who has also been living without a woman since they parted ways.

    There is every reason to believe that Uju is not really complaining about her single status. She is seen always looking relaxed and at peace with herself. She is no doubt living life to the fullest, apparently with no feeling of nostalgia about her days with her hubby. The fruitful and once smooth union turned sour when darts were thrown at their balloon of love.

    Many had thought their misunderstanding was only a storm in a tea cup. But their separation has rolled from days into weeks, months and years. Close associates of Uju, a mother of two, say she is not in a hurry to go back to her estranged husband. She is also said not to be considering any relationship for now

  • Sumbo Famuyibo set for mum’s rite of passage

    Erelu Sumbo Famuyibo, the wife of Otunba Reuben Famuyibo, who celebrated her 50th birthday in Ibadan, Oyo State a few months ago, is bereaved. Penultimate Wednesday, she lost her loving mother, Mrs Marian Adesulure. The deceased reportedly died in her sleep.

    She was reputed as a successful textile dealer at Gbagi Market in Ibadan until she passed on. Before her death, she had maintained a strong relationship with Erelu Sumbo Famuyibo. “Mama and Sumbo were very close. I don’t think anyone in this world can fill the vacuum Mama left behind,” said a family source.

    Already, arrangements are being made for the burial which will take place on December 20 and 21 in Ondo town. According to those who should know, Erelu Sumbo Famuyibo’s husband, Otunba Famuyibo, will be pulling all the stops to give her mother-in-law a befitting rite of passage. Otunba Famuyibo is the owner of defunct Frontage Satelite Television (FSTV).

    It will be recalled that the Ekiti State-born businessman had entered Nigeria’s private satellite television sector with much aplomb. He went everywhere pontificating on how he had travelled abroad to import the world’s best equipment to force his competitors out of business within the shortest time possible. Accordingly, many cable-hungry Nigerians trooped to town and got FSTV dishes in anticipation of better service and cheaper rates that would force down subscription charges imposed by other operators.

    His company had hardly commenced operation when he ran back to town regaling his customers with tales of how his major rival, DSTV, had resorted to tactics that could muscle him out of business. Today, FSTV exists without a visible operational base while other cable companies that came after it are still in business.

  • FATGBEMS oil’s boss goes home

    Death is the ultimate fate of every mortal. Yet, each time it occurs, the shock is almost too much to bear.

    A few days ago, Alhaji Fatai Olamilekan Akanmu Gbemisola, popularly known as FATGBEMS, gave up the ghost after a protracted battle with cancer. The oil and gas magnate had been full of life and was a true philanthropist.

    His conglomerate had steadily risen since its inception in 1986. It is made up of companies like Fatgbems Petroleums, Fatgbems Tyres, Fatgbems Gas and Sandop Oil. He also had interest in Dhastor International Limited where he was the chairman. He was until his death a high chief in Egbaland.

    The man of means gave up the ghost in the early hours of Friday October 12, 2012 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.

    Happenstances gathered that the Egba high chief had undergone two successful surgeries in London before returning to Nigeria for his daughter’s wedding. He continued chemotherapy here in Nigeria and only relapsed after a trip to Texas, USA.

    He has since been buried according to Muslim rites but family and friends are still mourning his demise.

  • When bigwigs gathered for Alex Ekwueme

    When bigwigs gathered for Alex Ekwueme

    Some Nigerians are too important to be easily forgotten. One of them is Second Republic Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme. It is only fitting that such a selfless statesman and one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria is celebrated whenever the opportunity arises.

    That exactly was what happened on Tuesday when the elder statesman clocked 80. Grey haired with sagely wisdom, Ekwueme remains one of the patriots the nation should be proud of. To this end, the central organizing committee of his 80th birthday, comprising eminent persons like the PDP Chairman, Alh. Bamanga Tukur; Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan,; Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi; Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN); Ambassador Maitama Sule; Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; Thisday publisher, Prince Nduka Obiagbena; Mrs. Chidi Ekwueme Onyemelukwe, Pastor GoodHeart Obi Ekwueme and Former CBN governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo organised a colloquium with the theme: Nigerian Federalism: Building on the Ekwueme Legacy.

    The event took place at Thisday Dome, Abuja on Tuesday, and it was a roll call of who is who in the Nigerian social, political and economic space. Former heads of state, Senate presidents, speakers of House of Reps, governors and politicians were in attendance.

  • Phillip Oduoza, wife celebrate Tony Elumelu

    Phillip Oduoza, wife celebrate Tony Elumelu

    The Group Managing Director of UBA, Phillip Oduoza and his wife, Jumai, recently organised a reception in honour of Mr. Tony Elumelu, following the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) conferred on him by the Federal Government recently.

    It will be recalled that torrents of congratulatory messages have poured in since Elumelu was conferred with the award. And as would be expected, the reception was a well attended event. It attracted the movers and shakers of the Nigerian business, political, media, entertainment and social sectors. Among them were Oscar Onyema; Aliko Dangote; Wilie and Nkiru Anumundu; Dele Momodu; Niyi Adebanjo; Alex Otti and wife; Albert Okumagba; Rita Dominic; Kanayo O. Kanayo; John Momoh; Jite Okoloko; Chief I. C Ogbue; Chief Kola Jamodu; Frank Aigbogun; Funke Opeke; Emeka Izeze; Leo Stan Ekeh and Pastor Tony Rapu and his wife, among others.

    The Oduozas were the perfect hosts, moving from group to group and ensuring that everyone had the best of time. Guests were treated to the choice wines and sumptuous meals. The special guest of honour, Elumelu, and his wife, Awele, were all smiles as they mingled freely with guests.

  • Happy times for Maryam Abacha

    Happy times for Maryam Abacha

    Since the untimely death of their breadwinner, it had been one unpalatable story or the other for the late Gen. Sani Abacha family. The family was on tenterhooks as the Federal Government made frantic efforts to retrieve the loot of its late patriach. The attendant arraignment of his son, Mohammed, and the face-off between former Jigawa State governor, Saminu Turaki and Maryam Abacha over the latter’s refusal to allow her daughter, Rekia, to get married to the former, were among the family’s many headaches.

    In fact, the sad tales appeared endless until recently when things started looking up for the family. A few days ago, one of the sons of the former head of state, Sadiq, got married to his heartthrob of many years, Huda Fadoul Khaloud, in Abuja. It seems that mother luck is back in good terms with the Abacha family.

  • Paul Adefarasin completes Rock Cathedral

    Paul Adefarasin completes Rock Cathedral

    For members of Pastor Paul Adefarasin-led House on the Rock Church, songs of joy and thanksgiving have become the order. Their church building, Rock Cathedral, which gulped about N3.1 billion, has finally been completed and it looks majestic.

    Happenstances gathered that the multi-billion naira edifice, which sits on 32, 000 square metres, can sit at least 14, 000 worshipers in the church auditorium and another 10,000 within the church premises. The Rock Cathedral, also known as Millennium Temple, is situated along the Lekki Epe Express way, close to Liberty Hall.

    Previously, House on the Rock Members used the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel for their services.

  • Caroline Danjuma’s new role

    Caroline Danjuma recently proved that she is a lady with a large heart with the major role she played when one of her husband’s daughters, Mary, got married in Lagos. She proudly acted as the biological mother of the bride. Those who attended the event recalled that many of the guests were pleasantly surprised when Caroline stood in line as the mother of the bride.

    At the event, everyone deferred to the beautiful Akwa-Ibom-born actress as she performed the role perfectly at the Civic Centre, Lagos, even though she is only a couple of years older than her step-daughter bride.

    Caroline, who is now very quiet on the social scene, was overheard joking with one of the guests at the event that she is now a full time housewife as a result of an unfortunate incident that rocked her marriage to its foundation.

    In the wake of the crisis, Musa her husband has been lavishing her with exotic gifts; an indication of his unflinching love for Caroline.

  • Dimeji Bankole restructures

    Dimeji Bankole restructures

    Just when he appeared to have disappeared from the minds of many, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, who took a sabbatical from the political and social scenes after he left power, is staging a comeback.

    Those who should know say Bankole is quietly putting structures in place to re-launch himself into political reckoning. They say he is still very close to the powers that be, especially in the House of Representatives.

    According to an inside source, he is now a regular face in Abeokuta, Ogun State as he nurses a tall ambition for 2015.