The Nation Newspaper

Category: Happenstances

  • Bola Shagaya chances on good times

    Bola Shagaya chances on good times

    President Goodluck Jonathan’s nomination of Hajia Bola Shagaya for the forthcoming national conference would not come as a surprise to many. The popular socialite has sustained the closeness she has always maintained with successive governments since the days of General Ibrahim Babangida.

    The Bola Shagaya brand has succeeded in proving the point that a brand can remain relevant for as long as it recreates itself in tune with the spirits of the times. Bola Shagaya has not for once vied for an elective position, but her influence in every government in the history of contemporary Nigeria cannot be over-emphasised.

    The Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) is one of the two nominees in the category of Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ), alongside Ifeoma Idigbe. Since the news of her nomination was made public, his homes and offices have been receiving hordes of visitors on congratulatory missions. An inside source also said that various women groups have inundated her office with memoranda.

  • Tonye Princewill’s dilemma

    Tonye Princewill’s dilemma

    One man whose political ambition in 2015 may have come under severe threat is Rivers State-born self-styled ‘Digital Politician’, Tonye Princewill. Several months ago, the candidacy of the Kalabari prince, who wants to be the governor of oil-rich Rivers State, was a strong contender for the PDP ticket.

    But things don’t appear to be looking rosy for the politician at the moment. The crisis that has pitted President Goodluck Jonathan against Governor Rotimi Amaechi in the state appears to have changed the political equation. Amaechi has left the PDP, the platform through which he actualised his governorship ambition, for the APC. Tonye, on the other hand, remains in PDP and insists that he would not leave the party for any other; even when his benefactor and mentor, Atiku Abubakar, defected, he said on his social media pages that he would remain in PDP.

    Again, indications in Rivers State at the moment are that the PDP may not looking in his direction for its flag bearer. Besides the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, there are other aspirants on the party’s platform in the state who seem to be pulling their weights more than Princewill. However, while he pledges unflinching loyalty to the PDP, he is reported to have been a major financier of the recently registered Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM). Many believe he is positioning PDM as an alternative platform should the PDP look elsewhere for its flag bearer.

  • The gospel according to Roli Uduaghan

    The gospel according to Roli Uduaghan

    Nigerians have seen different types of first ladies and their idiosyncrasies since the late Maryam Babangida redefined the office and garnished it with glamour. Apart from the first ladies at the federal level, their ‘lesser’ counterparts in the states have also utilised the office to embark on pet projects meant to reach out to women and children.

    In Delta State where Mrs. Roli Uduaghan holds sway as the matriarch of the first family, the gospel of salvation takes the centre stage in her pastime. It is no longer news that the Delta State First Lady is a born again Christian. The latest gist about the dark and lovely woman, who used to run one of the best restaurants in Delta State, is that if you visit her for a favour, she would add one more, namely Christian bulletins and tracks.

    While she is said to be careful enough not to turn official meetings into crusades, she nonetheless ensures that none of her guests leaves without some Christian tracks. The humble first lady, now in her 50s, has already built a church, The Great Commission Assembly, which can seat thousands of worshippers at a time. Situated off Okpa Anam Road directly opposite the newly constructed Asaba General Hospital, the church is said to be gaining a lot of members in Asaba.

    What is more, dependable sources says that she may take over the pastoral duties of the church as soon as she and her husband bow out of office in 2015.

  • Bigwigs honour Subomi Balogun at 80

    Bigwigs honour Subomi Balogun at 80

    They had hardly been seen anywhere in Nigeria before last Sundaythe grandeur, theatrics, class, taste and excellence that defined the birthday celebration of Otunba Subomi Balogun. Society bigwigs and political eggheads came from all walks of life to witness the celebration of a birthday with a unique touch of royalty.

    As the founder and Chairman of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun celebrated his 80th birthday last Sunday, all the feverish preparations came to a crescendo as the finicky billionaire businessman started the bash with a chauffeur drive from his Ikoyi palatial home to the church.

    Clad in his trademark white regalia, Otunba and his Olori left his palace for the church in his white Rolls Royce surrounded by horse riders. His birthday cakes were designed like First City Monument Bank’s trademark building.

    The shindig was a roll call of who-is-who in the Nigeria social firmament. The guests who graced the occasion included the Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State; Oba Riliwanu Akiolu of Lagos; Lagos State First Lady, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola; founder of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia; former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Chief Femi Pedro; Ovation publisher, Chief Dele Momodu and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey.

  • Funmi Mustapha hugs limelight

    After many years away from the social radar, former Osun State House of Assembly member, Hon. Funmi Olaseinde, is regaining her groove. Funmi, a former local government chairperson, had taken a trip out of the social radius when power changed hands in Osun State about three years ago.

    Before then, she was a recurring face on the state’s political turf. Not only did her presence exude authority, her words carried power and made things happen. These combined with beauty and brain must have endeared her to many people in the corridors of power.

    It will be recalled that her marriage to Senator Olalekan Mustapha crashed before they could start savouring any marital bliss. She later moved on with her life and chose to lie low. But her name came up late last year with reports that she had been nominated by Senator Iyiola Omisore for a ministerial position alongside Remi Olowu, Jide Adeniji and Francis Fadahunsi.

    She had made an attempt to return to the Osun State House of Assembly but the influence of the APC in the state was too awesome to let her ambition sail through. She was sighted in Osogbo penultimate Thursday when Aremo Kunle Alao, popularly known as Lele, buried his late mother.

  • Dumebi Kachikwu lies low

    Dumebi Kachikwu lies low

    That Dumebi Kachikwu’s marriage to Kema Chikwe’s daughter, Somachi, crashed after a brief stint a few years ago is no longer news. That the judicial nullification of the union led him to take a shot at another marriage is also no longer a matter in private domain. What appears to be agitating the minds of actors in the social scene is Dumebi’s unusual absence.

    Dumebi has been elusive lately. And this is in spite of spirited efforts by society watchers in Abuja to beam the searchlight on him. He has hardly put up a public appearance, unlike what obtained before the unfortunate crash of his first marriage.

    Close sources speak of how he has totally changed from his bustling, outgoing self to a reticent introvert. He is said to have redefined his lifestyle by confining his activities to office and home. Even the late evening fun spots are screaming to have him back.

    Many believe that his new disposition is a sacrifice he is making to make his second marriage work, while others opine that he has been elusive because things don’t really appear to be looking up for him business wise.

  • Funke Agagu smarts from hubby’s death

    Funke Agagu smarts from hubby’s death

    For Funke Agagu, coming to terms with the untimely death of her husband has been harder than she had envisaged. It might take a greater effort to mend her broken heart than melt a piece of iron. If you ever encounter the bespectacled former First Lady of Ondo State looking withdrawn and uninterested, it could well be because she has been battling with boredom.

    The gentle and affable woman is gradually coming to terms with the harsh realities of life since her husband and former Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, slumped and died in his Lagos home last year. A family source said that Mrs. Agagu can hardly make a complete sentence without a reference to her husband.

    For a woman whose children are all grown up and live in different parts of the world, and who was used to having all kinds of people around her in the heyday of her husband, adjusting to a lonely world of little or no political influence has not been easy. Although her Ibadan and Lagos homes are still being thronged by visitors with political leanings, she seems not to be showing much interest in politics.

  • Elohor Aisien’s exit from Miss Nigeria pageant

    Elohor Aisien’s exit from Miss Nigeria pageant

    Owner of Beth Model Management, Elohor Elizabeth Aisien, is one high society lady who is adept at bidding a boring experience farewell to embrace more exciting activities. The former Miss Nigeria UK has bidden goodbye to her term as the anchor of the Miss Nigeria beauty pageant after two years in the saddle.

    The Miss Nigeria team had handed over the creative and management rights to Elohor in July, 2012. She is widely acclaimed for organising one of the biggest fashion events in Nigeria. The Elite Model Look, which has been producing class acts in modelling on a yearly basis.

    After restoring credibility and respect to the pageant as witnessed in the 2013 edition in which the reigning queen, Ms Akudo, emerged as winner, not a few people had looked forward to another eventful edition in 2014. Hence it came as a surprise to many when the news filtered in that Aisen Elohor had thrown in the towel.

    She was said to have called it quits with the oldest beauty pageant in Nigeria in order to focus on her fast growing luxury event management company, Prive, which she launched last year. There are also speculations to the effect that she might have quit as a result of pressure from her husband, Owen, who was said not to be happy with the pressure the job was piling on his wife.

  • About Pastor Tony Rapu

    About Pastor Tony Rapu

    As a pastor, the forceful preaching and sense of style of Tony Rapu has earned him a massive followership, especially among young Christians. He would readily occupy a top position in a list of best-dressed Nigerian pastors.

    Married to an equally stylish woman, Nkoyo, he is blessed with an athletic figure that ensures that whatever he wears sits well on him. Unlike most other men of God, this sociable and entertainment-loving pastor passes his messages in the most practical way, studiously avoiding a guilty verdict on people perceived to have faulty foundations in the things of faith.

    One thing you cannot take away from him is his penchant for high profile parties.

    Pastor Rapu trained as a medical doctor and life coach, but he is the senior pastor and head of a ministry that is made up of three distinct churches: This Present House, God Bless Nigeria and The Water Brook Church.

  • Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote renew friendship

    Femi Otedola, Aliko Dangote renew friendship

    There is a popular saying that there is no permanent friend or permanent enemy in politics but permanent interests. This aphorism would seem to also apply to the friendship between two Nigerian business moguls, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola.

    The two made a good show of their affection as they stepped on the green carpet together at a party organised by the Ibru family for one of their children a few days ago.

    A few years ago, a major disagreement over their business interests nearly ruined their robust friendship. The feud saw the two not only going their separate ways but also haunting each other’s business interests.

    In fact, it took the intervention of a popular publisher to restore their friendship. But today, they are back stronger and better together with a new regime of conviviality reigning between them.