The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life and Style

  • Lara Rawa back with cocktail week

    By Kehinde OLULEYE

    Lara Rawa, a trained lawyer turned mixologist and the brains behind Lagos Cocktail Week, which  specialises in creating distinctive cocktails and custom mixology is back with this year’s annual Africa’s largest cocktail experience, Lagos Cocktail Week 2019 (LCW). The event is scheduled to take place from October 16 to October 17, 2019.

    The Lagos Cocktail initiative serves as a platform for celebrating and promoting the cocktail culture in Nigeria through events, seminars and training sessions, among others. The founder’s aspiration is for cocktails and the cocktail industry at large to be recognised as an integral part of the Nigerian beverage industry.

  • Davido turns philanthropist

    Kehinde OLULEYE

    Nigeria’s top music act, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, a few days ago declared his support for the good work that motherless babies homes have been doing over the years.

    Davido, who has just signed a deal to be an ambassador for Mario and Juliet baby diapers and wipes, said he will buy the products in large quantities and give them to motherless babies homes and orphanages.

    He set tongues wagging while signing the deal by declaring that his unborn son will exclusively wear this particular brand of baby diapers and wipes.

    His utterance could be an indication that the music star is expecting a baby boy from his partner, Chioma. Some weeks back, Davido had started a kind of celebration when he confirmed that Chioma was pregnant. At the deal-signing ceremony, Davido also said that the delivery date was not too far away.

    Mr Cletus Oragwa, Chairman of the baby diaper company, said it took three years for them to get Davido!

  • Billionaire businesswoman Shagaya hits 60

    Kehinde OLULEYE

    It has been an outpouring of love and affection for billionaire businesswoman Hajia Bola Shagaya as she turned 60 on Thursday. Although the dogged businesswoman hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, she has lived the larger part of her life in Lagos.

    Some years ago, the graduate of Accountancy and Economics from Armstrong College in California and Harvard Business School opted out of her job in the Central Bank to start a business which today runs across different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

    We hear that a party will be held today in Lagos to celebrate her 60th birthday.

  • Senator Akanbi surprises wife with early morning birthday toast

    Kehinde OLULEYE

    Oyo State senator, Adesoji Akanbi, gladdened his wife’s heart on Thursday by waking her up to a birthday toast. An inside source said the senator set the mood for the days’ celebration when he read out a poetic toast to his wife and top businesswoman, Hajia Zikrah Afolake Aduke Akanbi, and followed it up with an early morning prayer and breakfast birthday party.

    Part of the toast he read to his wife stated: “A bond with another person truly unique spices up existence. It gives life new meaning and makes it more exciting. Not everyone has that rare opportunity to be blessed with a woman who spreads joy and positivity around him. When you have that special gift, you have built a great team. I am lucky.

    “As a fresh day bubbles with fresh hope, I am always full of joy that I have a joy that is rare like a four- leaf clover plant. My joy is with me through thick and thin and has continued to offer a therapy money can’t buy. I really appreciate you.

    “When I think of the unforgettable moments we share, I continue to praise God for the exquisite glow that you cast on me and for being an elixir of hope of greater days to come.

    “It’s your birthday today, a two-step after the golden jubilee line. I wish you a birthday that is as extraordinary as your person. I hereby toast to a brighter, healthier and a promising future for us together.”

    Hajia Zikrah Afolake Aduke Akanbi is the Yeye Okanlomo of Ibadan Land and the Erelu Faderera of Erunwon  Ijebu.

  • Enter showbiz’s fabulous grandmums

    Kehinde OLULEYE

    This week’s array of showbiz stars have a few things in common. Some are hot, some are fresh and many attract admiring glances at most social events. They are some of the entertainment industry’s biggest stars, ageing very well and gracefully.

    Gone are the days when grandmas look old-fashioned and haggard. These hot grannies are comfortable with being called grandma in public and at their age; the old beauties are still going strong!

    At an age when many of their contemporaries have slowed down a bit or entirely, they are still on top of their games: beautiful, gorgeous and playing the role of grandmothers to the hilt.

    Taiwo Ajayi-Lycet

    Acclaimed international actress, Taiwo Ajayi-Lycet, is a journalist, television presenter, and cosmetologist. She’s also a feminist and was the first editor of Africa Woman magazine in the 70s.

    Idowu Philips

    Idowu Philips, widely known as Iya Rainbow, is a Nigerian veteran actress who has monopolised the twin roles of mother and grandmother for years in some of our biggest movies.

    Madam Awero

    Veteran actress, Lanre Hassan Adesina, popularly known in the Yoruba theatre circle as Madam Awero, has many movies to her credit and is one of Nollywood’s most famous faces.

    Onyeka Owenu

    Nigerian celebrated singer, Onyeka Owenu, popularly called Elegant Stallion, is also a songwriter, actress, human rights activist, social activist, journalist, politician, recording artist and X Factor series judge.

    Patience Ozokwor

    Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G, is a Nigerian actress, musician, fashion designer and gospel singer. She was among 100 Nigerians honoured by the government to celebrate the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates in 2014.

    Rachel Oniga

    Veteran Nigerian actress is one of Nollywood’s most famous faces. Fluent in both Yoruba and English, she is the perfect example of a successful crossover artist.

    Madam Kofo

    Veteran Nollywood actress, Abiola Atanda, better known as Madam Kofo, stands out because of her signature headgear. She is also a very good actress.

    Joke Muyiwa

    Joke Muyiwa is a veteran Nollywood actress, motivational speaker  and academic staff at Olabisi Onabanjo University in the department of Performing Arts.

    Clarion Chukwura

    Veteran Nollywood actress and humanitarian, Clarion Chukwura, was one of Nigeria’s hottest showbiz personalties at a time. And the years have not dimmed her lustre. She is still active within the industry where her son, Clarence, also operates as a very successful director.

    Ireti Doyle

    Ireti Doylel is a Nigerian actress, producer, presenter and writer. Doyle’s presence is quite prominent in Nollywood and she has an impressive ability to interpret simple and complex roles.

    Toyin Afolayan

    Toyin Afolayan is a Nigerian film actress, popularly known as Lola Idije, and she’s an aunt to Nigerian film actor Kunle Afolayan. Afolayan is a force to be reckoned with in the Yoruba movie genre.

    Joke Silva

    Joke Silva is no doubt an icon in the Nigerian movie industry. She is an actress, director and businesswoman. Silva is one of Nigeria’s most successful and recognisable actresses.

    Iya Ereko

    Veteran Nollywood (Yoruba) actress, Morenike Alausa Sulaimon aka Iya Ereko.

    Fausat Balogun

    Fausat Balogun , popularly known as Madam Saje,  is a Nigerian actress who stars majorly in Yoruba movies. She starred as Mama Saje in a 1990 television series titled, Erin Kee Kee.

    Iyabo Oko

    Kudirat Odukanwi is a seasoned Yoruba actress, popularly known as  Iyabo Oko. She  stars hilarious hilarious roles that amuse.

    Mama Ray

    Mama Ray, a Nollywood actress, is the spouse of Eyinwunmi Ray, who was a great pioneer of the Yoruba theatre industry before moving to home video. Mama Ray is a successful actress in her own right.

    Salawa Abeni (Alidu)

    Legendary Waka Queen,Salawa Abeni Alidu, popularly known as Queen Salawa Abeni, is a well-known name in the music industry and the exponent of a Fuji genre known as Waka.

    Ayo Balogun

    Queen Ayo Balogun is a popular female Juju Musician and President of the Association of Juju Musicians in Nigeria.

  • Behold medical doctors, engineers in showbiz

    LAST week, we gave you a peep into the professional backgrounds of our celebs whose professions are in the humanities. This week, we will be showcasing celebs whose educational backgrounds are in the other side of the academic divide.

    Of course, it is easy to think that some of our biggest and most successful stars in showbiz have a backgrounds in the arts. Nigerian actors and actresses may not feature regularly in Hollywood movies or feature regularly on top chats, but still they are masters of the game. They are master interpreters of simple and complex roles and crooners of the highest caliber.

    So, you may be forgiven if you thought that your favourite celebs either studied theater arts or went straight to the studio after high school. Wrong! The backgrounds of our celebs are very diverse.

    Some of our biggest stars have science, engineering, medical and technology education and degrees. For example, Banky W studied engineering, while Kiki Omeili,

    Beautiful Nubia and Dr Sid have medical degrees.

    Some like Kate Henshaw and Beautiful Nubia actually practised for some time before dabbling into the world of showbiz. So, here are celebrities who also ditched their first love for showbiz.

    Banky W

    Nigerian artist, actor and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W, the Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) boss popularly known as Banky W is perhaps best known for his role in the film “The Wedding Party” and in the music industry, both of which were incredibly successful.  He studied Industrial Engineering at Rensselaer University in New York. Banky W has a reputation for interpreting his roles well. Besides being a successful musician in his own right, he is also a successful artiste management expert. So, it may surprise you to know that his background is in engineering.

    Okey Bakassi

    The former Senior Special Adviser on Entertainment Matters to the past Imo State Governor, Ikedi Ohakim, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule, popularly known as Okey Bakassi, is a Nigerian stand-up comedian and actor. He’s a graduate of Agricultural Engineering from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt.

    Kate Henshaw – Medical Microbiology

    Kate Henshaw shot to fame as a model, and has since grown her brand and wealth with television and film roles. After completing her primary and secondary school in Lagos and Calabar, she spent one year at the University of Calabar for remedial studies and then majored in Medical Microbiology at the School of Medical Lab Science, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). Henshaw worked for some time at the Bauchi State General Hospital.

    Eldee

    Nigerian rapper, record producer and architect Lanre Dabiri, popularly known by his stage name Eldee, is an architect with a Masters Degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

    Kiss Daniels

    Nigerian artist and Woju crooner-Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe aka Kiss Daniels has a degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (Water Engineering) from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta.

    Dr Sid

    Popular Nigerian singer and song writer, Sidney Onoriode Esiri, well-known as Dr Sid, completed a Dental Surgery course/degree at the Universit y of Ibadan (UI) before pursuing his passion in entertainment.

    Kiki Omeili

    The next person on our list of celebrities with degrees in the medical field is a graduate of medicine, this time from University of Lagos. Omeili began performing in stage plays all through her primary and secondary school years. This continued when she got into the university as she was a member of the drama club and acted in various productions as well as taking part in several drama competitions. In 2006, she obtained a medical degree from the College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

    Beautiful Nubia

    Nigerian songwriter, music composer and band leader Segun Akinlolu, popularly known as Beautiful Nubia, graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1992 and practised as a veterinary doctor for about eight years. He also holds a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Nigeria Institute of Journalism.

    Tonto Dikeh

    Nigerian actress, singer and humanitarian Tonto Dikeh, known to many as Poko, Tontolet, Mama King and King Tonto. Tonto Dikeh got an early taste of fame when she starred in a movie titled “Dirty Secret”, which generated controversy among Nigerians due to its adult scenes. Dikeh studied Petrochemical Engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.

    Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha

    Chukwuka’s acting career began with her debut in the movie “The Apple” in 2000 and has since bolstered her fame and wealth with television and film roles. She hails from Oraifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria, but born in Lagos State. She completed her primary education at Onward Nursery and Primary School in Lagos State, and then proceeded to the Federal Government Girls College in Onitsha, Anambra State, for her secondary education. She then headed to Lagos State University, where she studied Banking and Finance.

  • Celebs who dumped wigs & gowns for showbiz

    This week’s array of celebs belong to a special class of superstars who straddle two special worlds with ease. We are talking about showbiz personalities who are very well known for their voices, acting, lifestyle, fashion and so on. But only a few people know that these famous actors, musicians and OAPs also have another profession in common besides showbiz. They all attended Nigeria Law School and earned the right to don the wig and gown. Some of them studied Law before they were famous, while others did during the peak of their careers. Here is a list of famous Nigerian celebrities you probably didn’t know studied Law.

    Tunji Bamishigbin

    Veteran actor and filmmaker, Tunji Bamishigbin’s life reads like a good movie. He trained as a lawyer, worked for years in a bank and then left the two lucrative professions for acting. After his call to bar, he actually practised for a while in a law firm but left to follow his passion. “I was working with my friend, Prince Adetimoye, but I was so convinced that I wasn’t cut out for that profession. It was almost the same time that I was directing Fortunes with my colleagues, Charles Owoyemi and Ralph Nwadike,” he told NollywoodReel in an interview.

    Richard Mofe-damijo

    Former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in Delta State, Richard Mofe Damijo, popularly known as RMD, is one of Nigeria’s most famous and accomplished thespians. He actually started his fairy-tale career at the Midwest College, Warri and Anglican Grammar School, where he was a member of the Drama Club. He enrolled into the University of Benin to continue his education and studied Theatre Arts. After school, he worked as a journalist before moving into acting full time. He returned to the University of Lagos to study Law and graduated in 2004.

    Ebuka Obi-Uchendu

    Lawyer and media personality, Ebuka Obi- Uchendu, who is best known for hosting the reality TV show-Big Brother Naija, the long running Rubbin’ Minds talk show on Channels TV as well as co-hosting The Spot and Men’s Corner on Ebonylife Television, is one of the most successful showbiz personalities of his generation. Suave and debonair, he often appears on the list of the country’s best-dressed men. He studied law for his first degree at the University of Abuja, and then moved to the Washington College of Law of the American University Washington DC where he bagged a Master of Laws degree with specialisations in Intellectual Property.

    Lepacious Bose

    Bose Ogunboye, popularly known as Lepacious Bose, was called to the bar in 2010. Before then, she had first studied Theater Arts. She studied Law at the University of Ibadan but she never actually practised. Lepacious Bose is one of the country’s most successful female comedians. Her weight loss story has inspired a lot of females who are on the weight- loss journey. She reportedly lost 70kg and emerged from her time off with a stunning figure.

    Lolo 1

    Comedienne and actress, Omotunde Adebowale-David, better known as Lolo 1, studied Law at the Lagos State University, after which she went to Law Schoolchool and practised Law for three years before going back to her first love-broadcasting. Lolo has been quite successful in her profession and is one of the nation’s top OAPs.

    Funke Akindele

    Funke Akindele, popularly known as Jenifa, is a Nigerian actress, director and producer. Funke first studied Mass Communication, a course she abandoned after obtaining an Ordinary National Diploma in it from the Moshood Abiola Polytechnics, Ogun State. She later went to University of Lagos to study Law.  She has, however, never really practised Law.

    Tosin Martins

    Inspirational singer, Tosin Martins’ name may not have featured on the Top 10 list in a while but not many will forget his evergreen hit, Olo mi. Martins’ hit song, and a few of his other love ballads still rule the airwaves. He went to the Federal Government College, Abuja, after which he attended the University of Lagos to study Law.

    Falz

    It will surprise no one that Falz started his professional life as a lawyer. Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter and actor. His father, Femi Falana, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)and Nigeria’s foremost human rights activist. Falz began his career while in secondary school after forming a group called “The School Boys” with his friend before his professional career as a music artist began in 2009. Perhaps Falz probably studied Law to make his lawyer parents happy, because he dropped the wig and gown immediately after graduation to pursue his passion.

    Femi Adebayo

    Femi Adebayo, the son of the veteran actor, Adebayo Salami, is a Nigerian lawyer, film actor, director and producer. He attended the University of Ilorin where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Law, and earned a master’s degree in Law at the University of Ibadan. But like others, he never practised the profession before plunging headlong into acting in which he is an A-list star.

    Chinko Ekun-able God

    Oladipo Olamide Emmanuel, better known as Chinko Ekun-the Able God crooner, is a Nigerian singer, artist and rapper. He actually studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile- Ife (OAU).

    Samuel Olasehinde

    Actor and screenwriter, Samuel Olasehinde, son of Pa James (Ajirebi Kayode Olasehinde) also studied Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife.

    Kanayo O. Kanayo

    Leading actor, Anayo Modestus Onyekwere, better known as Kanayo O. Kanayo or as KOK, studied Law at the zenith of his movie career. He recently bagged a Law degree from the University of Abuja. By the way, the law degree happens to be his fifth degree.

    Wale Adebayo – Sango

    Wale Adebayo, whose first role as lead character in the epic film “Sango” produced by Femi Lasode shot him into limelight, read Law at the Obafemi Awolowo University.

    Kemi Adetiba

    Kemi is a Nigerian music video director, film make and television director whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV, BET and Netflix. Kemi started out professionally as a radio presenter with Rhythm 93.7 FM while studying Law at the University of Lagos, which she later abandoned after discovering her talents in entertainment and went on to study Film Making in New York Film Academy.

    Kenneth Okonkwo

    Nigerian famous actor Kenneth Okonkwo is a multi-talented personality – lawyer, diplomat, actor, politician, entrepreneur and film producer. He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Enugu State and later studied Law at the University of Lagos, Akoka.

    Kelechi Amadi-Obi

    Renowned Nigerian creative photographer, painter, artist and the publisher of Mania Magazine, Kelechi Amadi-Obi also studied Law and was called to the bar in 1993.

    Omawumi Megbele

    Known by her stage name, Omawumi, she’s a Nigerian singer, songwriter and actress who gained fame as the 2007 runner-up on West African Idols, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise. She graduated from Ambrose Alli University with a Law degree in 2005, before moving to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where she worked with her family’s law firm, O.S Megbele & Associates.

    Funke Bucknor-Obruthe

    Nigerian entrepreneur, lawyer and the founder and CEO of Zapphaire Events- Funke Obruthe is regarded as one of Nigeria’s pioneering event planners. She studied Law at the University of Lagos and was called to bar after attending the Nigerian Law School in Abuja. She practised briefly before her love for event planning made her start Zapphaire Event. She is one of the biggest forces to be reckoned with in the event planning industry.

    Kemi Afolabi

    Nigerian actress, film producer and scriptwriter proceeded to the University of Lagos where she bagged a bachelor’s degree in Law after her secondary school education at Our Lady of Apostles School, Lagos.

    Folake Akindele-Coker

    Founder and creative director of the notable fashion house, Tiffany Ambe, and the beautiful daughter of Ibadan billionaire, Chief Akindele, Folake Akindele-Coker, is a qualified lawyer with a Masters degree in Petroleum Law.

  • Hottest plus-sized celebs

    GONE are the days when only thin or medium was considered slim and medium-sized ladies were adjudged sassy. It is no longer a secret that you can actually be big and still be beautiful and bold, sexy and stunning!

    For so long, all sorts of unnatural ideas of beauty left so many women with trauma as they fight against their DNA to look perfect using other people’s images as standards. But nowadays, women now know that they do not have to be as slim to be beautiful.

    While many still consider the ‘lepacious’ figure as the ideal frame of beauty, many men and women are now embracing the idea that females of any shape and size can project enchanting beauty.

    Leading city OAP and entrepreneur, Toolz Demurin,is a lady of impeccable class and style with a large following of fashionistas who hang on to her word and keep an eye on her style. Yet she is not slim. Toolz wears her size well. She is also bold and beautiful. She wears anything that suits her and this makes her comfortable and glamorous.

    Read Also: Eight female Nollywood celebrities unmarried at 40 and above

    It is important to take pride in being healthy and looking respectable. Beautiful women come in all sizes and shapes.

    The days when full-figured women were severely limited in their fashion choices are, fortunately, in the past. Designers and retailers now realize that offering fashionable plus-size clothing is smart business.

    Full-figured women know that who you are is not defined by what size you wear. You can look wonderful and feel great in the body you have. And with so many plus-size women’s clothing options now available at every price point, there’s no reason you can’t look your best.

    So, this week we will be bringing you the leading shapely, sexy and beautiful plus-sized celebs.

    Latasha Ngwube –The founder and Creative Director, Aboutthatcurvylie.com. Latasha’s beauty and personal sense of style could make even the skinniest woman on earth wish for a plus-sized body.

    Yemi Alade – Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter who gained prominence after winning the Peak Talent Show in 2009, is best known for her hit single “Johnny”. Alade is not only an incredible singer with millions of fans on the continent, she’s also an incredible dancer.

    Anita Joseph – Anita, an accomplished actress, is as famous for her movies as she is for her finely curved famous backside. She is the epitome of African woman hour-glass-body beauty.

    Eniola Badmus – She is not just one of the most famous plus-sized Nollywood actresses out there, she’s the first plus-sized actress to be signed for a major outdoor advert/commercial. Not only is she smart, she’s quick witted and a damn good actress.

    Bimbo Akintola – One of Nollywood’s most recognizable faces and super talented actresses, Akintola is also a talented comedian and OAP. She is one of the few Naija actresses that act flawlessly in both English and Yoruba movies.

    Biodun Okeowo – Popularly known as Omo Butty is a super sexy plus-sized Nollywood actress that has been around for a long time.

    Toolz Demurin – The OAP Toolz’s not just famous for her voice, she’s famous for being part of a minority of plus-sized celebrities in Nigeria. Toolz  isn’t just an OAP though, she owns a plus-sized lingerie line; which proves wrong the stereotype that plus-sized women can’t wear swimsuits and look good at them.

    Daniella Okeke – With a super sexy curve, Daniella is one fantasy woman.

    Taje Prest – Presenter and media personality, Taje is the Creative Director of her eponymous brand. Taje is not just a pretty plus-sized woman, she’s a woman who’s trying to change the status quo for plus-sized women, by making clothes that they want to wear.

    Omotola Ekehinde, is an actress who isn’t quite plus-sized, but she made this list for a few reasons, most notably her influence on how Nollywood sees beauty nowadays. She was sometimes named one of the sexiest and the most attractive in Nollywood, and it’s been said that she has the ideal figure for a woman-despite the fact that she isn’t skinny. She’s been considered a role model for a lot of women. And we wonder how she maintains that bootylicious figure despite being a mother of four.

    Others include Moyo Lawal, Foluke Daramola, Adaora ukoh, Jenifer Eliogu, Daniella Okeke, Uche Jombo, Empress Njamah and Destiny Etiko.

  • Kings and queens of endorsement

    Celebrity endorsement is the mother of all side hustles. In recent times, it has guaranteed a steady stream of hefty income for our biggest celebs with some of them earning as seven or eight digit sign-on fees.

    Once an individual reaches a celebrity status, be it in music, sports, acting or comedy, he is at the point of hitting it big.  Brands, intent on connect in with their existing customers and attract new ones, are always quick to get celebrities aboard to help them promote their products.

    Several successful companies are happy to invest in a famous face because it guarantees an exponential jump in sales in the long run. Companies around the world also use celebrities endorsement to communicate their brand ideals to particular sets of customers and win market share.

    When selecting a celebrity endorser, a company might consider the credibility, physical appearance, intellectual weight, lifestyle and fan base.

    This week, we serve you celebrities who have landed the most lucrative endorsement deals in the business, including the corporate concerns, home appliances, cosmetic, equipment, clothing, food industries and lots more.

    Funke Akindele aka Jenifa

    Funke Akindele, popularly known as jenifa, is known for her success with sponsored ads and recently is believed to have made more money from brand partnerships than from her acting career. Apart from her major deal with a real estate brand, she is also a brand ambassador of a popular product. Idowu Philips

    Idowu Philips, widely known as Iya Rainbow, is a Nigerian veteran actress who has monopolised the twin roles of mother and grandmother for years in some of biggest movies.

    Ngozi Nwosu

    Veteran Nigerian actress and producer Nwosu has many movies to her credit and is one of Nollywood’s most famous faces.

    Helen Paul

    Helen Paul, aka Alhaja Donjazzy, who recently bagged a Ph.D in Theatre Arts from the prestigious University of Lagos is a comedian, singer and actress.

    Saka

    Afeez Oyetoro is a Nigerian comic actor and lecturer,  popularly known as Saka. Saka’s first big endorsement deal was with a telecom firm. He has since notched other deals.

    Odunlade Adekola

    Odunlade Adekola is a Nigerian actor, singer, film-maker, producer and movie director. He is arguably the most celebrated Yoruba movie actor in the industry at the moment. There is hardly a day that a movie featuring him doesn’t appear on our screen. He has quite a few endorsement deals.

    Olamide

    Nigerian hip hop recording artist, song writer and producer, ecords mostly in Yoruba, his native tongue. Olamide Adedeji known by his stage name Olamide but popularly called Olamide Baddo or BaddoSneh is one of the biggest Yoruba hippop artistes of his generation.

    Phyno

    When it comes to endorsements, Nigerian artist, producer and song writer, actor and the most popular igbo rapper, Phyno, is a master. He has a few good endorsements in the bag.

    Dbanj

    Popular Nigerian musician-Dbanj has everything in his favour: good looks, gorgeous body, a winsome smile and several musical hits. No wonder endorsements have not stopped rolling in, even if he has not been very active in the music scene in recent times. Dbanj is still shinning.

    Omawunmi

    Omawumi Megbele, known by her stage name Omawumi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who gained attention as the 2007 runner-up on West African Idols, a reality TV show part of the Idols franchise but has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry with

    Genevieve Nnaji

    One of Nollywood’s veteran and most recognisable actresses, Genevieve  Nnaji, is a Nigerian actor, producer and director. Nnaji has starred in quite a few blockbusters. The extremely photogenic actress is every brand’s dream.

    Wizkid

    Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid (sometimes stylised as WizKid), is one of Nigeria’s biggest hippop stars.

    Davido

    The Omo Baba Olow crooner, David Adedeji Adeleke better known by his stage name Davido, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer and entrepreneur.

    Burna Boy

    Nigerian international Afro-fusion singer and songwriter Damini Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy. Burna has been in the news recently for his very successful album, African Giant.

    Tiwa Savage

    Tiwatope Savage, Nigerian singer, songwriter, and actress, known professionally as Tiwa Savage, is a hardworking and highly talented music super star.

  • NKOLI OGBOLU

    Nkoli Ogbolu was the Creative Director at Rosabel Advertising before setting up her own company. She is also the National President of the International Women’s Society (IWS). In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she talks about her passion, running a skill centre, memorable moments and reaching out to the less-privileged.

    When did you become IWS president?

    March 2019. It’s been very challenging but I have put in 16 years of membership with IWS. Of course, you understand that all these years, you would have learnt a thing or two about IWS. I am using all that to run this tenure.

    What took you to the organisation?

    It was Evelyn Akeredolu. She was my classmate in Queens College. At that time, I was at a cross roads of what to do. I had just left Rosabel as creative director and I was starting my own business and I felt it was time to give back. She told me about IWS and I said why not? So, I joined the organisation.

    What type of business did you start on your own?

    It was same advertising.

    How has the sector been for you?

    It hasn’t been easy. You know how it is; everybody is a copy writer, an artist, a printer. Everybody is everything in advertisement now. Sadly, that sector of the economy hasn’t grown because it’s like the owner takes all kind of business.

    I would have thought that with the advent of social media, things would be better now

    It is the social media that has really grounded advertising. Everybody is doing it themselves. They are their copywriters and their artists. And they can do basic graphics.

    Are you trying to diversify and look at other areas?

    Of course, after my tenure at IWS I am looking at doing something that has been my pet dream but let me keep it quiet for now.

    Let’s talk about IWS since you took over. What are the programmes that you have done?

    When I took my tenureship, one thing we had to do is to restrategise. A 62-year-old organisation has a lot going for it but if you do not listen to the wind and what it brings for, then this change that you want to have happen, would not happen. One thing we had to was to look at the possibilities and opportunities that have presented themselves in this 21stcentury with technology and with what is happening around us so that we can uplift. If we say we are a charity organisation and we want to be at the very pinnacle of charity giving, then we must hold our own in that space. And if you look at the trends, you find IDP’s widows are becoming more and more because of the war in Nigeria, so to speak, especially in the Boko Haram areas. Many widows abound. Of course, 10.5 million children are out of school. Can you imagine 35 million widows in Nigeria for a population of 200 (million)? It’s a lot and government is doing so much but it is not enough. So, it behoves us as civil society, NGO to help out and that is what we are trying to look at and do. And of course, that strategy is very key in all of this.

    What are some of the programmes of the organisation?

    We have six charities. The oldest charity is the IWS Day Nursery School in Yaba; it was established in 1963. And the 2nd charity is the LUTH Library Trolley service established in 1968 where we read to patients every Wednesday. That that has been going on since then. We drive the trolley round the wards and give the reading materials to patients to keep them busy and happy. Take a look away from other problems. We also have the Widows Trust Fund that was established in 1998; and in 1999, the skill centre was established. The skill centre celebrated its 20th anniversary last week.

    What do you do at the skill centre?

    We have vocational skills that we teach like catering and events management, sewing and fashion designing, beauty and salon services and adult literacy. Our adult literacy is really gaining grounds and it includes those who have never gone to school but they are mature. We also have hospitality and we are a dynamic organisation, we listen to the needs of the people. That is why we set up the hospitality department. Here, drivers, housekeepers and maids are trained properly.

    How do you reach out to your targets?

    We send out fliers and when they come we register them. It is a very big organisation with proper structures in place.

    How would you describe Nigerians and charity; are they givers?

    Yes, they are givers but it could be better. We are complaining about funding because corporate donors are fatigued. Everybody is rushing to them for funding. So, we have to look elsewhere.

    In recent times, people have been talking about hunger in the land. Is there a way you help to fill this need?

    Yes, we are having a soup kitchen in September and it is going to be one of our major charities for the year and every year now going forward.

    We are going to be feeding 500 people, to help address the hunger need. Government really should hearken to our needs, they should do more. There is so much hunger and poverty in the land. And this country is so endowed that we don’t have to be begging. The government needs to do more.

    Women are also talking about being in public life, are you doing anything about this?

    We are doing more of charity but there are all kinds of things open to us now. The other day, we condemned rape, the trending case. We are going into advocacy and strengthening women for political purpose. That is where we would make the laws that would favour them. So, we are going to be doing all of that, expanding and collaborating with other people.