The Nation Newspaper

Category: Weekend Treat

  • Lekan Osifeso hits his stride

    Lekan Osifeso hits his stride

    One who has gone ahead has gone far. That is one saying whose veracity has been reinforced by the life of the President of the Association of Indeginous Contractors, Otunba Lekan Osifeso. He was honoured last Saturday with the Special Recognition Awards by the Nigeria Union of Journalists on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day.

    The event, which was held at Ladi Kwali Hall, Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, saw the umbrella body of journalists acknowledging the contributions of the Otunba Adeshemowo of Ijebuland to the growth of the association. The Ijebu-born contractor, who has built a global brand in his company, Lekai Nigeria Limited, is a study in the power of determination.

    Osifeso appears to have found early in life that diligence would take him to where luck would not. As such, he has been giving his all to his business. Lekai is one of the few indigenous companies that are leading the way in the construction sector. He has managed to become a major force in the effort to address unemployment and youth restiveness in Ogun State by taking many jobless youths off the streets.

  • Gani Adams marks 44th birthday in grand style

    Gani Adams marks 44th birthday in grand style

    This is indeed happy times for the National Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. The OPC leader, who is presently a delegate in the National Conference representing the Yoruba race, recently marked his 44th birthday celebration with a bash for friends and associates.

    The celebration, which was marked with a week-long of activities, saw the activist cum culture promoter receiving a chieftaincy title from the Ndi Eze Udo in Lagos, who conferred on Adams the title of Azi Eyindigbo on him. His friends also organised a novelty football match and a visit to an orphanage as part of other activities to celebrate their man.

    The grand finale, which held at the Sheba Event Centre on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Lagos, saw dignitaries from across the business, political and other divides come out to honour Adams.

    The celebration was rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Holy Michael Church in Surulere, Lagos. Speaking on his experience, Adams, while expressing gratitude to the Almighty for sparing his life, said he was surprised by the turnout of dignitaries who came to identify with him in his hours of joy. “I am particularly grateful to the Almighty for sparing my life to witness this day. I must confess that I am both happy and surprised by the turnout of dignitaries. I thank them all for coming out to celebrate with me.”

    Among the dignitaries at the event included the former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Kofoorola Burknor; leader of Afenifere group, Pa Ayo Adebanjo; Senior Special Adviser to the President on Youth and Students Affair, Comrade Jude Imagwe; Dr. Awolowo Dosunmu; Mr. Tunde Shobulo (DCP, Lagos) and Hon. Babatunde Oke, Executive Chairman, Onigbongbo LCDA, among several others.

  • New lease of life for Muka Amusan

    New lease of life for Muka Amusan

    Muka Amusan, one of the famed Amusan brothers, can be said to be the most publicity-shy of the lot. Besides his deep pocket, one other thing for which he is known is his love for polo. A regular at the Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, Amusan maintains a posture that earns him respect among his peers.

    His marriage with Sore, which is believed to have gone sour, is another aspect of his life that makes news. Apart from her good looks, Sore’s deep understanding of fashion compels people to notice her at social circles. The marriage, which produced a kid, is said to have hit the rocks as a result of ‘irreconcilable differences’.

    Now, everyone is wondering if Muka is still interested in giving marriage another shot, given the high number of ladies who are said to be itching to be his wife.

  • DSP Alamieyeseigha buries dad

    DSP Alamieyeseigha buries dad

    Penultimate Sunday, former Bayelsa State Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, had his deceased father committed to mother earth. The event saw the oil-rich town of Amassoma lit up in celebration as the former governor led family members, friends, political and business associates to pay their last respects to his nonagenarian father, Chief Salo Memein Alamieyeseigha.

    The carnival-like celebration of life started on Thursday, April 24 and rolled on till Sunday, April 27, 2014. President Goodluck Jonathan led his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, his wife, Dr (Mrs) Racheal Dickson and many other A-list guests to the event.

    The late Chief Salo Memein Alamieyeseigha incidentally died on his birthday, March 16, 2014 at the age of 93. He was survived by two wives, 25 children and 115 grandchildren.

    The late Alamieyeseigha was reported to have been confined to his sick bed for a long time before he gave up the ghost. His son and erstwhile governor, popularly called DSP, was said to have done all he could to see that his beloved father remained alive.

  • Timothy Oguntayo gears up for new challenge

    Timothy Oguntayo gears up for new challenge

    Not a few people have expressed the belief that Timothy Oguntayo has paid his dues to deserve being named the CEO of Skye Bank in a couple of weeks from now. His success as a banker has no doubt endeared him to many in the high society.

    The man billed to take the mantle from Kehinde Durosinmi-Etti as the Managing Director of Skye Bank in July has been preparing for his reign in the most meticulous manner. And few would dispute the fact that occupying such an eminent position demands serious preparation, particularly because of the big shoes a former MD of the bank, Akinsola Akinfemiwa, left behind for Durosimi-Etti.

    Celeb Watch gathered that Oguntayo expects nothing different from his predecessor. Hence, he is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that his tenure is devoid of any hitch, taking into cognizance the public expectation that he should surpass his predecessors’ achievements.

  • Femi Otedola plans high- octane burial for late father

    Femi Otedola plans high- octane burial for late father

    Odoragunsin, Epe, Lagos, will be the cynosure of all eyes in the next few weeks as billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, prepares for the burial of his late father, Sir Michael Otedola, a former governor of Lagos State.

    The influential Chairman of Zenon Oil is said to be pulling all the strings in the bid to give his deceased father a befitting burial. As you read this, Femi and his siblings are holding meetings in respect of the burial. His army of wealthy friends are also said to be warming up to honour the late father of one of their own.

    Sir Otedola, who  passed on at his private residence in Epe, Lagos State, a few days ago, was born on July 16, 1926 into a Muslim family at Odoragunsin, Epe, in Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State. After moving to Lagos to pursue his education, he won a scholarship to study Journalism at the Regent Street Polytechnic in London where he graduated in 1958.

    He began his career as a teacher before working as a reporter with the St. Pancras Chronicle, then as a reporter and later sub-editor with The Guardian and The Times in England. On his return to Nigeria in 1959, he became an information officer with the Western Nigeria government, and and was later appointed the Editor of Western Nigeria Illustrated. In 1961, he moved into public relations, working for Western Nigeria Television/Western Broadcasting Service (1961-1964) and Mobil Oil Group of Companies (1964-1977), continuing as a consultant to Mobil after leaving the company.

    He was elected the governor of Lagos State on the platform of the National Republican Convention (NRC), leaving office in 1993 when the late former head of state, Gen. Sani Abacha, assumed power.

    He is survived by his wife, Lady Doja Otedola, children and

  • Sifax Boss, Taiwo Afolabi, marks 52nd birthday

    Sifax Boss, Taiwo Afolabi, marks 52nd birthday

    It was meant to be a low-key party, but the huge turnout of dignitaries at the 52nd birthday celebration of Taiwo Afolabi showed that the chief executive officer of Sifax Group is a gold fish which has no hiding place. It was another moment of jollity and conviviality at his Ikoyi home on Tuesday.
    The soiree had old and new friends of the shipping magnate in attendance. From bankers to big players in the oil and gas industry, and from politicians to top players in the corporate world, the ceremony was a roll call of who is who, and for that, the SAHCOL boss was full of excitement.
    Taiwo, no doubt, has done well for himself in the business world, even though some of his business moves had been dogged by controversy. For instance, the University of Jerusalem doctoral degree holder raised a lot of dust when he bought over SAHCOL sometime ago, following allegations from some quarters that the easy going socialite cum businessman was fronting for some top government functionaries. The allegation has since turned out to be unfounded.

  • Otedola’s daughter rides high as DJ

    Otedola’s daughter rides high as DJ

    Probably in recognition of her reputation as a hardworking lady, Florence Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, was recently honoured by the Federal Ministry of Tourism with an appointment as the nation’s Tourism Ambassador.

    The popular DJ and daughter of business tycoon, Femi Otedola, had chosen a career path that differs significantly from the one her parents had wished for. And from all indications, the Economics graduate is asserting herself pretty well in her chosen career, making her parents to be very proud.

    Based in London, DJ Cuppy is one of the major attractions on the social scene in the Queen’s country at the moment, and her services are said to be in high demand. Perhaps owing to her privileged background and good looks, DJ Cuppy has become the popular choice of the upper class in London and Nigeria. She is also a songwriter and music producer

  • Hon. Adejare buries dad

    Hon. Adejare buries dad

    It is no longer news that House of Representatives member, Hon. Samuel Adejare, was bereaved recently with the death of his father, Pa Amos Olugbade Adejare, the Aremo Oba Apondele of Ode Remo, Ogun State. The obsequies for the late community leader commenced early last week in Ode-Remo, where a mammoth crowd paid their last respects.

    Hon. Adejare and his siblings proved to be good hosts as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, and the Chairman of House Committee on Diaspora, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, top the list of guests that attended the event.

  • Adenuga’s son emerges from father’s shadow

    Adenuga’s son emerges from father’s shadow

    Train a child the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. This biblical injunction must be holding true for Jide Adenuga, the first son of the Chairman of Globacom, Mike Adenuga.

    There is no gainsaying the fact that Mike Adenuga’s enterprise and boldness are rubbing off on his son, whose interest in wine business is more than legendary. Although a committed director in Mike Adenuga’s business empire, Jide has shown a desire to be his own man by his diversifying into wine trading. The self-effacing dude is into the importation of exotic wines.

    Unlike some of his silver spoon friends who depend entirely on their parents’ businesses or engage in frivolous and wasteful lifestyles, Jide is bent on carving a niche for himself beyond Nigeria’s business firmament. Within his short stint in wine business, he has become a success as his brands of wine and champagne are enjoying heavy patronage from Lagosians.