Category: Social Circuit

On March 12, Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka played host to Louis Odion, the senior technical assistant on media to President Muhammadu Buhari, who turned 50 on March 25.

The literary luminary held an exclusive luncheon in honour of Odion with his wife, family members and colleagues in attendance.

The close-knit luncheon, which was held in a convivial atmosphere, somewhere in Lagos, also had Kayode Komolafe, DMD of Thisday; Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor in Chief of Leadership; and Sam Omatseye, Chairman The Nation editorial board in attendance.

The leading journalists and editors wined and dined with Prof Soyinka, who also treated Odion’s wife, Kehinde Odion, and brother, Andrew Odion, to a palatable meal and choice drinks.

Odion has been described as a media executive, who served as Edo State Commissioner for Information and the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of National Life Newspaper in his 40s. He’s widely known and referred to as Mr Capacity by close allies, and colleagues having practised journalism for three decades.

Edo-born beauty and princess, Rosemary Osula Mku-Atu is not a newbie on the Nigerian social and business fronts.

The real estate baroness and philanthropist was all smiles when friends, family, associates and admirers rose in unison to celebrate her birthday on Wednesday, April 12. 

Undoubtedly an epitome of beauty and brain, Princess Mku-Atu has been variously described as an accomplished business mogul, a role model extraordinaire, an educationist par excellence, and an invaluable African-doting mother, whose life has become the true definition of a mother’s sacrifices.

As she celebrated her birthday, those close to her couldn’t help but talk, fondly, about her success as a businesswoman and philanthropic strides.

It was further said that Princess Mku-Atu’s story is replete with evidence of perseverance, courage, ingenuity, vision, and achievements in her quest to realise humanity’s noblest and vital aspirations.

Her Rosula Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has become the harbinger of hope for thousands – struggling with socio-economic challenges around the world. To this end, in the area of education, over 500 indigent students have been beneficiaries of her scholarship programme as graduates and undergraduates from Igbinedion University Okada. In similar vein, the foundation currently has 21 students under sponsorship at the Afe Babalola University, 48 at Mkar University, Mkar-Gboko, and 61 students in various fields at the Crescent University.

Interestingly, the Rosula Foundation Scholarship Programme is by no means Princess Mku-Atu’s only intervention in various universities. The foundation is currently interfacing with the Igbinedion University Okada and is currently in a collaborative partnership toward the establishment of the first-ever Executive Business School, in the South of Nigeria.

Similarly, the education sector is also by far, not the exclusive beneficiary of the humanitarian and philanthropic disposition of Princess Mku-Atu.

The Ogida Police Mobile Barracks has been blessed with the construction of a massive twin structure, while four other existing blocks at the mobile Police barracks further received desirable rehabilitation with two industrial bore-holes, perimeter fencing, and comprehensive solar lighting.

Long before politics, Dr. Betta Edu had found her voice in working for humanity. Little wonder the 36-year-old beauty became a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health after graduating from the University of Calabar, where she studied Medicine and Surgery before commencing her master’s at the University of London.

Her strides in the political circle since 2015 in Cross River is worthy of mention. Now holding the office of National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Edu came to prominence in her state as the Director General of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, where she served for four years before emerging Commissioner for Health in 2019.

Her contribution to the ruling party and the victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the polls are no longer news to close watchers of political events in Nigeria between 2021 and 2023.

While her performance in various leadership positions including Chairman of Health commissioners in Nigeria have been applauded by many stakeholders, more commendable has been her footsteps of philanthropy back home in Adadama area of Abi Local Government Area.

Beneficiaries of her philanthropic gestures swore that Edu, for seven years consecutively, has sponsored the school fees of all children in every primary school in the community.

In furtherance, she took it a top-notch in 2023, when she footed the bill for over 700 pupils of Adadama Ward in Abi Local Government Area with sponsorship and philanthropy gestures including school fees payment, school bags, clothes, sandals, and exercise books provision and teachers’ welfare.

Silently making landmark strides in different sectors of the Nigerian economy that ranges from manufacturing to oil and gas to the creative industry is a 63-year-old scion of the Folawiyo dynasty, Babatunde Tijani Folawiyo.

With an estimated net worth of over $650 million, according to Forbes, Folawiyo continues to make indelible prints on the sands of time.

On April 12, the son of late Baba Adinni, Alhaji Iyanda Folawiyo, turned 63 and had family, friends, and associates celebrating his age milestone.

Unknown to many, Folawiyo is the chairman of one of Nigeria’s leading creative companies, The Temple Company, owners of Ogidi Studios, Temple Motion Pictures Limited and Temple Sports management company.

Described as an enviable businessman inured to the rudiments of a successful enterprise, and who persistently seeks to push new enterprises past all the barriers to success, Folawiyo’s tenacious inner passion, which borders on calm resolve sets him apart like an innovative leader.

Those who know the lovely husband of lawyer cum fashion entrepreneur, Renie Folawiyo, stressed further that felicitating with him on his birthday is necessary knowing how well and hard he works.

Interestingly, Folawiyo, who is hip enough to fraternise appealingly across generations of peers, the elderly, and youngsters can conveniently dialogue persuasively on the neglected virtues of the Nigerian private entrepreneur having made a success for himself as one before leading a conglomerate.

Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu is certainly not one that forgets gestures – especially kind ones.

Elumelu believes strongly in the saying, ‘a good deed is never lost as he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.’

A social bird recently chirped about one good gesture from a serial investor and billionaire, Femi Otedola went on to change the luck of Elumelu in 2003. The bird squeaked further about Otedola’s support and role in Elumelu’s emergence as chairman of United Bank for Africa Plc before going on to become the chairman of Transcorp Nigeria Plc, and later Heirs Holdings.

Though the tale of support between the two billionaires dates back to their days of humble beginnings, it is said not to be a new gist in their circle of friends.

Hence, when Otedola was announced to have purchased a 5.52% stake in Transcorp, making him the company’s second-largest stakeholder, it came as little or no surprise to the close-knit circle of billionaires both Otedola and Elumelu belong to.

Interestingly, the purchase by Otedola isn’t strange to close aides and associates, who know the history of his foray into business acquisition as the Chairman of Geregu Power Plc has been at the top of the acquisition game for two decades and has seen him preside over multi-billion Naira oil firms that include African Petroleum and Forte Oil Plc.

The name Paddy Adenuga is not new on the Nigerian, UK, and French business and social circuits. For many years before relocating to the United Kingdom, Paddy was a regular face on magazines and newspapers while he worked with his father’s telco, Globacom.

Interestingly, Paddy, unlike many know, has charted his own course and taken his own fate into his own hands.

From narrowly missing a major deal of owning Chevron in the Netherlands to diversifying into other sectors of life, Paddy reminds one of the saying that an apple doesn’t fall far from its tree.

Just like his father, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr, who is fondly referred to as the Bull, Paddy continues to make great strides in whatever he decides to venture into. For many months, the handsome Adenuga has been on a low profile strategising on his new adventure and plans to take over the global space with his ingenuity.

Despite adding scriptwriting to his profile and working assiduously towards achieving success, Paddy has a way of relaxing.

Aside from enjoying classic and vintage glasses of champagne or white wine, Paddy has other ways of unwinding when he needs to clear his head.

According to those who should know, Paddy’s way of laughing and sometimes rolling on the floor is checking activities on popular social media platforms that include TikTok and films.

Those close to Paddy say whenever he opens the app, he gets hardly distracted such that he keeps laughing and watching humorous videos till his belly hurts as a result of laughter.

Another way Paddy unwinds is by watching films. Having entered into the terrain as a budding scriptwriter, Paddy has Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ as one of his favourite films. An inside source disclosed that not only has he watched the film countless times; there are some days when he has the film playing in the background while working from home in his study.

THAT experiential marketing and alternative security expert, Bestman Nze-Jumbo,  is one of the loyal individuals to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu isn’t news.

However, the level of Nze-Jumbo’s loyalty toward his principal despite not being a member of the cabinet has continued to surprise several individuals.

Nze-Jumbo, who was one of the private individuals at the forefront of the re-election bid of Sanwo-Olu would readily tell anyone that cares to listen about his reasons for supporting the Lagos governor’s candidacy.

Nze-Jumbo is quick to list a several achievements of Sanwo-Olu saying he is not just the governor but a thorough leader that has a listening ear and eye for details.

The publisher of ‘Eko Mi, Eko E’ was recently spotted in different parts of United Kingdom including London and Manchester, propagating the Sanwo-Olu’s achievements and why Lagosians in the Diaspora should support the governor for better performance in his next four years tenure.

Though he’s not from Southwest Nigeria, Nze-Jumbo readily tells everyone that no state in Nigeria can compete with Lagos State in terms of infrastructure, future plans, education, health and total governance. He chided individuals stoking unrest in the state with warnings that the state government will not hesitate to apply the rule of law for anyone who breaks the law.

One of the leading fashion entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Kiki Okewale is not a greenhorn in the firmament of the Nigerian fashion and social scene.

The talented force behind Lagos-based House of Plush Exclusive (HOPE) Fashions with distinctive collections has carved for herself, an enviable niche in the hub of high fashion.

As the first Nigerian designer to be on the Dubai Runway with her immeasurable depth of creativity and bespoke designs, her influence cannot be overemphasised.

As a life purpose coach, Kiki, who is married to an equally influential and renowned gynecologist and fertility expert, Dr. Babatunde Okewale, also loves to help individuals, particularly women, get the best out of their lives with a well-defined purpose and an overall well-being.

Recently, Kiki took her interventions a step higher when she led a community of female high achievers to host a women empowerment virtual conference to inspire growth and self-worth amongst women.

The virtual conference held under the auspices of Women High Achievers Trybe (WHATrybe) with the theme: “Emerging and Evolving into a High-Value Woman,” had over 1000 female participants drawn from all walks of life and who were eager to learn, grow and connect with other like-minds.

The event had, as esteemed speakers, some of Nigeria’s highly respected and accomplished women including Dr. Naomi Osemedua, Abimbola Balogun, Eno Sam, Toyin Aralepo, Nkechi Alade, and the convener, Kiki.

The successful women shared their experiences, insights, and advice on how to emerge and evolve into a high-value woman, emphasising the importance of self-worth, self-care, self-awareness, and self-development.

LUQMAN Adelagun Odumosu, who is widely referred to as LAO might not be regular in your face politician, he is one bright mind that has earned people’s respect over the years.

Odumosu, who contested at the last Lagos Assembly elections to represent Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 1 under the PDP is one fine politician with an ambition and passion to solve problems confronting the people he hopes to represent.

With a wide knowledge of his constituency, LAO is quick to tackle anyone that stereotypes his people with the a clear and concise explanation supporting the constituents and their contribution towards the Lagos state government revenue.

LAO, who has lived in the United Kingdom for many years opined that his decision to vie for an elective office as a Lagos State Legislator representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency 1 is to change that systematic stigmatization, impoverishment and underdevelopment of his community and people.

He strongly believes that his constituency is blessed with some of the most talented and exposed people making Lagos and Nigeria proud around the world.

On his strong belief in having the capacity to lead Ajeromi-Ifelodun Constituency I, LAO said the constituency needs people who understands the essence of call to service, which he does. He also noted that as a philanthropist and community leader, he will represent the specific interests of his constituents and local government, having pledged to consider the needs as a whole regardless of our diverse political outlooks.

He also told those close to him that he will make sure appropriations are properly analyzed and resources are efficiently distributed in such a way those in need are put in priority and judiciously utilized.