Category: Social Circuit

OLORI Sekinat Aramide Elegushi, wife of Lagos popular traditional ruler, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, is confident of the potentials of her three princesses. In a recent interview with BBC News, the elegant Queen of Ikate Kingdom said she is unperturbed about not having a heir after being married to Oba Elegushi for 20 years. Olori Sekinat is so confident that she and the distinguished monarch have both raised the three princesses to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in any part of the world. She admitted that while women are not allowed to sit on the Elegushi royal throne, her daughters are capable of competing on an equal footing with men anywhere in the world. The Olori’s experience of successfully raising her three princesses has inspired her passionate love for the underprivileged and showing love to children through her Quality and Selfless Empowerment, QSE Foundation. Olori Sekinat, who has never been bothered by Oba Elegushi swarmed with women, extols her husband’s good looks, generosity and lovely mien. However, she has consistently expressed confidence in her husband’s love and knowing that he prioritises her above every other woman.

Olori Ivie Atuwatse III of the Warri Kingdom is a woman of few but laudable parts. Her passion varies from children to women, development, and support to her husband and the 21st Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III.

Those close to the Warri palace noted that Olori Ivie is passionate about the people of Warri and its environs that she goes to all lengths to ensure succour and more for the people every time. She’s described as a leader who possesses a heart of service to rule and reign with kindness. A royal with the hands of a skilled waiter, attending to the needs of her people one project at a time. She is said to have continuously lent her hands to reach the people through initiatives like The Wuwu Ore initiative, the Love Garden, the STEM Innovation Lab, the Soup Kitchen, and many others. In 2022, she launched the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Innovation Lab.

Through the initiative, she is able to develop and empower the African child and the African mind. All these she does in support of her king’s reign. A palace source also hinted that Olori Atuwatse has an unconditional love for her king and husband. The source disclosed that the admiration and adoration she has towards the Olu of Warri is visibly evident by the way she looks at him. Over the years, she has supported and stood by his side like a rock as he evolved into a doting husband and father, a trusted friend and now a reputable modern monarch. Though they have only been married for eight years, Olori Atuwase III doesn’t joke with how she constantly dotes on her husband.

FIFTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Jubril Adewale Tinubu is a Nigerian business executive and lawyer, who is the group chief executive of Oando PLC. Aside from being a generous and highly cerebral personality, JAT expressly exhibits an uncommon leadership style that is synonymous with him. This devoted faithful of the Islamic faith is known to have Eyimofe Boyo as his official and unofficial wingman.

However, five years ago, JAT was broken beyond words when his elder brother, Adedeji Tinubu passed away on January 25, 2018. The late ex-Special Adviser on Sports to Akinwunmi Ambode was one of the closest confidantes that JAT had. The two were brothers but were inseparable. While the late Deji took a liking to the sporting world, JAT harnessed and focused his strength on the oil and gas sector. The two brothers soared independently but collectively made their late father and ex-federal Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu a proud father. Hence, JAT couldn’t hide his pain and sorrow when he lost his dear brother to death five years ago.

Despite Deji’s passing away, JAT has continued to celebrate his life and kept his legacies alive. Remembering his late brother during the week, Tinubu ensured prayers were offered in his honour as he told friends how dearly the family and close associates miss Deji. To him, it still feels surreal even after five years but has accepted what fate has thrown his way.

DENNIS Okoro, the Director, MTN Foundation, was all smiles last week when he launched a tell-all book. ‘Education in Nigeria: Perspectives for a changing world’, the tell-all book on education penned by the former Education Director in Nigeria, was launched at the MTN Plaza, Ikoyi Lagos with several dignitaries in attendance.

Present at the launch of the 358-page book were Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi (OFR), mni; Dr. Ernest .C. Ndukwe (OFR); Chief Charles Ifeanyi; Retired Justice Eteubong Charles Archibong; Folashade Omo-Eboh, Monsignor John Aniagwu; Vicar General Nathaniel Okoro; Chief Femi Adeniyi-Williams, and other key stakeholders and leaders in the education space.

Speaking about the book, Okoro said he got inspired to write the book while having a conversation with an expatriate. “I was at the Argungu fishing festival some years back and while having a conversation with an expatriate he encouraged me to document my experiences and ideas on the Nigerian educational system. Luckily for me, the Covid lockdown provided the perfect opportunity for me to put my thoughts together and write the book,” he said. Before now, Okoro has held various positions in the Nigerian education public service that include Adviser, Primary Education, Director, Federal Inspectorate Services, and Director of Educational Support Services in Nigeria.

The name Paddy Adenuga is not new to those who know the Nigerian business and social terrain. For many years before relocating to the United Kingdom, Paddy was a regular face in 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 strategizing on his new adventure and plans to take over the global space with his ingenuity. And after many months, Paddy has ventured into new terrain. Though not a totally new terrain – as he has the world of arts running in the blood of his father, and sisters – Paddy is very excited about this new terrain. Paddy is embarking on a new journey of writing and has taken up a professional step in the world of screenwriters. Unknown to many and without attracting so much attention to himself, Paddy is essentially taking on the role of a writer who creates or adapts a story into a script for the entertainment industry. These scripts are written in a specific way to help readers understand the story, setting, and emotion of how it will be seen and heard on a screen. For his first original work, he’s kicking off this new venture with ‘Eduardo,’ an original screenplay by Paddy Adenuga. Sources revealed that Paddy is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring he gives his best as this new terrain is taking more of his time and dedication.

Aside from his new role and journey, Paddy can also be caught enjoying the National Football League, the professional American football league that consists of 32 teams. This fan of the Buffalo Bills is rooting for his favourite team to win the league as he’s one of the members of the BillsMafia.

FOR Elizabeth Elohor, it isn’t a bad idea to start the year by counting one’s blessings and practically naming them one after the other while showing gratitude.

Elohor is not a new name in the lifestyle and fashion world – she made her mark as an international model that has walked the runway for some of the biggest fashion brands in the world. After retiring to focus on capacity building, Elohor has distinguished herself as a global model agent running a thriving model agency, an event planning, and real estate firm. From providing models for the iconic Paris and Milan fashion week, Elohor has continued to get recommendations and accolades from different parts of the world. At the kick-off of 2023, the former model and founder of Beth Model Africa shares her journey into running Africa’s most sought-after model agency and what it takes to make it in the modeling industry.

In the same vein, CNN decided to honour the leggy Elohor by celebrating her 18 years as a Model agent, managing over 200 models worldwide and working with over 30 international agencies. Rather than take all the accolades, Elohor’s humane and humble being will always come to the fore. For her, she dedicated the honour to her amazing team which includes the models, clients, casting directors, advertising agencies, creatives  – stylists, makeup artists, and hairstylists.

It is unsure what her next move will be but Elohor sure has many more surprises up her sleeves.

The Chief Executive Officer of Onions Caterers Bukky Fagbuaro was all smiles recently when she threw open the doors of her new home to close friends and associates.

Fagbuaro had a housewarming and house dedication ceremony in her new mansion situated in the heart of Okota, Lagos. The bubbly Fagbuaro couldn’t help but thank God for her achievements with the catering outfit and her success.

She began the new year with the house dedication that had in attendance Venerable Dokunmu of Saint Paul Anglican Church Isolo, and the CEO of Apoi Investment Nig Ltd, Omooba Kolade Roberts. Others in attendance include friends, associates, and family members. Fagbuaro ensure that continental and local dishes were served to guests while top-range wines flowed ceaselessly.

Few are scholastic titans in Nigeria’s political galaxy and Prince Iyiola Omisore is, without doubt, one of these men of means. Though his political reverence appears to have cast a long shadow on his scholastic resplendence, this is because upon Nigeria’s political landscape, Senator Iyiola Omisore has proven himself to be a political giant, hence putting his scholarly attributes in the background. Omisore has a Ph.D. in Infrastructure Finance from the International School of Management, Paris, France. This is just one out of the myriad of academic degrees he has been awarded in his pursuit of knowledge that impacts society.

After completing his primary and secondary school education at S.S Peter and Paul (Roman Catholic Primary School) and St. John Grammar School Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria respectively, he had the first taste of tertiary education at Federal Polytechnic Owo, Ondo State Nigeria. He is also an alumnus of the Technology College, Reading UK, and Brunel University Uxbridge. He also underwent several professional courses at the West London College, Georgetown University, Internationale Weiterbildung und Entwicklung gGmbH, Harvard University, and the ABS Academy.

Dr. Iyiola Omisore is a fellow of some of the best professional engineering bodies in the world that include the Engineering Council (United Kingdom), Institution of Electrical Engineers, Association of Cost Engineers, Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), member of accreditation team for Engineering courses in universities across Nigeria, COREN, and Nigerian Institution of Safety Engineers. When he began his professional life in the UK, he started with Drake and Gordham. In 1985, the Nigerian division of the company (Drake and Scull (Nig) Ltd) brought the ebullient scholar back to Nigeria after he had risen to the management level. He sharpened his management skills while he was with Drake and Scull Nigeria limited. It was under this company that he undertook the supervision and construction of landmark edifices and amazing projects across the country: Ogba World Bank Assisted Health Projects, Guinness Harp brewery, and Sokoto University Teaching Hospital among many others.

After having learned a lot about work ethics and the intricacies of taking on several projects, he ventured into establishing his own companies. He first established Mechelec Consultancy Limited, under which he executed African Development Bank-financed projects, World Bank projects, and IFC/IMF/IBRD Financed projects. He proceeded to set up Chrisore Engineering Ltd under which he implemented projects such as Central Bank of Nigeria projects, Union Bank of Nigeria headquarters, etc.

Though Chief Adedapo Onafowokan might have passed away at the age of 97 in December 2022 as an industrious and benevolent personality, he would be forever remembered for his good deeds. One of the many individuals, who would never forget Chief Onafowokan is Nigerian billionaire and serial investor Femi Otedola.

Those in the know recently revealed why Otedola would never forget Onafowokan for his good deeds and benevolent acts. According to those in the know, a generous intervention from the late Onafowokan at a critical point in the life of the Otedola dynasty changed the history of the family for life. Those who knew what transpired between Onafowokan and the Otedola family recalled how a generous intervention from the late Onafowokan during the late Sir Michael Otedola’s campaign to be governor of Lagos State changed the game.

According to the story, the campaign team ran short of funds and after Femi took over the committee to raise funds to continue the campaign, Onafowokan gracefully without hesitation gave him a cheque of N250,000 which reignited the campaign and eventually led to a worthy victory.

Otedola, it was also gathered, had remained indebted to the late Onafowokan for the benevolent act. According to Otedola during Onafowokan’s burial, the late founder of LAD Group had a heart of gold till his death.

Nigeria’s industrialist and founder of the BUA group Abdul Samad Rabiu is currently being praised for his philanthropic gestures under the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa).

Recently, indigenes of Ogun state took it upon themselves to sing the praises of the billionaire, who committed a total of N1.5 billion to key communities in the Yewa area of Ogun state.

The philanthropic initiative in collaboration with the BUA Foundation awarded development grants worth Ilaro, Igbogila, Ibeshe, Egua, and Igonade communities for key community, social, and infrastructural development projects.

The grants, according to the representatives of the BUA foundation and ASR Africa, will be channeled towards interventions in the areas of health, education, or social development initiatives that are identified for implementation.

At the grant presentation by Ubon Udoh the Managing Director, ASR Africa to Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland in Ogun State, he assured of more partnership with the people of Yewaland and reiterated that the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu is to provide concrete solutions for sustainable development in Nigeria, and Africa.

According to Ubon, ASR Africa and BUA Foundation are planting a seed of sustainable problem-solving across Africa in line with the vision of Abdul Samad Rabiu, our founder – and Chairman of BUA. The news of Rabiu’s largesse has continued to resonate with many communities in Ogun state and its environs, who are praying that the CSR initiative comes to them.