Category: Social Circuit

BILLIONAIRE businessman Femi Otedola has reacted to his appointment as Chancellor of a private tertiary insititution in Lagos, Augustine University.

He took to his Instagram page to share his excitement. Sharing a screenshot of the news, he wrote: “Honoured to have been appointed Chancellor of Augustine University. Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.”

Three years ago, he donated a N2 billion building to the university’s Engineering Faculty as part of his desire to promote education in Nigeria.

Otedola is the chairman of Geregu Power Plc and he presently has a major investment in First Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc.

Married to Nana Otedola, the mogul has three daughters and a son.

CELEBRITY journalist, Ruth Osime, has picked up a new role at Arise News. The station just launched a new talk show named Perspectives, and she will be co-hosting with Olaterora Majekodunmi-Oniru.

While Osime brings her years of experience in media to the show, Majekodunmi-Oniru is an entrepreneur and development speaker with over 16 years of experience in finance, technology, global trade and consulting.

Perspectives takes a deep look into trending issues and welcomes people’s viewpoints. The first episode, which aired on September 3 analyzed the role of women in politics. It also highlighted the fact that men are the leading contenders for major positions ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 elections.

AMBASSADOR Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez‘ name might not ring a bell to the younger generation but when he was still active on social radar, he was considered one of the richest men in Africa.

Fernandez died on September 1, 2015, in Belgium, after battling an illness for months. He was buried at Ixelles Cemetery in Brussels on September 18, 2015, though some family members wished he was buried in Nigeria. According to them, it was the wish of the billionaire.

Born on August 12, 1929, the late chief began his life as a diplomat in 1966 in the present-day Benin Republic. He served as an advisor to the Angolan Government on Economic matters and he was later appointed as a Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations in 1984.

However, it was said that Fernandez made a major part of his wealth from petroleum. He had an oil company known as Petro Inett, which had a 50% share with South African-based Energy Africa Limited.

He was a popular figure among women but Princess Ibilola Lipede of Egbaland was his first wife. Their daughter Olateju Phillips worked as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Lagos State, and married an engineer Lanre Phillips.

Prophet Oladele Israel Ogundipe of Genesis Church has come out to condemn Rev.  Abimbola Esther Ajayi for abandoning him and his family when he was jailed for a fraud-related crime.

Although he did not mention her name, it was not hard for followers to connect the dots and join them together. The two clerics once had a close relationship but things are no longer the same since Ogundipe left the prison.

Recounting how he served the respected woman, he claimed she removed all his photos from her official social media pages and couldn’t reach out to his family.

However, Rev Ajayi refused to comment on the outburst during a press conference organised to mark the 15th anniversary of her London church and a year thanksgiving for the Lagos cathedral opening.

She said, “I am too busy a person to lose my focus. Obasanjo is coming to preach in my church on Sunday.”

Two society women, Abah Folawiyo and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, were in Cotonou, Benin, recently to celebrate with two young lovers.

The wedding reception was dominated by Nigerians. The bride is a Yoruba lady and her mother is a businesswoman based in Cotonou.

Abah and Ita-Giwa made their presence felt when their friend, the mother of the bride, was on the dance floor. They did not just dance with her, they also sprayed her money.

Ita-Giwa prayed for the newlyweds and advised them to always allow God into their home. She said there would be challenges but they should work together as a team.

Ambassador Olukayode Aluko  and Apostle Michael Adefarasin also attended the colourful reception.

The bride’s name is Oluwatumininu Solanke while the groom is Oluwatobiloba Isaiah. They took their marital vows at the Crown of Glory Cathedral in front of family, friends and church members.

Chief Babajide Agunbiade has bagged another title, Asiwaju of Fiditiland.

Last year, he was installed as the Atobaase of Yorubaland by the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi.

The Onifiditi of Fiditiland, Oba Sakiru Oyewole Adekola-Oyelere, conferred the title on Agunbiade, saying he was perfect for this position.

Although Agunbiade is from Fiditi, a city in Oyo State, and has contributed a lot to its development, he works at the National Oilwell Varco, the biggest producer of oilfield equipment in the world. The company is based in Houston, Texas, United States. He is also an engineer, an investor, and a businessman.

THIS is not a good time for Ambassador Samuel Bamidele following the passing away of his mother, Mama Juliana Alate.

The late Alate died on August 18, in her hometown in Owo, Ondo State. She was 121 years old. Despite living many years on earth, the ambassador would miss the special bond he shared with his mother.

According to him, details of the burial arrangement would be announced by the family soon.

He also appreciated everyone who had reached out to the family members over the loss.

IT is a difficult task to say a final goodbye to a mother. It is even harder to give a eulogy to a loving and caring mother who gave one life and ensured that one lived a meaningful life.

That was the story in the ancient and historical town of Epe, Lagos State, last weekend when the Ademuyiwa family gave their final farewell to the matriarch of the family, Princess Victoria Oyinade Adedeji.

Signs of what to expect began to manifest on Wednesday when the town began to witness an influx of visitors from all walks of life. On Friday, the town was already agog with beautiful and gaily dressed men and women heading towards the home of a former Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government, Omoba Ademuyiwa Adedeji. He is also one of the sons of the late Madam Adedeji.

The burial ceremony of Princess Adedeji may have come and gone, but its memory will linger for a long time in the minds of guests.

According to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all those who had the opportunity to know her, she lived a selfless life. She always put smiles on the faces of people and made sure that no one went to bed with an empty stomach.

The burial ceremony kicked off on Wednesday, August 24, 2022, with a service of songs at her residence in Gbagada, Lagos. The second leg of her journey commenced on August 26, with a Christian wake service, which was led by the choir of the First St. Anglican Church, Epe, Lagos.

Saturday, August 27 was the high point of the three-day ceremony. The remains of the deceased arrived at the church in a beautiful white casket driven.

The reception took place at the compound of UPE Primary School, Iraye Oke, Epe town. Juju music star, Mega 99, entertained guests with a live performance.

GOVERNOR Hope Uzodinma of Imo State will be playing host to the Best of Nollywood Awards (BON) Awards, later this year, precisely December 3.

The Producer of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, said the history of Nollywood would be incomplete without Imo State and Iweka Road, which used to be a major distribution getaway for Nollywood productions during the hay days of digital video disc sales.

“Hosting the awards event in the state is also a good opportunity for Nollywood practitioners to appreciate the good work Governor Hope Uzodinma has been doing in ensuring that the Nigerian make-believe industry thrives in the state,” he said.

This year’s BON Awards will be held at the International Conference Centre, which was recently renovated by the state government.

THE First Lady of Kebbi State, Dr. Zainab Shinkafi-Bagudu, has been inducted as a fellow of the African Institute of Public Health Professionals for her contributions in public health and cancer in Nigeria and the world.

Being inducted into the fellowship is a significant milestone in a public health professional’s career. Fellows are selected based on their remarkable contributions and impact to improve the health of people. For this year, six members have been awarded this honour by the AIPHP.

During her acceptance speech, Shinkafi-Bagudu said she felt honoured and pledged to continue to put more effort into cancer control.

“We have to acknowledge the great role that public health plays in strengthening our health care system. For me, as a clinician, as an advocate, and as a mother, public health will always be a frontline issue that I must continue to play a role

 “The burden of cancer is a public health emergency and it’s one the policymakers must recognize if we are to improve cancer awareness and early diagnosis,” she said.