Category: Social Circuit

THE United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard, has demonstrated her mastery of Nigerian society and lifestyle.

Leonard and her diplomatic team members were hosted by Nike Davies-Okundaye at her centre, Nike Art Gallery and it was a beautiful moment.

In a relaxed atmosphere, the ambassadors related with guests and their host.

Read Also: Toyin Saraki turns up for JCI

A major highlight of the event was when Leonard showed her dancing skills. She couldn’t resist the sound of the talking drums and she gave guests a show as a professional dancer.

She was also crowned with a traditional title, Yeye Ayangolu. The title came with a bead and a traditional cap.

The Chief Executive Officer of GAC Motors, Diana Cheng, was also presented with a traditional title.

SOME days ago, Oba Gbolahun Lawal and his Iru Kingdom in Lagos celebrated the Ejiwa Elegba Festival. But the death of the monarch’s mother, Olori Muinat Olabisi Lawal-Akapo, on Wednesday, has sent a mourning wave to the entire kingdom.
Although details of the burial were not made public, it was gathered that the late Lawal-Akapo was buried on Wednesday according to Islamic rites.
“Aged 85 years and having lived well, funeral rites will be in line with Islamic rites. Other details will be shared subsequently,” the statement read.
The Ejiwa Elegba Festival, which began on Monday, March 14, and ended on Sunday, March 20, is held annually to offer prayers for peace and prosperity of Iru Kingdom, her indigenes, Lagos, and the nation.
The ceremony was highly attended as sons and daughters of the kingdom came from different parts of the country to witness the occasion.

TOYIN Saraki was one of the top guests who brightened up the symposium organized by JCI Lagos City recently in celebration of women.

The wife of the former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was joined by Mrs. Zena Enaholo, the daughter of former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion; and Managing Director of Z-Edge Limited, Mrs. Kikelomo Atanda-Owo.

Read Also: Joe-Ezigbo turns 51

It was a learning opportunity for all participants who graced the event. They were enlightened by the values, knowledge, and experiences shared by Saraki, Enaholo, and Atanda-Owo.

Young men and women were advised to continue to make efforts to create opportunities for effective leadership growth irrespective of gender while also creating the desired balance that can engender national growth.

FAMOUS industrialist, Rasaq Okoya, and his wife, Sade, last weekend hosted high society as their son, Jubril tied the nuptial knot with Sara Otone in Lagos.

Sade’s joy knew no bounds. Jubril is her first son and she

was glad to witness the day he became a man.

At the ceremony, Sade prayed to God to bless the union of her son and Sara as they start a new life together.

Read Also: Joe-Ezigbo turns 51

She prayed: “I pray that everything you want in life, God will give you. This is a new journey and God will be with you. Your father is doing this for you today, your mother is doing this for you today. Big mummy is here and all the family is here today.

You will do this for your children; you will do this for your grandchildren.

“Nothing will separate you from Sara. This is one wedding you will do and it will be forever. I will never cry over any of you. Sara’s mother will never cry over any of you. Our families will continue to grow, our businesses will flourish and everything you need to service your wife, God will continue to provide. You will increase in good health, wealth, and in everything positive. God will not reduce you.”

AS Nigerians celebrate the 50th birthday of popular gospel singer, Osinachi Joseph, better known as Sinach, the First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Arbaje, has made a confession.

Sinach, who is currently in the Dominican, celebrated her birthday with Arbaje and lovers of her music. While giving a speech at the ceremony, Arbaje said they were blessed and honoured to host the singer on her special day.

“We are humbled that you have chosen Dominican to celebrate your 50th birthday. We are glad that you are here. You are my favorite gospel artiste. In 2018, I spent some time hanging around here because I was star- struck and I am still star-struck,” she said, adding, “I used to follow you everywhere in 2018.  I remember when you prayed and sang praises, people were touched. They were singing praises and accepting Jesus Christ. We were in tears.”

Nathaniel Bassey and Pastor Ayodele Oritsejafor are also big fans of the singer. Bassey described Sinach as a blessing and inspiration to the world. According to him,  Sinach has shown the world that it is possible for a sound to travel from a desert to a distant land.

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“50 years ago, God blessed our world with you. You have been a massive blessing and inspiration.  During the pandemic, Way Maker carried the nations of the earth and that’s because you made yourself a willing vessel,” he said.

Pastor Oritsejafor rejoiced with Sinach and her family, saying he admires her because she does things differently.

“I rejoice with you and give God the glory. You are not like everyone, as you do things differently. I say this because I know.

“I have experienced your ministry across the globe. You don’t just sing, you change lives through your music. Do not be distracted, don’t be moved, we remain focused and keep doing what you are doing.”

Some friends also stormed Dominica from Nigeria and other parts of the world to celebrate the gospel singer and mother of one.

ON Tuesday, Nigeria’s oil and gas industry celebrated one of their own, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, who is the deputy managing director of Falcon Corporation Limited.
At 51, Joe-Ezigbo has touched lives through her books, speeches, and mentorship programmes.
On Sunday, she was presented the Trailblazer in Energy Excellence Award. Managing Director of Waltersmith Petroman, Mr. Chikezie Nwosu, handed it to her.
Joe-Ezigbo, the first female president of the Nigerian Gas Association,
thanked everyone who wished her happy birthday, she said she was grateful for the love extended to her.
“I have come to say thank you to my God, my creator, my father, my friend, my protector, my defense, and the lifter up of my soul. I have come to declare that I am grateful.
“This is me in an open acknowledgment that everything I am, everything I ever was, and everything I ever will be is by the grace and mercies of God. Lord your daughter is saying thank you.”

EARLIER in the week, Dangote Fertilizer was officially launched in Lagos and the man behind it, Aliko Dangote, has received numerous accolades for taking the giant stride.

His friend, Femi Otedola, is also in awe of his achievements as a businessman and he spoke of his respect for him at the unveiling ceremony.

Describing Dangote as the chosen one, he said the ceremony was one of the happiest days of his life.

“I am so excited today. Today is one of the happiest days of my life. This is a project I have been visiting with Aliko since 2012,” he said.

“This project is quite remarkable. I will go down memory lane. In 2007, Aliko said he would build his own refinery. My take is that someone has to do something like this. I am chosen by God to do it but Aliko has done it with the special grace of God. This project will be a game-changer for Nigeria. This project gives me hope that Nigeria is on a path to achieving greatness once we solve our little issues like security.

“This is the largest refinery in the world. It will create local jobs, it will stop the importation of petroleum products, which to me is not the best for a country that has crude oil. it is appalling to see us importing petroleum products. This is also the second-largest fertilizer plant in the world and I thank God it is being commissioned today by the president. This means we are not going to import fertilizer anymore,” Otedola added.

THE Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto, Sjibomi Ogundele, and the owner of Cubana, Obi Iyiegbu, better known as

Obi Cubana, seem to be planning something. When two great minds come together, it means more greatness.

The two young businessmen met at Sujimoto’s office, the Lucrezia by Sujimoto. While the details of the meeting are not clear, it was gathered that they are planning on collaborative efforts.

Cubana recently unveiled a new herbal drink, Odogwu Bitters, and signed up fast-rising singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable.

Portable shared videos of the endorsement on his Instagram handle in the company of Obi Cubana.

LOSING a mother is without doubt one of the deepest sorrow that a man’s heart can experience. Giving your mother a grand farewell is therefore the least a son can do for a loving mother.

Otunba Olumide Araoyinbo did not disappoint as he gave his mother, Deaconess Roseline Oluwakemi Araoyinbo, a befitting burial, penultimate weekend.

The former Majority Leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly and businessman spared no expenses to make the event a memorable one.

The historic town of Irun Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State stood still for days, as the event turned into a festival of celebration that lasted for seven days.

Signs of what to expect came early in the week when activities kicked off traditional rites. Each day was allocated to traditional groups and musicians who rocked the ancient town.

On the bandstand, Juju music legend, King Sunny Ade (KSA), was at his best as he dished out scintillating tunes that left the guests spell-bound, with many rushing to have a glimpse of the maverick music superstar.

The ceremony, which began on Monday, climaxed on Friday when the A-list guests began to troop into the town. Among the guests at the church service were former Minister of Tourism, Culture, and National Orientation, Adetokunbo Kayode; former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Agboola Ajayi; former Attorney-General of Ondo State, Seinde Kumuyi; and the APC Chairman of Ondo State, Engineer Ade Adetimehin.

TOP female businesswoman, Hajia Bola Shagaya, hosted Chairman of the United Bank for Africa, Tony Elumelu, and Executive Director of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Segun Awolowo, at her residence in Ilorin, Kwara State.

Although Elumelu and Awolowo visited Ilorin to celebrate Dr. Alimi Abdulrasaq as the new Mutawali of the Ilorin Emirate, Shagaya opened her home to friends who came from different parts of the country.

She was excited to see her friends and ensured photos were taken to document the visit. Refreshments were served and there was a tour of the magnificent property.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Gambari; and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, celebrated with the new Mutawali and gave their blessings.