Category: Social Circuit

Dignitaries from all walks of life are set to attend Princess Kelechi Oghene’s GMYT African Humanitarian Awards (GAHAWARDS) at the Monarch Event Center, Lekki, on December 10.

Oghene said this year’s edition would be a world-class event celebrating the biggest social impact in Africa.

Over the last eight years, the awards ceremony has become celebrated and coveted on the continent of Africa, honouring individuals and organisations in various fields.

It has hosted and awarded more than 2,500 dignitaries from different sectors of the economy, including entrepreneurs, corporate bodies, humanitarians, public servants and the entertainment sector.

Oghene, who is also the owner of GMYT Fashion Academy, said: “One of the greatest contributions a human being can make is to give themselves so completely and openly. It is the celebration of the brilliance and inspirational aspirations of these humans that birthed the idea of GAHAWARDS.”

The past few days have not been easy for the wife and family of late Senator Gbenga Aluko.

Aluko, a politician and businessman, died last Saturday in Abuja at the age of 58.

Friends and associates, including Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, Senator Jide Omoworare, Hon Kayode Oladele, Senator Lawal Shuaibu, and Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, paid Aluko’s wife a condolence visit during the week.

Senator Afikuyomi shared: “On a condolence visit to the wife and family of Late Senator Gbenga Aluko, it was a very solemn and sober occasion at the residence of our departed brother, friend, and associate in Asokoro, Abuja.

Read Also: Masari, Ganduje, others visit Ikoyi collapsed building site

“We expressed our shock and sadness at his sudden departure from this world. We conveyed to the wife our sincere condolences and that of our other friends and his colleagues of the 4th Senate (1999 Senators), where he was also a principal officer. We assured the wife and family of our continued love and support. And that they are in our thoughts and prayers.

“We prayed that God will uphold the family and all his loved ones and grant them the fortitude and strength to bear this very sad loss.

“Importantly, we stated that Senator Gbenga Aluko selflessly served Nigeria; he was a global citizen, a perfect gentleman, a truly detribalised Nigeria and a great Nigerian. He was unreservedly committed to his people of Ekiti State. We would sadly miss him. May his soul rest in peace and May his memory be a blessing.”

A victim of the recent building collapse in Ikoyi, Lagos, Wale Bob-Oseni, would have been 50 years old on Tuesday, November 23, but death had a different plan.

Sources close to the United States-based real estate dealer said he had plans to throw a big party to celebrate his golden jubilee. But despite his demise, family and friends still gathered to offer prayers for his soul.

Also, a service of songs was held in his honour on Friday, November 26, at the Command Day Secondary School auditorium, Ikeja Military Cantonment, Maryland, Lagos.

Before death, Bob-Oseni was also the corporate affairs manager of First Premiere Mortgage and executive director of African Bureau for Legislative Empowerment.

The Methodist Theological Institute, Sagamu in Ogun State, honoured Deaconess Adetoun Adepero Olubi and fourteen other eminent Nigerians at its recent 70th Anniversary celebration.

Deaconess Olubi was honoured with the highly coveted award of Excellence as an Ambassador of Deaconess Order and Exemplary Motherhood. She joined the likes of the Prelate of Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Emeka Kanu Uche; His Eminence, Dr Sunday Coffie Mbang; His Eminence, Dr Ola Makinde; Sir Olaniwun Ajani; Most Reverend Lawrence Sanda Ayoade Ladigbolu and Most Reverend Michael Kehinde Stephen.

Sir Kesington Adebutu; Very Reverend Magdalene Idowu Tawiah Boyo; Sir Ademola Aladekomo; Sir Hassan Olusola Odukale; Dame Eunice Olayinka Obaleye; Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, the wife of the Deputy Governor of Benue State, Dame Mary Abounu and the wife of former Oyo State Governor, Chief Mrs Florence Ajimobi, were also honoured.

Since Chief Dele Momodu was installed as the Aare of Iwo Kingdom by Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adbulrasheed Akanbi, friends and associates have been singing his praises and celebrating him. Unfortunately, the celebration was cut short following the building collapse that claimed the lives of his friends – Femi Osibona and Wale Bob Oseni.

Led by Aremo Segun Oniru, some friends threw a big party for Momodu some days ago. Instead of grieving continuously, they thought it was better to celebrate the living when they could.

Showing his appreciation, the Aare thanked Aremo Oniru for lifting his spirit and celebrating his new title in the period of sorrow.

He said: “I am used to giving a vote of thanks for as long as two hours but I will try to be brief. I would have been happier tonight but for what happened recently. I have yet to fully recover. We have had to postpone this event being hosted by my friend (Oniru) who chose to hide under a group of friends because we live in a very dangerous world. Thanks for shifting the dates despite your own tight schedules.”

Aremu Oniru said he had gained a lot from Momodu, stating: “I have nothing but good things to say about Aare Momodu. Whenever I have the opportunity to be with him, I always take something away. You cannot spend time with him and not learn one or two things.”

While there was plenty of food and music at the event, there was also a moment of silence for lives lost in the building collapse in Ikoyi, Lagos.

In November 2001, young Agbani Darego struck gold and her life was never the same again. Becoming the first indigenous African to win the coveted Miss World pageant, caught the media attention and she quickly moved from an ordinary girl to a superstar.

It is now 20 years since Darego achieved the remarkable feat and she could not hide her excitement. Sharing in her Instagram page, she wrote: “20 years today! Forever thankful for the experience.”

Born in Lagos to a family of eight children, Darego was moved to a boarding school at 10 to shield her from her mother who was battling cancer.  Her mother, Inaewo, owned a rice trading business and a clothing boutique, but died two years after her daughter’s moved to boarding school. Darego has spoken several times about how her mother’s death prepared her for tough challenges in the future.

Darego was crowned Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) in 2001, before going on to claim the Miss World title.

Chief Executive Officer of EbonyLife, Mo Abudu, and Senator Florence Ita-Giwa are two women who have contributed to Nigerian society in different ways. While Abudu has contributed to the movie industry hugely, Ita-Giwa has played a role in politics.

Along with some friends, the two successful women were spotted together in London, United Kingdom. They had dinner at the May Fair Hotel.

Celebrity journalist, Azuka Ogujiuba, who was also part of the exclusive dinner, described the experience as exciting and impactful.

She shared on Instagram: “Still relishing over last night’s dinner at the May Fair Hotel when Aunty Mo invited us to dinner at the May Fair Kitchen restaurant. My beautiful mama (Ita-Giwa) was in the building, got us engrossed in an intellectual conversation about the country and its political growth, and why a lot of women should get involved in politics. I listened but l know this country’s do-or-die political terrain is not for me. I love my sleep and peace of mind a lot…”

Being the mother of former Governor of Cross River State, Chief Clement Ebri, Benedict Ama Ebri has lived a life of purpose and impact.

Fondly called Mama-Mkpani in the community, she was married into, she turned 85 last weekend.

To give her a surprise party, former Governor Ebri returned to the country from the United States on the eve of her birthday. The children, friends and family members gathered and celebrated Mama.

Mama-Mkpani gave some tips on how she brought up her children with love and respect.

She said: “First of all, I never quarreled with my husband in front of the children. I was very careful about that. Not that we didn’t have disagreements, but we would settle indoors. I would call him by his name Ebri and he would call me by my name Ben and I would say or he would say, what you did this morning I didn’t like.

“I thank God for the children he gave me, including daughters-in-law. They have been wonderful. When I tell them or call them to appreciate what they do, they will always say they learnt it from me.”

Speaking about her new age, she said she did not deserve it but God loved her. She explained: “At 85 years, I would rather say that I don’t deserve it. If you had used a knife for 85 years, it wouldn’t exist anymore.

Even if it was a shovel, you must have replaced the stick or handle. Or you would have discarded it a long time ago, but I do not know what I have done that made God add additional fifteen years to 70 for me to get to 85. I am most grateful to God and the way these children have looked after me, caressed me and pet me. What they are doing here today, I never had a clue that they were going to do this type of thing.”

“Clement came in last night from overseas; so, when I came today and saw this arrangement, I looked at him and said Eddy! He said he wanted to give me a surprise. So, God has been kind to me. I feel on top of the world today.”

Top businessman, Jimoh Ibrahim was the chairman of the day at the recent wedding ceremony of Taiwo Ariyibi and Damilola Ojo.

Jimoh, Social Circuit gathered, had been a close friend of Akogun Stephen Ojo, the bride’s father, for over three decades.

While performing the chairman’s duty, the Global Fleet Group Chairman encouraged the new couple to avoid third-party influences in their marriage because it is the easiest way to tear their bond apart.

Ibrahim was fully involved in the wedding, including the engagement ceremony. The live band also enjoyed his presence, as he sprayed them lavishly, while they sang his praise.

The wedding ceremony was held at the St Charles Borromeo Church, Victoria Island, Lagos, while the reception party took place at the Lekki Coliseum, Lagos.