Category: Society

By OLUSHOLA RICKETTS  

Death is a debt we all owe but humans are not always ready to pay it. Like many in the past, Princess Rosemary Dacosta-Adebutu, had to pay her debt on January 8, 2021.

Last Friday, January 29, her remains were laid to rest amid tears and tributes. The funeral mass was held at The Church of The Assumption Falomo, Ikoyi at 10am and ended 12 noon.

It was an opportunity for family members and loved ones to say one or two things about Lotto mogul Kessington Adebutu’s wife.

Her daughter, Temitope Adebutu-Obasanjo, admitted she wanted her to see her children and carry them in her arms.

She said: “My dearest mother, I have been inconsolable since you passed on to eternal glory. It still looks like a dream to me, we didn’t plan it this way. I was hoping. I am grateful to God that you went to God peacefully. I’m still in a rude shock but my consolation remains in Christ Jesus. It is well as words fail me at this time.”

Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu described Rosemary as an advocate for increased pocket money and his great dancing partner while in school in London as a young man.

Describing her as a strong, intelligent, warm, and charismatic woman, Segun Adebutu noted that he was one of those people lucky enough to have more than one mum and she was his favourite.

He added: “She wasn’t a mother to me alone but a mother to all. A fellow Taurean, it was no surprise that her amiable nature helped her get along with most people. ‘Mama-Mia’ (this was what I called her) it was a rude shock to receive the news of your passing away and a ‘ruder shock’ as the days have passed and the realisation hits that we won’t see you again till the Lord calls us all.”

Born on May 8, 1953, in Jos, Plateau State, to the family of Prince Chike Nwaokolo and Princess Veronca Nwaokolo of Umuodafe, Idumobi Odanta, Ibusa, Delta State, Rosemary was the first of 11 siblings.

She attended Mary Mount College Agbor for her secondary education and came to Lagos to assist her mother’s cousin, who had just had a baby and continue her education.

One thing many don’t remember about her was that she contested in the Miss Nigeria Pageant of 1973 and almost went home with the crown. This was after she got a job as a talk show host at NTA alongside late Art Alade. She emerged second runner-up, which came with the title – “Miss Legs.”

It was gathered that she met Sir Kessington, the father of her only daughter, in London, England in 1981, and their romance led to marriage.

As a grass-root politician, Rosemary was a stalwart of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) and later the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and she worked closely with Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and High Chief Raymond Alegho Dokpesi.

By Oladapo Sofowora

Prince Malik Ado-Ibrahim is regarded as one of Nigeria’s biggest exports currently putting his mother’s land on the world map with his brilliance and uncommon wizardry. He is of the ideology that charity begins at home and that is the reason he is investing and campaigning heavily to help Nigeria tow the path of switching to alternative renewable energy to generate power while reducing pollution.

The Next TV boss, educated in the UK and US, had a great aptitude for sports as well as international business and finance. He is an accomplished polo player and racing driver who has risen to the very top of the motor racing world in GT racing and Formula 1 as an owner. He has been involved in high profile deals globally and has been honored and welcomed by governments and heads of state around the world. He has a great passion for public service and a tremendous interest in sustainable living and environmental development in Africa.

The son of Kogi State first-class monarch, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, HRH Dr. Ado Ibrahim, connotes the persona of a man born under the proverbial lucky star. He has constantly changed the archetypal narrative about Nigerians to the rest of the world. Last year, the polo buff made the headlines when he tied the nuptials with Adama, the daughter of Borno billionaire Mohammed Indimi. The nuptial went viral as they both professed undying love for each other.

The love birds, Malik and Adama stepped out last weekend for the TedXOkenne, where Prince Malik was a guest speaker. As they both sauntered into the red carpet at Afims hotel, Okene, paparazzi shutters kept clicking away trying to catch a glimpse of their fashion statement and elegant poise. They both looked ravishing as they held hands just like a newly wedded couple. At the event, the CEO of Nigus International displayed his oratory prowess, speaking extensively on renewable energy and changing mindsets to become visionary by thinking far ahead.

He said; “Renewable has the resource to power electric vehicles. We need to get ahead of the curve; we are as Africans are blessed with the sun. Let’s create. Let’s develop something great.”

Olushola Ricketts

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar is undoubtedly one of the most successful businessmen and politicians in Nigeria. But becoming the president still remains on his bucket list and he is doing everything to achieve that.

Inasmuch as Atiku has his businesses in Nigeria, for reasons best known to him, he sees comfort in staying in Dubai. Social Circuit gathered that he had been living in Dubai since he lost the last presidential election to President Muhammadu Buhari.

This was also confirmed by a social commentator, Deji Adeyanju, during the week, asking him why he chose to live overseas and only come back to Nigeria when it was time for election.

He said: “Atiku has spent over two years in Dubai since he lost last election. He only came back for his children’s wedding and went back. He will come back in 2023 to say he wants to be president. Why not contest for a position in Dubai?”

After working in the Nigeria Customs Service for twenty years where he rose to become Deputy Director, he retired and ventured fully into business and politics. He started out in real estate business during his days as a Customs officer before venturing into agriculture, logistics, telecommunications, manufacturing of beverages and education.

By Olushola Ricketts

For some time now, interior designer Ehizogie Ogbebor has been in the news. There are even speculations that the beautiful woman may tie the knot with her  lover, Lagos State chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu Akinsanya, aka MC Oluomo.

Although her two marriages failed, the mother of three has hinted that she has not given up on marriage. According to her, she is in love again and is open to marriage.

Not too long ago Ogbebor went public with her relationship with Oluomo amid their romance rumours.  On her Instastory, she put out emoji-laden photos of her spending time with him. Although Oluomo’s face was covered, she is seen giving the NURTW chairman a kiss on the cheek. Also included in Ogbebor’s photo of him was an inscription that read “king” and a love emoji below.

The lady also shared footage of her spraying naira notes on Oluomo as he danced at the fifth coronation anniversary of the Oluwo of Iwo held a few weeks ago.

By Olushola Ricketts      

All efforts to get a bail for the Shepherd-in-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ Global Genesis Parish, Israel Oladele Ogundipe, aka Israel Genesis, have been abortive since he was jailed for defrauding a United Kingdom-based woman, Mrs. Olaide Williams-Oni.

Ogundipe, who has been on trial since 2011, was sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Lagos State High Court after he was found guilty of the crime.

But despite his present situation, church members have decided to celebrate his birthday on March 10. The invitation states that the event would be held in the church auditorium at Alakuko, Lagos.

Considering his sentence, the popular Lagos-based prophet will be celebrating his birthday in prison this year. This will be usual for his friends, loved ones and followers as Ogundipe always celebrates his birthday in a special way.

Born March 10, 1974, Ogundipe is seen by many as a selfless giver and great philanthropist, and he has been a prophet for more than 15 years.

By Olushola Ricketts      

At a small gathering of journalists recently, a friend wanted to describe the Oluwo of Iwo land, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, but he struggled to remember his name. These were the words that came out: “I am talking about that king who likes wearing “colourful things.”

Everyone laughed at his weird description, but it was a perfect way to describe the monarch as people immediately knew he meant Oba Akanbi.

At public functions, it is easy to spot him due to his love for colourful attires, especially the popular Yoruba ‘Aso oke.’ Reacting to his style in an interview in 2018, Oluwo said: “People don’t want to understand anything. People have bad belle, some don’t even like the way I dress. The way I add swag, the way I move around even people don’t like you for being beautiful.”

Apart from his youthful age, he has used the stool to impact Iwo town. Recently, when he celebrated his fifth anniversary on the stool, his people used the occasion to honour him.

Olushola RICKETTS   

Despite all the many relationship controversies that have surrounded billionaire Ned Nwoko, he hardly reacts on social media. But that changed during the week when he took to Instagram to celebrate one of his wives, Laila.

In the comment section, followers threw many sensitive questions at him and the former House of Representatives member was not shy to provide answers. At some point, it was hard to believe he was behind the handle.

Even when a Kenyan woman told Ned Nwoko to marry her (his age mate), instead of marrying young girls, he replied to her with a “Thank You.”

While Nwoko was still responding to questions, a follower said that “You always catch them young. So we have no chance because we are old?” He also replied: ‘There are many more out there. Work hard and be honest in all that you do. Success will always come”

Another user told him that “we want to see the other wives.’ He responded that “it is not everyone that wants to be in the public limelight. Anyone of them that decides to be subject to uncontrolled public inquisition is welcome to do so.”

Obviously, this is not the Nwoko people knew before he married Regina Daniels who constantly engages her fans. The only thing one can say here is that the young actress has not only won the politician’s heart, she has also influenced his lifestyle.