The Nation Newspaper

Category: Society

  • Supernova’s beauty and talent

    Supernova’s beauty and talent

    OLUSHOLA RICKETTS    

     

    Once you set your eyes on Nweke Chinenye Serrato, aka Supernova, you will notice her beauty. But she is more than a pretty face as she has built a profile for herself as a musician, songwriter, actress, movie producer and activist.

    For the former beauty queen, music is a powerful tool for change and she is determined to use it to impact the society. After the success of her hit single ‘Badder Than You,’ she just released two new singles – ‘My Year’ and Love Me.’

    She told Social Circuit: “I want to use my music to educate and enlighten people against discrimination towards people of different sexual orientations because one’s sexual orientation is encoded in their DNA. Also, music has no rules and regulations that every artist must follow and perhaps it’s good to show your versatility to your fans.”

    She started music very early in life as lead singer of The Lords Chosen Kids that put out children songs like ‘Lord You Registered My Name’ and ‘Jesus Died On The Cross.’ After a downturn in the group as a result of poor management, she stopped music and focused on her education.

    Serrato attended Nnamdi Azikiwe University where she completed a degree in Business Administration. As a student, she won Miss Business Administration, Miss NFCS UNIZIK chapter and Queen of Anambra Heritage despite being an Ebonyi State native.

  • Has Fani-Kayode found love again?

    Has Fani-Kayode found love again?

    By Olushola Ricketts

    After his last marriage ended, in addition to three other failed marriages, one would expect the former Aviation minister, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, to give up on the institution and focus on his kids. But going by the gist in town, it seems he has found love again and nuptials may be around the corner.

    He has been spotted with a Lebanese-Nigerian Lady, Lilian Olajumoke Ellas, at different times, and there are whispers that they may just be more than friends.

    At FFK’s New Year’s lunch held in his house, Lilian also attended. The politician even shared photos featuring Lilian on his Instagram page and as expected, it generated discussions on social media.

    Social Circuit gathered that Lilian was once married and she owns a beauty spa in Abuja. Lilian’s father is a Lebanese while her mother is from Asaba, Delta State, but based in Lagos.

  • K1 endorses Balogun as new ‘Buruji’ of Ijebuland

    K1 endorses Balogun as new ‘Buruji’ of Ijebuland

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    One of the high profile personalities that COVID-19 took away last year was Buruji Kashamu and it created a huge vacuum in Ogun State.

    Dolapo Balogun has been tipped by some observers to become the new Buruji of Ijebuland. “Buruji” literally means “wealth” in Yorubaland and Balogun possesses all the ‘Buruji’ qualities.

    At a wedding held recently at Queens Park in Victoria Island, Lagos, where some wealthy young men gathered, Balogun renewed his marital vows with his wife of 10 years. It was also an opportunity for the automobile dealer to display why he is fondly called the “Buruji” of our time by friends and associates.

    While doing what he knows how to do best, Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal endorsed Balogun. He sang: “Se e ti gbo, Buruji Tuntun ti wa ni Ijebu. Dolapo Balogun, Apawpaw, Owo wa, ipo wa, oni eyan.”  In English, it means: “We now have a new Buruji in Ijebu and he is wealthy too.”

    Dolapo has a lot in common with late Senator Kashamu. He is a PDP member and an Ijebu man. He is also a godson of late Buruji; he met him in 2014.

  • How Obasanjo entered New Year

    How Obasanjo entered New Year

    By Olushola Ricketts

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is a man who understands the grace of God and is thankful for that. Ushering in the New Year, Obasanjo held a thanksgiving service in Abeokuta, Ogun State, in company of the likes of Gbenga Daniels; Gov Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State; Rev. Mother Abimbola and Rev. Dr. Ademuyiwa Ajayi; Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Chairman Ogun State, Bishop Tunde Akin-Akinsanya; CAN Chairman, Lagos, Steven Adegbite; Otun Balogun of Iwoland; Chief Abiola Ogundokun; Chief Obafemi Olopade; Major General Ekundayo Opaleye, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Edward Ajogunand and Iyalode Alaba Lawson.

    In his sermon, titled, “Thanksgiving: A Secret of God’s Champions,” Bishop Francis Wale Oke urged everyone to imbibe the habit of giving thanks to God always.

    “David cultivated the habit of thanking God, and that was one of the reasons he was able to defeat his enemies. For every good God has done to us, let us learn to say thank you,” he said.

    The event branded with praises and songs by the Ogun State CAN choir also featured a moment of prayer for youths championed by Rev. Mother Esther Ajayi.

  • Multiple honours for Oduduwa University founder at 64

    Multiple honours for Oduduwa University founder at 64

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    For the Maye of Yorubaland and founder of the Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu, Osun State, Dr. Ramon Atobatele Adedoyin, every January 1st is always a day to celebrate.

    Adedoyin, who shares the same birthday with the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, celebrated his 64th birthday in January 2021.

    He did not allow the day to pass by without a visit to the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-Ife (OAUTHC) and Nigeria Prisons, Koseere, also in the suburb of Ile-Ife where he gave out cash donations to off-set medical bills of in-patients for their various treatments and cash donations for prison inmates. He also visited homes for the elderly and widows

    What made his 64th birthday celebration unique was the award he was conferred with. Western Youths Development Forum conferred him with the award of ‘Hero of Our Time and Ambassador of Youths.’

    The International Institute for Leadership Studies and Project Management also honoured him with ‘Lifetime Millennium Achievement Award in Community Service, Philanthropy and Education Development.’

  • Muri-Okunola nears golden jubilee

    Muri-Okunola nears golden jubilee

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    By now, the number one man in Lagos State Civil Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, will be feeling the pressure that comes with aging. More responsibilities and fulfilment of personal goals are some of these pressures.

    The state’s 21st Head of Service (HoS) who clocked 49 on Thursday, January 7, is a son of grace as he has enjoyed a rapid growth in his career as a civil servant.

    Before he was appointed on December 29, 2018, as Lagos HoS, he was once personal assistant to ex-governor Bola Tinubu and in 2005 became Executive Secretary to the governor on Land Use and Allocation Committee.

    In 2011, at just 39 years old, Muri-Okunola became Permanent Secretary in the Land Ministry, and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

    The first son of the late respected Justice Muritala Okunola had his primary education in Lagos, precisely Nigeria Navy Secondary School. Years after he completed his Law degree at Lagos State University, Ojo, he gained admission into Queen Mary & Westfield College, University of London, obtaining a master’s degree in International Business Law.

  • Alake fulfils Mustapha’s 19-year’s dream

    Alake fulfils Mustapha’s 19-year’s dream

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    Every human has dreams – some look daunting to achieve while others come easily. This is the case of Chief Bode Mustapha who waited 19 years to achieve a dream.

    For years, Mustapha, fondly called BM, desired the title of Osi of Egbaland. After many obstacles, the Ogun State government has approved his instalment as Osi and the ceremony will be held on March 13.

    BM, who has represented Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode and Odeda Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, has also been the Bobagunwa of Egbaland for 21 years.

    In appreciation, the Osi of Egbaland and his entourage recently paid a courtesy visit to the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and the Agura of Agura land, Oba Saburi Babajide Bakare.

    Osi of Egbaland in the traditional council is number three in the hierarchy of the traditional council and he will be supporting the Alake in seeing to the wellbeing of the Egba people.

  • Will Lulu-Briggs finally get befitting burial?

    Will Lulu-Briggs finally get befitting burial?

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    March 13 has finally been picked for the burial of late business mogul, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs, after two years of his demise and chaos in his family.

    Before death, the late Lulu-Briggs was also Paramount Head of Oruwari House of Abonnema. But the controversies and litigations that trailed his demise, including legal tussles in Nigerian and Ghanaian courts over where the deceased truly died and who should take possession of his remains made his burial a long wait.

    It was also learnt that the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent restrictions by the federal and state governments as regards funerals and large gatherings further elongated the final burial rites.

    On behalf of the Oruwari Briggs House, Ibim Dokubo, a lawyer, stated that when on December 23, 2019, a High Court in Ghana ruled that the body of the paramount head be released to the family led by Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the matter was appealed up to the Supreme Court before the body was finally brought on March 16, 2020, in the midst of COVID-19.

    In his lifetime, Lulu-Briggs was a public servant, labour leader, politician, businessman and philanthropist.

    All eyes will be on March 13 as the late chief’s friends and associates have been longing to honour him. Hopefully, the family will come together and give their patriarch a befitting burial rite after years of delay despite interventions by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and other top personalities.

  • Love exists between Yeye Daniels and Bamidele Abiodun

    Love exists between Yeye Daniels and Bamidele Abiodun

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord. Co-founder of Red Media, Adebola Williams, has found a wife in former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniels’ daughter, Kehinde, and every good thing of life is expected to follow him as the scripture says.

    While the day was specially created for Debola and Kehinde, one thing that was noticeable at the colourful introduction ceremony held in Daniel’s Lagos residence was the mutual respect and love between the bride’s mother, Yeye Olufunke Daniels, and Ogun First Lady, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun.

    Before Mrs. Abiodun’s official car approached the venue, Yeye Olufunke Daniel was already waiting to receive her. The two stylish women warmly embraced themselves and had some laugh before they headed to the hall. The mutual respect and love were there for all to see.

    It would be recalled that Yeye was once First Lady of Ogun State for eight years. Although Abiodun occupies the position now, it will be not be wrong to call Yeye her senior.

  • Oba Elegushi emotional as daughters finish Islamic school

    Oba Elegushi emotional as daughters finish Islamic school

    By Olushola Ricketts

     

    There are certain feelings money can’t buy; like when your child achieves a feat which makes you proud as a father.

    Royal father, Oba Saheed Elegushi was close to tears as his two princesses – Sofiat Elegushi, 17, and, Soliat Elegushi, 16, defied all odds to master the Holy Quran.

    At the graduation ceremony at The Monarch, Lekki, Lagos, the king was excited as he saw his daughters reading the Quran like Islamic scholars of many years.

    Social Circuit learnt it took the girls seven years to complete the mastery of the holy book as they had their education and many other things to deal with. A palace source said: “Normally, it takes three years to learn the Quran but the girls are busy with their education and they are not always around. But despite the hindrances, they completed it. That made the king and queen proud. The king reads the Quran too but not as well as our queen.”

    A limited number of guests were invited for the ceremony and strict COVID-19 rules were also applied. Personalities spotted included Oba Gbolahan Lawal of Iruland; Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Anofiu Elegushi; Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Taiwo Afolabi of Sifax Group.

    There were also speakers like the popular Islamic scholar, Sheik Farouq Onikijipa, who delivered the anniversary lecture.

    Earlier, Queen Aramide Elegushi put smiles on the faces of over 300 children. At the second edition of the Christmas party, the kids danced, ate, played games and went home with gifts.