By Oladapo Sofowora

 

The Awujale of Ijebu-land, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona is a fulfilled man. His reign in Ijebu as king has brought good tidings laced with peace, tranquility and prosperity. Assuming the throne of his forefathers at 26, is a clear indication that he is every inch a born king.

As we just sauntered into 2020, Oba Adetona will be celebrating his 60th coronation anniversary after assuming the throne in April 2, 1960.

Ijebu is currently catching the buzz as the well respected octogenerian monarch remains the longest serving monarch in Nigeria. In the cause of his 60th coronation anniversary, the oba we gathered, is currently in search for a new occupant of the Ogbeni Oja title –  a title last held by trained lawyer and businessman Chief Bayo Kuku, which has been vacant since his demise in 2015.

The search we gathered is triggered by the installation of betting mogul Chief Kessington Adebutu as the Odole Oodua last October in Ile-ife, Osun State.

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Ijebu’s history records: “The Ogbeni Oja is the highest title a free born Ijebu can aspire to. It must be conferred by the sitting Awujale. It is a position that puts him next in rank only to the Awujale.

The title was made popular by Chief Adetola Odutola in the 1950s when he monitored the selection and coronation of Oba Sikiru Adetona in 1960.”

The source added: “Since the announcement of the search for the next Ogbeni Oja, prominent business magnates of Ijebu land have shown interest. Billionaires, including founder of Globacom Dr. Mike Adenuga; Chairman of Tura Kodak Film Chief Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa (aka Fototek); CEO of Honeywell Group Obafunke Otudeko and Dr. Sonny Kuku…”

Oba Sikiru, we learnt, is facing hard times as those interested are all worthy. The Awujale is in a serious dilemma – choosing the rightful occupant for that stool.

It’s no news that Mike Adenuga is related to him and sponsors the annual Ojude Oba festival. The Awujale is consulting with his chiefs to settle for a candidate that fits the title and not generate mixed reactions from the public.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

Without doubt, Warri billionaire Ayiri Emami has a reason to be grateful to his creator. Most expecially for blessing him with a helping mate, who has given him peace of mind.

The CEO of A & E Petrol and A & E Group of Companies has his hands tied to many businesses, from construction, logistics, hotels & resorts, and entertainment.

The former chairman of Delta Waterways Security Committee and board chairman of NigerCat is quite a romantic person. He knows his love letters like the back of his hand.

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Little wonder he displayed his romantic side to his wife, Empress Asba Emami, on their 10th wedding anniversary on December 26.

Since their union in 2009, Ayiri has broadcasted the pivotal role his wife plays in his life.Their nuptial in 2009 can never be forgotten in a hurry as those who attended attested to the display of opulence and grandeur by the prime minister of Itsekiri kingdom.

The wedding soiree attracted the high and mighty to a highbrow location in Asaba, Delta State. He was reported to have spent over N200 million on the wedding.

Till date, the duo have been waxing strong in love and blessed with two beautiful children.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

Penning down the memoirs of Eyimofe Atake (SAN) is not complete without listing one of the most daring feat he achieved in the legal firmament. Attaining the position as Senior Advocate of Nigeria at 41, 12 years after he was called to bar is pure wizardry.

Eyimofe must be born under the proverbial lucky star. The feat looks easy but he has broken barriers, defended and won cases at each level before he was found worthy of such high feat in the legal profession.

Today, he is a shining star in the nation’s legal firmament. Eyimofe is not a pushover when it comes to legal matters. He knows his onions. He is a brilliant mind and a delight in court rooms, especially for his stylish outfits. When you watch him in action, you will be enthralled by his articulation.

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Eyimofe attended Copford College, Colchester, Essex, where he was a school prefect, house captain, athletics captain, table tennis captain, and played soccer and rugby for the school.

He was at the London School of Economics and Political Science (University of London), and Darwin College, University of Cambridge, where he obtained a doctorate degree in Law.

The debonair legal icon and his wife, Dorothy, are proud parents, as their son gave them a reason to smile again. It’s the joy of every parent to see his children go far in life; most especially, in academics and other achievements.

Eyitoritse successfully got a degree in Economics from the prestigious University of Kent, Canterbury in the United Kindgom. Eyitoritse was said to have inherited traits of brilliancy, astuteness and gentlemanly character from his father. He graduated with flying colours, as he sat atop of his class.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

What more can octogenarian betting mogul Sir Adebutu Kessington asks of his creator, other than long life in good health and wealth, as well as showing appreciation in return for the free gift his creator has blessed him with – putting smiles on peoples faces.

If giving were to be an art, Trust Baba Ijebu, as he is fondly called, he would be a first class candidate. Cheerful giving to him is a way of life. Little wonder everything he touches turns into gold.

His foundation, Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation (KAAF), has donated buildings and equipment, particularly to educational institutions in Nigeria. It has also empowered youths across the country. It was gathered that he has spent several millions of naira in donating buildings to tertiary institutions across the Southwest.

As part of his quest to salvage sporting activities in Nigeria, National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, would benefit from his generous philanthropic gesture. Take a trip down to the stadium, it’s dilapidated state is an eyesore for a country, such as Nigeria, blessed with a wide pedigree in sporting activities.

 

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The edifice is fast becoming a shadow of its old self. Alas, it’s lost glory is set to be restored as the Odole Oodua has taken over the edifice to give it a face-lift to befit its national status.

The Asoju Oba of Lagos was guest at the Adoption Campaign by the Ministry of Youths and Sport at the Civic Centre, Lagos. The chairman of Premier Lotto  called on corporate bodies and individuals to salvage the magnificent structure from collapse.

Intrestingly, in line with his commitment to sports development, Baba Ijebu  pledged to change and redesign Daura Stadium in Katsina, by fitting it with world-class equipment.

Society Rendezvous gathered that “his reason is just to give back to the sector that has given him both fame and wealth. Remember,  he owns Nigeria’s most trusted bookmaker, online sport betting; so, he believes he needs to assist the sector, by revitalising it.”

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

When you think of women in Nigeria with a passion for galvanising the female folk from the stereotype to living the full potential as nation builders, by spiritually and physically equipping them, Siju Iluyomade, an astute preacher, philanthropist, fashionista and public speaker comes to mind.

She has an undying passion for humanity. Those close to her can confirm that she lives her life for others. Siju is regarded a voice and campaigner for the improvement and empowerment of women by helping them live their hidden potential, using her Arise Women Conference as a tool.

The delectable stylish woman will, on January 8, saunter gleefully into a new age. She would be celebrating her 56th birthday. Although she might not be throwing a mega soiree in celebration, she is changing the narrative.

A close source hinted Society Rendezvous that the trained lawyer will be using that occasion to make plans for the empowerment activities of her non-governmental organisation, to reach out to more people in 2020.

“The Arise team had a successful human capital development and empowerment programmes for over 10,000 less privileged in the society, majorly women in 2019, seeing the high level of lack of social amenities in the country.

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‘’Siju is already planning big for …2020, which will see Arise Women increase its humanitarian and charity activities not only within Lagos and Abuja that it’s currently focused on, but also many parts of the North”

The source added that “all the achievement recorded by Arise Women in 2019 will be dwarfed in 2020 by God’s grace. Hopefully, not less than 30,000 individuals, mostly women, within Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Kebbi and other states, as well as Abuja, will benefit from the 12th edition of Arise Women empowerment activities.”

The fashionista and open-hearted philanthropist recorded successful activities in 2019,  including Arise Vocational & Skill Acquisition programme in Lagos; Arise Health Walk; and Arise Women Conference.

The team moved to Abuja where the two adopted villages; Dafara and Kabusa, benefited from the foundation’s gestures. Among other things in Abuja, the NGO inaugurated boreholes  for the communities and enlisted hundreds of women into Arise Women Farmers’ Foundation.

It distributed over 10,000 different items including bags of rice, school bags, soaps, buckets and back-to-school items for children.

 

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

Ndidi Obioha the Chief Executive of Enthyst Events Limited has carved a niche for herself in the business with years of experience. The stylish high-flying event planner truly knows her onions when it comes to event management business.

Over the years, her outfit has handled a number of high-profile events successfully to the surprise of her arch competitors.

As some would say, she is always as busy as a bee all year round, giving her far-flung clientele value for their money.

The beautiful woman is a successful entrepreneur who has her hands in many pies. And in all of these, she has proven to be a thorough professional, particularly when you consider the profile of growing clientele. Usually, the yuletide season is always a busy time for her when she reaps bountifully. During this period, she consults and handles events for government agencies and parastatal, corporate bodies as well as private companies and individuals.

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The International Relations graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) had worked in the advertising, financial as well as telecoms sectors before she launched her own business, which has now given her fame.

She created Enthyst Fashion Klinic because of her undying passion for dressing people and being stylish. For her, it is a case of turning your hobby into business. She recorded her breakthrough when she was engaged as the official stylist for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, MBGN, pageant.

Over the years, the ravishingly beautiful woman of substance, who won the City People Magazine’s 2014 Most Stylish Young Diva of the Year, has been recognized locally and internationally.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

It was the late Hong-Kong American actor and martial artists, Bruce Lee, that said: Patience is not passive, on the contrary, it is concentrated strength. The quote can best describe the action of billionaire businessman, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs. Since December 27, 2018 when their oil mogul father, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs died, Dumo, on behalf of his other siblings, has demanded inquest to ascertain the circumstance surrounded his death.

This has pitted Dumo against his Step-mom and widow of the Kalabari High Chief, Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs. She had kicked against every move by Dumo to carry out an autopsy on their father to ascertain what actually led to his death.

Seinye was said to have even filed a suit to stop the order of the Kaneshie District Magistrates’ Court in Ghana for an inquest into the death of her husband months after.

Amidst all the intrigues and schisms that trailed the nearly a-year family squabble, Dumo has exercised patience, and evidently, he is laughing last and laughs best.

Society Rendezvous gathered that contrary to the speculations that the entire family reached consensus on the funeral rites of their patriarch, Seinye, the widow, refused every peaceful moves until the matter went for hearing at the Superior Court of Judicature in the High Court of Justice in Accra, Ghana.

In the Consolidated Suit Number: GJ/1601/2019, the Court entered judgement in favour of Dumo while it also ordered that the mortal remains of the late OB Lulu-Briggs should be released to Dumo for onward movement to Nigeria for the burial and funeral rites.

The super wealthy businessman and philanthropist died last December aboard a flight to Accra, Ghana.

He was aged 88. The deceased’s extended family —Oruwari Briggs family of Abonema— has expressed sadness and embarrassment that their prominent son and patriarch’s remains have not been interred as Saturday 27th of December makes it exactly a year after his demise.

“We are much more sad and embarrassed that his (Lulu-Briggs) mortal body is lying outside Nigeria in another country (Ghana). The custody of our paramount ruler has not been handed over to his adult able bodied children, the chiefs and elders of the Oruwari (Briggs) House,” the family stated.

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“More than anything else, this has led to the mutilation of the body of our paramount ruler because of the uncertain circumstance as to the true story of how and when he actually died which has become unknown to us because of the variety of statements.”

But Seinye, it was learnt, probably realizing the futility in fighting everyone over the funeral rites, has however capitulated and tendered apologies to her husband’s family and elders.

In a recent letter addressed to the Chiefs of Briggs Compound, Seinye had pleaded for understanding and apologized to the family over her past actions.

“What I prayed is that God Almighty may grant you grace to exhibit His counsel in your deliberations and decisions as it affects me and all my children. I pray also and ask for your forgiveness for any offense or perceived offense my words may have caused in your hearts during this period…” she wrote.

With a year passed and perhaps, reasoning finally prevailing, Dumo and his step-mom, alongside some select family members are in Accra, Ghana to conclude arrangement on how to bring the remains of the deceased billionaire to Nigeria.

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, was said to have played a significant role in bringing peace into the late Kalabari high Chief’s family.

He has asked the gladiators to sheathe their swords and offered the state government’s readiness to foot the bill of the entire funeral rites of the billionaire founder of Moni Pulo Limited.

A January 25, 2020 tentative date for the interment has now been agreed by all the gladiators thus hopefully bringing to closure the controversy surrounding the burial of the large-hearted oil tycoon.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

Politics aside, Speaker of the House of Assembly, RT. Hon Femi Gbajabiamila is the biblical “Good Samaritan”. The reason for this is related to his milk of kindness to humanity; perhaps, most especially to his constituents. Make your survey round the Surulere demography and ask about the suave speaker of the 9th Assembly; encomium and eulogy will follow, as virtually everybody you meet would have benefited lavishly from his humane nature directly or indirectly.

The trained lawyer’s odyssey into the murky waters of politics can be dated back to 2003, at the peak of Nigeria’s return to Civilian Rule. Femi has represented Surulere Federal Constituency 1 wholeheartedly. His doggedness and persistence did not only pave way for him to emerge Speaker of the House of Reps, but his undaunting loyality and commitment to people around him played a pivotal role in his emergence. Even as minority and majority leader in the house, he has displayed sterling leadership qualities.

During the course of the election for speaker, several attempts were made to indict his persona. It took a free and fair election, for Femi to beat his archrivals, winning the highly coveted seat as the number 4 man in Nigeria.

In the history of speakers in Nigeria, Femi was the most prepared for the office. He never wasted time in settling down and announcing those who will work with him as he moved straight to the business of lawmaking.

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In the words of former first lady of the United States, Eleanor Roosevelt on cheerful giving which states; “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” Femi’s hobby is putting smiles on the faces of  people. His Surulere home is a mecca of sort for people. “There has never been a time when those who cried to his house will leave without smiling. He always proffer solutions to their problems” A source disclosed.

Last Sunday, he followed the words of Charles Dickens that “No one is useless in this world who lessens the burdens of another.” Femi has lessned the burdens of his people by delivering his campaign promises to them. The speaker surprised his constituents with an end of the year grassroot empowerment programme, held at the Open Field Abati Barracks, Surulere. He distributed over 40 saloon cars, generator sets, financial grants to small scale business owners, photocopying machines, home solar systems, laptops and other consumable gift items to the people of Surulere Constituency 1.

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

On their own rights, successful oil tycoon, Jubril Adewale Tinubu, and his lovely wife, Bola, can correctly be described as the authentic power couple. Though, not always in your face, the pair are famous, accomplished and obviously a happy and productive everyday couple.

Despite been a darling wife to a super rich dude, Bola has proven to all that money doesn’t always change you. Unlike some of her fellow billionaires’ wives who love flashier lifestyle, she lives a fairly quiet life and rarely seen at most high society parties. But her breathtaking philanthropic interest has impacted several lives.

On Wednesday —Christmas Day— the adorable couple marked their wedding anniversary amidst torrents of felicitous messages from friends and family members.

In her own message, Bola, on her social media handles, had described her hubby, Wale as “My Rock”. A successful corporate lawyer with a tight schedule, Bola is reputed to juggles between running her home, attending to her businessman’s hubby’s need and still oversees the need and welfare of her five lovely children.

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However, some days earlier, the couple has had a momentous week ahead of their wedding anniversary. Bola has had an amazing privilege of hosting International supermodel, Naomi Campbell, who stopped by at her Cece Yara Foundation office to learn about the work the organization is doing with children experiencing sexual abuse.

She has been named by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in its 2018 list, as one of 100 inspirational and influential women from around the world. And on the part of the fun-loving hubby, Wale, he had let down his hair when he hosted his numerous staff at Oando Plc and select friends to an ultimate End of the Year Denim Party at The Wings along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos. At the party, the billionaire oil mogul played host to African Giant crooner, Burna Boy, who serenaded Oando staffers and their guests.