The Nation Newspaper

Category: Society

  • Temi Marcella honoured

    Temi Marcella honoured

    Temi Marcella, the founding partner of Alcent Capital is one of Nigeria’s high-flying female entrepreneurs shattering the glass ceiling across the world.

    For her feat in various projects she has ventured in, she was recently honoured with another feather to her cap by the World Economic Forum, WEF as one of the world’s Young Global Leaders Class of 2024.

    The prestigious award launched in 2024, is a platform to recognize exceptional and forward-thinking leaders from all walks of life and various fields below 40 years old.

    For Temi, getting nominated for the award is not an easy feat as selected individuals go through a thorough assessment process.

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    She has carved a niche for herself as one of Africa’s emerging female leaders in the entrepreneurial world.

    With the recognition, Marcella joins a list of outstanding honorees from every corner of the world including tech giants, and young innovators dominating the international business landscape. 

    In her reaction to the global recognition, Marcella expressed excitement for being recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. In her words”I look forward to embarking on this transformative journey and working alongside fellow WEF leaders to build and grow innovative platforms that will drive impact at large scale.”

  • Drela: The Rising Star Redefining Afrobeats with Authenticity and Resilience

    Drela: The Rising Star Redefining Afrobeats with Authenticity and Resilience

    In the dynamic landscape of Afrobeats, Mohammed Salisu, known as Drela, emerges as a rising star whose music transcends borders. His journey reflects the genre’s meteoric rise from local sensation to global phenomenon, promising to lead into uncharted territories. Drela’s music, blending R&B and Afrobeats, defies categorization, painting vibrant canvases of sound resonating globally. Raised in a community where music was life, he absorbed a rich tapestry of sounds, laying the foundation for his musical empire. With a talent recognized early on, Drela secured a spot on CashBoy Records, poised to become the voice of a new generation.

    Drela’s creative process is deeply personal and immersive, drawing inspiration from experiences and emotions. Through his music, he aims to spread happiness and address social issues, reflecting youth narratives and the vibrant energy of African life. Influenced by legends like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Drela’s sound is marked by distinct vocals and genre-blending elements. His debut EP, “Ice Cream Boy,” showcases his versatility and artistry, captivating listeners with emotive storytelling and captivating melodies.

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    Reflecting on his journey, Drela shares memorable moments of overcoming fear and seizing opportunities in the music industry. Balancing personal life with his career, music is his sole focus, reflecting his relentless and high-spirited nature. His stage name, derived from a dream, symbolizes his life’s essence, while his personal brand aims to spread love, happiness, and positivity. Engaging with fans through social media, Drela incorporates initiatives to fight depression into his brand, making a positive impact through his music.

    Staying authentic amidst industry pressures, Drela believes in being true to himself and his passion for music. His personality shines through prominently in his music and public persona, drawing listeners closer to his magnetic voice. Envisioning growth and international recognition, Drela aspires to become a blueprint for aspiring African artists, inspiring them to chase their dreams relentlessly. Despite initial ambitions of becoming a footballer, Drela’s passion for music prevailed, setting him on a path of greatness in the Afrobeats industry.

    Acknowledging Fela Anikulapo-Kuti as Afrobeats’ greatest artist, Drela’s message to music lovers resonates with unity and inspiration. He emphasizes music’s universal language, encouraging listeners to join him on his journey. As Drela’s star continues to rise, his story exemplifies the power of authenticity, passion, and resilience in the pursuit of dreams. With each beat, each lyric, he leaves an indelible mark on the world, redefining Afrobeats for a new era and inspiring generations to come.

  • Who is after KWAM 1?

    Who is after KWAM 1?

    Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall loves controversy.

    Over the years, controversies have always been to his advantage as they keep him in the consciousness of the public.

    Many admire his music. The Olori Omoba Akile-Ijebu is unperturbed about what naysayers say as he is focused on living his best life and having fun.

    The Maiyegun of Yoruba Land has always told anyone who cared to listen that what anyone says about him does not define his person. Only those who come close to him know his true personae because he is often misunderstood owning to his principles as a no-nonsense person and a disciplinarian.

    So, when the video of one of his former band members, Ayankunle Ayanlowo, broke on the internet in which he made a series of allegations against the entertainer, KWAM 1 chose to keep quiet but he asked people to take a survey of  his band boys on how he was treating them.

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    KWAM1 also didn’t want to wrestle with his erstwhile drummer, who alleged that while they were on foreign trips, the Fuji maestro collected their passports and would not return them even when they arrive in Nigeria.

    Sources said that KWAM 1 is just protecting his integrity and brand as he did not want a situation where any member of his band wouldl abscond and it would be on his record that his band boys absconded during a foreign trip which will hinder future visa facilitation.

     Though KWAM 1 has not personally addressed the allegations, some of his band boys have openly said they are not owed wages and some even said through the Fuji maestro they built their homes in Lagos.

  • Aig-Imoukhuede’s return

    Aig-Imoukhuede’s return

    Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede is indeed one of the best brains in investment banking sector with years of experience and is a seasoned lawyer.

     He is a shrewd businessman and a man who sees fortune in misfortune. While growing up, he was highly cerebral which led him to bagging a Law degree at the University of Benin at the age of 19.

    While many of his peers were struggling to find their feet in the corporate world, he pitched his tent with the then Continental Merchant Bank during his youth corps year and moved to Guarantee Trust Bank GTB in 1991 wherehe rose to the post of an executive director before he resigned to pull the mega acquisition of Access bank alongside his friend. He later became the Group Managing Director till his tenure expired in 2013.

    As president of the Nigerian Stock Exchange before his retirement in 2017, he played a pivotal role in the growth of the institution which ensured financial fair play and that investors get the true value for their investment.

    While he sits as a board member, chairman and co-chairman of top multinational companies, he also engages in philanthropy through his Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation which is a service purpose vehicle for giving back to his immediate environment.

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     He has been going about his other ventures that include Coronation and making an impact in his corner until the sudden death of his friend and partner, Herbert Wigwe, in a tragic Helicopter crash in the United States of America.

      While Access Holding announced that he will be acting in as the Non-Executive Chairman, Board of Directors of the conglomerate, many thought he was going to assume the role of his late friend.But Aigboge disclosed that his interest has, over the years, tilted and he no longer wanted to be the main man but rather assume advisory roles and invest more in philanthropy as he also desired to keep his lifestyle private.

     He also said he prefers those he has mentored over the years to assume such positions as it would give opportunity for a new breed of managers who would take the baton from him eventually.

     Sources said he will be officially introduced at the 35th Annual General Meeting of the brand in April as they hope he brings his wealth of experience and his magic wand to sustain the legacies of his friend as they know he is up to the task.

  • Lanre Tejuosho hits diamond

    Lanre Tejuosho hits diamond

    Senator and Egba Prince Lanre Tejuosho is a golden fish that has no hiding place.

     He is known for not doing anything in half measure as whatever he ventures into always yields gold. He has carved a niche for himself as a seasoned politician, administrator and health practitioner.

     Apart from being the son of the Osile Oke-Ona of Egba, Oba Adedapo Tejuoshu, he is also the grandson of the Iyalode of Egba, Mrs. Bisoye Tejuosho. At 21, he became a doctor with vast knowledge in Telemedicine and medical computing.

     A member of the Eighth Senate, representing Ogun Central, he had served as Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Environment and Special Duty in Ogun State, and was once the chairman of the Senate Committee on Health.

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     Last week, the politician and pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos turned 60, and he spared no cost in giving himself a treat.

    The event saw the convergence of who is who in the Nigerian political landscape and had monarchs, business executives and society bigwigs in attendance.

     At his birthday party, which was held at the Oriental Hotel In Lekki-Epe Expressway, it was a total shutdown as legendary Juju maestro Chief Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi was on the bandstand to serenade guests. It was an array of local and continental dishes.

  • Olori Tobi Ogunwusi’s double gifts

    Olori Tobi Ogunwusi’s double gifts

    Olori Oluwatobiloba Phillips Ogunwusi recently gave  birth to twins.

    Hence, she has a reason to shout Hallelujah as she is blessed with a boy and a girl for the progenitor of Yoruba race, the Ooni of Ife.

    Olori Oluwatobiloba, who was an erstwhile beauty queen and a fashion buff, joined the Ooni’s harem a few years ago as the third wife, making her the youngest of all the wives. One thing that stood her out apart from her ravishing beauty and graceful gait is her homely attitude.

    After her union with the influential monarch, her lifestyle changed. She stayed where she was told to stay and only went out when necessary. She is one of the King’s favourites for high octane events as her fashion sense and beauty radiate with an uncommon aura. She also became the delight of those within the palace as she maintained a cordial relationship with many.

     At some point, she withdrew from her social media pages while she went through the pregnancy phase. She also left the palace and moved to Lagos, where she received the best care while undergoing the antenatal process.

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    Although it was a tough journey for her, being her first shot at pregnancy and motherhood, she was able to pull through with the help of her husband and her family members who stood by her side all through.

    While many of her admirers were wondering why she took a break from social media, some alleged at a point that she had fallen out with her husband but not many knew she was going through her pregnancy phase as she completely hit it from public consciousness.

     While she birthed the twin baby in an undisclosed hospital on the Island in Lagos, many are expecting her to return to the social scene but the mother of two will gradually take some time off to attend to the newest prince and princess of Ife.

     Sources from the palace also disclosed that since the announcement of the bundle of Joy, there has been a series of celebrations in a build-up to the naming ceremony later this week as the Ooni will spare no cost to celebrate the birth of the newborn.

  • Bago’s giant strides

    Bago’s giant strides

    Niger State Umar Bago, the sixth elected governor of the state, a farmer, has paid his dues at the grassroots  before getting to his current status.

    From his actions, he seems to have prepared well for the job as he is poised to make history as a governor who has taken food security and farming to the next level. He is taking advantage of the fertile and vast landmass in the state to proffer solution to challenges affecting agric business in Nigeria. He is also using the opportunity to generate revenue and empower its farming population.

    The banker-turned politician started with a stellar career in the banking sector having worked at the United Bank for Africa, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) and Afribank before heeding the call of his people to delve into politics in 2007.

    For him, his political journey is humanity-driven and serving his people and also offeing succour to them make him a fulfilled man.

    In 2010, he contested and won a seat at the House of Representatives, representing Chanchanga Federal Constituency in Minna where he served until he was sworn in as governor.

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    As a member of the Green Chamber, Bago was cosmopolitan, refined, cerebral, socially savvy and was adjudged a great guy by his colleagues. He was a force in the chambers that spoke with confidence, and authority and knew his onions. As chairman, House Committee on Maritime Safety Education and Administration, the Political Science graduate of the Usman Danfodio University ensured he discharged his duties diligently. This placed him on the map and made many notice his giant strides.

    To make Niger regain its lost glory as one of the biggest food-producing states, he acquired over 300 tractors and other mechanised farming equipment and also allocated thousands of hectares of land for farming.

    President Bola Tinubu kicked off the pilot phase which would see prices of food crashing while enhancing food security in the country. Apart from his giant strides in agriculture, he has committed a  lot to road and infrastructural development, security, education, commerce, tourism, health, infrastructural development, and women and youth empowerment.

    He also rebuilt and remodelled the moribund Minna Airport with modern equipment and renamed it Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport.

  • Balogun’s posthumous 90th birthday

    Balogun’s posthumous 90th birthday

    If not for his death in May,  last year, the celebration of late Otunba Olasubomi Balogun’s 90th birthday on March 9, 2024 would have been a grand occasion.

     The occasion would have attracted an intimidating roll call of high and mighty dignitaries.

     Known for his love of the good life, the banking czar often celebrated his birthdays, one of which was his carnival-like 80th birthday in 2014.

     Sources said the founder of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) had told his friends and children of his plans to have a week-long celebration in Nigeria and London for his 90th birthday.

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     Sadly, the dreaded grim reaper took him away, preventing him and his family from actualising their plans for his cherished birthday.

     Despite his demise,  Balogun’s children and close friends went ahead to make his dream come true as they celebrated his posthumous 90th birthday in Lagos last weekend.

     The event was emotion for the ex-Olori Omooba Akile Ijebu’s children, who wished their father was still with them to witness his birthday.

    They offered prayers for him and celebrated his life after death.

  • Okunola nominated for award

    Okunola nominated for award

    High Chief Habeeb Olalekan Okunola, the Akosin of Yoruba land, is a seasoned businessman, who has made significant contributions to Nigeria’s business landscape.

     He has a wealth of experience as a savvy entrepreneur and a unifying figure for young people.

     Okunola started his entrepreneurial journey early in life and has consistently delivered top-notch projects in engineering, construction, power, procurement, energy, and oil and gas, among other business interests, through his TILT Group.

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     Last year, he was recognised for his exceptional contributions to business excellence and philanthropy by Forbes Best of Africa Outstanding Entrepreneur Award and Euro Knowledge Distinguished Leadership award at the House of the Lords, Westminster London, United Kingdom.

     His remarkable achievements kept propelling him and he was nominated by Vanguard Newspaper for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year award at the Vanguard Personality Awards that will be held in May.

  • Amao gets chieftaincy title

    Amao gets chieftaincy title

    The Chief Executive Officer of Crown Capital Limited, Otunba AbdulRashid Amao, may not be a household name in the political world. Not so in the corporate Nigeria where he is a giant in his own right.

      For his efforts, he was conferred with a chieftaincy title, Otunba Folagboye of Ago-Iwoye, alongside his friend, Otunba Wahab Ayoola Saliu, in Ogun State at the weekend.

    For his friends and confidants, the title was long in coming, having followed his antecedent from his days at Osogbo Grammar School, Osogbo, where the light of his academic prowess first shone.

      In the corporate world, Amao’s light shone even brighter as a no push over. Starting his career at ICON Limited, he moved to Broad Bank Nigeria Limited, where he became a General Manager. From there he sailed to PNL Marine & Oil Services Limited where he left behind memorable imprints on the sand of life.

     A pioneer Managing Director/CEO of the former Crownwealth Asset Limited, now Crown Capital Limited, Amao has managed the company as an astute manager and skilled guru, thereby making it a firm to reckon with in the comity of thriving companies, despite the economic downturn.

    Amao is also a man of many parts, and like a rolling stone, has gathered  a lot of moss.  Indeed, a colossus. He is a Director, Meristem Finance Limited, Carnation Registrars Limited and TM CH Group Limited, among others.

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    Moreover, the Otunba is a chartered accountant, and banker; Associate Member, Institute of Taxation, Institute of  Marketing of Nigeria, and Fellow, Chartered, institute of  Stockbrokers of Nigeria (CIS)

      This positive progression caught the eyes of many, including the Ebumawe of Ago-lwoye, Oba Razaq Adesina Adenugba, who rewarded him with the title for “his profile” and contributions to national growth and development, among others.

    The monarch, who was “highly delighted” for giving the award and its acceptance, affirmed that no strings were attached to the title but that it was based purely on merit, excellence and the hard work of the beneficiaries.

    During the ceremony, the Ebumawe kept all laughing with his wisecracks at the Palace Hall, venue of the ceremony, graced by the families, friends, and colleagues of the celebrators.