Category: Society

Last week Friday, April 28, the very silent town of Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha North, Delta State came alive with a series of activities as media executive Austyn Oganah and his siblings gave their mother Ezinne Princess Roseline Obiajulu Oganah a befitting burial.

 The deceased was a former vice principal in the Delta State civil service and also a God-fearing woman who lived her life as a core disciplinarian and a doting mother imbibing solid virtues in her children.

 Before her death, she was a devoted Christian who dedicated her life to the service of God’s work. She was laid to rest amidst pomp and glee as the Oganah spared no cost to ensure their mother was buried in a befitting way for all her contributions to their individual and collective success. Her funeral service started at the All Saints Catholic Church, Onicha-Ugbo before she was lowered to mother earth at a very private interment. Guests of the family were hosted at the family residence Annex where those who attended were treated to sumptuous meals and drinks.

Noimot Salako-Oyedele was quietly doing her thing as a real estate connoisseur and an engineer of high note until the pendulum of service swung to her as she was picked to serve as Deputy to Governor Dapo Abiodun in the run-up to the 2019 general elections.

 After so much persuasion from her husband and family members, who convinced her that it’s a clarion call and call to service, she agreed and worked assiduously well to ensure victory at the 2019 pools that saw she and Dapo Abiodun emerge victorious.

 Since that election, she has gotten accolades from all sundry over her motherly role in ensuring the smooth running of the government.

 One thing many say about her is her humility, personified nature and meekness which is something rare not for a woman who occupies such a highly revered position as Deputy Governor.

 Despite her tight itinerary and work schedule, one thing she never jokes about is her family especially playing her wifely roles for her husband Alhaji Kashif Bode Oyedele. Many say despite her tight schedule, she finds time to ensure she caters for his needs. Last weekend, the couple were the cynosure of all eyes as they made bachelors and spinsters single people green with envy with their public display of affection at the nuptials of Princess Adenike Muheebat and Ismail.

 When Timi Dakolo sauntered into the hall to thrill the new couple during their first dance singing his popular love song titled ‘Iyawo Mi,’ the Oyedeles were hooked together in a lovely position as they both sang the song along and danced solemnly to the song looking straight into each other’s eyes and further professing undying love to each other. Attention moved to the duo as they didn’t stop but enjoyed a rare moment as they laughed and hugged each other. Sources say they are both good friends of each other as they relate more like pals as their relationship is a model for many intending couples.

Adebimpe Akinfolajimi does not court unnecessary media attention in fact she loves to operate behind the scene but one thing has constantly thrown her into public consciousness and that is her success in event management and her foundation.

 She has dedicated all her life to things of distinct measure that’s why her name is synonymous with success.

 The trained lawyer cut her teeth in the event management profession by floating her Honeybols Event management that has served a long list of clientele with great experience over the years.

 Apart from that, she is also an advocate for women and girl child as her Honeybols foundation has catered for the downtrodden most especially widows and other vulnerable people across the country.

 The Chairman Board of trustee of the party Managers Association of Nigeria PAMAN has remained a golden fish that has no hiding place in the water as she has continued to maintain her winning streak in her chosen field as a delight to many event owners who scamper to have her onboard their events.

 In addition to her kitty of awards, she was recently honoured at an International Women’s Conference in Rwanda with an award as a trailblazer in event management and philanthropy. On Sunday, she will also be receiving an award from the City People Magazine edition of the 2023 Female Achievers Award.

Real estate magnate Dr Dorry Afe Okojie has over the years contributed his quota to the well-being of his people in Edo State, Nigeria by using his wealth and resources to put smiles on the faces of the downtrodden. 

He does not like to blow his trumpet himself but his good works have often spoken loud of his demeanour as a man with the heart of gold. Having started a business early in life, one thing has remained constant for him and that is him being a stickler for success which is one thing that has given him a distinct identity.

 He is a man of his word and he believes his words are his bond, more reason he has remained a successful man who many believe in his capacity to deliver.

 With several condominiums and maisonettes littered across the skyline of Lagos and highbrow areas in Benin and Abuja, Dorry has constantly infused medieval era and modern architectural style in his buildings which has made them a delight to home buyers. He is also well known for building smart homes that meet the evolution of modern homes across the globe.

 After his dedication to business success and philanthropy, he cut his teeth in politics with his support for the incumbent Government in Edo state. During the just concluded State Assembly and National Assembly elections in Edo State, Dorry played a pivotal role as he campaigned to ensure he delivers his constituency for the ruling party in Edo State. This convinced elders in Edo State of his leadership qualities as they believe he will bring into bear his experience in the corporate world if he throws his hat in the ring to contest as Governor of Edo State next year.

 For his support for journalism and the media profession, to mark the 2023 World Press Freedom Day on Wednesday, May 3, the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ Edo State chapter, honoured the head honcho of DAF Homes with a distinguished award of Service to humanity and in support of the pen pushing profession. The Award was also to thank him for his immense support for the people of Edo State and how he has used his philanthropic work to touch the lives of indigents.

 Dr Dorry disclosed that the award will enable him to do more and also rejig his commitment to making his immediate environment a better place.

Deviating from most of his peers, Ajayi Joshua Oluwatobi, founder of Nord Automobiles Limited, one of the first truly Nigerian automobile brands, has ensured he dissociates himself from mediocrity and also sets a high standard for himself despite the dwindling business climate in Nigeria. He refused to be moved by the setbacks rather he is focused on bringing fortune out of every misfortune, more reason he has been able to register his name in Nigeria’s automobile space within a short while in business with impeccable designs, luxury and quality standards. Today; he can beat his chest that his automobile brand NORD can compete with the world’s biggest brands in terms of durability and uniqueness.

 The Forbes most promising young entrepreneurs in Africa for 2018 is not getting enough accolades as he is one of the few who believes in the Nigerian Dream as we transit from consumption to a production economy. As a youth that has made his mark with Mercedes-Benz, coming home to establish Nord Auto was the real deal in putting Nigeria on the world map. All he envisaged is a Nigeria that can rise again through the exportation of vehicles to other African countries where demands are created to reduce dependence on foreign brands and also gives an avenue to grow the Naira.

 Despite several setbacks, he remained firm and unperturbed as he chased his dreams with much gusto. Today that decision of staying to grow his brand is paying off as his brand is giving competitors a run for their money. As a youth with vision, he never mind the rough road on his way to the top but today he is currently reaping bountifully what he sowed in tears.

 The graduate of Soil science and farm mechanization from the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ogun State, has continued to change the narrative woven around youth as lazy as he is working assiduously well to ensure his car brand penetrates every corner with affordable prices and also flexible payment plans for those who wish to pay installmentally.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Dr. Maureen Tamuno, is the perfect embodiment of panache and progressive diplomacy. Since her appointment in 2021, the former Rivers state House of Assembly member has been up and about, diligently handling her brief with the practiced gait of a well informed diplomat.

 Since her appointment as Ambassador in the Caribbean, she has ensured she strengthens a strong bond between Black African of Nigerian descent by ensuring they connect back to their roots.

 In her capacity as Ambassador, she has organized Language classes for interested people of the Caribbean who traced their roots to Nigeria.

 In 2021 shortly after the covid-19 pandemic was gradually easing off, she traveled to Ile-Ife where she met the Ooni of Ife Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi Ojaja II CFR. She was given a resounding welcome and got royal blessing and was rechristened with a Yoruba name as ‘Adetamilore’ meaning (Crown Gave me a gift) by Ooni for her love for projecting the Yoruba race to the world. She also disclosed her intention to do a coffee book where she would unveil an account of the ancient city of Ile-Ife which is the cradle of the world and civilization of mankind. She got the express permission of the Ooni to commence as she immediately swerved into action by engaging over 30 ambassadors across countries, history professors and also gathered materials that will enhance a rich compendium of the history of Ile-Ife, its culture, its tourism among other things.

 After doing due diligence, and putting all her thought into the assistance of other academicians, she finally launched the book at the Eko Hotel on the 1st of May 2023. The book launch titled ‘Ile-Ife: Cradle of the World’ was unveiled amidst pomp and glee in a cultural themed launch. It was a very cheering ambience with a touch of traditional aesthetics alongside top royal fathers, politicians, ambassadors, Consul Generals, scholars, socialites and business personalities who converged to unveil the much talked about book and also speak about its importance to project Ile-Ife.

 The book was unveiled by the Ooni alongside the author. The author Ambassador Maureen also disclosed that writing the book as a woman from Rivers State gave her stronger conviction based on what she saw far outside the shores of Nigeria where the Caribbean values and holds our way of life and language in high esteem. She also disclosed that she never allowed her inability to speak Yoruba to hinder her passion but what she was interested in was to achieve a book that could be donated to libraries across the world and could also show the true greatness of the Yoruba and Ile-ife as a pivotal source for civilization across the world.

In continuation to keep touching lives and impacting her immediate society positively, the founder of Lawrence Grace Foundation, Mrs. Oluyinka Adewoye has made a case for the empowerment of widows in the country laying emphasis that such kind gesture would help sustain and make them economically viable and be able to contribute to the growth of the economy while also taking care of their immediate needs without stress.

Adewoye a banker and philanthropist made this appeal at her empowerment session last weekend during her foundation’s special empowerment programme for the widows at Idi-Arere area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital tagged “Day Out With Idi Arere, Ibadan Women”, she averred that Nigerians should rise to the challenge of helping the vulnerable such as the widows to also cope with the vicissitudes of life that the loss of their spouses might have thrown at them.

 At the empowerment programme, the foundation trained over 200 widows in the business of making soap, beverages, snacks, etc while there were also free medical services with qualified medical personnel to attend to the people also giving out free medications for all the widows as well as free gifts.

 Speaking at the event, Adewoye said the rationale behind the philanthropic acts was hinged on the mission of her foundation which is committed to touching lives majorly widows and indigent students all in a bid to help ease their pains and provide them with comfort.

Architect Bamidele Olusegun Samson, the co-founder of BOVAS Group is indeed in an elated mood such that a horse ride in his tummy will be a smooth ride. He is one of the most favoured humans on earth as all he envisaged for himself, he has fulfilled.

 This is the reason he has remained thankful to his creator for making him glide into the leagues of Octogenarians as he celebrated his 80th birthday on Tuesday April 25.

 For Samson, friends and family took turns to celebrate him to the high heavens and also with newspaper advertisements.

 The Nigeria and Europe-trained architect lectured briefly at the University of Ibadan and the Polytechnic, Ibadan, before joining Design Group, from where he retired to start Bovas group of companies, an oil and gas business conglomerate. It didn’t take him so long, alongside his wife, to set the company on the path of greatness as he infused his ideas as an architect to design the station and oil terminals to ensure the Oil and Gas retail outlet carve a niche for itself in terms of quality control.

 His 80th birthday is a massive one because it marks a new dawn in his life and also proclaims the faithfulness of his creator in his life and how he has been able to stand the test of time. Although he is a very reserved man who does not court much media attention, his 80th birthday allowed many to show appreciation for affecting their lives positively as they celebrate him with kind words.

Highly cosmopolitan and blessed with the demeanour of a perfect gentleman, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi is not new on the social radar. In fact, he is a consummate businessman, investor and maritime guru.

 In the country today, Afolabi stands tall as one of Nigeria’s most successful shipping magnates with his company SIFAX. And he didn’t just attain the feat by chance, but with luck, dedication, hard work and prayers. His formative years were riddled with sweet and sour experiences. In fact, he was dogged, remained consistent and chased his dreams with gusto. Today he is reaping the fruit of his hard labour as providence granted him his heart desires.

 Apart from his shipping business, the SIFAX boss has his hands on many pies, which include oil and gas, real estate, and agriculture, among others. Afolabi is not just a billionaire, he is also blessed with a kind heart. He sees wealth as God given and he is always at will to help the needy.

 On April 29, the highly enterprising business mogul will celebrate his 61st birthday. However, his 61st birthday will be an emotional one for him because it will be his first birthday without his twin brother Kehinde Afolabi who died in 2022.

 For the trained lawyer, being alive is more reason to call praise singers and give thanks to his creator for the immense blessings and success in business but he has chosen to celebrate in a modest way.

 Sources hinted that Afolabi has traveled to the United Kingdom where he would be celebrating an in-house lowkey party with his immediate family and friends at his home in London. The initial plan was to converge his friends and family tomorrow at his Ijebu-Ode GRA heaven-on-earth mansion to host a small party where he has paid vendors who will serve the very best of meals and high-cost drinks but he changed the plan at the last minute to attend to family related issues in the UK, where he will use that opportunity to celebrate with his immediate family.

 There will also be a final match of his Taiwo Afolabi soccer competition tomorrow to mark his birthday here in Nigeria.