Category: Society

Fashion connoisseur and creative director of House of Regalia, Funmi Ajila-Ladipo was atop the world enveloped in unquantifiable joy when she hosted a top-notch 60th birthday celebration in Lagos recently. The adorable fashion designer, who is a past president of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria(FADAN) fittingly began the day in the vineyard with a well-attended thanksgiving service held at RCCG Redemption Parish, Victoria Island, Lagos, coordinated by the Provincial Pastor, Bisi Olowoyo, who also delivered the sermon.

 Thereafter, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo was invited to shower special prayers on the celebrant, and the popular preacher appreciated God for keeping her strong and active. He also wished her many more years of accomplishments and good health. In appreciating her for her immense contribution to fashion, members of FADAN presented her with a special gift. The next day at The Anchor Place, Ikoyi, she hosted friends and family to one of the biggest old school-themed birthdays, where invited guests were decked in their old school attires ready to hit the dance floor.

 Music sensation, Olanrewaju Oyeneye, ensured guests were treated to musical renditions and melodious tunes from way back as they were feted to the very best of local and continental dishes laced with assorted drinks in circulation.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) GCON is currently witnessing the proverbial seventh heaven typical of a woman who just gave birth to a baby for the first time. For Osinbajo, it was a sweet bitter experience but as a Christian who must give thanks despite any situation he has to remain grateful to his creator for mercies in his life.

To many birthdays are avenues for celebration and throwing massive soirees, calling praise singers and serving the very best of meals and drinks in a celebratory mood, most especially his last birthday as Vice President of Nigeria but to the trained lawyer, believes birthdays must be seen an avenue to renew your covenant with the creator, and also look back and move forward. Birthday for him is also an avenue to celebrate with the less privileged which also gives him the opportunity to feel the pains and agony of the common man so celebrating his 66th birthday was devoid of jamboree.

Starting the day with a morning devotion with his family and close staff at his Aguda House, Presidential Villa, he was given a surprise by the Abuja International Choir at the airport and was presented with a birthday card by the Presidential Airfleet of the Nigerian Navy before he immediately jetted out to Borno to spend the rest of the day at the North-East Children’s Trust and the Learning Centre, in Borno State the restored northeast “Insurgency Orphans”. He was received at the Nigerian Air Force Base, Maiduguri, by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, who was accompanied by his wife, Falmata Zulum, and other top government officials. On getting there, the orphans at the top of their voices screamed Daddy as they rallied around him and sang birthday songs for him.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, the executive Governor of Edo State is by chance one of the luckiest politicians in the country. Oftentimes he was set to be disgraced by his traducers but things turn out in his favour and his shame has always been turned into glory at the end of the day. He has not denied the fact that he is a child born under the proverbial lucky star, hence, he has continued to excel in all facets of life most especially politically. His journey into the murky waters of politics was facilitated by his predecessor Adams Oshiomhole who brought him from obscurity into the political arena as his worthy successor but little did Oshio Baba, as he is fondly called, knew his political godson would grow to become a master of his own.

 Obaseki has recently been running from pillar to post since Oshimole returned to political limelight and won his election as senator-elect of Edo North Senatorial district and the APC produced most of the member house of representatives and other senatorial districts. This is a sign that Oshiomhole is getting set to take charge of the political structure in the state. As Obaseki has refused to win a seat for the PDP in the senate or House of Representatives. As the house of assembly election draws nearer, Obaseki has been fidgeting that if the APC get the majority of the House of Assembly he might be on his way out of office as they might institute an impeachment process against him for shutting out 14 members of the house of assembly out from getting sworn and performing their duties as elected members of the house. With reality setting in that the APC and Labour Party might gather most members of the house, we gather that Obaseki is losing sleep and that is giving him a headache as he is going around the state canvassing for votes to enable his candidates to win so his legacy as Governor can be sustained. As it stands he might not survive impeachment if he fails to do his homework as Oshiomhole is also looking to take revenge and take a pound of his own flesh dealing with his erstwhile political godson. Sources say Obaseki has been left in the cold having fallen out with those who got him into power for the second time as they are all waiting to ensure they teach him a great lesson. Another source says the House of Assembly candidates vying for a seat in the Edo Parliament are yearning to ensure that the Obaseki spends resources in a manner that captures the aspirations of their various constituents.

For Otunba Olasubomi Balogun CON, there are many things to be grateful for to his creator. One of the reasons is that he is blessed with a long life in good health and wealth which many of his peers could not buy even with the billions of Dollars in their accounts.  For the Olori Omoba Ijebu (Head of Ijebu princes and princesses) and leader of Ijebu Christians, it’s a reason worth celebrating especially as he glides into age 89 still bubbling with spirit and aging like a fine wine. When Professor Femi Osofisan aptly titled one of his literary masterpieces “Birthday and not for dying” little did we know that he was referring to the founder of the First City Monument Bank FCMB because his 89th birthday availed him the opportunity to have a retrospect on the past and also appreciate the gift of the good life and all he has laboured for currently yielding positive fruit.

 Despite being born with an Islamic background before converting to Christianity during his days at the Igbogbi college, those close to him during his formative years averred that he remains a man who is indeed loved by his creator, hence, all odds have always favoured him. The Ijebu-Ode-born trained lawyer in the United Kingdom has worked assiduously hard to crest his name in gold most especially in the financial industry. The merchant bank that he founded in 1982 metamorphosed into a universal bank in 2001 and became one of Nigeria’s financial powerhouse with a unique edifice littered across the country. Apart from his giant strides in business, he is also a generous moneybag who gives like it’s going out of fashion. He is one of the few who can’t stand the sight of anyone in distress as he is ready to put a smile on their faces, hence, he has remained a revered icon among the Ijebus. He has attracted more development to his hometown. His bank, till date, remains one of the major sponsors of the annual Ojude Oba Festival of Ijebu Ode. Over three decades ago, he established in Ijebu Ode, the National Paediatric Centre as a referral institution for the healthcare, welfare and survival of our children. The international centre handles teaching, research into, and treatment of every aspect of paediatrics. He has since handed over the centre to the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital for effective management. Indeed, in the last forty years, his philanthropic endeavours under The Otunba Tunwase Foundation have been traversing several endeavours including education, religion, healthcare and other spectacular initiatives and interventions.

 Otunba Subomi remains a very highly cerebral personality with his built frame and his cosmopolitan outlook. Yes, he loves luxury and he is a man of style who loves to look sharp in his outfit. Highly refined with a graceful gait and illuminated with sartorial elegance. He loves his automobile vintage and loves to have fun anytime he has the opportunity. He is a doting father who imbibed the spirit of hard work in his children. He often says there are no shortcuts to any place worth going and anything worth doing at all is worth doing well. Hence, the reason his children are excelling in running the affairs of the bank which has today gained the trust of all sundry as an innovative bank who puts customers as a top priority. As the Doyen of banking celebrated his birthday yesterday March 9, he pledged to continue living life for the upliftment of humanity.

As the presidential, senate and house of representatives election is ongoing, preparations are also in top gear for the March 11 date for gubernatorial and Houses of Assembly election. A lot of people have indicated interest to represent their constituents with popular political parties while some others are also determined to change the status quo with new parties.

One of such men is none other than Nze Chibueze Anukanti John who has braced all odds to make a difference with the National Rescue Movement (NRM) seeking to represent Oguta constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly.

Known for his knack for service, accountability and excellence for whatever position he has operated, the former chairman of Imo State University Alumni Association Lagos branch shocked the alumni when he made history and raised the bar with the outstanding and still-talked-about National convention Lagos state hosted under his chairmanship. He has also repeated the feat in other numerous organisations with positive testimonies of his selfless service to humanity.

 His compassionate heart as a philanthropist who has done so much for his community has endeared him to his people who have decided to go all out for him because of his exemplary antecedents knowing what he is capable of when he becomes the face of Oguta constituency.

 There is no doubt that the tested and trusted successful managing director of PWAN Bazaar Properties Limited would be the man to watch out for and the man to beat come March 11.

KUNLE Soname has once again crested his name in the list of investors in Nigeria who has shunned frivolity and grand opulence to invest their last kobo in the country’s growth. The politician, soccer enthusiast and head honcho of soccer gaming company, Bet9ja, upped his ante when he delved into the aviation industry becoming one of the industry’s top players within a short while in the business. As a calculated risk taker, he studied the industry carefully and capitalised on the Achilles heel of his competitors by providing an aviation experience that has not been witnessed in the country. Today his ValueJet is the delight of many air travellers for its sartorial comfort, time consciousness, skilled onboard team and neatness of its aircraft.

The Remo Stars football club boss once again made his home state Ogun State proud weeks ago at the launch of the Ogun State Agro-cargo Airport in Ilishan-Remo, Ikenne Local Government of Ogun state. At the inaugural flight of the airport, the Ikenne-Remo-born billionaire’s ValueJet became the first airline to land at the airport which happens to be cited in his local government.

Media-preneur, socialite and publisher of TheWill Newspaper, Austyn Oganah is not in the best of moods as he is bereaved. The entrepreneur lost his mother, Princess Roseline Obiajulu Oganah nee Uzomah to the cold hands of death on February 20. She passed away at her Agbara, Ogun state home. She was  83. The former vice principal in the Delta State civil service was said to be 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. The Oganah family are yet to make arrangements for her burial but according to sources, her burial coming up in Delta state with a date yet to be announced would be grand as the children of the deceased have promised to give their matriarch a befitting burial to honour the good works and how she took care of them while she was alive.

Mallam Saliu Mustapha’s journey in the political terrain is divine. When many never believed in his dreams and aspirations, the Mineral Resources graduate of Kaduna Polytechnic believed in himself as he chased his dreams with much gusto. This led him to move astronomically, and politically, serving as the first national publicity secretary of the now defunct Progressive Action Congress (PAC). He later became a member of the All Nigeria Peoples Party ANPP, where he played a pivotal role in the presidential ambition of Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2009, after a breakaway faction of the ANPP led by Buhari formed the Congress for Progressive Change CPC, Mustapha became the national deputy chairman of the party, one of the youngest in the country. In his capacity as the deputy chairman of the party, the Ilorin-born business mogul worked assiduously to ensure the party ran smoothly and produce credible candidates during elections. After many years, his party later merged to form the ruling All Progressives Congress. In 2018, he jostled to become the Governor of Kwara State under the ruling APC but was denied the opportunity to serve his people. Instead of condemning the winner of the election, a calculative Turaki Ilorin remained in the party and worked assiduously for Governor Abdulrazak Abdulrahman ensuring his tenure record unprecedented success.

He remained a trusted and formidable ally building his own image across the state and making friends. He never nurtured any bad blood, rather he embraced peace and worked for the progress of the state. Little did he know that all he was doing for the state one day will come back to him. In the run-up to the 2023 election, Mustapha clinched the All Progressives Congress APC ticket to contest for the Kwara Central Senatorial district.

While he was campaigning, all hands were on deck for him as the governor and those within his district said it was an opportunity to pay him back for his years of patience, loyalty and perseverance. On the day of his election, to his amazement, he saw an overwhelming crowd of people who came out to cast their ballot in his favour; he was nearly moved to tears. The people he has been good to through his foundation all galvanised themselves to pay him back ensuring he represents them at the 10th Senate. At the just concluded election, he pulled a total vote of 108,230 to beat his closest rival Bolaji Abdullahi of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP who scored 69,202.

Shina Adisa Peller’s name is synonymous with lifestyle, luxury and nightlife. He was doing perfectly well with his hands in many pies in entertainment, hospitality, oil and gas before he decided to step into the murky waters of politics. The chairman of Aquila group was a delight to many in entertainment as he was respected for his upscale night club Quliox. The premium fun house remained a mecca of sorts for fun seekers and lovers who want to have a premium nightlife experience. For years, the watering hole remained a hot stop but ever since Adisa decided to go into politics fully in the run for the 2019 election the clout of the night club has dropped.

In 2019, he ran for a seat in the House of Representatives as a member representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/ Iwajowa Federal constituency representing the Oke-Ogun axis at the House of Reps and that began his political journey. He was revered as he remained a vocal voice in the house, who spoke against any injustices against the youth. He began to carve a niche for himself politically as he remained a force to reckon with in the house sponsoring bills and attracting projects to his constituency.

His influence continued to grow like wildfire until the run to the 2023 election when he wanted to move a notch forward to the senate to represent Oyo North. Peller went to the primary election and was given a baptismal of fire by the incumbent Senator Fatai Buhari who clinched the ticket. An aggrieved Peller, not satisfied with the outcome of the primary election, decided to leave the All Progressives Congress APC to pitch his tent with the Accord party who handed him the ticket to run.

It was gathered Shina calculated that his federal constituency makes up over half of the Oyo North senatorial district and the Oke-Ogun people has been denied the opportunity to represent the district at the Senate so it was time for him to liberate his people and become the first Oke-Ogun son who will represent the district. Peller didn’t know his calculations and political permutation are heading him for what was termed a political suicide.

He campaigned vigorously and touched every nook and cranny of the district soliciting votes and also championed the revolution from his federal constituency as the one who will break the deadlock. People made several promises to deliver his mandate but after the election, he lost to Senator Fatai Buhari of the APC. According to sources, Shina will be taking a break from politics to face his business after his current tenure as a Member of the House of Representatives.

Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah remains the proverbial cat with nine lives. In several attempts to cut him down, he has over-conquered his enemies both politically and in business. Since his foray into the murky waters of politics, his political journey has been filled with lessons of tenacity, doggedness and self-belief.  One thing was constant for him, his ability to bring about much-needed change to his people and give them the dividend of democracy at all costs. With his heart’s desires, he tried vehemently to win the Anambra guber seat but was given baptismal of fire on the three occasions he tried to contest. In the run-up to the 2019 general elections, his detractors thought it was business as usual but the Nnewi-born Capital oil boss showed that he has indeed come of age as a politician and gathered the much-needed experience.

 While many thought he was going to defect from the YPP to a much bigger party for his re-election, Senator Ubah stuck with the party allowing his good work and will to speak for him.  During his campaign, many raised issues and some casted aspersions on him but his people stood firm as they promised to repeat a replay of his victory in 2019. He became more confident and convinced due to his blistering performance.

 Chief promoter and founder of Afa Igbo Efuna Movement has again shut his critics. Despite the tsunami that swept many of his co-contesters away from other senatorial districts, Ubah remained firm as he swept 73,115 votes while his closest rival Chris Azubogu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA got 45,369 votes.