Category: Society

Good friends are like fine wines, they get better with time,” this axiom aptly describes the bond between the Elegushi of Ikate Land, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi and his close ally turn brother Olalekan Dosunmu, Akinsiku of Lagos. These two seem to have gotten firmer with a brotherhood bond that is thicker than blood and has seen them inseparable like the snail and its shell.

The flamboyant monarch addressed as King Gushi and his bossom friend have, at different times, been spotted traveling from country to country and event to event. They attend functions together around the Lagos social scene like two complementary colours mixed to form a magnificent timeless artwork. Anytime one is at a loss or needed something done, the other would arrive on the scene with immediate alacrity, ready to lend the proverbial shoulder to lean on. Their friendship is cited as an example to many. Despite the rancor that almost tore their friendship apart years ago, the duo immediately reconciled, buried their past and embraced the spirit of comradeship by allowing peace to reign. Ever since then, their friendships have been waxing stronger. Last weekend, they were the cynosure of all eyes at the wedding ceremony of Princess Omobolanle Akinrutan, daughter of Oba Fredrick Obateru Akinrutan the Olugbo of Ugbo Land and Olaniyi Makinde at Osborne Foreshore Estate, Ikoyi Lagos.

Peju Oke is unarguably one of the kindest women on planet earth.

The Nigerian-born Canada-based beauty has lived all her life for the sake of humanity. With her wide network and connections in Canada, she has facilitated a cordial relationship between Canada and Nigeria with investment in humanity through international charity engagement.

Through her HopeforSure foundation last year, she established victims of human trafficking by empowering them with different skills and also donating equipment to enable them to start a new life in Nigeria.

Last week, February 3, 2022, the smooth-talking suave lady brought succor to widows within the Ogun state axis at the Alake’s Palace in Abeokuta.

She took care of over 100 widows by donating cash, edible items, and other accessories for their well-being and survival. Oke is not relenting on her oars as she also plans to reach out to widows in Osun state soon.

Urbane, cosmopolitan, highly cerebral, and stylish best describes PR expert and lobbyist Mariam Mohammed, the head honcho of Maktoub Strategic Public Relations/Publishing. All her life she has dedicated it to hard work, the reason she is currently enjoying the fruit of her labor after years of fervent hard work in the Public Relations field and real estate.

The convener of Maktoub Youth forum is yet again experiencing the proverbial seventh heaven. Yes, she is super excited as she unveils and dedicates her bundle of joy, Yusura Oluyinka Mohammed Maktoub, to the glory of her creator with a house party at her palatial Abuja mansion last week. The dedication of the baby was well attended by top political dignitaries, media executives and captains of industries who attended the well-decorated parlor dedication and also shared in her pot of joy.

One of the biggest traumas anyone can ever go through is losing someone so dear. For Nigerian High Commissioner to Jamaica, Maureen Tamuno, the passing of her father, Elder Clement Chepaka in Port-Harcourt, River state leaves a large lacuna in her life as both shared father and daughter bond while he was alive.

As gathered, the patriarch, who was a media practitioner and producer with the Rivers State Ministry of Information of the Chepaka family of Agbabiri in Okrika, Rivers State, died at 93.

As hinted, the late Chepaka was blessed with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and numerous relatives among who is the ambassador, Maureen Tamuno.

It was gathered that President Muhammadu Buhari has also commiserated with the High Commissioner over the passing of her father and family’s patriarch.

Although the date for the burial is yet to be announced by the families, our source revealed that the plan is in top gear to give their patriarch a befitting burial.

Over the years, she has continued to deploy her God-given talent to the service of humanity and her people and she has showcased this as she has served them in different capacities. Since she got the job as High Commissioner, she has not disappointed her people and those that entrusted her with the job.

Adjudged as a peace-loving man whose only interest in life is philanthropy and the betterment of his immediate society Prince Ned Munir Nwoko’s name will forever go down in history as one of the few men who is using his God-given wealth to service humanity without blinking an eye. In a bid to show his simplicity, he opened his arms wide for all sundry.

The Delta-born lawyer is known as a man of peace, hence, his intensified fight against malaria through his Ned Nwoko Malaria Eradication foundation where he has invested heavily to reduce the tropical disease killing millions of Africans. Despite all this, popular Instagram vendor, Jaruma made moves to misinform the public with a defamatory story around him, his family, wife Regina Daniels. Sources averred that the false information almost turned his family upside down. The lady in question took advantage of Prince Ned’s open arm to allegedly infiltrate the family by engaging Regina to promote her local aphrodisiac called ‘kayamata’ with an endorsement.

The former lawmaker decided to go through the legal process by informing the police, who swung into action and arrested Jaruma before detaining her and charging her to court. “After several calls from people pleading with Prince Ned for her release, in his magnanimous nature, he ordered that she should be released on bail. We don’t know why he is a soft target for their campaign of calumny. They keep trying hard to rub such a distinguished man in the mud. He is still standing firm unperturbed. All these won’t stop him from being nice to people,” a source disclosed.

When Olori Naomi Silekunola’s union to the Ooni of Ife, HIM Adeyeye Ogunwusi was announced over three years ago, many jubilated that a very young prophetess is finally filling up the lacuna created by former queen Zaynab Otiti-Obanor. Naomi came into the picture even as many wondered how an Akure-based prophetess would cope with the tradition and cultural proceedings required of her in the House of Oduduwa. Interestingly, she blended in and quickly became a favoured queen by all sundry within the palace.

To crown it all, she gave the Ooni of Ife a crown prince named after the legendary Ooni of Ife who doubled as Governor of South West, Ooni Tiadenikawo. After the couple welcomed Prince Tiadenikawo, the Ooni spared nothing in ensuring his Olori remained comfortable. All her requests were granted as the Ooni even went further to financially set up the Olori’s family. However, things went south for the Olori after she took to her social media account to relinquish her role as an Olori to the Ooni and also demanded a return to full-time Church ministry. While this came as a surprise to many, it didn’t shock some others, who had suspected all wasn’t well with the queen after she was found absent from the palace on her hubby’s 6th coronation anniversary on December 7, 2021. As it stands, there are tales that the Ife queen has eaten the humble pie and is determined to make amends and return to the Ojaja II’s side. “She is constantly weeping profusely all day. After the incident, she was heavily reprimanded by her mother whom many thought orchestrated her exit from the palace. She is finding every means to control the damage. Those who used to flock around her have deserted her as she is now facing reality. She attempted to visit the Ooni in Lagos but was advised against the visit,” a palace source divulged.

Another source disclosed that Olori Naomi has been calling several people to help her beg the Ooni but those she called didn’t respond well. Many who should have come to her aid are staying away from the issue as they find it demeaning for an Olori to bridge protocols and throw the house in a bad light.

Society Rendezvous gathered that all aides, security details attached to her have been withdrawn and she is running from pillar to post to make sure she regains her home. The king is still mum over the issues as we gathered that the reconciliation meeting is still ongoing.

Cosmopolitan businessman and philanthropist Obinna Iyiegbu aka Obi Cubana has become a recurring face on the Nigerian hospitality scene with a chain of businesses littered across the country. With his Cubana Group having an interest in hospitality, real estate, oil and gas, and event, Obi Cubana has conquered the business world and is currently reaping bountifully with a wide smile on his face.

For him, 2021 has been a variant of a sweet and sour experience but he is of the opinion that regardless of any situation you find yourself in, you must stand firm and give thanks to the supreme being. The political science graduate of the University of Nigeria Nsukka has remained strong and resilient, navigating through the heavy tides like a skilled sailor coming out victorious. This yuletide, he was said to have quietly reached out to the needy by distributing food items, cash, and other things for the celebration of Christmas. He also gave all his staff bags of rice, oil, chickens, and other edible items. He was said to have given them a Christmas add-on aside salaries in appreciation and motivation for the good work.

Seun Fakorede, the honourable commissioner for youth and sports in Oyo State, is currently living up to expectation by shattering the stereotype tailored around youth in governance on youthful exuberance and juvenile delinquencies. After his appointment as one of the youngest commissioners in the history of Nigeria at age 27, he has shown that age is just a number but the ability to deliver excellently well matters. Those in the know within Oyo State agreed that Fakorede is a right peg in a right hole who is well-loved among his peers owing to his background, resume, and repertoire of knowledge.

As we speak, those who kicked vehemently against his principal’s choice of appointing him are currently hailing him for his foresight as Fakorede’s giant strides in harnessing and bringing out strong potential among the youth with sports in Oyo state is currently yielding positive results. The trained civil engineer and graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife is currently one of the most functional commissioners, hence, his reappointment. Under his supervision, the Shooting Star FC was promoted to top-flight Nigerian league as he ensured prompt payment of salaries and other entitlement of players and other staff to encourage sporting activities. As if that was not enough, with the approval of his principal, he monitored the rehabilitation and renovation of the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba.

For Chief Ayiri Emami, his bag of controversy never runs dry. Lately, he has been enmeshed in some controversial issues for his stiff opposition to the crowning of the Olu of Warri; Olu Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko—the Ogiame Atuwatse III. Ayiri was of the opinion that things should be done in line with the customs and tradition and that led to his faceoff to the newly crowned Olu. This and many more we further gathered led to his demotion as the traditional prime minister Ologbotshere of Warri Kingdom by the Olu of Warri.

When the Olu announced the demotion of Ayiri as Ologbotshere, many kicked against it while some disclosed that the King is right in his actions and pronouncement remains the authority. To the Warri oil and gas billionaire, Olu’s pronouncement didn’t hold water as he still addresses himself as the traditional prime minister and attends functions within and outside the kingdom in his usual regal manner. Despite being at loggerheads with the youthful Olu of Warri, Ayiri has remained unperturbed as he currently carries out his official duty as the Ologbotshere. Sources gathered that his controversial dethronement has caused serious issues within the kingdom as some factions who are loyal to Ayiri, declare that the Ologbotshere is not an honorary title and cannot be reversed by the Olu. “Ologbotshere is a family title, not an honorary title so the Olu cannot strip Chief Ayiri of his ancestral title.”

Misunderstood is the best word that aptly describes fashion connoisseur and stylist, Toyin Lawani, the head honcho of Tiannah Empire. Apart from many controversies hovering around her, she has a very endearing and affable personality. For those that have had the opportunity to meet her, some say she is a creative weirdo but to her, doing things differently and getting a super satisfying result is what stands her out from the crowd. The multi-talented mother of two loves to live her life to the fullest not minding snide remarks or sheer criticism from naysayers. She believes life comes with freedom of expression and exploring many things. For her, fashion is the only way her innate ability can be projected. This has helped her stay afloat in the fashion business with impeccable and jaw-dropping designs with local and international clienteles to her credit.

The experiences she has garnered in her formative years have helped shape her to become a successful businesswoman.

She is a workaholic and generous to a fault. Those close to her averred that one thing she loathes is the sight of anyone in distress as she is always ready to help without blinking an eye.

With her fashion imprint, she has redefined the fashion business with lofty designs that are mind-blowing. One of her works that got many marveled at her creative prowess was an attire she created for actress Iyabo Ojo on her mother’s one-year remembrance soiree.

The well-knitted alluring tomato red beaded free-flowing gown created a conversation on social media. Many commended Toyin’s muse for bringing to life the unique design using African beads and patterns. It’s an infusion of African fashion with the Western pop culture which makes it stand out.