Category: Society

Recognising the place of Nigeria, the biggest economy in Africa, in driving its growth, Regional director, Africa at Radisson Hotel Group, William McIntyre, was in Nigeria on a working visit recently, which enabled him to meet stakeholders including key partners, potential partners.

Pointing out the Group’s development team’s robust strategy for the country, he said that Radisson’s objective in Nigeria is to increase its portfolio by 50 percent, by 2025. As well, the prime focus of the expansion is Abuja for obvious reasons, followed by Lagos and Port Harcourt.

He assured that the Group is working with the partners to ensure that all the hotels under development, which are scheduled to open by 2025, would open as scheduled.

The Group also foresees developing each of its six brands in Nigeria, which include the newest Radisson Individuals brand to support potential conversions.

About 20 years later, the Radisson Hotel Group debuted in Africa with a single hotel, which was its flagship in the face of competition among other global brands on the continent then.

He also used the opportunity of his visit to thank the Group’s partners in Nigeria for their continued trust and the team members across the five hotels in Nigeria for the endless hard work and dedication. “This industry would not be what it is without you,” he noted.

True love aptly captures the strong driving force that has kept billionaire businessman and property mogul Dr. Kennedy Okonkwo and his wife Ichechi going for 12 years. The celebration of their 12th wedding anniversary at a highbrow restaurant in the United Kingdom in the company of close friends and business associates, made him pop the question again on his knees with a ring in his hand asking his wife to marry him again. With excitement and joy in her heart, she answered with a thunderous Yes saying she would do a million times as they both hugged each other. Their display of love and affection is quite a sweet thing that many new couples cite their love sojourn as a reference point. Their union was made in heaven consummated with three beautiful kids and laced with the purest of love like velvet.

The generous Victoria Crest home boss known for his luxury building across the country has often said in public that his wife played a pivotal role in him becoming what he is today. As he also said that she has played the role of a team player managing his business empire to a point that he does not worry about anything again.

In the nature of miracle-working banker, Ebenezer Onyeagwu, the head honcho of Zenith Bank, settling for mediocrity has never been his style. Those who have worked with him at any time confessed that he is a man of perfection. More reason he has succeeded and thrived tremendously reaching the zenith of his career with over 3 decades of experience in the banking sector.

Many wonder how he is able to turn every misfortune into a fortune but they are quick to forget when you are passionate about what you do, failing becomes a taboo. Onyeagwu is passionate about positive results and has done everything within his capacity to maintain the lead among his competitors in the banking sector placing Zenith on top in a league of its own. Under his watchful eyes, Zenith bank’s social investments totaled NGN3.285 billion in 2020, representing nearly 2% of the Bank’s profit after tax. With the just-released first-quarter performance report, the bank also had a good outing declaring profit to its investors at a time many companies are still struggling to find their feet during the heat of the deadly pandemic that hit the world.

At the just-concluded Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility (SERAS) CSR Africa Awards held at the weekend in Lagos, Ebenezer emerged CEO of the Year for a second consecutive year. According to the judges, he was selected for a number of reasons, including engendering a culture that promotes the continued investment in social initiatives in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also for his commitment to promoting sustainability and responsible business practices in Nigeria, by his frontal leadership of sustainability in Zenith Bank, thereby enabling best industry practices in the banking sector, and for his passion for reducing carbon emissions in the Bank’s operations. To crown his effort, Zenith Bank Plc also emerged winner in four other categories at the SERAS CSR Africa Awards, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa”.

In the league of successful businessmen in Nigeria, Barrister Allen Onyema ranks high above not because of his magic wand in business but his philanthropic gestures to Nigeria over time has crested his name in gold and has also earned him global recognition as a patriotic Nigerian.

At every given opportunity, Onyeama has taken issues of national interest with much gusto, hence, his disappointment when the United Arab Emirate UAE refused his flagship airline, Air Peace, three weekly slots for landing at its Sharjah airport. The decision, to Allen, was unfair as he made his reservations known officially, explaining the situation of things and how UAE’s decision to give the airline one slot is unfair. He further compared Nigeria with UAE saying his country gave Emirate airlines 21 slots weekly to land at Lagos and Abuja Airport.

When many of his detractors thought Onyema would be left in the cold unattended to, the whole country and government of Nigeria immediately threw their weight behind him in solidarity. The Nigerian government took a special interest in the case as they immediately launched a reprisal sanction which led to Emirate Airline suspending all its fights to Nigeria after its Abuja flight was reduced to once a week and the winter schedule denied. The support Allen got from the Federal Government of Nigeria forced the Government of UAE to increase the slots from three to six and his airline will also be allowed to land at the Dubai International airport.

The recent resolution on the case shows the winning power of Onyema. How the issues were treated will encourage other business owners in Nigeria to believe in the government and reassure them that the government will stand with any business owner to thrive in a time of trouble.

For Lagos businessman and construction giant, Otunba Lekan Osifeso, being responsible comes in many ways. For the cosmopolitan businessman, serving his people in any capacity most especially as a respected chief and son of Ijebu, he had taken it with top priority. He has been a selfless person and a good ambassador of Ogun State and Ijebu at large. This and many more we gathered made his Imperial Majesty Oba Sikitu Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland confer on him, two of the most prestigious positions in the land, Olotu Olowa and Madasa of Ijebuland in Ogun state on Wednesday, December 15, 2021.

Osifeso’s Retro Group of companies has cast the shadow of the Ijebu man’s across the horizon of the construction industry. Even so, Osifeso is noted to hold a special place in his heart for his Ijebu roots. Thus, the effort of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland to honour Osifeso is understandable.

Osifeso’s Retro Group of companies has cast the shadow of the Ijebu man’s across the horizon of the construction industry. Even so, Osifeso is noted to hold a special place in his heart for his Ijebu roots. Thus, the effort of the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland to honour Osifeso is understandable.

At the ceremony, almost everybody was presented. Being a very gregarious person, folks made a conservative estimate of those that attended the ceremony and they include everybody, from the bottom to the top of Nigerian society. Fuji musician, K1 De Ultimate was on the bandstand, and guests were serenaded as Osifeso left no stone unrolled and spared no cost to make the installation grand.

Mallah Sheriff and Fatima Zara Bala Mohammed’s wedding ceremony might probably be one of the biggest up North wedding soirees in 2021 because of the spectacle and buzz that came with it.

The couple melted hearts with their love tales. The bride, who is a graduate of Architecture from the University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom, is the daughter of Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed. The father of the bride left no stone unturned as no cost was spared to make the event a memorable one.

The much-talked-about wedding shindig was held at the popular International Conference Centre, Abuja on December 21. The ceremony was like a movie with many scenes and transitions. The groom, fitted in a brown Agbada, was in the company of his friends who wore blue Agbada when they made an elegant entry as they marched into the event centre with much coordination. The bride fully decked in a flowing white gown sauntered in the company of her bridesmaid looking ravishing in their lilac colour.

Ex-President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo was chairman of the day as Governor of Rivers State, Nysome Wike was the father of the day as he dished out words of advice to the newly wedded couples. Vice President of Nigeria Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and daughter Kiki, led the toast to the new couples. The climax of the wedding dinner was during the father and daughter dance. The moment was quite an emotional one with the atmosphere riddled with happiness as they both enjoyed the dance while the father bid farewell to his daughter with a warm smile.

For the want of a better description, Aisha Abba-Kyari is a misunderstood person. She has deeper reasoning as she takes on issues with a different view, which have somehow collided with many people’s perceptions causing a heated exchange of words online. When her father was still the Chief of Staff to President Buhari, he was so powerful that if he sneezed, the whole country caught the vibration to its root. He was highly influential and some even referred to him as the ‘Swiss Knife’ of President Buhari’s administration.

Despite all the media mention of her father, Aisha has distinguished herself not being affiliated with politics as she is just a reserved lady who loves to work, read and impact knowledge. The dark-skinned beautiful lady has refused to be swayed by praises from everyone as she is more focused on personal development and quest for more knowledge. When she was appointed as the Vice President of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, many eyebrows were raised. Many tongues wagged as some felt she was not qualified for the assignment. Those close to her averred that she is a nip in the bud as her highly cerebral prowess fits the role as she would deliver beyond the imagination of her detractors who felt the appointment was facilitated by her father.

On Wednesday the 8th of December in Abuja, Aisha dished out from her repertoire of knowledge when she spoke as a guest speaker at the annual Maktoub Youth Forum. The U.K trained lady spoke about managing social media pressure in the 21st century. She also hammered on sleep deprivation, anxiety and depression, where she proffered pragmatic solutions on how to get over such life-threatening social disorders and how youths can manage being pressurized about things they see on social media platforms.

Cosmopolitan socialite, show promoter and publisher of Republic of Ireland based Street Journal magazine, Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, has always distinguished himself as a man born to make a difference. He is a man who oozes class and also loves to stand out from the crowd. The highly-connected Ibadan born businessman has always wanted to serve his people but with his recent installation as the Mogaji Ajenigi-Eye of Yemetu-Oje, Ibadan by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, there is no better way to give back to his community with his repertoire of knowledge and exposure.

At the grand installation held at the palace of the Olubadan in Popo Yemoja, Ibadan, Oyo State, Arisekola who was in an elated mood could not help but show his deep appreciation to the Ibadan monarch for making it possible as he promised to use the new title to improving a lot of Ibadan indigenes, whether they be underprivileged or otherwise.

Some people have argued that Arisekola might be contesting for a political office in the 2023 election which was what led to the installation and the caliber of people who attended. However, sources close to the trained journalist averred that he is not even thinking of giving politics a shot. He is better off playing politics from the sidelines but not as a contestant. He wants an avenue to serve his people and owing to his pedigree as someone who is a good ambassador of Ibadan, the title is the best to make him intensify his effort in putting Ibadan on the world map as a top stakeholder.

Businessman and top real estate player, Gerald Azonobo aka Dagogo, is one personality whose influence cannot be overlooked. He loves living the good life with his urbane fashion sense. He can go from the Burj Khalifa in Dubai to the Beach part of Miami, Florida. As a card-carrying member of A-list clubs in Lagos, He loves his wine exotic and his automobile vintage. He loves to leave a statement with his presence which earned him the moniker as the “King of Groove” for his love for living the luxury lifestyle. The Edo State-born businessman has been a detribalized Nigerian whose circle of friends cuts across the who- is-who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities that he has built over the years. When he lost his mother Mrs. Christiana Azonobo Italume in August, it was an emotional moment for him as he has often said in public that he shared a great bond with his mother as she strived hard to ensure he became successful. He has vowed to do everything possible to make sure she enjoys the fruit of her labour. Since the death of his mother, the upwardly mobile dude did everything within his capacity to ensure she was given a befitting burial worthy of a mother.

Society Rendezvous gathered that the colorful invitation cards were circulated among family members, close friends of the handsome dude, celebrities, politicians and government officials, among others who came to support him.

It was also gathered that the much-talked-about soiree kick-off with a service of song and wake at His Grace Events Centre, Lekki, Lagos, while the funeral service and interment took place at James George street, Off Alagbon Close, Ikoyi Lagos. To ensure his guests were feted like kings and queens, the real estate merchant had his reception at the highbrow event centre The Monarch, Ikate, Elegunshi, Eti Osa, Lagos.

Dr. Stephen Akintayo’s success story is that of a man, who grew exponentially from nothing to something. All thanks to the right strategies, hard work, prayers, doggedness and resilience, he was able to crest his real estate firm as one of the successful realtors in town. His Gtext Homes is among the fastest-growing real estate firms in the country building green and smart houses that will be off the Nigerian power system by generating its own electricity and use waste as Bio-gas through renewable energy.

With branches located in Lagos, London, Dubai, America, he has successfully created a business platform where over 100,000 direct and indirect staff are rewarded for selling their luxurious smart condos and land across the country. When many of his peers were busy enjoying luxuries, attending high octane parties, lavishing money on frivolities, the philanthropist and author was busy brainstorming on how to expand his business tentacles beyond his dreams with heavy investment  in agriculture and technology.

After much day and night of back and forth, he and his team launched their latest office in one of Nigeria’s and by extension Africa’s most expensive and luxurious Neighbourhood, Banana Island. Sources disclosed that the Banana island office was carved out to meet the needs of teeming investors and customers who find it hard to navigate to its Omole office in Lagos.