THE Baaye of Egbaland, Ogun State, Abayomi Rotimi, will have to painfully learn how to live without his beloved wife, Chief Mrs Arinola Susan Rotimi.

Buried on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, Arinola died on July 10, 2021, at the age of 62. Her death came as a shock to loved ones who are still finding it hard to accept the harsh reality.

At the candlelight service at Ilupeju, Lagos; friends, family and colleagues narrated how the late society woman lived a happy, impactful and fulfilled life. Well-wishers all over the world, including people in the United Kingdom and the United States were connected to candlelight service via Zoom and many had nice things to say about her.

One of her sisters, Moji Iyamabo (nee Shoyinka), said she didn’t realise she was holding send-off for them when she spent six months with them last year. “You will surely be missed forever! You remind me daily of the words of the preacher in Ecclesiastes 1:2 that vanity upon vanity, all of life here on earth is vanity. We are all here missing you Chief Mrs, and you will be missed forever! Continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord until we meet to part no more,” she noted.

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Narrating how the news reached her, another sister, Toyin Shoyinka, said on a Saturday evening, after choir practice, she received a text from her sister, Bisi, saying there was “bad news.”

She stated: “How does someone who created so many lovely memories now become a memory? You have either met my sister or you haven’t! She was a force, welcoming, charming to friends and strangers alike. Having people happy around her made her day. You can’t visit my sister and not be entertained, gifted and thoroughly fed. She was delighted in giving, helping others, and was such an appreciative person, whether of gifts or time spent.

“My sister was a rallying point for the Shoyinka family. She ensured that each member of the family was supported at each life milestone whether it was a birthday, a funeral, a birth, or any other family event.

“I have fond memories of her. I remember, when along with my Sister Bisi, I visited her in April; she had organised a “three-course meal,” starting with fruits and veggies, followed by special ‘amala’ and then an 8-inch cake to take home! She had such a great time that day and I am so grateful for the time we shared in the last six months before she passed.”

ALL roads led to Madrid, Spain, earlier in the week as Wosilat Seriki, wife of the Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Demola Seriki, held a stylish 60th birthday dinner.

Shade Okoya and her business magnate husband, Rasaq Okoya, were some of the high society figures who stormed Spain for the party.

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Celebrating her sister-in-law, Wosilat Seriki, she wrote: “Happy birthday! On this day of happiness and joy, I’d like to wish you a lifetime full of success because a person, as unique as you, deserves all of their dreams to come true.”

Images of beautifully dressed guests circulated in the social media. Mrs Okoya also posted on Instagram elegant pictures of the celebrant dressed in gold and white laces.

Wosilat has three lovely girls and she is also a grandmother. She is the only sister of Okoya, the Chairman of Eleganza Group.

Faisal Abdulmunaf Azman is a workaholic, stickler for excellence and a near perfectionist. Despite the heavy workload, tight work schedule and travel itinerary tied to his office, he is a jolly good fellow who is a shoulder to lean on for his close allies. He loves to live the good life, wearing expensive designer outfits but he never jokes with lifestyle as he loves to invest in himself. The Managing Director of Azman air is a soft target for some of the hottest spinsters in the country because of his ability to treat ladies right and pamper them with class.

Despite the dwindling economy as a result of the pandemic, when the graduate of International Trade and business from East Mediterranean University assumed his current position, he ensured the company soar in maintaining revenue and ensuring the airline complied with all safety protocols while delivering quality services to its numerous customers. Many said his brilliance and intelligence is a special ability he took from his father Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina, the current president of Airline Operators of Nigeria.

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According to sources, the cosmopolitan dude is soon going to quit the league of eligible bachelors in Abuja, Kano and Lagos to become a responsible married man as he has taken a step towards forever with his long time girlfriend. Recently, he popped the question by proposing to his long time girlfriend, Ummi Mannir Daniya, daughter of the Deputy Governor of Sokoto state, His Excellency Manir Dan Iya, in a close-knit ceremony that was attended by only his close friends. “We are super excited that Faisal will finally settle down. Plans are on for an official introduction of both families so the wedding date should soon be announced before the end of the year, or early next,” a source added.

Queen Farida Sani Garba Diso aka Giwar Sarkin Daura had always lived all her life for humanity’s sake. She is a cheerful giver and those whose paths have crossed hers can confirm that she loathes the sight of people in dire need or distress. She is always charged up to render assistance. Many wonder why such a charming young queen will dedicate her life to cheerful giving but those close to her were quick to squeal that she learnt the art of giving from her mother and she has inculcated it and made it a lifestyle.

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During her formative years, she was generous to a point that she was ready to displease herself just to make sure her fellow human is satisfied. Apart from being the wife of the Emir of Daura, she has stayed true to her passion by putting smiles on faces of humanity through empowerment using her Golden Heart women foundation as a point of contact.

As she celebrated her birthday over the week, instead of throwing a high octane birthday party, she opted for philanthropy. She led a powerful delegation to an orphanage in Kano State where she donated food, clothes and other items worth millions of Naira and also celebrated with the kids in the orphanage. She also visited Kurumawa correctional facility, where she paid bails of inmates who were remanded behind bars due to lack of funds for bail. According to her, rendering assistance to the needy is not a bid to show off, it’s to motivate others to emulate her by rendering assistance to humanity and also indulge in charitable acts.

Few months after emerging winner of the 5th edition of Mrs Nigeria in March 2021, Terere Obaigbo is set to take on the rest of the world at the global stage in January 2022 at the Mrs World pageant.

Obiagbo is billed to represent the country as a contestant at Mrs World and as country guest at the Mrs Universe, Mrs Globe and Mrs United Nations respectively.

The Mrs Nigeria, a non-bikini beauty pageant for married women between the ages of 23-45 years, has propelled Obiagbo to emerge the first Nigerian and West African to attend the Mrs World pageant scheduled to be held  in Las Vegas, US between January 9, 2022 and January 16, 2022.

Speaking recently at a media presentation on her plans to give quality representation at the Mrs World event, the beauty queen from Edo State, who is widely referred to as Oreime highlighted some of her achievements.

‘I believe I am a purpose driven individual who thrives to make a society a better place through advocacy for environmental sustainability and empowerment programs. As a result I am currently running different PET projects towards realising this goal.They include the Gathering Africa which is a bi-monthly spoken word event which is meant to boost culture and creativity among Nigerians and indeed Africans,the Ecoprolive designed to create awareness on the importance of making the environment clean and green and the F4A Initiative, an acronym for Food for All meant to feed the less privileged and disadvantaged in the society”.

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She said she feels highly motivated to represent the country on such a big platform that parades the most inspiring women across different parts of the world with beauty, intelligence and achievements to show, promising to make her participation count for good for herself and the country.

On his part,the Managing Director,M778, Mr Lekan Lawal said his company is partnering with the beauty pageant to help realise her dream because such a worthy cause deserves to be promoted and supported at a time the country is at its lowest ebb.

“We feel as a company that we owe the country a duty to support any cause capable of projecting its image. Don’t forget the situation currently in the country has not been palatable with negative stories  flying around everyday.This Nigeria/Mrs World project for us, is one of those worthy causes that can help change the narrative at least for once that the country is not just about negative reports.”

The success story of Dr. Stephen Akintayo, if well scripted and directed, will definitely make a sold-out movie at the box office grossing billions of dollars on release. The more reason it will be a success is because of the intriguing story filled with several catharses, ups and downs and with a theme that preaches tenacity, doggedness and dreaming big.

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Akintayo has devoted his time to impacting entrepreneurs and also creating business opportunities by creating employment opportunities for graduates. The Gtext Global head honcho who has authored several bestselling books, mentoring several entrepreneurs over the week fulfilled his longtime promise as he gave Miss Faith Adedoyin Adebisi of Doyenne Apparel an entrepreneur who took part in his Stephen Akintayo Entrepreneurs online challenge a million naira to support her bag and clothing line business. At the presentation ceremony at his Gtext Global head office Omole Lagos, Stephen also used the opportunity to reiterate his love and support for creative minds and also promised to keep doing his quota by supporting the best brains in the country and also keep doing his best for the upliftment of humanity.

Away from the stereotype surrounding her late husband General Sanni Abacha, while he was Military Head of State of Nigeria between 1993 and 1998, Maryam Sani-Abacha literarily carved a niche for herself as first lady with several indelible footprints through her pet project that was said to have touched millions of life. At 74, the former first lady still possesses the aura that comes with being a first lady.

Many still wonder why it took so long for people to recognise her strides in health care, women empowerment, peace and stability. For her, it’s better late than never. Getting accolades for her good works over two decades ago is a sign that people are gradually looking above political sentiments and archetypal beliefs.

When she held sway as the National President of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives’ Association (NAOWA), from 1985 – 1990, the Borno state born woman of substance harnessed the resourcefulness of army officers’ wives and their genuine patriotic feelings to further the interests in line with her vision of a united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria. She was at the forefront of the national movement for a self-reliant economy, launching several development efforts for the education and self-improvement of womenfolk through workshops, organized seminars and lectures for soldiers’ wives in particular and other citizens. The association operated several farms and small-scale enterprises for the benefit of its members and the less-privileged.

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As first lady of Nigeria from 1993-1998, she made several moves to make sure Nigeria is stabilized using her influence to seek reprieve for some high profile individuals that were incarcerated. Apart from that, she also invested in health programmes as she called for massive funding for the health sector to reduce medical tourism and enable the masses to get access to free health care. She also founded the National Hospital Abuja (formerly known as National Hospital For Women And Children). In her quest for peace on the African soil, she galvanized African First Ladies promoting Peace Mission. She also promoted programs like; The Poverty Alleviation Programme, The National Programme on Immunization, The Family Support Programme, The Family Support Basic Education Programme and The Family Economic Advancement Programme.

In a bid to appreciate the unsung hero who gave her all in the development of the health sector in Nigeria, last week, she was honored with an award of excellence from the Association of General private medical practitioners of Nigeria. At the award gala, where other prominent Nigerians who had made marks were also awarded, she was given a standing ovation as a mark of respect and appreciation for all she has done.

Over the years, super dandy Folorunsho Folarin Coker has distinguished himself as a key player in Nigeria’s tourism sector with a wide experience spanning over decades as a businessman and a showbiz personality. He did not just attain his current status as the Director of National Tourism Development Corporation NTDC by stroke of luck, he climbed the ladder of success with consistency and sheer dint of hard work. Even after serving his first tenure, he was reappointed by President Buhari to further, unlock and work more to explore the tourism sector in Nigeria to enable it viable for business purposes and also sell Nigeria to the rest of the world as a tourism hub in Africa.

Last weekend, the former Lagos state commissioner for Culture and Tourism was conferred with the traditional title as the Baba Eto of Ilara-Epe as part of the activities to mark the 1st year anniversary celebration of the Alara of Ilara-Epe Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo.

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The Lacasa Lagos boss was honoured alongside his wife Aisha.

Interestingly, Folly Coker was honoured with the title as Baba Eto exactly a year after his father late High Chief Nathaniel Folarin Coker passed unto glory at age 97.

Despite the influx of designers and fashion enthusiasts littered across the metropolitan city of Lagos, and Nigeria, style connoisseur and fashion-preneur, Kiki Okewale comes into the mix elegantly in a league of her own.

Her upscale Hope Fashion hub located in the heart of Opebi, Ikeja Lagos is a one-stop store that caters to the needs of top clients from head to toe – whether high-end fabric, Aso Oke or Turban, spice with chic fascinators, matching shoes, purses and jewelry, it is all a total package. Despite being a traditional material, Aso-Oke is making a very modern comeback.

The new trend of designers delving into the rich cultural history of Aso-Oke with modern silhouettes, Kiki is fast getting all the accolades and hugging all the attention from the rich and famous, fashion trendsetters and jet-setters with her array of stylish designs with which they are now taking their fashion games to the next level.

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Weeks ago when former Ogun State governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel and his delectable wife, Yeye Olufunke Daniel hosted family and friends to their daughter, Kehinde’s wedding in Lagos, Kiki played a very significant role as she was tasked with the styling and packaging of three beautiful designs of Aso Ebi for over 1000 society women who attended the nuptial soiree that was held at Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. On entering the event hall, you would be welcomed by the alluring display of colours from invited guests.

The soft-spoken Kiki, married to popular city doctor Babatunde Okewale, is all about class and quality. Her distinctive collections have carved an enviable niche for her in the hub of high fashion. Her bespoke designs betray her immeasurable depth of creativity, value for details and affinity for the precise. Her unique selling point is her unparalleled mastery of combining colors and sparkles in a most remarkably amazing way that makes her clients glitter like a million diamonds.

DESTINATION Ondo has unveiled a new initiative to make Ondo State Africa’s capital of carnival costumes production.

This new initiative by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye’s Destination Ondo is sequel to the partnership with Ondo State government for tourism development, following the successful launch of the newly created Asun Carnival in Ondo Town by Akinboboye.

The entrepreneurial project, which seeks to establish a big carnival costumes making platform in Ondo State, is expected to further push the vision of transforming the state to a business tourism hub and develop local tailors and youths interested in becoming fashion entrepreneurs.

According to Akinboboye, the initiative will cater for the costume needs of festivals and carnival organisers in Nigeria, Africa and across the world.

He added: “It will be the only place to get the best costumes and accessories for carnivals and festivals in Africa.”

With a focus on building the capacity of local tailors, helping entrepreneurs with sustainable livelihood and creating wealth through productive engagement, the initiative is also expected to help the value chain and support service requirements for costumes by so many festivals and carnivals springing up across Africa.