By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

It’s quite amazing that lots of people have often given positive testimony about the humane side of vivacious Dr. Vivian Awele Elumelu. Some even refer to her as an angel in human form. Despite her love to do things quietly devoid of unnecessary media attention, her good deeds project her to the world. The mother of seven remains an unsung hero and a blessing to this generation.

For someone who loves to touch lives at any given time, celebrating her humanness and her meekness all year long is not even enough to thank her for what she has been doing. For her, she believes that all reward comes from God and the credit goes back to the creator of heaven and earth who gave her the strength and will to be able to continue touching lives. At every point, she has never ruled out the immense support she often receives from her billionaire hubby Tony Elumelu and her children.

Read Also: For Tony Elumelu, another shot on target

On June 23, she turned 51, and she was celebrated by all sundry. Congratulatory messages, eulogies, and encomium kept rolling in as her staff, children, husband, a close associate and family members shared testimony of her greatness. She would also have loved to throw a big birthday shindig because she didn’t do much on her 50th last year but as a health practitioner, she chose to halt all possible celebrations because of the deadly Covid-19 virus which is still ravaging the town. Instead, in a build-up to her 51st birthday, her Avon medical center partnered with Heirs life where they converged people at the ultramodern Avon Medical Dialysis Centre in Ikeja, to donate blood to those in dire need. She chose the 2021 World Blood Donor Day to celebrate her humane nature.

Close sources claimed the purpose of the outreach was to intensify the awareness and importance of safe blood for transfusion and highlight the critical role voluntary blood donors play in national health.

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

If US-based Nigerian-born business Kenny Adebayo, head CEO, Global Ultra Logistics, LCC, had envisioned that he would thrive well if he started Freight Forwarding and logistics business, it could be taken for granted. And if any pious cleric had told him to go into the business, he should thank his stars that he heeded the advice. Many years after he took that leap of faith, the US-based Freight Forwarder is now reaping bountifully from his efforts, making Nigeria proud.

He started the business on a shoestring capital, in a small two-bedroom apartment in Newark, New Jersey which also served as his residence. Some people in the US sneered at him while many told him to his face that he can’t survive in the already saturated business environment, while some customers he approached told him they can’t simply trust him with their good.

As expected, he had faced some teething challenges that almost forced him out of business. But he kept the faith during the storm. Mercifully, his commitment and hard work later earned him the trust of many around.

Read Also: From humble beginnings to enviable heights

“ The beginning, especially the first five years wasn’t that easy and very frustrating but as a man driven by a hunger for success, resolved to pursue his dream without looking back, and not even the seeming impossibility of the task, could deter him from pursuing his dream’’ A source added.

Exactly ten years after establishing the business he has become a popular brand and one of the most sought-after in the industry. For many, his firm is the best, which is evidence that he has what it takes to satisfy the yearning of his numerous clientele.

When he dabbled into business many years ago, his clear vision was to lead the company as a leading logistics company and today he is gradually achieving his dream.

In him, many have come to realize that you don’t need millions of naira to become a successful entrepreneur or an employer of labour; it is all about vision. The business has grown so much that has opened more branches across the US states such as Maryland and Kansas with another branch in Lagos, Nigeria while he keeps expanding his clientele, which includes the high and mighty, private and public sectors, government officials, politicians as well as top diplomatic corps.

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Stylish Olubukola Oluwakemi Owoyomi, boss of Mide’s Mane luxury hairline will blow you away with her radiating aura laced with ravishing beauty. The soft-spoken highly cerebral woman is like a goldfish that has no hiding place in the water; what started first as a passion and side hustle 10 years ago is today regarded and registered as the top choice for lovers of bespoke luxury virgin hair. Today, she can proudly boast of a long list of high-class and celebrity clientele in Nigeria, London, Canada, America, and Europe on her patronage list.

Before giving entrepreneurship a shot; with the sales of the purest of virgin/donor hair and hair care products/services, she was a trained banker with experience as a former staff of defunct Société Generale Bank, Devcom Merchant Bank, and Equatorial Trust Bank. With dedication and selflessness, she rose astronomically to an enviable height, winning several awards before quitting banking to start her own private business. Despite the hard times faced as an entrepreneur, she was able to replicate her magic wand in banking into her own business. What she has sowed in sweat, she is currently reaping bountifully with a smile on her face.

Read Also: Hajia Bola Shagaya’s mega plan

On Wednesday, June 30, the Accounting graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife had a dual celebration. She celebrated her 45th birthday and 10th anniversary of founding Mide’s Mane luxury hair brand. Her birthday originally was devoid of much fanfare as she was at home praying to her creator for sparing her life after which she had private moments with her family. On Sunday, July 4, she alongside her billionaire auto dealer heartthrob, would fete their close friends and associate to an array of sumptuous meals and high-cost drinks at the Maryland palatial mansion.

A close source disclosed that celebrating the 10th anniversary of Mide’s Mane, also saw Owoyomi launching another pocket-friendly luxury affordable hair brand called ‘Mide’s Mane-iacs’. The new brand will provide high-quality produced human hair for those who cannot afford the luxury virgin range but also want to slay on a budget. This branch targets a larger market and will also raise the bar in providing long-lasting, versatile human hair.

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Ask former Bayelsa State Governor-Elect David Lyon Perewonrimi of the All Progressive Congress what day he will never forget in his life, it will be the day the supreme court handed his mandate to Governor Douye Diri of the People’s Democratic party as the Governor of Bayelsa state. At that moment, the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Apoi Olodiama Local Government Development Center could not believe how it all happened. What he had laboured for in tears went down the drain.

After a series of day and night campaigning and electioneering process, he was denied the plum job due to an error made by his running mate, Degi Eremienyo Wangagra, who allegedly submitted a fake certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC during screening. For David, he is a believer in the popular saying in Latin that “quis erit, erit” meaning; “what will be will be”.

Like a devoted Christian, he accepted his fate in goodwill as he believed his own time will come when there would be no stumbling block to his dreams and aspirations. After the loss, the billionaire oil baron recoiled into his shell to repackage his strategies on how to snatch power from the opposition in the state in the next election. He was engaged in several closed-door meetings with party stakeholders, party faithful’s, and also with some important decision-makers and opinion leaders in Bayelsa state on how to come back into the ring with a shocker.

Read Also: Lyon accepts Supreme Court’s verdict on Bayelsa

At a time when many thought the incident would have taken its toll on him by pulling him down emotionally, like a man blessed with the strength of the biblical Samson, he remained unperturbed and steadfast. After a long time off the social radar strategizing, The chief executive of Darlon Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, earlier this week returned to public radar alongside his crew. He stormed the Synagogue Church Of All Nations premises at Ikotun to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late T.B Joshua. Dressed in white native attire with uncommon poise radiating around him with a glittering skin like a newborn baby; he was seen in a sober mood as he walked briskly into the church premises to sign the condolence register before going to see the widow of the deceased.

Close sources hinted that Late Prophet Joshua was an inspiration to Lyon. He was one of those who stood by him in his trying times. The late Prophet offered prayers, words of advice and also embraced him.

Sources further said David has the heart of a tiger and he is a very strong man. What happened to him could kill some people’s political careers.

Green Image boss, Gbemiga Oni has dedicated all his life to the growth of the media profession since early 2000. Before floating his own media platform, he started as a music producer, working with several media organizations playing a huge managerial role at G.A Productions owned by late Gbenga Ariba before he finally left to float his own media platform. The Lagos socialite recorded and produced over 80 radio jingles and contents for advertising agencies as well as radio dramas for both local and international media houses. In 2012, He joined WTS Broadcast Nigeria as their Head of Production where he delved majorly into television broadcasting, supervising, producing, and directing audiovisual content production for Channels TV, Al-Jazeera, CNBC, CNN among other stations and projects.

After years of working for people, Dammy Gee decided to pull all his weight in moving Green Image Productions to the next level. The Diploma in Mass communication and B.Sc in Radio and Television broadcasting, both from Lagos State University, is finally set to launch his new online radio and TV channels on July 1. The station’s test transmission will commence on June 12, 2021.

According to Oni, “Green Radio and Green TV is set to go the extra mile in bringing the world to the people. The coverage will be all-encompassing: politics, entertainment, lifestyle, sports business, and religion. While Green Radio will run 24hours.  Green TV will operate using major social media platforms to broadcast her content in a scheduled pattern for about six months before it will take another dimension.”

International Trade lawyer and consultant, Olugbemiga Ojo, is not new to the business of the strategic partnership, most especially when it has to do with the development and integration of trade between countries or a partnership that works, he is the go-to person. The Head honcho of Lakingberg LLC, international trade and business consulting company is steadily taking the lead in opening African countries to trade with foreign investors and counterparts. As a patriotic Nigerian, he recently signed a new strategic international trading partnership between the Government of Osun State, Dagbolu International Trading Centre, Osogbo, and his company.

Many would ponder what his interest in such a mouth watery deal is at a time the nation’s economy is dwindling. But Ojo will be quick to divulge that the project which is in line with the nation’s economic diversification plan will create massive wealth and opportunities for farmers, manufacturers, and miners alike, with access to export trade into the international markets through the B2B global trade platform where ready-made foreign buyers are available to buy. With the platform, it will bridge the gap between local-based producers and exporters to foreign-based end users. The modules will help strengthen the Naira and attract more forex into the economy and also enable the flooding of the global market without native agricultural and mining produce.

A source disclosed that the partnership will witness the active representation of the three groups. It will ensure easy transportation through rails, private & public synchronization, commercialization and coordination of activities at the dry port, and terminal Operations to ease the storage and transportation of cargo among others. Among the objectives of this MOU signed between Osun State and Lakinberg, the creation of consumer spending through employment created by commercial activities, trade, and exchange as well as Foreign Direct Investments and macro-economic development will grow in a geometric progression.

Birthdays might not mean a big deal to many people but for Prince Adelaja Akinsegun Alao Omofade, it’s quite essential to give thanks to the creator of heaven and earth for a gift of life at 75.

Aside from the merriment that comes with celebrating such milestones in age, Omofade believes that the celebration is necessary at a time when most of his peers might have been taken by the dreaded grim reaper. In fulfilling his promise of never joking with the grace of life, he used the occasion of his 75th birthday to show gratitude to God.

On Monday, May 17, the former permanent secretary of Lagos state ministry of environment and physical planning at his Ikeja residence, did not only show appreciation to God, but he also feted his close friends and family at a close-knit soiree. Adhering to the Covid-19 protocols, in attendance were his former classmates, colleagues, friends, immediate and extended family, who came to share in his pot full of joy.

The celebrator in an elated mood wore a warm smile all through as clergymen from the African Church St. Paul parish, coordinated and officiated the birthday proceeding with prayers.

The Ogun State prince flanked by his wife Mrs. Adetoro, could not hold his excitement as members of his church, former colleagues, classmates, children, and grandchildren extolled his virtues as a disciplinarian, highly cerebral, jolly good fellow, skilled administrator, sincere, loving, a doting father and a friend who looks out for those around him.

In the league of young and most sought-after bachelors up north, the name Abiru-Rahman Abubakar Malami, son of Minister for Justices and Attorney General of the Federation, becomes a recurring decimal. The super dandy big boy is widely known for his soft speaking nature and his life of opulence. He rides in super-fly automobiles and also hangs out with children of the wealthy within the Abuja, and Kano metropolis. He’s mostly in the company of his elder sibling, Barr. Abdulazeez Malami, who just welcomed a baby during Ramadan with his wife Khadija Danbatta.

Last weekend,  Abiru’s wedding to Aisha Humaira Umar, daughter of former Chief Justice of Kebbi state and also a retired senior judge at the federal high court; Justices Ibrahim Umar, attracted the crème de la creme within Nigeria’s political and societal scene to the city of Kano. The wedding was a complete display of grand affluence. With the attendance of over five northern governors, both parents were in an elated mood as they watch their children exchange marital vows.

The wedding started at the popular Alfuraqan Mosque, Nasarrawa area, Kano state with Dr. Bashir Umar as the presiding Imam. Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state paid the bride’s dowry on behalf of the groom. After the process of the wedding Fatiah, all guests converged at the highbrow Meena event centre for the grand reception/ dinner soiree. Guests were treated to the very best of sumptuous meals and assorted drinks.

The venue was heaven on earth as the decoration in gold and black was alluring. The bride fitted in a white flowing wedding gown was flanked by the groom who was decked in a full dark Agbada laced with a gold pattern as they both saunter into the hall amidst pomp. Their wedding cake was so massive that it would be the first thing you will sight on entering the hall.

Before the wedding dinner party, the wedding proceeding took a week with series of events like the traditional wedding called ‘Kamu’ and an Arabian night where Abiru’s friends were all fitted in a blue customized Jalabia and the Arabian headgear with camels to add glamour to the day.

Top guests spotted at the wedding are Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege along with some Senators, Governors of Gombe, Kebbi, and Zamfara, Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu, Sen. Magnus Ngei Abbe, Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff, former governor of Borno state and many others.

The dream of every businessman is to conquer their targeted market terrain while in business. It’s no doubt that consummate banker and billionaire, Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, popularly called TOE, is in the league of business owners who are not giving anything to chance but want to take over every business space they venture.

Many who have followed TOE’s telepathic rise to wealth would attest that he is a man who sees tomorrow. Like in the game of chess, Elumelu is very calculative, and every one of his moves is proof. He knows when to strike hard and when to retreat. Even though he has never retreated in business, he is a calculated risk-taker. After series of think-tank sessions with his team, carefully studying the insurance business scheme in Nigeria, the graduate of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, finally launched Heirs Insurance and Heirs Life, an idea pregnant with innovative business modules that will change the face of insurance policy in the country.

Over the years, the generous money-bag has built a reputation with a solid foundation on greatness, success, sincerity, dependability, and profit maximization. Having thrived excellently with the United Bank for Africa UBA, he also replicated his uncommon wizardry investing heavily in the area of Power generation, hospitality, Oil, and Gas, using the Transcorp brand. With the attendance of the Governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwoolu and other top guests, on June 1, he officially launched the insurance arm of Heirs Holding with the commissioning of a 7-storey building edifice, which would serve as the operational headquarter.

Sources disclosed that the launch of the Heirs Insurance and Heirs life is here to challenge the existing status quo. The company launched a web portal enabling customers to get an insurance quote in minutes on their mobile devices. “Elumelu’s investment in insurance is currently giving existing players and competitors a big headache. They are aware that in no time, Tony will take over the insurance business with more innovative ideas. He has also promised that customers will receive claims settlement in less than 24 hours. It has never happened in the industry before. He has done it in the past with the rise of UBA in the banking business. They are scared that he will replicate his magic wand in the insurance business in a little while,” the source divulged.

Property czar and chairman of DHB Group Limited, Hakeem Alobo-Bakare would count his blessings as he clocks 63 on Friday, June 11, 2021. An encounter with the Lagos State-born businessman would reveal a man of exceptional intellect, who has a profound passion for his calling. The birthday ‘boy’ evokes a rare combination of critical approval and public affection-love, even.

This may not be unconnected with the fact that he is audacious in his simplicity and brilliant in his business exploits. For many years, he has become a reference point in the nation’s Properties Construction sector. This is not a mean feat, as those close to him attribute it to his relentless efforts as well as personal strength built through struggle, tenacity, resilience, unbending determination, and focus, and business acumen.

Interestingly, he also shares that strength with tremendous compassion and empathy. Channeling his own experiences, he has personally touched the lives of countless others who have had to confront their challenges.

The businessman towers above many of his contemporaries, particularly because he has been in a warm embrace of fame for many decades. No wonder, when a man with such phenomenal achievements celebrates his birthday, not a few would want to share in his joy.

As gathered the man who is also a politician is not throwing an elaborate party though, he will dedicate the day thanking God, counting his blessings, and praising God for all his achievements.