By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

On April 26, 2020, at the height of the Covid-19 lockdown, Dr. Oluwatosin Ajayi bid farewell to the world after a prolonged battle with kidney-related ailment.

Earlier this week, on Monday, April 26, late Ajayi’s widow, Helen took out time to celebrate the life and times of the late medical personnel with a service and prayer session at his graveside in Ikoyi. Quite an emotional ambiance filled with tears, she made statements that touched the heart of many as she prayed that the deceased continue to rest in the blossom of his creator. She also promised to keep his memory alive. She also hosted friends and close family members to a very private dinner at a private location in Ikoyi Lagos.

The late Dr. Ajayi was a  cardiologist, medical technologist, and philanthropist. He was the founder/owner of First Foundation Medical Center, which became prominent in 1986 as it was where the late publisher of Newswatch, Dele Giwa was rushed to after the parcel bomb that took his life detonated on his lap.

Read Also: Hajia Shagaya’s secret to relevance

His death created rancour between his ex-wife Madam Oluyemisi Ajayi, children, and his widow, ex-beauty queen Helen Prest-Ajayi.

There were several controversial issues raised by the first wife whom Dr. Ajayi was said to have divorced decades ago. First, madam Yemisi accused the Helen of being responsible for Ajayi’s demise and also said that she was not legally married to him. She went ahead to report her to the police for proper investigation. After a series of investigations, Helen came out victorious as an autopsy report showed that the deceased died of a kidney-related ailment.

Having scaled the first hurdle, the family battle continued as late Dr. Ajayi’s ex-wife and her children battled Helen over the remains of the late medical doctor.  After a series of family scuffle, and interventions from relatives, the late Dr. Ajayi was finally given a befitting burial on February 11, 2021 – 10 months after his death.

On the day of the burial, a melodrama erupted  as Helen and her daughter  were prevented from paying their last respect but for the timely intervention of family members and clerics resolved the drama.

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has always been an underdog that has constantly proved to his critics that he is a master strategist in anything he ventures into. Many say he is controversial, but others say he is just an ambitious man who wants to render services to his immediate society and better more lives than he already has impacted. After taking several shots at the Anambra state top job as governor since 2014 when he contested under the Labour party, he has neither flinched nor looked back even after losing trial to APGA candidate, Governor Wilie Obiano.

Senator Uba’s political odyssey is filled with lessons of tenacity, doggedness, and self-belief. Any rookie looking to venture into the Nigerian political terrain needs a timeout with Uba to explain what it takes to survive in the system.  After several backstab and disappointment, he never relented. He saw victory in sight after crushing a political dynasty rotated between Senator Andy and Chris Ubah who have dominated the Anambra South Senatorial district for years. Ifeanyi took a moribund and not too popular Young People’s Progressive party YPP to clinch the Anambra south senatorial seat leaving critics in shock to date.

Read Also: Obiano, Ubah renew battle over alleged N25b bond

As the tenure of Governor Wilie Obiano is winding up, the race as to who succeeds him in governing the state for the next 4 years has intensified with the Capital Oil boss looking to replicate his shocking victory again at the polls by emerging victorious. Already, he has officially declared his intention to run for the top job. Some averred that he might have to defect to a top party to contest but the billionaire has committed his unflinching loyalty to the YPP, the party on which platform he was made a senator.

Chief Promoter and Founder of Afa Igbo Efuna Movement has formally thrown his hat in the ring to contest the Anambra State 2021 Governorship election during a ‘Thank you’ rally hosted at the DCC Field Nnewi. While thanking the people of Nnewi North for electing him Senator in 2019, he formally informed them that he will run for Governor in the November 2021 election. He also followed up with a ‘Thank You’ rally held at Ukpor, Nnewi South on Wednesday, April, 21. Sources said; With the massive turnout of electorates at the rally, it seems Senator Ifeayin is some inch away from winning the election again by shocking those who never believed in him.

By OLADAPO SOFOWORA

A stylish businesswoman and socialite of high repute, Hajia Bola Shagaya, is like a golden fish that has no hiding place in the water. Her enchanting demeanor and poise attract a large number of people to her. As much as her trumpet sounds so loud enough to shut the ears of her detractors, she is that modest enough to lower the tone as she loves her quiet works speaks more volume of her endearing persona with a heart of gold.

Among the billionaire and aristocrats in the corridor of power, she is revered. Nobody jokes with her, most especially among the women holding high positions of power in Nigeria.

Interestingly, those close to her often wonder what has kept her relevant with every government in power regardless of party affiliation. The secret of the Kwara State-born business magnate remains unique as she has maintained a cordial relationship with the past first ladies including the current first lady, Aisha Buhari. Shagaya was a kitchen cabinet member of the late Maryam Babangida, Hajia Maryam Abacha,  late Stella Obasanjo, Dame Patience Jonathan.

Read Also: Between Adebutu Kessington and Hajia Bola Shagaya

A few weeks ago, she was spotted at the book launch and presentation of Aisha Buhari: Being Different, a biography of Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, at the Banquet Hall of the presidential villa, Abuja. As she sauntered into the venue glamorously dressed with a warm smile on her face, it further showed how relevant she is in the top echelon club of Nigeria.

Society Rendezvous gathered that her secret to her long-standing friendship with the previous and current first ladies is connected to her uncommon brilliance, native intelligence, and ability to see fortune out of misfortune. “Hajia is just super smart and intelligent. Apart from being close to them, they love having her around because of her words of wisdom and her ability, to tell the truth without sugarcoating it. She is one of the few who says it the way it is. She is not a favour seeker who would hide the truth for any reason,” a close aide squealed.

By Olushola Ricketts

The past few months have been stormy for the founder of Genesis Global Parish, Pastor Israel Ogundipe, who found himself in a legal mess that ultimately sent him to jail.

The Lagos-based cleric was recently granted bail after the case was revisited and it has been jubilation every day in his church and its environs.

Days ago, he addressed church members for the second time. He shared his experience with members while appreciating everyone who stood by him.

He said: “I want to tell you that the devil is messing up with the wrong person. Maybe the devil thought what I went through would make me become cold but instead of me becoming cold, I’m gold! I’m gold that would be in the fire and still shine and still step out of the fire…”

“Let me tell you: you might not go through what I went through but your own is coming but might not be as big as mine. It’s better He sends you to the wilderness than be dead. If you call yourself a mentor and you don’t have a tough example like mine, then you aren’t there. When I was the re, I thought some people would come up to help but God shut them and said they were not going to do it.”

Read Also: Challenging times for Prophet Ogundipe

“It’s always good to fight your battle while you are still young. I know a man of God who is currently battling cancer. There’s no way you can do it but all you need to do is pray so that you won’t experience the one that will kill you. You want to hear more about my story. No! Go and download my app. Or you can wait for my book. I will make profit from my pain!”

“If I didn’t go through the turbulence, I would have died. The only thing that I have brought out is forgiveness because if you call yourself a lawyer, there are a lot of lawyers there. There are a lot of billionaires there. There are a lot of doctors there. Don’t worry, you will hear a lot of stories. That is the only place God can send me for practical and I come out to feed you back, not in heaven, because I can’t come back. He wouldn’t send me to heaven. I can tell you there are teachers there who teach people who can’t go to school and earn five hundred monthly. If I should tell you what I saw there, Nigerian government will come after me.

“Someone got a 60-year sentence and the person is already 55. Do you think you know how to pray? Thank God for what He’s done for you. Let me tell you, there’s a reason God sent me there. Eleven million can never be my problem. Something that was said to be around N2.5 million suddenly became N11 million and I was told to do a plea bargain but I would advise anybody not to.”

By Olushola Ricketts

Ogun State is blessed with quality individuals in both politics and business. Apart from both being natives of Egbaland, a former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late philanthropist and business mogul, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, had another thing in common that many people don’t know.

Alongside the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Aremu Gbadebo, the two top politicians attended the same school, Baptist Boys High School (BBHS), in Abeokuta.

Social Circuit got the hint recently when Abeokuta Club held its 46th President Party at the Millenium Hall, Abeokuta.

In his remarks, Obasanjo thanked the Abeokuta Club members for honouring him and his schoolmate, M.K.O. He then revealed that they went to BBHS, while lamenting the fact that MKO never became the president of Nigeria.

Read Also: Obasanjo on MKO Abiola

The Alake also mentioned that he went to the same school with Abiola. “He was my senior at BBHS. I never met him. He left in December 1956. I came in January 1957. The school certificate result came out in March of 1957 and MKO was one of those with the best results,” the monarch said.

The 46th President Party, which was hosted by the current President, Abeokuta Club, Chief Tokunbo Odebunmi, also witnessed the investiture of Obasanjo as trustee and the conferment of late Chief M.K.O. Abiola as Vice-Patron (posthumous).

Obasanjo was one of the founding members of the club founded on June 4, 1972 at the residence of its founding president, late Chief Sobo Sowemimo (SAN) in Lagos. It was subsequently formally launched in Abeokuta by the then Alake of Egbaland, late Oba Oyebade Lipede, on his coronation day, August 5, 1972.

Football is a sport that arouses endless passion and love, but it becomes a bit surprising when top personalities are unapologetically in love with a club and they are committed to bringing all its fans together under one umbrella.

Segbovwe Amosu has a registered bar for Chelsea fans in Nigeria called Sinatra Place. When Chelsea played and defeated Man City in the FA Cup semi-final game, the lounge located at Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, came alive. Celebrities who are known Chelsea fans like actor Segun Arinze and comedian Funnybone chilled at the lounge with other loyal fans.

The owner of Sinatra Place told Social Circuit that he had always been passionate about football and Chelsea, adding that playing and seeing games were his recreational activities.

The Saturday, April 17 game, will remain a memorable day for Chelsea Nigeria Supporters’ Club following a well-deserved victory at the closely-fought FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium.

Read Also: LONDON FEVER: West Ham, Chelsea lock in Champions League war

While fans and supporters had gathered for a viewing of the most auspicious match of the season at the prestigious Sinatra Place, it was also a social, tourism-driven event that attracted a mix of true soccer fans, football enthusiasts and fun lovers.

President of the club, which is the official and accredited supporters’ club of Chelsea FC in Nigeria, Henry Chukwuokpara, said the event and victory was sweet.

“Honestly, before COVID-19, we had plans to host events every last game of the month, but we decided to soft-pedal on physical gatherings. This is one of the first in recent times, and I am so excited we emerged with a win. Since we have been coming together to see games, we have always been playing a draw. Today marks our first win watching together, and it is great that it is happening at Sinatra’s Place, our official bar,” he said.

Sinatra was chosen as the official bar for the fan club, according to Chukwuokpara, because the MD/CEO is a die-hard Chelsea fan who is very committed to the club.