Category: Glamour

THERE it was not a dull moment for guests who made their way Delta State last Friday as the village played host to many VIPS, and dignitaries from all walks of life  who came for the burial of late Pa. Stephen Kosoro  Kwakpovwe, the father of popular publisher of daily devotional booklet, Our Daily Manna, and general overseer of Manna Prayer Mountain, Bishop Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe. The burial party pulled a large crowd, attracting the who is who in the Nigerian social circle, politicians and business men who are friends of the fisher of men. All the roads that lead to the town in Ughelli, had banners and posters  adorned with pictures of Pa Kwakpovwe also known as UGO. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, First lady of Delta State, Mrs Sheila Uduaghan,Senator Bello, Ughelli North local government chairman, Honorable Ibru and his wife, other commissioners, senators from Ghana, South Africa and other special guests,The children were led by Bishop Chris Kwakpovwe, alongside  his siblings Barrister Efe. S. Kwakpovwe,Mrs Helen Akpokomuaye, Andrew A. Kwakpovwe, Philomena Oziegbe, William Kwakpovwe, Avwerosuo Peter Kwakpovwe, Charles Kwakpovwe, Ms. Monica Kwakpovwe, Yoyal Oghenerume Kwakpovwe, Prince Oghenebrume Kwakpovwe, among other in-laws and grand children. They all came with their friends from all walks of life as gave their father final rites of passage.

ONYINYE, the CEO of MUD cosmetics and the daughter of billionaire businessman, Chief Izu Onwugbenu, who is the Chairman of Louis Carter Group, is definitely in her best moments. The beautiful promising entrepreneur got engaged over the weekend. She went on social media to flaunt her massive rock, and she also shared a few photos from the romantic dinner where her sweetheart popped the question. Onyinye is the head makeup artist and CEO of MUD Cosmetics as well as a close associate of Nollywood diva, Genevieve Nnaji.

POPULAR multimillionaire businessman, Charles Ahize, is planning a superlative wedding for his daughter, Amaka. Knowing his style, there are speculations that it will be a fairy tale wedding.

Recently, the multi-millionaire raised eyebrows when he walked the red carpet of an event in company with a ‘female companion’. Most of the guests were especially surprised because his wife, Maureen, had just been delivered of a baby girl in faraway America. Sensing their curiosity, he excitedly introduced the young lady as “Amaka, my daughter.”

DELECTABLE Abby Ikomi, the wife of the former Managing Director of Keystone Bank Plc, Oti Ikomi, was paparazi’s delight. A fine dresser, the CEO of Homes and Fabrics, was a major feature at parties hosted by her ilk where she put on regular display, her choice clothing and accessories. With enough money at her beck and call, the Osun State-born businesswoman can afford to live the affluent lifestyle and you can’t afford not to spot her among the lot.

For many months now, Abby’s lessened appearance at elitist functions has become quite noticeable. Sources said she now focuses on the home front and her business. Recently she hosted guests to ‘shopping and drinking fab’.

The event was also a way for regular customers and new ones to walk through the store and see what Homes and Fabrics has to offer. With its wide selection of exotic and stylish furniture and fabrics, Homes and Fabrics is positioning itself as the go to place for everything needed to create a beautiful home.

In 2007, Blessing Bassey’s first appearance on the run way was on the platform of Nigeria Model Awards organised by Lexy Mojo-Eyes-led Legendary Gold Limited. Standing at 5ft 11inches, she strut the runway to clinch the coveted title and her journey to stardom began as the big apple beckons. She later joined other supermodels of the world to contest in the Ford Supermodel Competition, New York. Though she did not win, it gave her the much exposure she needed for her career to blossom.
And because she is always looking for new challenges, she relocated to Johannesburg, South Africa in 2009; this afforded her the opportunity to audition for the glamorous M-net Face of Africa Competition. She shared her experience in the modelling world and other issues with Adetutu Audu.

AFTER the Nigeria Model Awards and M-net face of Africa, not much has been heard from you. What have you been up to?

From NMA, which I won the competition in 2007, I went to New York for Ford Supermodel Competition. Though I did not win, it provided opportunities to be exposed. From there, I went to South Africa to build my book. What we called portfolio in Nigeria, where you have strong pictures and all the jobs you have in the past. I was in South Africa for a while, and then went in for the M-net Face of Africa competition in 2009. I was able to make it to the top 10. The opportunity was good; we travelled to a lot of places and we had lot of exposures, though I did not win too.

It is been travelling to different places for me, booking a lot of jobs. Modelling takes one out a lot.

Presently I am a Psychology student in the University of Lagos and I also still strut runway for fashion shows.

Did you shelve modelling because of academics?

Not really, I still do it. I came back to study. It does not affect my academics.

Modelling has opened doors for you, has it robbed you of anything?

Nothing that I can think of for now. It is not perfect yet, but everything is okay.

How have you been able to manage fame?

I have tried to manage it well; I don’t allow anything to get to me. I have always remembered who I was before the whole thing started. I have not gotten there. So I don’t have to allow the little fame to get into my head.

How has your status affected you academically?

It has not been easy. I had wanted to be a regular girl. I did not know that people would recognise me. But everybody knows one or two things about me, but it does not change anything in me. I still keep my friends.  Life is easy and simple for me.

You have talked so much about the modelling world, when is the wedding bell tolling for you?

That is still far away, I am still young. I am not ready for marriage yet.

Is there no man waiting for you?

I am still very much single. I still have a lot of things ahead of me; marriage is not on my mind now.

You are studying Psychology, how do you plan to combine that with modelling?

Modelling is just for a while for me. You know how women are; I am not going to be a model forever. I am going to be married and have my kids. By the time I get to certain time, I may not be able to model again and my Psychology becomes handy then.

How did modelling start for you?

My first shot at modelling is the NMA which I won in 2007. Since then, it has been different kind of exposure for me. It just started when I got the form for the NMA, though I never thought I was going to win. But lucky me, I won.

What keeps you going?

The fact that I have to wake up every day, go to school and learn new things.

Your beauty routine

I don’t have any. I just have my bath and rub normal cream and powder.

With the success you have recorded in your career, who would say is your greatest influence?

Oluchi Orlandi, the winner of the maiden edition of Face of Africa and fellow Nigerian, because she never gave up

Don’t you at one time think that you wish your parents could share in your joy now?

My late mum had always wanted me to be a model. I wish she is alive to say ‘that is my girl, Blessing’. But, unfortunately, she was not alive to see me win NMA in 2007, though my father was alive then. But he was not alive to witness the FOA.  Life is full of ups and downs, they would have been proud of me. But I know wherever they are, they are proud of me. My mum was an Accountant and my dad, a Building Engineer. Their deaths took a toll on me but I pursued my dream, because I know that is what they would have wanted me to do. But I am glad that I get a lot of support from my elder brother and that also encourages me.

DAYO Benjamin-Laniyi is one of the master comperes that is causing stir in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.The English graduate from the University of Ibadan, has become a world-class brand in the events management industry, hospitality, tourism and entertainment industry. Fondly called Doxa, sources said she has been tested and proven in coordination and event management for prestigious occasions and ceremonials of various governments, social, diplomatic and corporate.

The managing director of Doxa Conference Management Bureau and Doxa Digital Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s first female entrepreneur in professional sound reinforcement in the country, having founded ‘DOXA Digital Nigeria’, one of the 3 top performance audio companies in the country, with her husband Tunde, (who, incidentally, is also her persona brand coach).

Dayo, a powerful dresser is of dual origin Nigerian-Trinidadian.

THESE are definitely the best of times for Ehi Annanel Igbinedion, one of the daughters of former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion. Come December 18th and 20th, the family of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, will be staging a superlative wedding. The couple had earlier had their introduction a few weeks ago.