Category: Glamour

HIS carriage and demeanour gives him away as standoffish and arrogant. But that is not the real Laolu Mudashiru, the eldest son of former Military Governor of Lagos State, the late Air Commodore Gbolahan Mudashiru and his also-deceased wife, Foluke. This young man is not just given to frivolities. A UNILAG-trained medical doctor with an MBA from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, he has been quite busy of late holding forte and taking stock of his family estate following the passing on of his mother some months ago. With equally supporting siblings, Laolu, who also runs a busy schedule as the Deputy Managing Director (DMD) of Vetiva Capital Management Ltd, is living up to the huge responsibilities placed on his shoulders.

OFTEN times, when the list of Nigeria’s richest men is compiled, Kolapo Lawson’s name is usually left out. For those close to this unassuming billionaire, who read Economics at the famed London School of Economics, that omission is seen as unpardonable. Their reason: Lawson runs one of Nigeria’s biggest indigenous business conglomerates with interests in banking, real estate, manufacturing, food and beverages sector and with turnover in several billions. A brief rundown of his investments: He chairs the board of Ecobank Transnational, Togo (he controls the largest individual stakes); Chairman, Agbara Estates Limited, arguably Nigeria’s biggest industrial and residential estate; Chairman of Vitamalt Plc; CEO, Lawson Corporation, a trading and investment company (which was founded by his late father) and also sits on the board of several business concerns. But like his father, Chief Adeyemi Lawson (he founded the Grail Movement in Nigeria), the younger Lawson avoids publicity like a plague. And his social life? Practically non-existent, to say the least!

HER participation in the 2008 edition of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) where she emerged the runner-up guaranteed her an entry into Nigeria’s celebrity circles. With expectations high on what next she’s got up her sleeves as a result of the many opportunities to consolidate on her brand falling on her laps in torrents, it came as a surprise when Ofunneka suddenly disappeared from the scene to God-knows-where. And then came the news that she’s been delivered of a baby in far away Australia, where she is now reportedly based with her husband. But the happy news is that Ofunneka is gradually stepping out of her self-imposed ‘exile’. Lately, she’s been very active on the Linkedlin, a business-inclined social site, where she’s been reaching out to a few friends.

Sophy Aiida is an actress, singer and a TV host. She tells ADETUTU AUDU how living in three continents made her open-minded and creative, including how passionate she is about music.

 

WHAT inspired you into singing?

God.

How do you juggle being a presenter and singer?

My main focus right now is on singing, so it’s not much of an issue.

You were in the movie Unwanted Guest, what was the experience like?

I had a great experience. It was my first introduction into Nollywood and from that, I had the opportunity of coming to Nigeria for the premiere and discovering a country I fell in love with. So in summary, I will say it was a blessing.

What can we call you, a singer, actress or TV host?

Just call me an entertainer.

Let’s talk about your single Break it Down, what is it about?

Break it Down is a feel-good song, a summer jam destined to get the youth in a good spirit, dancing and having fun. The song is about a girl who was coming home from a work-trip and just wanted to relax and have a good time with her girlfriends.

Do you think you can hold your own among the current singers in the industry?

Yes of course. I have my own flavour to add.

What was growing up like?

Growing up was quite interesting for me. Living in three different continents allowed me to be more open-minded and find creativity in lots of different places and things.

When will you relocate to Nigeria?

Sooner than you think.

How far do you think you can go musically?

Only God knows.

Are you in any relationship?

No I’m not.

What is your take on sex before marriage?

Having developed my faith in the past couple of years, I now strongly believe in saving oneself for marriage.

What won’t you give for music?

Let’s put it this way: I would give anything for God only.

Who are your top five singers from Nigeria?

P Square, Wizkid, 2face, Ice Prince and Iyanya

Have you had a live performance since you started your professional career?

Yes, I had, in Paris, France.

Who is your favourite musician and why?

I don’t have a favourite musician; it just depends on the season. Right now I listen to

a lot of Rachel Kerr.

Do you play any musical instrument(s)?

I am learning the guitar and the piano at the moment.

Do you write your lyrics or outsource it?

Yes, I write my own lyrics.

If not singing, what would you be doing?

I’ll be working with the African youth on the continent.

Who would you like to feature in your songs?

Fally Ipupa, Wizkid, Meiway, Seyi Shay, Ice Prince, Iyanya, Reniss, amongst others.

What advice do you have for starters in the music industry?

Put God first and let him inspire your music.

How do you relax when you are not singing?

I go to church, to the movies and I cook.

What last words for your fans?

See you in Nigeria real soon and get ready to be sophisticated.

How would you describe yourself?

A lover of God, sassy, edgy, free-spirited, passionate about Africa and determined.

STILL on love matters, one other guy in a happy mood currently is former Big Brother Nigeria winner, Katung Adwak. Come August 25, the video director and co-owner of record label, Chocolate City, will be walking his African American girlfriend, Raven Vance Taylor, whom he proposed to two years ago, to the altar.

ALL colours are not going to work for you. Choose a colour that is most like your skin tone after exercising. It should either be a soft red, pink or plum shade.

Don’t sweep colour onto your face in a visible line. Try a few different placements and then soften it by pressing your fingers onto the cheeks. The colour seems to melt into your skin.

Your brush starting and ending points must not be visible.

Look at photos in beauty magazines. Now copy the placement. Ignore the bone structure the model might have and give it a try and see how it works. You might be amazed.

Try mixing your own shades. Two colours that don’t seem to work might look great when mixed.

Lastly, bronzers don’t work on all people!

WIFE of Benue State Governor, Yemisi Suswam, is not just your run-of-the-mill First Lady. Six years after she stepped into the mainstream of celebrity circles, the Ekiti State-born woman who trained as an architect has not ceased winning more admirers over the years on account of her beauty and style sense. From adorning simple attires made from local fabrics or dressed up in glamorous ensembles, the better half of Governor Gabriel Suswam has been rated by style aficionados as, arguably, Nigeria’s current most glamorous First Lady.

NEED to embellish your look? Then go for a tunic dress or top! They can be worn for most occasions, either as casuals or party dresses; it all depends on the accompanying accessories. Tunics are something any fashionable person should have in their wardrobe. Below are styling tips that you can use when wearing your tunic tops. They are stylish, comfortable and simple: