Category: Sunday magazine

LAGOS businesswoman, Stephanie Geddes, the brain behind magnificent leisure place, Stephanies, is determined to make this yuletide season a memorable one for her customers. As the year draws to an end, Stephanie puts a smile on her customers faces as her offering comes in form of discount on available products, special unexpected performances by several super stars and special prizes for certain category of clients. According to informants, carriage and conduct over time will determine who gets what prize. The hardworking leisure spot owner has been in business for the past five years and the initiative behind awarding prizes to patrons is to promote proper conduct and interaction in the pursuit of leisure. She describes the strategy that has kept her in business as a combination of strategy that has resulted into a blend of something for everyone that comes calling.

THE chief executive officer of The Green Park, a multi-purpose events centre and an events management Consultant, Gbemi Shasore is passionate about charity.

A trait a source revealed she inherited from her late mother, Chief Mrs. Simi Johnson,the first female dental surgeon in Nigeria. Through some organisations she used to be,like International Women Society (IWS) and Zonta International Club of Lagos,Gbemi has been empowering  and catering for the less privileged. In her early 50s, like fine wine, she has also gotten better with age. Interestingly, she does not fail to display her knowledge of fashion tenets whenever she appears at functions dressed to the nines.

CELEBRITY stylist and ex-supermodel, Veronica Odeka, is expecting her third child with her husband. And in preparation of the tiny-tot, her friends came together on Monday to throw her a baby shower. The CEO of Vane Style is officially the biggest and most sort after stylist in Nigeria. She has worked with celebrities including the prestigious Genevieve Nnaji and Mo Abudu, styled for several magazines both African and international. She is one of the names that have definitely reformed the norm in Nigerian style. Since her move to Nigeria, the graduate of the University of Houston has styled some of the biggest names in the entertainment business like Tiwa Savage, Dolapo Oni, Davido, Waje and a host of others. With a wealth of experience from her time spent modelling for brands such as Betsey Johnson, Armani, Just Cavalli, BCBG and Donna Karan and her tutelage under top stylist Cassandra Walker, understanding style and what it takes to style celebrities and socialites for various events wasn’t farfetched.

HER blue-blooded background notwithstanding, Erelu Aisha Babangida has remained as down-to-earth and as genial as the dove. Energetic and intellectually convincing, her ability to hold her own among the very cerebrally endowed as well as jelling with the hoi-polloi of the society is said to be one of the reasons she has been enjoying a cult-like followership and listenership both at local and international forums where she is fast becoming a forceful speaker on women empowerments.

Her new crusade, which centres on giving a voice to women, has been receiving rave acceptance around the continent. Her message of hope has found ready expressions in her role as Chairperson of Better Life for African Rural Women, a non-governmental organisation originally founded by her late mother, Maryam. Erelu Aisha has been able to expand the NGO’s scope beyond the shores of Nigeria and she has continued to break geographical boundaries and socio-economic confinements. She made a telling impact at the recently held ‘SHE Forum Africa’,

INTERNATIONAL lawyer cum politician, Prince Ned Munir Nwoko is bereaved. He has lost his first son Tarik, aged 22. The  former federal lawmaker who is one of the prominent political leaders in Delta State said he received the shocking news of the death of his son in Idumuje Ugboko where he was monitoring the titanic governorship primary election of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Delta State.

A statement issued by Prince Nwoko said “Tarik was a law student at North Staffordshire University where he died in his sleep in the early hours of Monday, December 8, 2014.”

Prince Nwoko said “Tarik had complained to his friend who he had dinner with on Sunday that he was feeling unwell only to be found dead on Monday morning”.

The deceased whose mother is from Morocco was a keen footballer. According to Prince Nwoko, “the London Police has ruled out any foul play. The Police authorities also ruled out drug and alcohol.”

THOUGH her crowning and reign as the 2012 Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria has been controversial, Isabella Ayuk is intent on using her position positively. Her foundation, Vanessa Manyor Memorial Foundation (VMMF), which she launched in memory of her sister who died of typhoid fever, has been campaigning against the illness.

Still not resting on her oars, the delectable queen also ventured into fashion brand/label, Bellasabel. Her label has been causing stir in the Federal Capital Territory. Bellasabel would have in stock some of the best collections of classic pageant, dinner party, wedding and red-carpet dresses, including jewelleries. She has also scored another giant stride in the modelling industry with the launching of Belle’sabel Modelling/Grooming Agency. The agency has its headquarters in Abuja with a branch office in Calabar, Cross River State. She is proving that she is not only a pretty face, but has got a business and creative side too.

CHAIRMAN of Pinnacle Communications Limited, Sir Lucky Omoluwa, who was recently honoured by the United States Congress with the Business Titan Award in Washington D. C, USA, has added another feather in his cap.

Recently, the telecommunications magnate was bestowed with the Good Governance and Integrity Award by the Centre for Transparency in Nigeria. According to the organisers, the latest award is in recognition of his landmark achievements as an anti-corruption crusader and leadership style.

The ceremony took place last Friday at Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja.

In spite of being famous and influential, the Delta State-born golf buff hardly flaunts his ego, as he is one man who dedicates his time to his business and often time hibernates and sequesters from the social scenes.

THE most talked about style awards and runway show in Nigeria, Glam & Essence Style & Runway Show powered by Glam & Essence magazine, published by Susan Eyo Honesty, held its third edition recently. The event rewards outstanding individuals and fashion labels, beauty brands and personalities within the country, whose contributions to the fashion and beauty sector have impacted and strengthened the social fabric. Special Guest of Honour was the First Lady of Lagos State, Dame Abimbola Fashola. Those that showcased were Ade Bakare, Trish O Couture, Loisonell Couture, Ella & Gabby, the event was held at  Degrees Event Centre, Billingsway, Ikeja, Lagos. OLUSEGUN RAPHEAL was there.

TESSY Oliseh, popular fashion designer and kid sister of ace footballer, Sunday Oliseh, who got married to Ohimai Amaize, the Special Adviser on Media Strategy to the former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Dele Momodu’s special assistant for the 2011 presidential campaign, has shunned the klieg lights since she signed the dotted lines. Inside sources said the graduate of Middlesex University now focuses on how to keep the home front and her fashion career. Tessy, tied the knot with 29-year-old Ohimai who is popularly known as “Mr Fix Nigeria“ in April 2014.