The Nation Newspaper

Tag: birthday

  • Shade Okoya’s jaw-dropping birthday beckons

    Shade Okoya’s jaw-dropping birthday beckons

    If his antecedents are anything to go by, the CEO of Eleganza Group, Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya, has a big surprise in store for his jewel of inestimable value, Shade Okoya, as she clocks 40 tomorrow.

    Exclusive invitation cards for the star-studded event have already winged their way to lucky guests who will converge on the Oluwanisola Estate home of the Okoyas for the black-tie event billed to kick off at 6 pm. The celebrant, Chief (Dr) Folashade Noimat Okoya, is the second wife of the billionaire industrialist behind FAO Industries. She also serves as the deputy MD of Eleganza Limited.

    Hers is the wondrous story of an everyday girl catapulted to fame and prestige by the attention of the Aare of Lagos. In no time at all, she spread her tentacles and is now the number one woman in the Okoya clan.

  • All set for Gani Adams’ birthday

    All set for Gani Adams’ birthday

    It was Margaret Mead who said that one should never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. While it is not everyone that has the chance to change the world, some people make do with trying to change their own corner. One of such people is Otunba Gani Adams, leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural organisation.

    In a career of activism spanning decades, he has fought the good fight for the betterment of the Yoruba race. Come Sunday April 30, Otunba Gani Adams will be celebrating his 47th birthday at The Batten House on MKO Abiola Way, Ikeja at 12 noon.

    Aside the first class entertainment that will be on offer, it will be an opportunity for the OPC leader to take stock of the past and plot new strategies for the task ahead. The event is expected to command the attention of political bigwigs and activists mostly of South West extraction, who will no doubt turn out in droves to celebrate one of their own.

  • Ajibola floats scholarship scheme at 83rd birthday

    Proprietor, Crescent University, Abeokuta Prince Bola Ajibola, has unveiled a university scholarship scheme to promote and reward excellence in academics and good character among  youths.

    Speaking during his 83rd birthday celebration, Ajibola, a former Judge of the International Court of Justice, said it was high time good conduct and character were inculcated in addition to academic excellence for youth development.

    He said these accounted for the  investment of his earnings in establishing a university that would champion and propagate total education and emphasis on breeding a new generation of Nigerians in the quest for moral rejuvenation and rebirth of values.

    “Our commitment to academic and moral excellence as a university is now in its second decade with remarkable achievements by our graduates, in further study at home and abroad and in employment,” Ajibola said.

    The scholarship scheme, according to the former Attorney-General of the federation and Minister of Justice, would be open to all applicants for admission to Crescent University, who scored very high marks in the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s Universal Tertiary Matriculation Examination and select Crescent University as first choice. Successful students would then undergo tests for good character and ability to benefit from morality-based tertiary education,‘’Ajibola added.

    “No brilliant and able-child with good conduct, should be denied proper education solely on the inability to pay school fees,” he said.

    Ajibola recalled that the first decade of the university witnessed, among many other innovations, the pioneering and introduction of Global Citizenship as a compulsory course into the university curriculum in the country.

    He is happy that the introduction of this course with guidance and counselling programmes of the university is yielding fruits in terms of its alumni being identified with exemplary conduct in employment and higher studies, he added.

  • Don gives scholarships at birthday

    Olu Akeusola Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 18 indigent students in the country.

    The foundation established by the Provost, Michael Otedola College for Primary Education, (MOCPED), Noforija, Epe Lagos Prof. Olu Akeusola, kicked off since 2011 as a yearly event to mark his birthday.

    This year’s edition, which also marked the 55th birthday of the founder at MOCPED premises, saw the students smiling home with cash awards.

    Akeusola said the gesture was his own way of giving back to the society and appreciating God for His kindness.

    “How will I say thank you to God and to the society that made me a prominent person from my humble background? Everybody knows I have a grass-to-grace story. People once saw me as a never-do-well but God in His mercy has made me a leader and controller of men. Therefore I have decided on my birthday that I should be able to give anything within my power to help the students that are coming up.”

    Akeusola recalled that the foundation started with nine students in 2011, three each from primary, secondary and N.C.E, adding that this year, the number increased to 18.

    Others, according to him, include three physically challenged, three university undergraduates and three from other states.

    He urged the students to continue to excel in their studies as this is the only way they could appreciate the foundation’s gesture.

    Explaining the criteria for the scholarship, the chairman of the foundation, Dr. Ojetunde said the beneficiaries were chosen through their outstanding performance in their various schools.

    She disclosed that beneficiaries from primary and secondary schools receive N25,000, and N30,000. Undergraduates of colleges of education and universities received N40,000 each, while external awardees got N40,000 each except those in primary school who received N25,000.

  • Ambode’s birthday gifts to Tinubu

    Ambode’s birthday gifts to Tinubu

    •Hard times ahead for criminals in Lagos

    Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, aside hosting a state dinner to mark Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s 65th birthday, also honoured the former governor with brand new roads and bridge. Two days before, he also rebranded a project dear to Tinubu’s heart, the Neigbourhood Watch, writes WALE AJETUNMOBI

    Aboru and Abesan communities in Alimosho, popular as Tinubu’s Country, in Lagos came alive five days ago.  A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was there to inaugurate Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s projects to mark his 65th birthday.

    People trouped out in thousands to receive Tinubu and other eminent Nigerians, including Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Isiaka Adeleke; Deputy Governor Idiat Adebule; former Deputy Governor Femi Pedro; Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon n Adeola; Senator Ibrahim Kazaure from Jigawa State; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; and members of the Lagos State Executive Council.

    Ambode described the event as a historic day in the life of the people of Alimosho and the state. He recalled his visit to the Aboru  in March 2016, saying that aside the state of the road, which was totally unacceptable, there were reports of series of deaths and fatal accidents caused by the presence of a valley, adding that he immediately directed that work should commence in the area.

    He said: “Exactly one year after, we are here to keep our promise to the good people of Aboru, Abesan and other communities and reaffirm our commitment that no community or area will be left behind. Every Lagosian counts. We are a government of inclusion.”

    He said the 480 metres bridge linking Aboru to Abesan, both in the Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council of Alimosho Local Government Area would significantly ease the burden of travel between the two communities by reducing travel time.

    The governor said aside the bridge, additional adjoining inner roads to create an efficient road network that will aid connectivity permanently were also constructed.

    Ambode listed the roads to include Church Street, Giwa Street, Victor Fagbemi Road, Ogunfayo Road, Ogundare Street, Salami Kazeem, all totalling 5.5km with drainage, walkways and street lights, adding that the road network would ease the pressure on the Abeokuta Expressway and links residents with Iyana Ipaja, LASU-Iba Expressway.

    Night life is gradually returning to the area as the road and the Link Bridge have been connected to the ‘Light Up Lagos’ Project, an initiative of  the Ambode’s administration.

    The governor also flagged off the turning of sod for the construction of a network of roads within the boundaries of Lagos and Ogun States, saying that it was in honour of Tinubu, whom he described as the brain behind the 21st century Lagos.

    He expressed optimism that the roads which have been identified for immediate construction and rehabilitation would complete the new face of Alimosho constituency, saying that work would commence in one week.

    He listed the roads to include Ikola Road with Odo Obasanjo Bridge – 6.4km (from Ipaja/Command to Ilo River); Ogunseye Road – 1.75km (from Ajasa/Command to Ikola Road);Oko Filling Road – 1.5km (from AIT to Ilo River); Osenatu Ilo road – 620m (from Ibari Road to Ilo River); Amikanle road – 3.1km (from AIT to Ogunseye Road); Aina Aladi road – 1.9km (from AIT to Ilo River) and Aiyetoro Road with a bridge– 1.4km (from New Market/Ishefun Road intersection to Ilo River).

    He appealed to the residents of the communities to cooperate with the contractors so as to enable them deliver the network of roads not later than the scheduled completion date.

    Mosan Okunola Community Development Association (CDA) Chairman Pastor Gbenga Adanri used the opportunity of the occasion to debunk insinuation that the people of the area were not happy with the government and even protested, saying there was nothing of such.

    “I like to debunk the untrue impression that we are not happy with Governor Ambode. There is no truth in it. I don’t know where that is coming from and I must say here that we the people are very happy with him. We are happy because our roads have been put in proper shape and we now have a bridge to travel seamlessly within Aboru and Abesan.

    “Before now, if your wife is pregnant and wants to deliver, to cross to the other side was always a big issue and we always indulged in prayer that nothing untoward should happen but today, we can move freely,” Adanri said.

    Tinubu poured accolades on Ambode over his sterling performance in the last 22 months, saying that the Governor has made him proud. He said the achievements of Ambode were a reflection of a Governor who is not only a thinker but a doer, and expressed satisfaction that he was delivering on the promises to the people.

    Tinubu also inaugurated a primary healthcare centre named after him and donated to Aboru Community by the contractor who handled the projects.

    The former governor said: “Akinwunmi Ambode has reflected that he is clearly a thinker and doer. I want to say thank you because experience is a great teacher and I am experienced. I am on the spot and I have watched things in Lagos since my tenure ended.

    “I was worried hell when you (Ambode) took over, not about your credibility, character or capacity, but because however wise or smart a man is, if there is no resources to back the ideas, production would be zero, progress would be zero.

    “When you (Ambode) took over, I know you inherited a burden of debt. The debt profile of Lagos was high, I was wondering how you will re-engineer and face the challenges to make progress.

    “Today, I can see your report card, you have scored well, and you have shown prudency especially in the judicious use of resources of the State.

    “You didn’t disappoint us. Ambode is silently achieving, meticulously planning, religiously executing and brilliantly giving results for Lagos State,” the former Lagos governor said.

    Tinubu said all over Lagos, the results of good governance was being felt by the people, and wished Ambode sound health and wisdom to continue to lead the State.

    “All over Lagos, we are seeing the results. At Oshodi, on our way down here, you can see what is happening there, that place is a construction site. It used to be a den of robbers but what is going on here now is developmental activities for the benefit of the entire country. Ambode is very quiet, very peaceful, not a noise maker, but he is delivering on the job.

    “Today, you (Ambode) have given me a good birthday present. This is a great opportunity for me to be very proud again. Therefore, if we can continue in this direction of infrastructural development in the manner Governor Ambode is moving, Lagos will soon match international states or country anywhere in the world.”

    Nathaniel Ajayi, a resident of Abesan community, described succinctly Ambode’s interventions when he said: “I was born in 1993 here in Abesan, I had always dreamt that one day the kind of development I see in Victoria Island, Lekki and Ikeja will take place here. Today our governor has made my dream come true.”

    Aregbesola and Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola said it was obvious that Ambode started well and is doing well, and solicited the cooperation of the people to engender further dividends of democracy and good governance.

    Two days earlier, Ambode launched the rebranded Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps. It is meant to ensure security of lives and property communities.  At the launch of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps held at Agege Stadium, 177 cars and vehicles equipped with communication gadgets, 377 motorcycles, 377 helmets, 4,000 bicycles and metal detectors were released to the Corp to ensure that illegal weapons are not smuggled into public places.

    Ambode said the move was another giant step towards enhancing security and a vital part of the ongoing efforts of his administration to reform the security and justice sector.

    The governor, who on August 15, 2016 assented to the law that created the Neighbourhood Safety Corps, said the Corps had been designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that the State and communities are more secure.

    He acknowledged the fact that the Nigerian Police had been very supportive to the State Government especially in fighting crime, but that the need for the Neighbourhood Corps arose from the identified security challenges confronting the State due to huge population, adding that the members of the Corps would complement police especially in areas of community policing.

    “Let me, however, make it abundantly clear that the Neighbourhood Safety Corps is not in any way in competition with the regular Police Force.

    “In actual fact, they are expected to assist and complement the Police by providing useful intelligence for crime prevention and to facilitate the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in our communities,” governor Ambode said.

    He added that in realization of the fact that nothing can be more important in law enforcement than educating the people in charge of enforcing the law, the rebranded Neighbourhood Corps have been trained and equipped with the requisite knowledge and skills to complement the good work of the Nigerian Police.

    He said in addition to the induction on orthodox community policing techniques, the Corps were also trained on how to mediate disputes and the art of negotiating for peaceful resolution; balancing communal interest in resolving disputes and proactive policing engagement instead of reactive policing.

    “Special hotlines have also been created direct to the Executive Secretary and senior management of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps Agency for easy communication with our communities in the event of any crime.

    “Any valuable information given to the Corps will attract handsome rewards from the state government. I therefore call on all Lagosians to join hands with us to say a final no to crime in our state.

    “All these equipment have been made possible through the judicious use of tax payers’ money and funds from the State Lottery Fund for good causes. Please continue to pay your taxes for a better Lagos.

    “I am very happy to state that through this Safety Corps initiative the State Government has created over 7,000 jobs for officers of the Corps, artisans and other support staff. Job creation is at the heart of economic prosperity and we remain fully committed to a more prosperous Lagos for our citizens,” the governor said.

    Ambode urged the Corps not to indulge in brutalizing citizens, but that they should exercise lot of restraint, patience, understanding and maturity while carrying out their duties.

    He added that to further strengthen security, a new executive bill to regulate employment of domestic workers and security guards would soon be forwarded to the State House of Assembly, explaining that the bill, among others, will prescribe regulations for the set of workers and other details to monitor their activities.

    Ambode said there was no longer any room for child abuse or under aged workers, adding that it had been discovered that domestic workers were largely undocumented and pose a grave security threat in the State.

    He also said the recruiting agencies, under the bill, would be licensed and regulated to ensure safety.

    Ambode also handed over four vans fitted with Close Circuit Television Cameras (CCTVs) to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command.

    The Corp’s rebranding and the roads and bridge inaugurated mean economic activities would witness a boom in the coming months, while motorists would have better stories to tell – with criminals singing dirge.

  • Jimoh Ibrahim,wife in differing birthday soirees

    It is no longer news that billionaire businessman and chairman of Global Feet Jimoh Ibrahim turned 50 in February. What many people don’t know is that his lovely wife of many years, Modupe, is only a few weeks younger than him and has since joined him in the 50s’ club. She marked her birthday two weeks ago too.

    The most interesting part, however, is how the couple marked their respective birthdays. Jimoh, a business mogul, had to make do with a birthday devoid of any formal celebration because he was in the UK pursuing another master’s degree in addition to the pile of degrees in his kitty.

    Still, the philanthropist must have thought that his birthday was a good time to reward himself the same way he has been rewarding others. Hence he bought himself a customised Rolls Royce which was believed to have set his pocket back by a whopping N300 million.

    On her own part, Modupe, unencumbered by any academic pursuit, invited the cream of the high society to a birthday bash which took place at the couple’s Victoria Garden City residence. There was a lot of fanfare and merriments at the high octane event which featured performances by popular musicians.

  • Otedola’s daughter celebrates 21st birthday in London

    If you think that being born as heiress to a billionaire means you have to live the rest of your life on autopilot, spending your parents’ money and not bothering to make a name for yourself or stand on your own feet at some point, you obviously have much to learn from Temi Otedola.

    The youngest in a line of celebrity sisters born to billionaire oil and gas tycoon Femi Otedola, Temi is not resting in the knowledge that her father’s wealth is always there for her. She has gone out to carve a career for herself, slowly climbing the ladder of relevance in the global fashion space through her style blog, JTO Fashion.

    The enterprising woman celebrated her 21st birthday on Monday, March 20 with a quiet dinner in the company of her nuclear family and a few other guests. Present were her father Femi Otedola, her mother Nana and her siblings, among who was Ifeoluwa Otedola a.k.a. DJ Cuppy. Temi posted lovely pictures of the family dinner at Soho, London.

  • Tope Sonubi celebrates 50th birthday

    Going by his financial status and the influence he wields, friends of Tope Shonubi had expected a grand celebration as his 50th birthday approached. But they got the exact opposite of their expectations as Shonubi, a founding member of the Sahara Group, the energy firm which has its tentacles spread all over the oil and gas sector, opted for a simple ceremony this time.

    First came a simple thanksgiving service at Syrian Mosque located in Ikoyi, followed by a pool party at his Lagos home on Banana Island, and the day was done. Up until now, some people are still expecting him to announce a grand celebration of his golden age, but the young man has swiftly moved on to continue with what he does best: making money.

  • Adeneye fetes pupils on birthday

    Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Adedayo Adeneye has donated bags, sandals, books and other educational items to pupils in Odogbolu Local Government Area.

    The commissioner made the donation under the aegis of his Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO),Adeneye Foundation, as part of activities to mark his birthday yesterday.

    Adeneye, who said he was committed to the well-being and emancipation of the needy, added that his love for children, teachers and the under privileged, necessitated the gesture.

    Recalling his childhood and how his teachers moulded him, the commissioner said this prepared him for the challenges he faced in life, urging teachers not to relent in their efforts.

    Reward of teachers, he noted, was no longer in heaven, expressing the hope that they will be rewarded on earth.

    Adeneye called on other well-to-do individuals, irrespective of their status and political affiliation, to remember their alma mater.

  • I feel so blessed at 60- Osinbajo

    I feel so blessed at 60- Osinbajo

    What has the Acting President; Professor Yemi Osinbajo got to say about his 60th birthday anniversary?

    Below was his response when the question was put to him by state house correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

    “I think I am frankly not different from yesterday but I must say that it’s the work of grace and I just feel so blessed: first, that I am
    sixty and secondly that one is in good health and able to serve one’s country.

    “I think it’s just grace and a great deal of blessings from the Almighty God. So I really feel very happy, very fulfilled and frankly very thankful to God.  I am very very thankful to God.”