Lagos First Lady, Abimbola Fashola Hits 50

WIFE of Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, Emmanuella Abimbola, is in a flurry of excitement at the moment. Her source of joy is limitless. On April 6, the beautiful woman will be celebrating her golden jubilee.

Congratulations have been pouring forth for Abimbola from people in all walks of life, especially those whose lives she has touched in more ways than one. Although Abimbola has informed her several fans and well-wishers that there would not be much festivities as she has channeled the celebration towards having her special day with some orphanage homes around Lagos to further show her love. So if you see Abimbola wearing a wide grin, now you know the reason.

Also you could feel the gaiety and glee Abimbola is glowing with right now in the build-up to her birthday. At 50, she is one of those who frequently create fear and restlessness among those in their 30s wherever there is shindig in town where beauty, fashion and style take prominence. Abimbola, who resigned her appointment at the British Council to support her husband on resumption as Governor of Lagos State, is a tireless advocate of health and socio-economic issues, who has had a towering impact on public awareness and sensitization campaigns on topical issues of children and women, the environment, education, HIV/AIDS discrimination, voluntary blood donation, poverty eradication and skill acquisition.

In recognition of her modest contribution to humanity, she was honoured by His Holiness, Pope Benedict the XVI, with a papal medal award. She is also a recipient of several other international awards. Of all her achievements, the greatest according to the First Lady, is being a devoted wife and mother.

buruji and stella

Better Days Again For Prince Kashamu Buruji
At a point in contemporary history of modern Nigerian, one influential figure before who many genuflected to is Prince Kashamu Buruji. His word is not only law within the corridors of power, he is one of the very rare people who have the listening ears of the president. He was made to believe that he was loved by all and sundry, especially people from his home state in Ogun State. It was this feeling that led him to join Peoples Democratic Party years back in Ogun State to further alleviate poverty among his people. But the event was a turning point as friends and political associates who had hitherto been swimming with him started distancing themselves. His smeared relationship with ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo taught him a good lesson on the ephemeral nature and vanity of human existence.

Today, Prince Kashamu is a new Senatorelect, having won Ijebu-North Senatorial District of Ogun State on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party during the Saturday’s general elections in Ogun State. With this new role, one needs to just take a trip to his sprawling Ogun State home to see what a socio-political terminus it has suddenly become less than a week of his victory. Now, the tables have turned once again, trust Nigerians: everywhere he goes, the shouts of the ‘senator’ always rend the air. Kashamu has bounced back.

Funke Daniel Savours First Love
One could fall in love many times in the course of a lifetime but the fresh rush of love always holds a special place in one’s heart. These immortal words of George Bernard Shaw are fast giving themselves practical experience with the activities of Yeye OluFunke Daniel, wife of former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
Before anyone starts jumpimg to the wrong conclusions, let it be clarified that Yeye Olufunke has not gone back to the first man who stole her heart, for we do not have any record of any such man in first place. What she has is that she is presently enjoying the business of tailoring and fashion.

Remember, after her eight years’ reign as Ogun State First Lady, she quickly broke away from the public glare with a deserved rest in the United Kingdom, and used that opportunity to take a new stock and met some manufacturing concerns to acquire fashion machines and equipment for the trade.

Yeye Olufunke is now savouring her abandoned scissors and tape rule with which she once made clothes for many society big guns during her first stint with fashion as the founder and CEO of Laurel Fashion on Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. Truly, there is nothing as sweet as one’s first true passion. But wait a minute. It seems her much-vaunted foundation and pet projects that accumulated millions of naira of government funds has become moribund? It is hoped it will not go like that with the passage of time.

Stella Oduah’s Whoops Of Joy
That Former Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Oduah is over the moon at the moment is stating the obvious. A gale of gaiety and mirth is being felt in the household of SPG Oil & Gas boss, Stella Oduah. And she has every reason to thank God and she is no doubt having the best of time as she has just bounced back winning a senatorial seat in her country home in Anambra State.
The woman of substance who’s believed to be one of President Goodluck Jonathan’s close confidants, has won the Senatorial North seat in to represent Anambra Federal constituency in the nation’s forthcoming eighth National Assembly. She is now returning to the government after several counter allegations in the Aviation Ministry that denied her the job .

Born in Akili-Ozizor , Ogbaru Local Government of Anambra State on January 5, 1962 to the royal family of Igwe D.O Oduah, she started her early education in Nigeria before going to the United States where she obtained Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Upon her return to Nigeria, she joined the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) where she distinguished herself before leaving to set up Sea Petroleum & Gas Company Limited (SPG), an independent marketer of petroleum products in Nigeria.
This company rose from a humble beginning to become a leading company in the competitive oil industry. Her desire to always strive for greatness and make Nigeria a better place led her to be involved in the President Goodluck Jonathan 2011 campaign from the formative stage. She handled a sensitive office of Director of Admin and Finance at the Goodluck Support Group (GSG) office and latter held the same position during the general campaign. She brought her experience to bear in a very impactful manner and this further endeared her to many Nigerians during the process.

Akande and olujimi

Biodun Olujimi Hope Comes Alive
After spirited efforts by political jobbers in Ekiti State to prompt Biodun Olujimi to jump into the political fray of Ekiti State and contest for a position, her hope has eventually come alive after wining a senatorial seat in Ekiti during the presidential and parliamentary elections.
Olujimi will represent Ekiti South Senatorial District in the eight National Assembly. In Ekiti State where she was deputy governor, Biodun Olujimi is a name that readily strikes a familiar accord. Although her tenure as deputy governor was short-lived, she made history as the first female acting governor when the present governor, Ayo Fayose, was impeached in his troubled first tenure.

After her Ekiti State House experience, she went low profile. Aside a few appearances at events, nothing was heard about her unlike her former boss who remains active in politics. Currently, it seems she is out of her cocoon and silently calling the shots again. Mrs. Biodun Christine Olujimi, a broadcaster, journalist, political scientist, administrator and public relations practitioner was nominated onto the Board of the NCC by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan in late 2011.

A seasoned politician, she holds a diploma in Journalism, a degree in Political Science, a postgraduate degree in Public Relations and Marketing. She also holds a certificate in IT with emphasis on Web Development from the Michigan State University, United States. Biodun worked at different times with the Nigerian Tribune, Nigerian Posts and Telecommunication, Nigerian Television Authority, the Delta Steel Company Ovwian Aladja, Reflex Concept and Dbn Television.
She joined politics and at different times has been National Publicity Secretary of the National Centre Party of Nigeria, All People’s Party and the All Nigeria People’s Party before joining Peoples Democratic Party

Have Ogunlesi Brothers Sheathes Swords?

That is the one million naira question on the lips of several fans of the famous brothers. Fola and Lanre Ogunlesi were sometime ago reported to have engaged in a feud and every attempt made by some concerned people to resolve the issue always proved to be ineffectual.
The Ogunlesi brothers, notably Fola, Kayode, Lanre and Ade are quite popular within the society. Fola is a man of no mean stature within the Lagos social circle. He has carved a niche for himself as successful businessman and a notable socialite. Businesswise, Fola owns a chain of outfits spread all over Lagos. He owns Fantasyland, the event centre in Ikoyi.

On his own part, Lanre who is the most socially outgoing of all the brothers, owns Sophisticat, the upscale fashion outfit in Maryland, Lagos. According to those who should know, the duo of Fola and Lanre have always shared a no-love-lost relationship for many years. Some years ago, they were engaged in a turbulent feud which was said to have been ignited by disagreement over a business issue.

Some other members of the family were involved in the feud. They pitched their tent with the brothers. However, shortly before Lanre celebrated his 50th birthday years back, the brothers were made to sheathe their swords and embrace peace. But somehow, the war had created a wide gulf between them and they just couldn’t get bring themselves to relate as blood brothers. Yet, most of their close friends kept hoping that they would eventually nurture their filial bond and love. And since then, they have not been on talking terms.
To validate this fact, whenever some people seek Lanre’s assistance that pertains to his brother, he is always quick to let them know that they are not on talking terms. This usually leaves most people befuddled. Even whenever they see each other at parties, they always refuse to exchange greetings.
Meanwhile, those who are accustomed to the fluctuating nature of the relationship that exists between the Ogunlesi brothers believe that they will resolve their problems when they get tired of fighting.

Nike Akande’s Passion

Talk of one Lagos society woman forever glamorous in her looks, Nike’s name will crop up. This is because this beautiful woman, who is the former Minister of Commerce and Industry, is very stylish by all standards. Any time you run into this matriarch of Onikepo family either at a social function or at a corporate setting, you will appreciate her for her gorgeous looks, be it in corporate wears or traditional attires.

She looks good. What further makes her looks all the more smashing are the accessories she puts on to complements her dressing. She not only wears good shoes, she also puts on the latest jewelry which brighten up her looks.
Perhaps her greatest asset is her physique and glowing skin which makes whatever she wears sit well on her frame. Her lovely face also make you melt when you are before her. She likes it, she enjoys it. No wonder she doesn’t find it difficult standing out in any gathering she attends, especially parties even when she is practically forced to attend a lot of them by her hosts/hostess whom she has built relationships with over the years. In fact, the parties provide the opportunity for those seeking to look like her to copy her style.

Ndidi Okereke Off The
Social Radar

Former Director-General of the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE), Ndidi Okereke, seems to have been missing in action in the public scene years after her controversial exit from NSE. During her days as Director-General, she was a force to reckon with both in the social scene and in Corporate Nigeria, where she was a permanent fixture for several years before her removal.

During her days as DG, wherever she went the chant of DG always rented the air but all that seems to have gone, more or less. Ndidi thereafter disappeared from the public glare. She indeed avoided mixing with her front row friends in the high placed circle in the country.

At a time, she was said to have relocated to abroad to cool off and further go on a study. However, despite all odds, She was to bring her technical know-how to bear on the Exchange at the inception of the Privatisation and Commercialisation Programme of the Federal Government.
As the head of the Exchange’s Quotations Department, she was the Chairman for the Technical Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation (TCPC), now Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE). Her laudable contributions to the committee’s achievements earned her special commendation from the Exchange and the Federal Government.

Ibiye Ekong’s Giant Strides In The Banking World

In the male-dominated Nigerian banking industry, a few amazons have spurned the overwhelming prejudices and cogs planted in their path to become icons by dint of hard work and dutiful application to professionalism.
One of the leading female bankers in the country today is Ibiye Ekong, currently the Executive Director, South South, Skye Bank Plc. In that capacity, she presides over the bank’s franchise development in the South South region of the country where great landmarks have been achieved.
To her credit, the bank has phenomenally expanded its business and operations in the region and is growing to become one of the most active banks in the region. It has actively partnered with the state government to achieve development for the state.

Ekong has a Bachelor’s degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Lagos and an MBA degree from the Pan-African University Lagos. She started her professional banking career at Chartered Bank in 1989 as Assistant Treasurer where she rose to be branch Manager in 1997.
She joined the former Prudent Bank Plc as a Senior Manager and Group Head, Treasury and Corporate Banking Group. Her key responsibilities include Business Development and General Advisory Services.
Ekong, who is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) has attended various training in and outside Nigeria.