ONE of the luxury automobiles rich and famous Nigerians are obsessed with now is Rolls Royce Phantom. This is because the powerful machine raises the profile of every owner and the brand has remained the world’s super-luxury car for several years. It takes a special car to successfully fend off its rivals for eight years and Rolls Royce Phantom is just that car. Yet again, it is the best top-end luxury car money can buy. The 2015 prices vary from $319,025 to $407,400 depending on the models or customized ones from the factory. And few super rich Nigerians who don’t mind the cost, spend fortunes to acquire the wonder-on-wheel.
The car which comes in different forms of Coupe, Drop Head Coupe, Rolls Royce Ghost and Sedan is an expansive, substantial vehicle in all its forms; a classically-styled and unmistakable exterior with its tall, upright grille. Eminent Nigerians whose love for this car is legendary include the Ijebu born high prince, Otunba Subomi Balogun; Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Chief (Mrs.) Nudubusi Kanu and few other notable Nigerians and celebrities in the entertainment world.
For the respected businessman and Ijebu high chief, he exudes class and sophistication. The sophisticated nature of his Ikoyi, Lagos home, equipped with state-of-the-art garage and a fleet of exotic cars, attests to his affluence. Late last year, the banking guru added to his collection of cars with the acquisition of a 2014 Rolls Royce Phantom. No doubt, the Olori Omo-Oba Akile Ijjebu has established himself in the league of notable Nigerians. When you believe Otunba Subomi Balogun have it all, what about Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade, the Aare Onakakanfo of Owu Kingdom, who is obsessed with the brand and avoids using other brands.
After buying his first Rolls Royce in 1984, Prince Bolu Akin-Olugbade has so fallen in love with this British symbol of fine taste that he has seven so far, including two latest models Phantoms. Although his cars come in different colours, one striking thing about all of the wonders-on-wheels is the fact that they all have similar number plates: Bolu. Apart from his love for cars, another passion he has acquired is luxury wristwatches. He has suddenly become a collector of the most exotic of pieces.
Murtala Nyako Returns
The embattled former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako is presently making a swift move to stage a come back to the political klieglight of Adamawa State following the victory of his party at the last presidential and parliamentary elections in Adamawa State. It should be noted that the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) was as result of the political machinery put in place by ousted ex governor Murtala Nyako which enabled his party to throw a good political jab to the leader of PDP in the state, Governor Bala James Ngliari whose senatorial ambition was truncated along with his lieutenants.
The Nyako’s structure is believed to have orchestrated the victory of APC presidential candidate, Major General Muhammed Buhari. The former military brass at the peak of the crisis last year fled Nigeria and went on exile to Europe to evade federal prosecution for alleged treasonable and financial mismanagement issues. Nyako was impeached by the State House of Assembly for alleged gross misconduct and abuse of office. From all indications, and with the turn of events at the last presidential election, Nyako is now a free man.
Arunma Oteh’s New Lease Of Life
After a successful tenure at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), beautiful Arunma Oteh is now enjoying a new lease of life. She now gives more attention to her personal life and family unlike before when the rigours of her office took toll on her persona life. Oteh ‘s tour of duty as Director-General of SEC will be remembered for its passion, purpose, articulation and faithful implementation of a therapy of reform measures driven by the vision to transform the Nigerian market into a world-class market. She was in a hurry to see Nigeria achieve a world class capital market that would drive development and make Nigeria one of the most attractive investment destinations.
The beautiful lady who is believed to be one of the agents of change of President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda may be described as the ‘ Iron Lady’ of SEC, for her no-nonsense approach to the job of policing Nigeria’s financial business world.
She has got the beauty and for brain, a look at her resume does the talking. She studied at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka and earned a First Class Honors degree in Computer Science. She went on to the Harvard Business School where she obtained a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. The immediate past Executive Commissioner, Operations in SEC, Mounir Gwarzo has since replaced Oteh as the Acting Director-General of the commission.
What Next For Lady Omorede Osifo?
Banker-turned-politician, Lady Omorede Osifo, a notable female politician in Edo State seems to be the major discourse over her dwindling political future in Edo State. Lady Omorede recoiled to her shell months after she was sacked by Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, following the failure of Youth Summit Concert held sometime early last year in Benin City, the state capital. Many believe she was cleverly edged out of government by her detractors when she fell out of favour.
Her next move in this forthcoming dispensation is yet to be known as her party just clinched the federal seat of power. Omorede started her political life when she was appointed as Commissioner for Art, Culture and Tourism, Edo State by former governor Lucky Igbinedion. She was later appointed the pioneer Special Adviser to Edo State Governor on Inter-Governmental Affairs in Abuja. She also served as the Chief Executive Officer of Tage-Tru Limited, before Governor Adams Oshiomhole swore her in as Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Mobilization, a position she held for 10 months before her controversial exit.
On Jim Ovia ‘s Newest Move
Former Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Jim Ovia is said to have embarked on his hotel project few years after the concluded plans with his partners to bring the prestigious Marrion Hotel to Nigeria following the multi billion naira agreement signed by Quantum Luxury Properties Limited chaired by Ovia and Marrion Hotels. The much talked about five star edifice which is located next door to Civic Centre on Ozumba Mbadiwe in Victoria Island, Lagos according to those who should know, will comprise 150 star rooms.
The hotel is expected to be launched in 2016 in Lagos with all the facilities and luxury associated with an international market leader like Marriot. Ovia recently ranked 19th on Forbes Africa with an impressive estimated net worth. His business investments and interests include MTN Nigeria, African Capital Alliance, Diamond Bank Plc, ADIC Insurance Limited, Aluminium Extrusion Industries Plc Telecom, Investment. He is mostly known for the role he played in growing Zenith Bank, which he helped found in 1990, to a big player in the Nigerian banking sector and one of the largest financial services providers by market capitalization and assets in West Africa (over $2.5 billion).
Though he stepped down as CEO of Zenith Bank in July 2010 after two decades at the helm, he remains the largest single individual shareholder of the bank with his shares worth about $220 million. The Delta State born is now fully occupied with running and growing Visafone, a Nigerian telecom company founded in 2006 and which recently acquired smaller telecom firms to boost its operations.
Last year, Visafone attempted acquiring Multilinks Telkom, a bigger competitor in the CDMA and fixed telecommunications services category of the telecom market. He owns vast collection of prime real estate in Ikoyi and Victoria Island parts of Lagos, including the Landmark Civic Centre in Lagos. Jim Ovia owns and runs Quantum, a private equity firm.
Funke Kuti Savours Freedom
With an array of friends and well wishers linked to Funke Kuti at a time her marriage to Afro-beat maestro, Femi Kuti was still intact, not many believed that it would take such a long time for the beautiful lady to settle into the warm, loving arms of another man.
Many years down the road, Funke, who used to dance in her estranged hubby’s Positive Force Band, is still single. Funke, who deserted her marriage that gave birth to her only child, Made in a very controversial manner, is living large and appears to be having fun of her life. There was a time it was being rumoured that she was seeing Femi after their estrangement, but the rumour was later found to be nothing but a figment of imagination of the mongers as both parties denounced the reports.
There was another tale that the beautiful woman was seeing a certain rich dude who was reportedly keen on exchanging marital vows with her, but the identity of the guy remains a mystery till date. Funk debunked the allegation with all the might she could muster. While many are of the opinion that Funke is not nursing any worries about a man, some averred she would not be offering her hands in marriage to any man, who is not financially buoyant.
Former LASAA MD,Makanjuola Alabi resurfaces
Former Managing Director of Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), has returned to the main stream of business after he was relieved of his job by Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola over alleged financial misappropriation and abuse of office while he was the helmsman at the agency. Mako, as he is fondly called, has returned in a big way with VIMedia, a number one provider of premier, high-impact outdoor and indoor advertising solution in Nigeria.
Alabi was one of the exhibitors at the recent three-day African Outdoor Advertising Conference and Exhibition powered by LASAA, which took place at the prestigious Eko Hotel,Victoria Island, Lagos. He was at his social best with his trim designer suite and was looking lively throughout the event. His outing at the conference proved the mischief makers wrong that all is well with him despite the predicament that denied him his job. It would be recalled that after the exit of Alabi, Governor Fashola redeployed Hon Tunji Bello, the Lagos State Commissioner for Environment as the new managing director of the agency before the current manager, George Noah took over as the manager of the agency from Tunji Bello.
Meet Pretty Okoya Babes
One remarkable thing about the popular Lagos family, the Okoyas, is the fact that they have within the family a larger concentration of pretty women. From the matriarch of the family herself, Alhaja Kuburat Olayinka Okoya, who is the eldest wife of the Eleganza boss, to Shade Okoya, the youngest wife of the Otun Aare of Lagos, to even some of the Okoya’s daughters, like Moji, Biola, and Aina, all of these women have one thing in common: beauty. Let’s start with Alhaja Kuburat.
Despite her having turned 73, she still looks every inch a pretty woman, who could conveniently pass for a 40-something year old woman. Then take Shade, a mother of four lovely kids: Olamide, Olasubomi, Olamipo and Olajuwon, who is blessed with a slim built and a height that is alluring. This University of Lagos graduate could easily pass for a beauty queen. T
hen, step in Wosilat Okoya, who is Alhaji Rasaq Okoya’s younger sister. This tall, sweet looking lady, with a pair of alluring eyeballs, is blessed with an impressing height, which makes whatever she wears sit well on her. She is the mother of three lovely daughters: Bisola, Faridah and Halimah. She looks forever smashing any day, either in English or native attire. How about Moji Tejuosho, who is married to Lanre Tejuoso? Although she has added a bit of weight over the years, Moji is blessed with lovely looks. This was one of the things that attracted her to her husband when they first met years back. If Moji has a great look, how about Biola, her younger sister? She is absolutely gorgeous.
Yet she has three lovely kids: Ayodeji, Ayomide and Ayobola. Her younger sister, Aina has a lot in common with Moji, in terms of resemblance. They are not the only lovely looking ladies the Okoya’s have to flaunt. All the wives of Okoya’s boys, namely: Tunde, Taofik, Bolaji and Lanre can conveniently do well if they enter for a beauty competition.
Easy going Kemi, the lovely wife of Tunde, has managed to retain her smashing looks despite having had two lovely kids: Olakunle and Khadijah. Ebony complexioned Lola, who is Taofik ‘s wife, has a good height and a nice look. Azeezat, the beautiful wife of Bolaji, has two daughters, Womi and Aisha. She is blessed with a sweet look that many said made Bolaji go weak the very first day he set his eyes on her. It ‘s the same thing with Sophia, the fair complexioned and very respectful wife of Lanre.
