HIGH SOCIETY

Glitz Meets Glamour As Alake Of Egbaland Celebrates 10th Year Coronation
The sprawling city of Abeokuta was agog last weekend when the high and mighty within the nation’s socio-economic and political hub gathered to honour benevolent royal father, Alake of Egbaland, His Royal Highness Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo for his 10th year coronation anniversary. His source of joy was limitless on the day as the celebrated monarch played host to eminent Nigerians such as Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Prince (Dr) Bolu Akin-Olugbade amongst other dignitaries in attendance. The epoch- making event had kicked off with a church service before the party train later shifted to a popular event centre in Abeokuta for the reception.

Oba Adedotun is a man of deep wisdom, compassion and strength of character, a devout Christian, a dedicated man, a devoted public servant, debonair in social life and delightful in vision. He ranks among the great monarchs of Nigeria not only by reason of what he is doing but of what he is. 
The Alake is a devout Christian who has served in various capacities in the Catholic church and participates fully in the activities of the Anglican Communion. He is chronologically the 30th Alake, but the 10th to reign in Abeokuta.

Femi Kuti Recuperates
AWARD-WINNING Afrobeat star, Femi Kuti who reportedly underwent hernia surgery at Lagoon Hospital, Lagos, during the week is gradually recuperating. The Kuti family, especially his estranged wife, Funke Kuti and his elder sister, Yeni Kuti are still full of praises over the success of the surgery.

The operation was made known to the public by Yeni Kuti who shared a photo of the 53-year-old singer after the operation. His estranged wife, Funke who was with him during the operation, also shared a video of him leaving the operating theatre on a wheel chair. She revealed that Femi composed 10 songs in his morphine-induced state. Hernia is a medical condition that occurs when an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue called fascia. The most common types of hernia are inguinal (inner groin), incisional (resulting from an incision), femoral (outer groin), umbilical (belly button), and hiatal (upper stomach). Femi Kuti is expected to make a full recovery in a few days’ time.

Abike Dabiri

Abike Dabiri Honoured
This is certainly the best of times for popular female politician, Hon Abike Dabiri -Erewa. She was among the top women world leaders such as Melinda Gates, an American businesswomen, philanthropist and wife of Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates; Michelle Obama, an American lawyer, writer and wife of the incumbent President of the United States, Barack Obama; and Oby Ezekwesili, a Nigerian, recently compiled by Online business magazine, Richtopia for honour. These women are accorded recognition for having contributed immensely to the growth and development of their countries and because of the strides they have made in their careers.

Edward Ola Akinlade Dazzles
Miracle -working businessman, Edward Ola Akinlade has a way of warming himself into people’s hearts. The cool and collected shrewd businessman is the rallying point of many heart-warming ideas. And he surrounds himself with some of the brightest minds of this generation who also see him as a veritable progressive. Akinlade, the forerunner who dignified business and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the movers and shakers of high society many years back in London and Nigeria, has indelibly engraved his name amongst the drivers of Nigeria’s economy following his business conglomerate which is growing in leaps and bounds. Interestingly, Akinlade is 50 but he does not look it. He sits atop a formidable business empire but does not make noise about it.

In fact, all those media noise most that are common to most Nigerian billionaires are nothing to him. But somehow, because he is an achiever, he always finds himself in the newspapers one way or the other. He sits atop a flourishing conglomerate that include the following: Suru Group Limited, Prolific Microfinance Limited, Best Western Plus, Suru Express Hotel, Suru Homes Limited, Suru Securities Limited, Johnson Products of Nigeria Limited, Suru Charity Foundation to mention but a few. He runs his thriving business empire from his imposing complex, Suru House in Ikeja GRA. Not many know he also plays big in real estate. He is an astute real estate professional and property developer with emphasis on high-end commercial and residential real estate development. He is highly competent in property finance and trading, versatile in the origination conception, structuring and completion of a wide range of property developments. He is experienced in both the international and local markets. Akinlade is articulate, self-starter and highly motivated, bold, proactive, and determined.

Funke Adesiyan Gets Busy
Nollywood actress Funke Adesiyan has gone low key as a result of the outcome of the last election. We can tell you for free that the intelligent lady is on the path of career building. We have it on good authority that Funke is in the United States of America where she’s presently studying Directing and Film Making at the prestigious New York Film Academy. She enthused: “Yes too… I am here in the US, the class has started, I am at the New York Film Academy studying Directing and Film Making. Thanks so much for your concern.” Very soon, upon graduation, Funke will join the league of other like minds and Nollywood top gurus such as Stephanie Linus and Kunle Afolayan who are alumni of the great film academy.

Lagos Socialite, Otunba Onakoya Praises Fashola, Amosun
The pedigree of Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola is connected to his meritorious service as Governor of Lagos State for eight years. But to some notable businessmen in the social circles who had the course to engage him even before his foray into politics well over a decade ago, affirm that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria has always distinguished himself as a practicing lawyer.

Prominent politician in Ogun State and socialite, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya at a recent event told some of his friends that when the late Kafaru Tinubu, elder brother of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced Fashola to him in respect of a case he had in court many years back, the former governor did not only handle the job diligently, he never collected any professional fee on it. The socialite who related the minister’s doggedness to the fighting spirit of Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun who stood his ground in support of now Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun against all odds, is now being applauded. Otunba Onakoya, better known as Debasco, hinged success of the present government on this two worthy ambassadors of both Lagos and Ogun handling very key ministries that will have a direct impact in the country.

All Set For Tom Samson’s 50th Birthday Bash
All is now set for weeklong Bishop (Dr.) Tom Samson’s 50th birthday anniversary which kicks off on Sunday, December 6 and ends on December 13. Organisers of the event led by Deacon Iyke Kanu have promised to shake Lagos and Ogun States to their foundations with an array of activities lined up to celebrate their father in the Lord.The epoch-making celebration opens with a lecture by Hon. (Barr.) Segun Odubela. He will speak on “The Role of the Church in Nation-Building” at Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

On Monday, December 7, Bishop Tom will visit Ijamido Orphanage Home, Sango Otta, while, on the 8th, he will visit Little Saint Orphanage, Egbeda. On Wednesday 9th December, all road lead to 100 Hectares Royal City, Iyesin Otta for Camp Meeting while Thursday 10th will be a date for novelty match between Royal Men and Women at Royal City Stadium, Iyesin Otta by 4 pm. Friday 11th is slated for Music Fest by 4 pm at
Monarch Hall.On Saturday, it will by birthday proper and official commissioning of Monarch University Faculty of Humanity and Library.

Chairman of the organizing committee for the birthday further opined that “because it’s the 50th birthday of our great bishop, we have put in place several committees to work effectively to make the day a glorious one. The plan is to have a carnival-like birthday party that will continue to reverberate even so many years after because we will be using the occasion to reveal the body of Christ, to let the world know what Christ can do, using the celebrant as a case study. Bishop Tom Samson came to Lagos as a nobody but held onto Christ but today the world is celebrating him. His life has been one amazing inspirational tale that will definitely give hope and we are leaving no stone unturned in making it a good avenue to touch lives and showcase God’s wonder.” Bishop Tom Samson is the founder of Christ Royal Family Church, the founder and visitor of Royal City College of Education and Chancellor, Monarch University, alongside his wife, Apostle Lanre Samson.

Tosyn Bucknor Savours Marital Bliss
popular on-air personality, Tosyn Bucknor, is presently savouring her marriage to her French hubby, Aurelien Boyer. The couple got married a couple of Saturdays back amidst pomp and pageantry at the well-attended wedding ceremony in Lagos. Celebrity colleagues, friends, family members and well-wishers came in droves to celebrate with the queen of radio who signed the dotted lines at the Landmark Events Center, Oniru, Lagos.

Among the celebrities spotted at the lavish ceremony were Olu Jacobs, Joke Silva, Banky W, Toke Makinwa, Ubi Franklin, Yaw, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, and Hakeem Adeyinka Balogun. The ceremony was anchored by comedian Tee A while Funke Bucknor-Obruthe led Sapphire events was said to have handled the entire planning of the wedding. Tosyn’s engagement to Aurelien on August 11 happened during their vacation in Corsica, South of France.

Tara

Fashion Buffs Embrace The New House of Tara
Weeks after Tara Fela-Durotoye officially opened her new showroom in Lekki, Lagos, celebrities in and out of Lagos have been visiting the fashion empire to get their make-ups done. The new corporate office is located at 13A, Onikepo Akande street, Lekki Peninsula scheme I, Lekki. The building interior was designed by Jumoke Adenowo’s company, AD Logistics.

The corporate office launch was hosted by Ibukun Awosika, Chairman of the Board of Directors of House of Tara. Other members of the board of directors were also present: Nimi Akinkugbe, Osayi Alile, Chukwuka Monye and Ada Iwugo who gave the welcome address. Tara Fela-Durotoye who launched the building alongside Ibukun Awosika was supported by her husband Fela Durotoye.

Other special guests present at the event to retrace the brand’s evolution and the new headquarters space were Joke Bakare (owner of Medplus), Bolanle Olukanni, Adebola Williams, Sekou Coulibaly, Mai Atafo, Ndidi Nwuenli, Funke Bucknor, Zainab Balogun, Yvonne Ekwere, Sarah Hamman, amongst others.