HIGH SOCIETY

Kessington Adebutu’s 80th Birthday Holds Today
THE much awaited 80th birthday of billionaire philanthropist, Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu will hold today at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. As part of activities to mark the birthday and 10th anniversary of his Foundation, the popular billionaire better known as Baba Ijebu, kicked off the celebration on Thursday, October 22 when he was installed as the Asoju Oba of Lagos by Oba Rilwanu Osuolala Akiolu.

The Oba of Lagos has decided to pass on his revered title, Asoju Oba of Lagos to the popular betting entrepreneur, Chief Adebutu, eight months after the demise of boardroom guru, amiable philanthropist and sports sponsor par excellence, Chief Molade Okoya Thomas. Yesterday, the week-long party continued with a special promotion by Premier Lotto where prizes were distributed to the loyal customers and the general public. Eight brand new cars and other high-value gifts items were dashed out on that day.

Dignitaries Grace Gbenga Daniel’s Dinner Party
It was excitement and merriment galore last Wednesday when Kresta Laurel, an engineering firm owned by Otunba Gbenga Daniel had a dinner party in commemoration of the company’s 25th anniversary celebration. The dinner, held at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos was a wonderful event with beautiful faces in attendance. Gaily dressed, the carefully selected guests strolled into the venue and the waiting arms of usherettes dressed to the nines.

Awe-inspiring, beautiful, captivating and awesome are adjectives that a lot of guests would use while describing the event. At the party, every guest was treated like a star. The sheer elegance of the venue, electrified by kaleidoscopic chandeliers, further gave expression to the preparedness and meticulousness of the former governor of Ogun State and current Chairman of Kresta Laurel. He made sure that all guests were pampered to no end with numerous bottles of Moet & Chandon.

Exotic apparels of the most colourful and exquisite kind, shoes and accessories that screamed designer labels, decorated the bodies of celebrities. But the centre of attraction that night was no other person than the wife of the Otunba Daniel, beautiful Yeye Olufunke Daniel. She bowled everybody over at the event with her candour and charisma. OGD, as he is fondly referred to, made new friends that day and converted new disciples with the successful hosting of the event. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Subomi Balogun, Oba Sikiru Adetona, David Mark, and several ex-governors among others stormed the event.

Gbolade Osibodu’s Giant Stride
sictor Gbolade Osibodu is not just another businessman who is married to an equally prominent banker in the person of of Funke Osibodu, the former Managing Director of Union Bank Nigeria Plc. Neither does he throw money around in an ostentatious style. Although he is a man about town when the occasion demands, he is one Nigerian whose creative mind has set him on a path of honour with immense contributions to the Nigerian economy.

No wonder, in 2002, he was decorated with a national merit award of the Member of the Federal Republic by President Olusegun Obasanjo. But the gist is about what the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vigeo Liimited, a marketing and business development company, has achieved in the past. The alumnus of Harvard Business School and Lagos Business School over the years has made an impact in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. Not that he is a rookie in the business, for he has been actively involved in business development for countless number of organisations in the downstream sector of the industry and has since actively involved in the sector at an operational level. It would be recalled in 2007, Vigeo Holdings invested several million dollars to acquire an Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel.

The acquisition of the vessel, named Vigeo Olufunke, catapulted Vigeo Holdings as the first Nigerian company to own a vessel dedicated to deep water operations. The talk in the industry now is that Gbolade has upped his ante and taken the game beyond the rudimentary level. He is set to dictate the pace in the sector as a service provider and an indispensable investor whose weight cannot be measured. All this is.

Photo: BellaNaija

Edo First Lady, Lara Oshiomole’s Gaiety
Fresh facts have emerged on why Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State settled for his Liberian wife, Lara Fortes. Apart from her beautiful looks and alluring figure, Lara, though not from Nigeria, is blessed with good manners. Unlike some ladies who allow fame and wealth to get into their heads, Lara is cool-headed and well-behaved.

This endearing quality was recently confirmed when she almost went on her knees when exchanging pleasantries with the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. Apart from her humility, Lara is also said to be morally clean. Days after marrying his wife in a carnival-like wedding, Oshiomhole had revealed some top secrets about his wife and of which one of them is that he met her as a complete woman.

Lara happens to be Oshiomole’s second wife. The governor’s first wife died in 2010 of cancer. But the interesting thing is that Lara is said to be loved by the entire Oshiomole family owing to her wonderful behavior.

Famous Gospel Singer, Opelope Anointing Returns
Still basking in the euphoria of her successful musical tour and launching of Opelope Anointing Foundation in South Africa, Evangelist Dr. Dunni Olanrewaju also known as Opelope Anointing, is set to return all Glory to God in thanksgiving and launching of her new album titled, Awaiting Praise. The event slated for tommorow, is expected to attract the crème de la crème in the music industry and church. “It is time once again for me to give thanks to my Creator. Sometimes, when I sit down, I ruminate in my mind why people enjoyed Opelope Anointing because I did not labour much like I did in other albums especially Mercy. I did so much work on Mercy but never had the recognition that Opelope Anointing brought.

So I decided within me that there is nothing for me to do regularly than to continue to give thanks to God the maker of all things. This year’s event is special because it’s a prelude to the wedding ceremony of my son based in South Africa which we are going to celebrate in a much bigger way later in the year by the grace of God. Many of my colleagues in gospel music industry have shown interest in this event expected to take place at Opelope Anointing Praise Centre, Lagos and its going to be undiluted Gospel Music than will lift souls and set the oppressed free,” she enthused.

Balogun

Banke Balogun Goes Calm
Until a few years ago Banke Balogun, nee Alakija, ranked among the hottest bachelorettes in town. But after she got married to Ladi Balogun, she reduced her social outings. She is no longer a common face at Lagos gatherings, although she used to grace some events in the company of her busy hubby, the handsome Managing Director of First City Monument Bank (FCMB). She now spends quality time with her immediate family. Many adduced her disappearance from the social klieglight to the demands of giving more attention to her home front, especially her twins who need her attention most.

Removed from the flurry associated with the party arena, Banke has settled into her role as a wife and mother and is making a good job of it. Hers is one silver spoon marriage that has survived the test of time and is waxing stronger by the day.

Kese Jabari Stages Come Back
He is one of the very few that made the Nigerian fashion industry tick at a point in time. His self-named upscale duplex showroom and factory around, Headmasters Barbers on Toyin Street, Ikeja,Lagos was a great watering hole for men of style in the 90s. But just when the scene was getting more vibrant, Kese Jabari relocated to the United States of America with his hear-throb and former beauty queen, Sabina Umeh. It was learnt that attempts to penetrate the foreign fashion market yielded little.

Then, like a typical Nigerian, he recharged and re-focused, diverting his energy and talents to export his unique designs to China, the most populous country in the world, and an emerging financial power. But it appears he has not totally given up on Nigeria. Those who should know confirmed to us that the famous designer might have concluded plans to return home to continue his business from where he left it. “I cannot say precisely when Kese is due back in Nigeria,” source close to the top clothier revealed, “but I can tell you for sure that he is planning to return to the country any time soon”.

Peterside

The Other Side of Atedo Peterside
Atedo Peterside, the former Managing Director of IBTC/Stanbic Bank, is one man whose passion for banking and the game of polo cannot be faulted. Atedo Peterside is a polo player who breathes the game of princes.

With a team, he is one of the backbones of the sport Nigeria. His daily life revolves around banking which has made him a household name in the Nigerian banking sector. But what many do not know is Atedo’s love for pets, especially dogs of the rarest breed. Educated in Nigeria (King’s College, Lagos) and the United Kingdom (The City University, London and London School of Economics and Political Science), he came home full of energy. And by the time he was ready to fly in 1989, no one could clip his wings. Many adore his style. Trusted and dependable, he is the man you associate with and go to sleep, certain that your dues are guaranteed.

Olasumbo Blankson’s 40th Birthday Soiree Holds
One of the top society women on Lagos Island and its environs, Olasumbo Blankson has concluded all arrangements to hold her 40th birthday this weekend. Although the ageless beauty turned 40 yesterday, she had to postpone it to this weekend to have a grand party. The hard working lady who stands tall as one of the eggheads at the Lagos State Ministry of Works as well as Ministry of Environment has vowed to make a statement with her 40th birthday soiree as the party is being planned on high pedestal.

Known to be a jovial and fun loving personality, Blankson’s popularity and influence has seen her hobnob with some of the influential personalities on Lagos Island such as Lagos Island West Chairman, Wasiu Eshinlokun, Adetoyese Olusi and Lagos Island East Chairman, Kamal Bashua Salua among others. Blankson’s cheerful nature as well as her meek and fun loving character easily warm up to several friends in the society and corporate world.