ANDY UBAH STILL IN THE COLD
Are you a good scriptwriter? If yes, you may be interested in knitting a story around the political life of SenatorAndy Ubah, and you can be assured it will make a huge boxoffice success. Over the years, his perpetual failure to clinch the number one job in Anambra State has remained an intrigue to many political observers, particularly as he is regarded as a political heavyweight. But with his series of political losses, many now doubt if he is really a gladiator as thought, but a mere paper tiger. In 2007, Ubah, a former Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo was literally dusted by former Governor Peter Obi when his victory to the Anambra Government House was upturned. Not one to easily give up on his hope, Ubah has jumped from one political party to the other to realise his ambition, all to no avail.
It will be recalled that he left his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party, for the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, to participate in the November governorship election. The billionaire suffered another humiliation of his life when he lost the APC ticket to a young man, Tony Nwoye. His defeat shocked his friends who have since warned him to desist from contesting political post. Though they had advised him to drop the ambition, Ubah didn’t seem to be bothered. With his recent humiliation, he has become a laughing stock in the state, while this has finally confirmed that he is not a gladiator.
If there is anything that has given Segun Odubela, a former Commissioner for Education in Ogun State, the greatest joy in recent time, it is the grace to witness the 50th birth- day of his beautiful wife, Olubimpe.
When she turned 50 on April 27, the family had reportedly jetted out to London for a family celebration. But the children, it was gathered, had insisted on organising another birthday celebration in the country.
Consequently, as the event drew near, Odubela, a lawyer, made preparations to make the day most memorable for the woman of substance.
Against this backdrop, the respected socialite threw open the doors of his expansive mansion located at the upscale Nicon Estate, Lekki, Lagos for the crème de la crème, friends and family to join the family in the celebration of life.
At the birthday soiree, the couple gave the few invited guests a wow experience, as they were all treated to local and intercontinental dishes and choice drinks.
The celebrant appeared at the venue dressed in a mixture of gold, black and white-fitted flowing gown. She beamed a winsome smile from table to table exchanging pleasantries with guests. She danced her heart out to the admiration of all while the event lasted.
One of the highlights of the day was when she was joined by her husband, children and friends to cut the gigantic birthday cake.
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Taiwo Adeoluwa, at the event, which has remained the talk of town.
Today, many of his fans and admirers will thump their chests and declare, almost without any scintilla of regret, that life has not been fair to Tunde Ayeni.
If you dare ask them to justify the reason for such a thought, they are quick to remind you of how the once respected banker has fallen from his Olympian heights to a level so detested even by the ordinary mortal.
Time there was when he ruled his world as a professional in the nation’s financial sector. At a relatively young age, he had made waves in the banking industry and controlled major shares in many financial institutions as well as other sectors of the economy.
In 2011, Ayeni became the Chairman of Skye Bank, following the merger of five banks, including Bond Bank founded by him in 2000.
Sadly, he began to experience some kind of antithesis in his flourishing career, following the Central Bank of Nigeria’s order to the management of Skye Bank. The order came as a result of alleged liquidity problems. He was sacked alongside other top management of the bank.
Misfortune, it is said, comes not singly but in myriads. Barely a month after losing control of Skye Bank Plc, he again suffered another headache.
Ayeni, who acquired Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) rebranded to become ntel, was made chairman of the company. He, however, lost the position when General TY Danjuma made a significant investment in the company. As a result, he became an executive director of ntel, a post that did not worth his calibre of person.
In view of this, the once bubbling man has practically recoiled into his shell, as he only goes to functions that are very important and is picky about this.
Bode Oyedepo, aka Bode De Way, comes across as a die-hard optimist.
The Kwara State-born socialite once shocked his fans when he contested a seat in the National Assembly to represent the Kwara South Senatorial District.
Goaded by ambition, he was said to have committed a lot of money to the project. Though he was not a popular candidate and many of his friends warned him against the idea which he rejected. In the end, he lost in all ways, financially and politically.
Against this backdrop, many had thought that he had said bye to politics. But the Canada-based businessman is said to be warming up to try his luck again come 2019.
It will be recalled that when he came to Nigeria from his United States base some years back, many had swarmed around him like bees to honey, seeking his presence at their events.
The socialite was the toast of music stars. In particular, K1 ‘D’ Ultimate on several occasions sang his praise to high heavens. This, according to sources, was as a result of his generosity.
As a successful businessman, he reportedly built and bought many houses in many parts of Lagos State. Also, his garage was said to be filled with exotic cars.
Today, one can only wait to see how far he will go in realising his political dream this time around.
TINUBU, WIFE CELEBRATE WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Some time in 1987, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, was joined in holy matrimony with his beautiful wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
While young Tinubu, on that occasion, had vowed before man and God to love his wife till eternity, beautiful Oluremi, in return, had given her heart to him for keeps.
Thirty years after, both are still passionately in love with each other, and their marital life has been laced with more roses than thorns, thereby making them a model couple to their fans at home and abroad.
In celebration of love, the couple, penultimate Tuesday in London, organised a low-key event, where they were joined by friends and family members to give thanks to God.
At the event, as gathered by Spyglass, beautiful Oluremi was said to have described her husband as “a lion in politics, but a lamb in marriage; a master of deliberation, but a partner at home; a man of testimony and a faithful servant of God.”
Similarly, Tinubu reportedly described his wife as “as a good mother, a loving wife, an excellent listener and a good homemaker.”
It seems the Tinubus are in a season of love. First, it was their son, Seyi, who celebrated his first wedding anniversary to his wife, Laya, a few weeks back.
MUSA DANJUMA GROOVES AGAIN
Again, billionaire businessman, Musa Danjuma, has found his groove; and is gradually partying hard nowadays.
However, his sudden romance with social events has been described by many of his admirers as most relieving, particularly for him.
This is not unconnected with the fact that the younger brother to a former Minister of Defence and Chairman of SAPETRO, Gen. T.Y. Danjuma (retd.) had avoided the social scenes for a long time, following his celebrated marital problems with his wife, Caroline.
However, having put the ugly development behind him, Danjuma, who is the Executive Chairman of Nigeria-America Line Limited and Comet Shipping Agencies Nigeria Limited, is now confidently partying hard whenever is invited.