Beware Aisha! Before Mr. President’s Wife Gets Fooled by Praise-singers at 45...

Aisha Buhari 

At 45, her fair tone glistens with a rare shine. But you can only glimpse this from her face and prettily manicured hands - the only parts of her body that are open to public gaze. Aisha, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari is aging with grace and unusual aplomb. Predictably, as it is often the norm with people in high places, career sycophants, political parasites, ludicrous and somewhat puerile gang of high society urchins have begun to heap earned and unearned accolades on the wife of President Buhari as she clocked 45 last Wednesday.

Many have written poetry in her praise and published it as paid advertorial in Nigerian newspapers to congratulate her on her birthday. As Mr. President’s wife basks in the flurry of her adoration by political parasites, let her not forget the words of Boris Pasternak.

The Russian poet and novelist avers that: “Who should remain alive and praised; who should stay dead without renown depends upon criteria that powerful sycophants lay down.” Pasternak’s summation could never be more apt; among other truths, it emphasises the desperation and astounding vanity of sycophants singing the praises of Aisha Buhari in order to put their claws in her. It would be recalled that such career sycophants misled former first lady and wife of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience. Patience’s praise-singers morphed into a group called Friends of the First Lady of Nigeria (FFLN) and the group comprised of self-acclaimed society women who paraded themselves as Dame Patience’s closest circle of friends and associates.

The objective of the group was simple: to reap bountifully from the defunct dispensation. And in a bid to be part of the group, not a few women in Lagos, particularly from the city’s upper crust, engaged in a tiresome hustle to be part of the group. It is interesting to know that this same group of women formed an impenetrable ring around Hajia Turai Yar’Adua, wife to the late President, Umar Musa Yar’Adua. Today, the fortune hunters have shifted their allegiance from Hajia Turai and Dame Patience and transferred it to Aisha Buhari. You couldn’t have forgotten so soon how Buhari felt when Wale Tinubu posted his picture and Aisha inside a chopper on twitter.

Oba Akiolu, Erelu Dosunmu Sheath their Battle Swords
It is the nature of a monarch to brook no dissension from his subjects, his palace chiefs inclusive; thus when Erelu Abiola Dosunmu rebelled against the wish of His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos, she inadvertently incited royal wrath upon herself. Until very recently, Erelu Dosunmu and Oba Akiolu had a protracted, bitter tiff that erupted at the beginning of Akiolu’s reign as the Oba of Lagos.

The root of the quarrel extended as far back as the reign of Oba Akiolu’s predecessor, the late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan; Erelu Dosunmu’s closeness to the late monarch had persistently elicited dissatisfaction among some of her fellow chiefs. They were dissatisfied by her very close relationship with the late monarch; many of them detested the fact that she sat very close to his throne even though Oba Oyekan saw nothing wrong about her decision to place her seat very close to the throne.

However, Oba Akiolu’s refusal to retain her seat very close to the throne infuriated Erelu Dosunmu who allegedly felt ridiculed by his decision to keep her at a distance and assert his traditional superiority over her. This led to Erelu Dosunmu’s stomping out of Iga Iduganran (The Oba of Lagos’ Palace) and a bitter conflict which dragged on for a few years ensued. But for the intervention of prominent Lagosians, the dispute would have continued with both parties hoisting their flags in a no holds barred battle of will and might. Now that their dispute has been resolved, Oba Akiolu and Erelu Dosunmu have evolved a friendly and very pleasant relationship; the Erelu has found in Oba Akiolu, both a confidant and a father-figure.

The Men Who Stuck a Dagger in Jide Omokore’s Back…
…On Life’s Hard Lessons for the Oil Mogul

A debt never decomposes, even if it gathers moulds, it glimmers as a freshly forged scythe that cuts both ways, particularly if mishandled. This brutal truth has finally dawned on Bashorun Jide Omokore, the Chairman of Atlantic Energy Drilling Concepts Nigeria Limited. The philanthropist and top businessman recently experienced a rude nudge as the Nigerian government asked him to pay some money back. It would be recalled that few weeks ago, Omokore was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in connection with a series of multi-billion dollar petrol import and crude export deals.

But rather than support him and pray for his immediate exoneration from all blame, certain trusted friends of Omokore decided to malign him and rejoice over his misery. For Omokore, it is even more painful to note that a greater number of his detractors are friends to whom he had shown extreme generosity and support in their times of need. Interestingly, the number of his associates and self-confessed loyalists has depleted drastically, in the wake of his encounter with the EFCC.

A very close friend and associate of the oil entrepreneur however, disclosed that no matter the fate of Omokore, he would remain loyal to him. He argued that Omokore has persistently been in the news for the wrong reasons due to his predilection for helping people. Consequently, mischief makers and rumour mongers have accused him of various escapades within and outside the country. Omokore, he argued, is simply being misunderstood and maligned by mischievous characters who deliberately misinterpret his relationship with beneficiaries of his generosity, to achieve their own selfish objectives. Please, watch-out for the list of men and women who were made by Jide.

AS HE CLOCKS 60, LEO STAN-EKEH, ZINOX BOSS, PLAYS IT LOW
Neither words nor symphonies, nor a thousand epigrams will do in commemorating his true essence and class. Timeless anecdotes seep from his being like whirlwind on the grass and inscriptions teaching us that everything and anything about him offers priceless lessons in humility, fortitude and grace. Leo Stan Ekeh is humble to a fault. The I.T entrepreneur, despite his wealth and status, carries himself like a mushroom, on whom the dew of heaven drops now and then.

Interestingly, however, “For mine own part, I could be well content to entertain the lag-end of my life with quiet hours,” wrote William Shakespeare, late English playwright and poet in his literary masterpiece, Henry IV, Part 1, Act 5, Scene 1. Shakespeare never had Leo in mind when he penned the poetic lines, however; they continually resonate in his bid to keep it on the down low as he clocks 60 tomorrow, Monday.

As he clocks 60, Leo will not throw a lavish party. He will not have a wild celebration. Few men of his class can manage to do that. The shrewd entrepreneur and Chairman of Zinox Technologies boasts of a series of remarkable firsts to his name. He stands out as one of the few daring businessmen that pioneered desktop publishing and computer graphics in Nigeria. He is credited for computerizing about 95 per cent of the print media, publishing houses and advertising agencies in the country.

There is no gainsaying the IT guru is one of the most admired men in Nigeria. Leo has carved a niche for himself among the country’s richest men no doubt. Any other man of his stature would seize the opportunity to celebrate his life and achievements but Leo has chosen not to do so. Rather he’s playing it very low. This is no doubt a big disappointment to most of his friends, family and associates who have been waiting patiently for the date and venue of the big do.

AFTER LANRE NZERIBE, MONALISA CHINDA, FINDS LOVE AGAIN
When things fall apart between two lovers, every heartfelt poem and lyric of love becomes stale noise. Ask Lanre Nzeribe and Monalisa Chinda. Since they separated from each other, Lanre has rediscovered the joy in being single and free and Monalisa Chinda has rediscovered love in another man; the high society socialite and star actress have each forgotten the heartfelt confession of undying love to each other. When the going was good between the star actress, Monalisa and Lanre, the socialite, they planned to build castles in the air and have a fortress for a home with their kids rolling and frolicking on the lawn while they hold hands and sneer at critics who insinuated that given Lanre’s antecedents as an irredeemable playboy, their union would not last.

The couple therefore, set out to shame their critics by establishing an enviable bond of love. They supported each other emotionally and professionally. For instance, their union gave birth to Monalisa’s lifestyle magazine, ‘Monalisa,’ which had already published two editions and was in the process of publishing a third before the couple’s story changed.

Eventually, things did not turn out as planned between the lovebirds as the ship of their love hit the rocks. Monalisa, a mother of one, chickened out of the partnership citing irreconcilable differences with Lanre among other factors. As you read, the popular actress is in the process of getting married again years after her failed marriage to record label executive, Dejo Richard, and immediate past heartthrob, Lanre. Monalisa held her wedding introduction with her new boo identified as Tonye Victor, in her father’s compound in Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday. Their traditional wedding, according to reports, is expected to come up later this month.

NEW BABY RUSE...AND THE JOKE IS ON RAHMA BABANGIDA
When the python gets caught in the knot of its deadly curl, it becomes food for the hyena and a joke to the millipede. Rahma Babangida is not a python but she is currently caught in the wave of her own storm. It would be recalled that last edition, Highlife reported that Rahma, the dark, beautiful wife of Mohammed Babangida gave birth to their fifth child. She posed for pictures with the new baby in Texas, United States and posted the pictures on the social media.

As a result, well-wishers sent her congratulatory messages from all over the world. Major online magazines published the good news and Rahma basked in the splurge of media and public attention. Further investigations however, revealed that Amina Indimi, Rahama’s sister, was actually the one who gave birth to the new baby. It was gathered that Rahma actually posted the pictures to spite her husband’s former wife, Umania. Rahma and her husband however, didn’t come out to correct public impression in the wake of her mischievous post.

The joke is however on Rahma. According to one of her close friends, the congratulatory post was erroneously taken from the Instagram page of Rahma. “It was all a mix-up and we’ve told Rahma to get off the social media if she doesn’t know how to use it and stop embarrassing her family and friends with her posting”. It was the sister, Amina Indimi Fodio that was delivered of a baby and Rahma merely congratulated her without telling who the baby belongs to, now everyone is congratulating the Babangida family instead of the Indimis and Fodios, lamented the source.

HAS MUSA AND CAROLINE DANJUMA’S MARRIAGE RUN ITS FULL COURSE?
Being poor and anonymous may be termed a curse. So does being wealthy and influential. Whichever end of the spectrum you find yourself, there are burdens that you have to face. Otherwise, billionaire businessman, Musa Danjuma, shouldn’t have any care or burden in the world. He has enough money to last his great grandchildren many lifetimes.

He is in fine health. Business is booming. Even if by a stroke of circumstance he needs a few billions for any exigency, Musa has a brother, TY Danjuma, who can dash him that much without breaking a sweat. Add to this, the fact that he is married to Caroline, hands down, one of Nigeria’s most beautiful ladies, Taraba State-born Musa has no worries or wrinkles in life. But, for a man with his marital trajectory, the trained lawyer perennially has to deal with issues arising from his past relationships. Not too long ago, he lost his first wife, Dr. Nkiru Nzegwu-Danjuma, a lawyer, poet and author. She died after a protracted battle with renal failure at the age of 57.

The mother of four daughters (Saratu, Asibi, Jennifer and Jessica-all lawyers) had 31years experience in law practice. Even though they had been separated for a long time, Musa was reportedly distraught and disconsolate when the news reached him. Not just because of the kids between them, but because of the memorable times they spent together criss-crossing the world, looking into each other’s eyes and assuring themselves that they would grow and die together. But life happens. Not long after, he married a second wife, Pauline, who has been described in the best superlatives on account of her beauty.

A discerning mind would have thought that Musa would slow his roll, he would sooner divorce Pauline. Musa met doe-eyed, drop-dead beautiful actress, Caroline, and decided to pitch his tent there. Now, Caroline, ex-Nollywood, the mother of three was reported days ago to have left her marriage to her billionaire husband, Musa Danjuma. The blogosphere was on fire. The sad news was everywhere on the internet. Musa and Caroline have not come out to debunk the doomsday

SORROWFUL SONGS FROM THE HOUSE OF TARI SEKIBO
An intractable conflict brews in the household of late socialite and politician, Senator Tari Sekibo, as his family are fighting over his property. “Money, of course, is never just money. It’s always something else, and it’s always something more, and it always has the last word,” said Paul Auster, U.S. writer. Aster’s words bring to mind the wisdom of late German economist and philosopher, Karl Marx. Speaking of money, Marx said: “It is the common whore, the common procurer of people and nations.” These profound sayings no doubt speak to unfolding developments in late Sekibo’s family.

The family he left behind perpetually engages in interminable squabbles like madding wheels of brazen chariots enraged. So dire and shattering is the noise of their conflict that their friends and associates cringe at the mere thought of it. Had he known, he would have trode the path taken by many a millionaire and re-ploughed his wealth into big time philanthropy and thus leave barely little to his children. Better still, he would have ensured that every member of his family gets whatever is due to him or her. His failure to do so is currently generating serious crises among his family members.

The late politician must be fuming in his grave over this. According to one of his daughters, Nemi Elfreda Lolo Sekibo, “My father’s relatives, my brother, James and his mother, from the first day my Dad died had already started planning on how to sell my Dad’s properties to share amongst themselves. They stole my Dad’s documents from his Clinic while my mum and I were still in the village mourning his death, this was just a day after they had put him in the ground”.

HAS NIKE OSHINOWO GOT THE FLIPSIDE OF THE MIDAS’ TOUCH?
“Women can’t forgive failure,” said Anton Chekhov, late Russian playwright and short-story writer, but not when the failure is recorded by a woman herself. On such rare happenstance, Chekhov, for all his depth and candour, would be probably proved wrong more often than not. While others have got the Midas’ touch, Nike Oshinowo seems to monopolise the flipside of the golden tap. Everything she touches glows brilliantly at inception, only to dwindle to a dusky blush midway to full bloom. There is something wrong with Nike Oshinowo; since she shot to national acclaim in 1991, when she was crowned the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, she is yet to midwife a viable venture. While she arguably remains one of the most visible ex-beauty queens in the country, Oshinowo, now in her 40s, is equally hailed as a style icon.

But that is all there is to her glamour and persona; it would seem. Of her litany of dismal ventures, the former beauty queen who was once married to Dr. Tunde Soleye, has tried unsuccessfully to bring back the rested Miss Nigeria pageant. The emergence of her fragrance line ‘Asabi’ in 2011 and the release of her first workout video: “Fit, Forty and Fabulous,” the first celebrity fitness DVD produced in the country, initially created the impression that Oshinowo is a creative and imaginative business entrepreneur until it failed to fly. Her other dismal business ventures include an African restaurant, an under-rated TV show, Skin Deep, a health and beauty spa which ran for seven years before it closed down.

Though many suffer challenges in their various businesses which eventually shuts down, it was gathered that Oshinowo’s creative and innovative business ideas usually fail after she spends time and money and makes a public show of venturing into the businesses. The Miss Nigeria dream, Asabi fragrance, Skin deep, a health and beauty spa; and her work-out video suddenly grinded to a halt. What could be the cause of this fiasco or is the former beauty queen still trying out on what she will finally settle for at the end? Only time will tell as we watch out for her next entrepreneurial venture.

EKO ATLANTIC...A CITY FOR THE RICH
Eden is a dream but if you wish to feel that heady swell of ecstasy that results from dwelling in an earthly version of the fabled paradise, you should probably get an apartment or block of flats in highbrow Eko Atlantic City, Lagos. Living in the city is like having the Suez Canal flowing through your living room; the effect is awesome and eternally blissful.

The Eko Atlantic project is a beautifully planned city built on the Atlantic ocean and with a dynamic view of the deep. Situated in Victoria Island, (VI) Lagos, the city offers living quarters and tastefully built blocks of office buildings; with its tree-lined boulevards, waterways, manicured gardens, elegant plazas, three marinas and a stunning ocean front promenade, the new city will be a complete contrast to the congested, traffic-filled streets of Lagos. The project is to be built on land that has been reclaimed from the sea. Further findings revealed that the project which has been on-going and on sale for years now is owned and operated by the Chagoury family. So far, most of the early bidders are the country’s rich and famous.

They include: Tunde Ayeni, the Chairman of Skye Bank; Femi Otedola, the Oil and Gas man and business mogul; Aliko Dangote, a multi-business man, who has maintained his position on Forbes as one of Africa’s most wealthy magnates and many other men and women of affluence. The land in the Eko Atlantic neighbourhood is far more expensive than the price of land in Ikoyi’s most famous and exclusive estate: Banana Island. Stay glued to this page for the names of the rich and famous who have properties in Eko Atlantic.

SIMPLY SARATU! GRACE AND CHARM OF SARATU UMAR
Saratu could be enchantingly sweet. When she talks, her voice wafts like rose-fragrance waltzing in the wind. Funnily enough, angels fly because they take themselves lightly. They do not think too much of themselves, so does Saratu Umar. Like an angel, Saratu takes herself very lightly despite her social and political weight. There is no gainsaying she affects demeanour and tact alien to Nigeria’s league of leading women among the political upper class; she wears her badge of temperance and humility in the shape of a bow of ribbon thus affirming that she isn’t what many of her disparagers make her out to be. Like the proverbial maiden born of the Sun, she has travelled stardom’s milky way blazing a trail signed with her honour.

Saratu has evolved from a national treasure to a continental cache of genius and pride, by dint of hard work. Against all odds, she forged her path through random crucibles of trials and daunting intrigues to become the first female to be appointed to the exalted position of the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), when Goodluck Jonathan appointed her. Contrary to misconceptions about who she is, Saratu is actually an unpretentious, compassionate, accommodating and understanding woman, according to sources very close to her.

Her only shortcoming if it at all it could be considered ‘shortcoming,’ is her lack of tolerance for sycophancy. In a blissful moment, she metamorphoses into a silhouette of delightful colours captivating everyone in the path of her charm, like an old minstrel delightfully pawing at her mandolin. But Saratu is no minstrel neither does she feverishly paw at the strings of any mandolin; all she has is her charm and her smile – which makes her a woman to die for.