Where is Kennedy Alogaga?
Saturday
THE NATION SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011
SPECIAL
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Behind Stella Oduah's crashed marriage
Careful watchers of the Nigerian social scene must have observed that one of its leading lights, Kennedy Aloganga, is missing from the radar. The Italy-bred young man was a clothier under the aegis of L'uomo, which had offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port-Harcourt. Apart from stocking top-of-the-range wears, Ken's L'uomo was the hottest shop for chic eyeglasses. When Federal Government placed a ban on the importation of textiles in 2005, Ken and many other clothiers were put out of business. He closed L'uomo stores. Ken, who was married to an Italian, later resurfaced on the social radar with Waka Restaurant and Bar on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. In the early days, Waka hosted a few top-notch events and the society wedding of Bikuro Dennis, a Kaduna-born model in May, 2002. But before the business would begin to yield real dividends, it was already fighting for space in the footnotes of history. Today, the premises that hosted Waka now plays host to IBTC Bank. Since then, Ken has ceased to appear in high society shindigs or celebrity journals.
F
ollowing President Goodluck Jonathan's recent offer of a ministerial appointment to Chris Ogiemwonyi's wife, Stella Oduah, everyone concluded that a new day had broken for the couple. But joy is said to be fragile, and this seems the case in the Ogiemwonyi family. But Stella is currently in pains over the collapse of her long standing marriage with Chris. Those who had congratulated the beautiful minister, who played a significant part in the Goodluck/Sambo campaign, are currently sympathising with her over her crashed marriage. Since the crash, speculations have been rife as to the reason, but none seems to meet the mark. While some are of the opinion that Stella's appointment must have annoyed her husband greatly, others say she displayed an arrogant attitude that inflaming her husband's temper. But Happenstances gathered that the estranged husband was displeased with his erstwhile wife's thirst for power, coupled with the fact that she failed to add Ogiemwonyi to her name, preferring to bear Stella Oduah as minister. Some sources have also said that Stella was the key reason her estranged husband was dropped from the ministerial list and even refused his former portfolio. These, many believe, are enough reasons for a man to send his wife packing, particularly when she is the third wife. Yet others are of the opinion that Stella had proven her worth in the past when she stepped down for her Chris to take a post that should have been hers by right.
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All set for Olu Priddy's burial in London
O
lu Priddy, the grey-haired boss of Bacchus Night Club, was the father of beautiful Louise Priddy who runs the popular Posh CafĂŠ in Lagos. He was a renowned businessman who served on many boards of companies and headed many others. Among them are Ebani Consultants Limited, John Holt, La Fayette Furniture Showroom and Art Gallery, Bacchus and Six Degrees North. The fun-loving father of four had been battling with cancer and had on a few occasions been taken out of the country for treatment. In spite of his medical trips to India and the UK, however, he gave up the ghost on Thursday, July 14. Of course, the development shook his family, particularly his wife, Valerie, who sat by his sick bed all through the trying period. She is said not to have got over the shock and pain of losing her soul mate yet. His children and members of his extended family are also mourning the amiable businessman believed to have meant everything to them. Plans are already underway to give the night club boss a befitting but quiet burial in the city of London this weekend.
The return of Paddy Adenuga Following his absence from the social scene for quite a while, many people had concluded that Paddy Adenuga was gone for good. And their thinking appeared to be right as days rolled into weeks and weeks into months without a sight of him at any major social function. But like the phoenix, the charming prince and son of the chief executive of Globacom Nigeria Limited, Mike Adenuga, has re-appeared on the scene. On Saturday, July 9, 2011, he was sighted at Deuces Night Club, driving a Porsche Carrera, with a retinue of aides. Although he did not spend a lot of time at the club, his presence did not go unnoticed. Looking handsome as usual, he appeared every bit the perfect answer to the fantasy of ladies who desire well-built men.
Lagos socialite, Yemisi Awe, plans Ashiru 50th birthday party
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or party goers, all roads will lead to Ogudu Recreation Centre in Lagos tomorrow. This is because Yemisi Awe, the delectable and youthful lady of means would be celebrating her 50th birthday. For those in whose minds the name does not ring a bell, she is the CEO of Paragon, a Lagos-based business outfit. Those in the know told Happenstances that Awe is leaving no stone unturned for a grand party, with the support of her husband and kids. Happenstances also gathered that the guest list features the names of fashion icons, socialites, celebrities and other eminent persons in the society.
Deji & Paddy Adenuga
brothers take centre stage
T
he Yoruba say that two brothers do not see evil at the same time. They, however, forgot to add that they can experience joy simultaneously. For that is the case the Ashiru brothers. Only a few months ago, there was a rumour to the effect that Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the Head, Corporate Communications and Social Responsibilities at Stanbic IBTC Bank, had been listed as a commissioner-designate in Ogun State. Within the same period, his elder brother, Ambassador Gbenga Ashiru was nominated by President Goodluck Jonathan for ministerial appointment. Now they are no longer rumours as the two brothers are already occupying the different positions. Bimbo Ashiru has proved to know his onions, particularly with the success he recorded in the banking sector. He is reputed as a goal-getter who is also relentless in pursuing a cause he believes i n . Otunba Bimbo makes friends everywhere he goes and he is known for surrounding himself with intellectuals. Those who should know say the stylish banker is set to take the Ministry of Commerce in Ogun State to a new level; a fact they say was evident in his dazzling performance during his screening at the Ogun State House of Assembly.