KING SUNNY ADE SET FOR POLO GALA NIGHT

Story & photo by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

King Sunny Ade would be on the bandstand now tommorrow ( 7 February 2008) as members of the Lagos Polo Club treats their themselves and their guests to an exciting time.The event is their gala night for this year's tournament.Expectedly, king Sunny Ade would be 'blessed' with all kind of currency bills available in the world.

I told earlier that membership registration at the polo club cost half a million Naira (about $4,200).The club also comprises some of Nigeria's super rich guys.Ladies such as Toyin Fagbayi and Dudun,wife of Peterside Atedo,Managing Director of IBTC, also play polo ( female category).

TODAY IN NIGERIA:CELTEL, TINAPA REVEALS STAKE IN THE INTERN BUSINESS REALITY SHOW

Story and Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Few hours ago in Lagos, Nigeria, the sponsors of this year’s edition of The Intern Business reality show affirm their commitment and resolve to promote a new crop of entrepreneurs with rare talents.They intend making the participants employers rather than making them employees
Last Year, the reality show was sponsored by Bank PHB.All the 10 finalists were offered employment opportunities. Two of them, however, declined to work with the bank. They prefer to do their own private businesses.
The press conference took place at Vault opposite Mega Plaza, Victoria Island. According to Ofem E.Ofem, the purpose of the second edition is to reach for greater heights. When asked why the event was not sponsored this year by Bank PHB,the previous headline sponsors,Ofem said We don’t want to create more employees. We want to create small scale businesses through the finalists, instead of having people who work for sponsors. We want a situation where the finalists can be set with some money, lets say N2 Million Naira. If 9 people get that amount, multiply the effect on the economy...”
Chris Adetayo,the sponsorship manager of Celtel disclosed that Celtel would continue to be partner in progress to fantastic ideas aim at promoting Nigerian youth. He disclosed that the commitment of Celtel to the last West African Idol is still a talk of the town to date.
Daniel Ologunleko, the representative of Tinapa Business Resort at the press conference said people should rest assure of a wonderful show .He said TINAPA business resort is ready to host the housemates in Cross River State.
The reality show would be shown on AIT International, across Europe and some parts of USA.It would also be on local TV stations across the country. Billed to start in March,it would be for 13 weeks.

Pix show-Chris Oyetayo,Ofem,Hamilton and Ologunleko at the press briefing this afternoon (6 February 2008)

NIGERIA'S MOST CONTROVERSIAL HIP HOP COUPLE SAYS "STARTING A CHURCH IS A CALLING"

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

This afternoon, I had a phone conversation with a friend who works in one of Nigeria’s leading radio stations. She gave me a lead into a story on hip hop singer, Soul E
She hinted that Nigeria’s most controversial hip hop couple, Emmanuel Okose, popularly known as Soul E and his better half, Queen Ure Okezie seems to be taking their church project seriously. I couldn’t argue with her because I have come to realize that ‘anything can happen’ especially in showbiz.
“Soul E turns church owner or pastor?” I asked myself. I learnt they are using their residence on Adeyemo Akapo Street, Omole Estate Phase 1, right now. I could not reach Soul E on the phone but he told my friend that the Church thing with Ure is a calling from God. He also disclosed that they already have about 50 committed members .

It should be recalled that the couple were sent away by their pastor,Rev.Chris Okotie of Household of God.Okotie disapproved their liaison, insisting that it was ungodly.
Soul E and Ure became the most talked about couple in town last year due to the age difference between them. While Soul E is said to be 24, Ure his beautiful wife is about 35 years. Lot of people was against it because such thing is rather strange in Africa. Some people even think it is part of showbiz gimmick until Soul E followed Ure to her hometown for the normal traditional do.Today,they live together.
Ure, daughter of a former minister in Nigeria, use to work with First Inland Bank. The well connected Ure also drives choice cars, a more reason people think Soul E was only out for ‘gold digging’.Gold digging or not,Ure has re packaged Soul E.He looks chubby and now dresses like a true showbiz personality.

The first time I saw Ure and Soul E together was at the residence of RMD.Iretiola Doyle had her 40th birthday there.RMD was not at home but Jumobi, his wife hosted everyone right.Patrick Doyle,the husband of the celebrant was also a perfect host.

Soul E and Ure came in the midnight and enjoyed themselves thoroughly.The party was shortly before their romance went public.To say the truth, I never knew they were dating.I knew Ure was a banker, I thought,she was only being 'friendly' with a bank customer.You know the 'marketing, marketing' stuff.At the party, I only tried to get the picture of Funlola Aofiyebi's boyfriend.She had been hiding the fellow from journalists.She realised what i was trying to do and said "I know what you are trying to do.When she was leaving around 3 a.m in a jetta car with the guy I said "goodbye" and she answered with emphasis "You toooooooo, goooood night!"

TINAPA,CELTEL READY FOR INTERN REALITY SHOW

Story by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Photo-The Intern Library

Do you remember, the first business reality show in Nigeria, known as THE INTERN? The first edition took place last year and it was sponsored by Bank PHB.We gathered that the second edition would soon be on the air.This time around, it would be supported by Celtel,one of Nigeria's leading telecommunication company,Tinapa and other corporate organisations.

The details of the shape things would take is still sketchy at the time of going to press but we have been invited to a press conference where issues would be addressed by Mr.Ofem E. Ofem,President of the reality show.

Apart from winning prizes,all the participants at the the first edition were offered employment with Bank PHB.Some of them,however,declined due to personal reasons.Trust us to feed you back on the latest info. Who knows the winner of this year's own 'fit be u o!'

Pix Shows one of last year's housemates

BETWEEN MR.NIGERIA AND TITI FANTA

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

The romance between the current Mr.Nigeria, Brian Okwara and Titi Adelagun may have hit the rocks. We gathered that it is now stale story in town to identify Mr.Nigeria with Titi.Sources disclosed that the title of ‘My Fiancee’ which Brian used in describing the model fondly call Titi Fanta has ceased to exist.
The funny part is that shortly after Brian became the winner of the Mr.Nigeria title last year at Silverbird Galleria, Titi also contested for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria at Eko Hotel and Suites. The contest is also an annual peagent put together by Silverbird Productions.She represented Lagos.Unfortunately, she did not make the last 5 on the list.
If she had won, then, the lovers would have made history as ‘King and Queen’ (although unofficially).

In case you don’t know,Titi,who had done various modeling jobs, particulary for Fanta (A beverage drink on the stable of Nigerian Bottling Company Plc) ,use to date Derele Edun of Soundcity.The relationship later packed up. I saw her and Derele dancing recently. We don’t know whether Titi and Derele are back but sources insist, she is no more Brian's African queen.

Pix show Titi Fanta and other contestants last year.She is wearing the Miss Lagos logo.

MOYO AND BODE MAKANJUOLA IN MARITAL BLISS

Story & Photo by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

While Moji, one of the daughters of Otunba Alex Onabanjo is going through what many describe as the most trying period of her life because of her ‘ill-fated’ marriage to Gbenga Obasanjo, her sister, Moyo is enjoying marital bliss with her husband, Bode Makanjuola of Carverton Helicopters.
Moyo and Bode Makanjuola now rank among the hottest couples in town. We have seen them together at different events.Bode have been pampering his better half. We saw the two of them at the ongoing Lagos Polo tournament. A friend disclosed “it is shame to those who believe that Bode was a play boy, as such was not ready to settle down.They have been proved wrong because of the way the young man has been playing his role as a married man”
The two got married in a talk of the town ceremony sometime ago in Ago Iwoye,Ogun State.

IBINABO DELIVERS BABY GIRL FOR FRED AMATA

Story and photo by Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Former beauty queen,Ibinabo Fiberesima has finally delivered a baby girl for star actor,Fred Amata in London.According to a source in Britain,Ibinabo is overjoyed at the moment.

When yours truly broke the pregnacy story,she was very mad.She describe the story and reporter as being mischievious.Months later,the baby has landed and no more denial.Fred and his television host wife,Agata went their seperate ways sometime ago due to allegation and counter allegation of infidelity.Agata was accused of going out with producer of Osofia in London,Mr.Kingsley Ogoro.Their divorce suit is still pending in court.

Alot of people are, however, against ibinabo.They accused her of husband snatching.