FOREMOST IJESHA BUSINESSMAN, CHIEF LAWRENCE OMOLE LEAVES FOR THE GREAT BEYOND AT 93

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

One of Nigeria's most influencial men, Chief Lawrence Omole is dead. The prominent Ijesha citizen,Osun State in South West,Nigeria died on Friday 14 November 2008. He would be buried at his Okesha,Ilesa home on Wednesday 19 November 2008. He was aged 93.
Omole was so proud of his heritage that the customised plate number of his cars read "Omole Ilesa".Sons and daughters of the Omole are already planning a befitting burial for the great man.
Omole, omo owa obokun sun re o!

STEVE AYORINDE UNVEILS NEW BOOK

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



Steve Ayorinde, a leading Nigerian journalist and editor of The Punch, one of the most widely read newspapers in the country and beyond, has unveiled his book entitled Masterpieces: A critic's timeless report.
Chief Femi Adeniyi Williams, Ex-first lady of Cross River State, Mrs. Onari Duke, Former Commissioner of Information in Lagos State, Dele Alake,Dr. Doyin Abiola,Wunmi Obe,Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Deputy Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Funmi Smith Tejuosho, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, top journalists and other important guests were part of the presentation, which took place on Thursday 13 November 2008.
The book is a collection of classic art reviews by Ayorinde in the Nigerian Guardian, Comet and Punch spanning a period of about 10 years.
A leading art writer and critic in Nigeria, Steve has travelled to most continents of the world, attending workshops and Film festivals. The award winning journalist has a large followership base and he is respected because of his intellectual prowess, professionalism and friendly approach to all and sundry.
The book was launched as part of this year's anniversary of the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON).Remarkably, Bisade Ologunde,the musician popularly known as Lagbaja thrilled the audiance with his short performance.
Ayorinde, may not have made billions of Naira from the book launch (Afterall, he is not a politician)but sure he got a blank cheque of goodwill from eminent personalities who spoke glowingly about his person.

IJEBU PEOPLE OF SOUTH WEST NIGERIA PREPARES FOR 2008 OJUDE OBA FESTIVAL

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter


The Ijebu people of Ogun State, South West, Nigeria are already preparing for their popular Ojude Oba festival.This year's edition has been slated to hold on Wednesday 10 December 2008.Every year the colour event attracts Ijebu sons and daughters from different parts of the Nigeria and other parts of the world usually attend the event.
The age grade societies such as Bobagunte, Bobagunwa,Bobakeye (The Governor of Ogun State,Otunba Gbenga Daniel and fuji musician,King Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe belong to this group) would spice up the events with their colourful dresses and show off (Ijebu for show) . The Oloroguns and Baloguns of Ijebuland would ride usually ride on horses in style to the palace of Oba Sikiru Adetona,the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Other activities lined up include the ikokore and ebiripo night and beauty pageant. The Chairman of the 2008 Ojude Oba planning commitee, Chief Fassy Adetokunbo Yusuf reveal at a press conference that their would good security measures put in place.He urged all Ijebu sons and daughters to promote their cultural heritage.
The major sponsors of the event are Globacom, headed by Nigerian born billionaire,Otunba Mike Adenuga (He is a cousin to the the Awujale), First City Monument Bank (FCMB) owned by Otunba Subomi Balogun, a prominent figure in the acient town.Other sponsors include Maltina.
The awujale of Ijebuland ascended the thrown of his forefathers in 1960 at the age of 26 ( At that time, his parents were still alive).Today, he is one of the most respected kings in Nigeria.Ijebu people (Omo Alare) are known to be successful in different fields of human endeavour and they can be found in different parts of the people.

BREAKING NEWS -APPEAL COURT DECLARES ADAMS OSHIOMOLE AS GOVERNOR OF EDO STATE NIGERIA

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Adams Oshiomole has been declared the governor of Edo State in Nigeria. This follows a judgment passed few minutes ago (11 November 2008) by the Appeal Court, Benin. Adams contested under the platform of Action Congress (AC).The court upheld the decision of the election tribunal headed by Justice Umeadi, which declared Oshiomole as the authentic winner of the 2007 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
The court ordered the incumbent governor of Edo State, Professor Oserhiemen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should vacate the post and Oshiomole sworn into the state house. We gathered that certificate of return would soon be given to the former NLC president by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).There is wild jubilation in Edo State as the other party conceded defeat to Oshiomole by the appeal court. Remarkably, all the five judges concurred to the lead judgement.

MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRL IN NIGERIA 2002,CHINENYE OCHUBA MARRIES KUNLE IN LAGOS,NIGERIA

By Niyi Tabiti

Chief Reporter

Ex-Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria,Chineye Ivy Ochuba got married to Kunle Akinlade,yesterday 8 November 2008. The church service took place at Surulere, while reception was at Regency Hall, Ikeja,Lagos.

Chinenye won the coveted crown of the MBGN in 2002. She later enrolled for Computer Science at University of Lagos but had to relocate to the United Kingdom to complete her studies.

MI ALBUM LISTENING PARTY IN LAGOS

Story & photos by Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter

Audu Maikori's Chocolate City, literarily set Lagos on fire as lyrics merchant and rapper extraordinaire,Jude Abaga popularly known as MI had his album listening party. The event took place at Swe Bar.It was a full house as entertainers from far and near came to the event.

Photo 1- Omawunmi and Steve Babaeko at the event

MC of the day,Tosyn Bucknor doing her thing.

Photo 3-MI

Photo 4-Banky W, Remi Fagbohun and Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi having a good life.

NIGERIA BORN EX BEAUTY QUEEN,SHIRLEY ALERO AGHOTSE SAYS ITS TIME TO TACKLE NIGERIA'S PROBLEM FROM GRASSROOTS

By Niyi Tabiti
Chief Reporter



Shirley Alero Aghotse needs little or no introduction. In 2005, the 6 feet tall lady won the coveted crown of Miss Tourism International put together by Mrs. Nike Agunbiade-Etiebet.She fizzled out of limelight shortly after her reign. Now, the beauty appears to be back but this time in another dimension.
She told GISTMASTER that she is championing a new organization that would map out a new strategy for peace and stability in the Niger Delta and other parts of the country. According to her, the aim of the organization is to inject the right values and philosophy into the Nigerian youth.
The name of the non governmental organization is “Nigeria Rebirth Renaissance and advancement initiative”. Shirley, a native of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State, disclosed the next thing on her agenda is the conference being planned by the NGO and it is expected to come up in March next year.
On her part, it is bye-bye to bikini or strutting the run way. She noted that her ambition now is to become an erudite scholar that would champion the cause of the common people. “Don’t be surprised to see me becoming a professor in the next few years.I am really passionate about education and all I want to do is to ensure that people of my generation represents the right values that would help make us progress as a nation.I think beauty pageants and all that is now a past of my life. This is a new phase because i believe there are so many issues that needed to be tackled particularly from the grassroots.
Greatly influenced by the great amazons such as her mum, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Dora Akunyili and others,Shirley said the doors of the NGO is open to progressives, ready to contribute their quota to the lives of an average Nigerian and the country as a whole.
You can call or text Shirley on 08064573201 or shirleylove3000@yahoo.com