TOP FLIGHT BANKER, MARYAN EZECHUKWU JOINS GT-BANK

When she left Sterling Bank to join First Bank early last year most us thought she had finally found a suitable place to display her banking wizardry but yours sincerely can tell you authoritatively that top-flight female banker, Maryan Ezeckukwu has moved again.
Impeccable sources within the banking industry informed solafolowosele.blogspot.com that beautiful Maryan is now with GT Bank as an Assistant General Manager.
According to insiders at First Bank, Maryan called it quit with FBN when the GTB carrot became too irresistible for her to turn down.
Right now,solafolowosele.blogspot.com scooped that she’s been posted to the Freetown branch where is currently over-seeing the Serria-Leone branch of the bank. As an AGM, she is number 3 in hierarchy in the Serria Leonean office of GT Bank.
A hardworking mother of three, Maryan had previously worked in various capacities with Magnum Trust Bank before the merger. Ever since the sudden demise of her hubby, Ikenna, in 2004, she has remained focused on her career and kids. Her dad is Prof. Patrick Mowete, an erudite scholar and retired University of Ibadan don...The picture above shows Maryan Ezechukwu.

WHY NIGERIAN CELEBRITIES ARE CRAZY ABOUT PRINCESS CYNTHIA'S DESIGNS

One fashion designer who is currently hot and smoking on the scene in Lagos, Nigeria is Princess Cynthia A.. the boss 0f PRINCESS UNLIMITED SIZES fashion house..right now in Lagos virtually all the high society women and men in Lagos and beyond are addicted to her designs which come in various exotic sizes and shapes. These days hardly can any high society event take place without her designing more than half of some of the best outfits for such occassions..Very hard working and extremely creative, Princess, as she is fondly called is the kid on the block right now as far as fashion in Lagos is concern..she occupies the 1st and 2nd floor of n0 7 Toyin street Ikeja,Lagos for her show room and workshop..what further impresses people about her personality is the fact that she is a walking advertisementof her fashion business..after 4 wonderful kids she remains trim, shapely and gorgeously beautiful..As captured in the two pictures above

UPCOMING ACTRESS ENNY OGBAYA ADDS A YEAR

Budding actress Eniola Ogbaya was a year older few days back. Heard that friends and associates of the fast-rising screen star gathered in her family home in Lagos to celebrate with her. Enny, as she’s fondly called recently featured in some flicks which will soon hit the shelves. Among them are “Ogo timo Gbe wa ye” and “Oba Adekedajo”.
Very friendly, sociable and humble, the beautiful actress is a rising Nollywood star to watch out for.

NIYI TABITI SET TO WED

One after the other, members of the pen-pushing profession in Nigeria are quitting the bachelors's club and, the boys among us are gradually evolving into men. Really, this good news: Come August 16, 2008 , it will be the turn of hardworking celebrity reporter, Niyi Tabiti, to finally settle down with the love of life. The name of the lucky bride-in-waiting is Teju but the venue and other arrangements are yet to be disclosed. However, from all indications, plans towards making the wedding a success are already in top gear. An ex-Global Excellence, ex-Fame and ex-Daily Independent, Niyi Tabiti is now the Publisher of the hot and smoking Nigeria's entertainment and society blog gistmaster.com.

WHEN LAGOS STOOD STILL FOR "MAMA LEKAN" AT 50

Penultimate Sunday would go down in history as a memorable day in the lives of Alhaja Adetoun Kudirat Raji (aka Mama Lekan) and that of her entire household. That was the day the who-is-who in the entire Lagos social and business circuit converged on The Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos , to honour her on her 50th birthday. Before the Sunday event, an Ismalic prayer session had earlier held in her family home in Gbagada area of Lagos . At the prayer session were top clerics from the Lagos Island branch of NASFAT, family members like her husband, Alhaji Raji, Prince Ade Adetela, the celebrant’s children and others. But at the main society party which took place on Sunday July 20, 2008, virtually everybody who is somebody in the society was there. Montai, Sade Alesh, Kudi Ayoola, Ibrahim Borokini and so many others in fact the list is endless. On the bandstand were King Sunny Ade (KSA) and his band. And as expected, everyone had more than enough to eat and drink as KSA treated guests to several of his famous tunes. Apart from some minor skirmishes however, the party very grand and lavish and many who attended it will not forget the memories quickly.

CAPTIONS

PIX--1=THE CELEBRANT, ALHAJA ADETOUN KUDIRAT RAJI

PIX--2=THE CELEBRANT & HER HUSBAND, ALHAJI RAJI

PIX--3=PRINCE ADE ADETELA& WIFE, OLORI OLORI FUNKE ADETELA

PIX--4=OLORI FUNKE ADETELA, MRS ADESANYA & AYINBA SAIDAT DOHERTY

REMEMBERING KAYODE FAYEMI AND TUNDE AYILARAN

I was alone, dry and somewhat forlorn last night in my bed…and thoughts of certain events of the past kept flashing through my subliminal. This morning I feel compelled to just ‘blog’ them out. come with me.
Within the first three months of year last year (2007), I lost two of the most precious individuals in my life: KAYODE FAYEMI (alias Chicago) and TUNDE VICTOR AYILARAN. Kayode Fayemi was the guy who converted me single-handed from a disillusioned part-time teacher and wannabe society photographer to a journalist. In the summer of 2003 when I joined his editorial crew at THE CELEBRITY MAGAZINE in Lagos, he gave me the first opportunity to express myself in writing through the pages of the then fledging journal and since then there has been no looking back for me on the job. And because he was one hell of a boss who won’t ever accept your second best, he was always on my neck, expectedly that kept me on my toes.
But in the sunny afternoon of January 10, 2007, the unexpected happened! Kay had been an asthmatic for years and had been managing to survive on medication and inhalers. But on that fateful day he had an ‘attack’, he wasn’t with his inhaler and before help could come he died!
As at the time of his death, he was the Executive Editor of Wole Arisekola’s Street Journal. He was also contributing to Global Excellence Magazine and PM News using various pen names. Kayode died at the age of 41 and left behind 5 all-girl children, a widow and an aged father.( Note: Dr. Kayode Fayemi who contested for Ekiti State governorship last year and Kayode ‘Chicago’ Fayemi were mere name-sakes and not related but I am sure they met at least once before Chicago ‘went home’)
Tunde Ayilaran on the other hand was my cousin. We grew up together in Idao / Ijero Ekiti,(Ekiti State,Nigeria). While growing up, we had the ambition of joining the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and becoming senior military officers, we were banking on using the influence of our big uncle, Air Marshal Akin Dada then, but somehow it didn’t work out so we faced other directions in life. We later came to live together for years at Iya-Ijebu’s house at Oke-Ira, Ogba-Lagos. We separated when his girlfriend, Yemi got pregnant and moved in with us early 1998.
As it were, Tunde happened to be the closest to me out of all the members of my family (both immediate and extended). He was the only one who knew all my little secrets, he knew all my ups and down, he knew my entire struggle too. I often used him as the yardstick to measure my speed in life. He was always there to chide me frankly and express his displeasure with me over anything I left undone in my usual carefree manner. He would have been the ideal person to be my witness on the day of my ‘celebration’ because he alone knew how tough the journey had been. But then, one fateful morning in the month of March, 2007, he went to the farm and never returned on his legs.
Five years earlier,(in 2002), he had relocated from Lagos to Ekiti when he lost his job as the store clerk of Specomill Nigeria Plc in Ikeja. When he got to Ekiti, he had wanted to contest for the councillorship seat of our ward in Ijero Ekiti on the platform of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) but it didn’t work out as anticipated. While building his political profile and waiting patiently for his time therefore, he got involved in timber business in the locality to keep body and soul together. He had a group of boys working with him and things were going on fairly well. Then one cloudy morning in the ides of March, 2007, he went to inspect his workers who were busy felling trees for him on father’s farm in Ara-Ekiti: out of the blues, one of the trees swung off trajectory on its way down hit Tunde on the head. He died instantly!
He left behind two lovely daughters, and unknown to us, his widow was already pregnant with their third child before he died. So, few months after the tragic incident, Yemi gave birth to a cute baby boy who, as expected was christened “BABATUNDE” (meaning the father has returned).
It’s over a year now that these things happened, yet it’s like yesterday and each time I remember I feel like giving up everything. I feel like not living again. But I MUST LIVE and I MUST SUCCEED, so that what the duo lived for could be kept alive. Adieu Chicago: fare thee well Tunero

THE STREET IS GREEEN

Remember TOYIN "TY" BELLO'S hit track "THE LAND IS GREEN"?..hen-hen..this scenario in my neighbourhood(a surburb of Ogun state very close to Lagos) caught my attention about the message in the song..spot the similarity

WHY NIGERIANS NOW SPRAY DOLLARS AT PARTIES

Recently, the Nigerian National Assembly passed into law a bill prohibiting the act of “spraying” the Naira (the Nigerian currency) at parties. The apex law making body also went further to recommend a jail term for offenders. But trust Nigerians for their ability to circumvent any law that stands in their way, an appropriate ‘solution’ has been found to this law. In stead of spaying the Naira, people have now resorted to spraying American Dollars and other foreign currencies, which are easily converted at the numerous ‘black markets’ in Lagos. Since the new law only forbids the spraying of Naira alone and not of other currencies, no law is broken. Can you beat that?

JIMMY JATT TOO

Another Nigerian entertainer who recently picked a new ride is Africa’s numero uno Dee-Jay,Jimmy Jatt. On his part, Jimmy acquired a posh and glittering 2007 edition of Toyota Camry. Of late the guy has been slamming the roads of Lagos with his new acquisition. Jimmy Jatt is an award-winning disc-jockey. He’s also a pop music star

NOLLYWOOD STAR ACTOR EMEKA IKE PICKS A ‘JEEP’

Nigerian artistes are surely living their dreams. Star actor Emeka Ike recently join the league of ‘jeep’ owners when he walked casually into an auto shop in Lagos and drove out a clean & cool VW TOUAREG Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) after settling the bill which is in the region of millions of Naira. The colour of the ride is army green and the guy has been cruising the streets of Lagos with it ever since.

MAYOR AKINPELU’S REAL NAME

Mayor Akinpelu is the publisher of one of Nigeria’s celebrity (or soft-sell, if you like) magazine, GLOBAL EXCELLENCE MAGAZINE. Within the industry and elsewhere, he’s generally known as Mayor or Lord Mayor. But metrogist-nigeria.com has discovered that his real names are ISIAKA MAYOWA ABIODUN AKINPELU, That’s what one of his schoolmates told us recently.

MARY CHARLES SET TO SPLASH MILLIONS ON DAUGHTERS VIDEO CD

Lagos high society lady and boss of TWINKWUL TATTOO STUDIO on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Mary Charle, is set to shoot the music video for the debut album of her twins, D’ANGELS. Already some top video directors have been contacted to do the job. Among the tracks in the CD is ‘MO SO RIRE’ a mid tempo contemporary song. Well If the caliber of directors been contacted is anything to go by, then Mary Charles should be ready to cough out millions for the shooting.

GLOBAL EXCELLENCE MAG. EDITOR BURIES DAD IN DELTA

The father of EJIRO RENE-ADIGBO,the hardworking Editor of Global Excellence Magazine, late PA ADIGBO was laid to rest on Sat. July 26, 2008 in Delta state..The late old man passed on at the age of 70 two months ago. At the final burial were celebrities from all walks of life.

COMEDIAN OMO BABA STEPS OUT WITH FIANCEE

Good news has continued to filter out of Nigeria’s showbiz industry. Shortly after Julius Agwu’s colourful nuptials in Port Harcourt, it was Segun Arinze’s turn in Imo State, then entered Gongo-Aso man, 9ice. Now comedian Omo Baba seems to be the next. Metrogist-nigeria.com ran into the talented comedian recently and we were pleasantly delighted that the guy came with the new babe in his life. Though we could not confirm her name as the time of posting this piece, reliable sources however revealed that the two have been dating for a while and if things work out as planned they might soon be heading to the alter..check Omo-Baba and his date in pix OM-1

BETWEEN KLINT DE DRUNK AND EX-GOVERNOR ALAMIEYESEIGHA

Im sure you know that Klint De Drunk is one of Nigeria’s A-class Comedian, while DSP Alamieyeseigha is the former governor of Bayelsa state who served a jail term for dipping his too deep into the Bayelsa state treasury while he served as the state’s governor..not too long ago Klint met Alams at a public function in Lagos and the following conversation ensued between the duo;
KLINT: haaa your Excellency, long time no see..iv been trying your number for quit some time but it wasn’t going through.
ALAMS: Haaa...Mr Drunkard, I change my number shortly after God delievered me from Obasanjo and Ribadu. You now have my new numbers.
KLINT: oga thank you sir..
See pix KA1 & KA 2.

A MINISTER AND HIS WOMEN

Mr. Demola Seriki is the current Minister of State for Agric and Water Resources in Nigeria but I think he is in the wrong Ministry because many people believe “MINISTER OF WOMEN AFFAIRS & ENJOYMENT” would have been a more befitting portfolio. This is because, apart from being a politician, he is also an active member of the Nigerian social establishment. Any time he shows up on the Lagos social scene, hordes Lagos society women are always swarming all over him..it happened again at Lagos social function at Lekki. Check out pix DS I.

CLARION CHUKWURAH,EMEKA IKE,JIMMY JATT,OTHERS VISIT ORPHANAGE

Nigerian veteran actress Clarion Chukwurah recently mobilized other showbiz personalities to identify with the less-privileged children in Nigeria..The event tagged “2008 ENTERTAINERS STAR TREK FOR THE LESS-PRIVILEGED CHILDREN”, saw the Clarion, Jimmy Jatt,Emeka Ike, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, Emma Edokpayi, Felix Duke, Tinu Chukwrah, and other prominent Nigerians visiting various Homes in Lagos. Some of the Homes visited include Olusoye Compensatory Centre, Ilupeju, JWC, Mushin, Modupe Cole, Yaba and Heritage Children Home, Anthony. Apart from the entertainers, other notable personalities who were part of the event include: Chief (Mrs) Aduni Bankole, Hon. Funmi Tejuosho-Smith, Mary Charles and her singing twins-D’ANGELS, Kemi Otegbade and others. Gift items worth several thousands of Naira were donated to the homes. The event, which is going to be an annual affair, is an initiative of Clarion Chukwurah’s Helpline Initiative..pix CL1-(l-r)Shows EMEKA IKE, FELIX DUKE,& CLARION posing with some physically challenged children

IMAGES OF AN EMERGING "MEGACITY"

FILTHY FISH

WELCOME TO OSHODI

30 MINUTES IN OSHODI

SINCE ITS INCEPTION OVER A YEAR AGO, THE LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT(NIGERIA) HAS BEEN TELLING WHOEVER CARES TO LISTEN ABOUT ITS PLAN TO TRANSFORM LAGOS TO A MEGA CITY. TO VERIFY HOW SERIOUS THE GOVT IS ABOUT THIS PROJECT SEVERAL MONTHS AFTER THE PROMISE WAS MADE, METROGIST-NIGERIA.COM TAKES A LOOK AT VARIUOS SECTIONS OF THE CITY,STARTING FROM OSHODI, THIS IS WHAT WE SAW.

HUBBY PAMPERS ACTRESS OGE OKOYE

One Nigerian movie actress who is currently enjoying the ‘dividends of marriage’ is Oge-Okoye.
In case you don’t know, the Anambra State-born talented screen goddess got married to a Holland-based Nigerian businessman in a secret traditional wedding in 2006 and ever since she gave birth to her baby early 2007, the guy has been 'spoiling' her silly with all pleasures of life money can buy. These include a Jaguar S-type, two house-helps at her beck and call 24x7 and many more goodies. Without doubt, pretty Oge is on a roller-coaster

UNVEILING PADDY ADENUGA’S MUM

IF you have been wondering who on earth is the lucky woman that gave birth to handsome Paddy Adenuga, Globacom's top Director and heir apparent to the Mike Adenuga dynasty, Metrogist-Nigeria.com can now reveal to you that the woman is no other person than Mrs. Fola Mike – Adenuga. Already in her early 50s, she still look cool and beautiful. She is believed the mother of Otunba Mike Adenuga’s first six children including Oyin, Bella, Paddy and the others. The Globacom boss also has lovely children from his second wife Mrs Titi Adenuga. More on details on this great family soon.

THE EVOLUTION OF SOCIETY REPORTING IN NIGERIA

Before the emergence of celebrity journals in Nigeria, news reporting was basically about government and government officials alone. The practice of journalism too appeared to be somehow restricted to four basic areas: politics, sports, showbiz/entertainment and human interest. And because of this obvious imbalance, the public hardly got to read about individuals who are not government officials, no matter how successful they are in their chosen fields. However all these began to change with the advent of journals like Prime People, Vintage, Today’s Choice, Climax, Fame, to mention just a few, which started beaming the searchlight on the hitherto unreported private lives of notable personalities in our society.
Though all these publications which were weekly then, had since packed up as a result of the uncertainty in Nigeria’s business climate, yet their invaluable contributions to what is now known as society journalism would remain unforgettable. For it was through them that the general public started to read stories like “Jennifer Madike Arrested for Drug”, “The messy love-life of Florence Ita-Giwa”, How Sonny Kuku’s Marriage Hit the Rocks”, “How Mr X got drunk and fell into gutter at Femi Otedola’s party”.“This and that in husband snatching mess”…and several other happenstances, which were no-go areas to the then mainstream newspapers. That, perhaps was how what is now known as society reporting evolved and became an indispensable part of journalism in Nigeria.Today, even most of our hitherto holier-than – thou and highly elitist dailies are now featuring more of society and “junk” than the so-called Soft-sells
In the beginning of the soft-sell industry, we had the Funmi Coker- Onitas, Moji Danisa – Jemegbes, Femi Akintude – Johnsons, Kunle Bakares, Mayor Akinpelus and others.
however, apart from Kunle Bakare and Mayor Akinpelu who are now publishers of their own magazines (Encomium and Global Excellence) respectively, the others have gone under. And quite ironically their absence is hardly being felt in the industry, no thanks to people like Mr Seye kehinde (SK) the hardworking publishers of Nigeira’s hottest soft sell, CITY PEOPLE Since its inception in 1996, City People weekly has done tremendously well in the area of society coverage. As a matter of fact the widely –read magazine has created (or unveiled, if you like) more celebrites than any other media. follwoing closely are Encomium, Global Excellence First Weekly and News of People in that order.
Nevertheless, the story of how far how society reporting has fared in Nigeria will not be complete without acknowledging the contributions of some present crop of razor – sharp reporters who have performed creditably and make society reporting more vibrant, competitive and robust.I am referring to people like Kemi Akinyemi Deputy Editor, City People. She probably pioneered the now popular style of reporting high society parties in the short-short gist format. An alumnus of OAU – Ife, Kemi’s writing style is quite impressive and unique. Her column ON THE PARTY CIRCUIT is always a readers’ delight. Unfortunately most of the priceless works of this gifted reporter are hidden in the hard copies of City People. For reasons best known to Mr. S.K., City People has refused to go on-line. Other worthy society writers in this class are Kemi Dayo-Aiyetan (Punch) Kunle Rasheed (Nation) Tunde Moshood (Famous Enquirer), Lanre Alfred (Thisday), Gbenga Asabe (Mirror), Abiola Aloba (Encomium). so popular is Aloba that, any shop you enter either on Allen, Ogunsanya or Island, what they would most likely ask you is ‘do you know Biola Aloba?’ Others are Niyi Tabiti, (the master blogger at Gistmaster.com.) Kayode Olanshile (Encomium), Funso Akinwale (First weekly), Gbenga Bada (First weekly) and several others. Lastly we should not forget the contributions of Kayode Fayemi (1965 – 2007) too; He was a damn good society reporter. He is late but his works live on. May his soul rest in peace, adieu CHICAGO! In Nigeria, society journalism has really come of age and on this blog (METROGIST-NIGERIA) you will be treated to more of the finest society stuff than anything.just keep blogging with me.

LE PARISIAN HOTEL OPENS FOR BUSINESS

The second unit of wave making Lagos –based hotel, LE PARISIAN was formally declared open penultimate Saturday in a very colourful ceremony in Lagos . Aptly tagged LE PARISIAN 2, the new hotel is a three story architectural masterpiece edifice standing elegantly on a spacious piece of land just beside the LE PARISIAN 1 on Anu Oluwapo st, Opebi Lagos, the first unit of the hotel,

Le Parisian 1, was officially opened in an equally well-attended ceremony in December 2006, and within a short period of commencing operations, the second unit of the hotel has been opened. Apart from the 22 tastefully furnished rooms which are fitted with world-class facilities. LE PARISIAN 2 also boasts of state –of –the –art facilities such as, cool outdoor swimming pool, an ultramodern gym section, a homely restaurant, a well-stocked bar, a spacious car park and other facilities. At the opening ceremony two Saturday nights ago, were notable personalities such as Senator Isiaka Adeleke, Hon. Kayode Amusan, Mayor Akinpelu, Titi Aguda and others. Lagos businessman and accomplished auto dealer, Olu Davids, is the brain behind LE PARISIAN HOTELS but from the look of things, the day-to-day management of the hotel will be handle by wave –making hotel managers CLASS HOSPITALITY SERVICES LTD. Before now, CLASS, led by Steve Omamuli and Ben Iwerebor had successfully managed Cottage Guest house 1 and 2, and Le Parisian 1. And if the high level of success achieved by the Class guys at both hotels is anything to go by, then LE PARISIAN 2 will certainly become another success story.

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

THIS IS SOLA FOLOWOSELE WELCOMING YOU TO THIS NEW BLOG THAT PROMISES TO BE VERY INTERESTING AND VIBRANT. THROUGH THIS FORUM, WE SHALL SERVE SOME OF THE HOTTEST STORIES,PRIME INTERVIEWS,SERIOUS ISSUES ABOUT THE STATE OF THE NATION, AND OF COURSE CELEBRITY GOSSIPS AND BEHIND THE SCENE GISTS. ONCE AGAIN, YOU ARE WELCOME TO METROGIST-NIGERIA.COM