30 August 2008
Lagos — Within Nigeria's business world today, there are wives with fairy-tale careers who have succeeded in smashing the glass ceiling, looking across the corporate sector, their increasing number will amaze you.
Some of them have distinguished themselves in business, judging by the success of the businesses they have built overtime. They are women with angelic and beautiful faces, who are modish and attractive, gorgeous and appealing. Some of them are as hardworking as their husbands, and even more popular than their husbands. Some of them call the shots in their homes. They decide what would be. They are that powerful. But when we chose to beam our light on this class of women, we were startled at what we stumbled on, women who are holding their own in the face of challenges, keeping their heads up high, sitting atop mega bucks, and looking society in the face to say what a man can do, a woman can do even better. LANRE ALFRED presents some of these stylish Nigerian power wives.
Nana Otedola
Nana Otedola is the satisfyingly beautiful wife of Chief Femi Otedola the billionaire Oil Sheik. This woman of many parts who runs the most-exalted Garment Care radiates a joy from within that is easy on her lovely skin, makes her beauty more than glow. Nana Otedola has never been a loud woman. Her soothingly lovely looks got many points as soon as she came into the life of the legendary man of means. Hard work comes natural to Nana who is extremely quiet, never seeking attention, making few public appearances and loves to come out with a twist of simplicity. Not one to dwell on frivolities, she has always faced noblest things. And, one thing that stands her out is the fact that she doesn't intimidate the lesser mortals with her wealth.
Awele Elumelu
One of the very few top bank MDs' wives that people have not stopped talking about in the fashion and style department is Awele Elumelu. The gorgeous wife of Tony Elumelu, the Group Managing Director of UBA is representing well and participating in all the offerings that crop up in the social calendar. A collector of the finest trinkets, especially gold from the most venerated designers in the world. The mother of five girls who creates time for fun at all times spoils herself, and revels in all the wonderful things of life. Awele is now a regular face at most social events and making the best of this season.
Elizabeth Atuche
Elizabeth Atuche the wife of Francis Atuche the M.D of Bank PHB, has become a natural jolly good fellow, putting under her girdle some of the most talked about parties of the season as a major participant. She loves ruffles with twist of effortlessness, with an inaudibly loud sense of flamboyance. Many times with her husband, Francis, she is a lady we have our eyes on as one of the most plausible fashionistas of the modish scene.
Tolulope Akingbola
Ever since Erastus Akingbola, the MD of Intercontinental Bank Plc, married his dark and tubby beautiful wife, Antonia Tolulope Akingbola in 1979, they still act like newly weds. This extremely brilliant banker with homegrown intelligence and his wife behave as if they've just met, and enjoying knowing each other, eager to spend time together. They have become siblings who can't bear to be apart, we cannot count the number of times they have stepped out together in public in the past few months in the same traditional outfits, especially lace fabrics of different colour and hues. Erastus who is a strong member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God does not care hoot whether the fabrics is solely meant for women as long as his wife recommends it. They are always together at parties, hold each other like young students who just fell in love for the very first time.
Hajia Abbah Folawiyo
Hajia Abah Zainab Folawiyo popularly called Sisi Abah, by her admirers, cuts the perfect picture of a woman in total control of her home and her life. Here is one of Nigeria's most celebrated society women and successful fashion designers soaking up the sort of admiration normally reserved for legendary icons. Her astounding personality seems all the more remarkable, considering the numerous admirers she has. And only very few women in Nigeria can boast of being loved and respected the way Hajia Folawiyo is by other people. Within Nigeria's very large social circle, Zainab Folawiyo is every woman's woman. She attracts people to herself like a magnet draws a metal. And it goes without saying that virtually all the society women in Nigeria are inspired by Zainab Folawiyo's persona. She has come a long way and has agonizing pain of losing the father of her unborn child to death. Years later, the split from her first husband, Prince Lagun Adesanya hit her hard, yet with extraordinary fortitude and courage, this irrepressible half Ghanaian, half Nigerian lady by marriage, is more in control and clearly more at ease than she has been for some time. By any standard, Zainab Folawiyo is one of Africa's most famous women, a style icon and all the while, retaining her dignity as the wife of Chief Wahab Iyanda Folawiyo, the late business legend and the Baba Adinni of Nigeria.
Bisoye Usman
She hates publicity. She has never granted an interview. She says she does not need it since business is good. This is because like bees to nectar, Bisoye attracts all the celebrities from as far as Kaduna, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt and other states. She stores the best Swiss quality lace materials and Austrian textiles in town. That is why Bisoye has cultivated a reputation for being one of the most patronized fabric shops in Lagos.
LANRE OJORA
Chief (Mrs.) Olanrewaju Ojora is a grossly misunderstood woman. To some, she is the typical 'Merry Widow' whose life-style is devoid of boredom. To others, her penchant for dressing to suit her taste puts her in a class of her own. Yet, to some, her desire to live the way she wants, not minding whose ox is gored is also a well-established fact. Lanre Ojora is a very down-to-earth person. She feels quite comfortable, relating with all classes of people. But she is a tough lady who has chosen to live her life the way she wants, irrespective of what anybody thinks or feels. And then, Lanre Ojora is blessed with a genuine sense of humility. However, when her husband, Chief Ajibade Mustapha Ojora passed away in November 1994 at the age of 51, the tragic event marked a dramatic turning point in her life. Imagine a woman who could not think of life without her husband! Imagine a woman who was so over pampered by her husband that she had the whole world at her feet! Imagine a woman whose husband found on fault in her suddenly being alone. One can only imagine how Lanre Ojora felt when her husband left her so suddenly in the lurch, to cater for their children. But then, she rose to the challenges and has been able to weather the storm, against all odds. And for this 59 year- old grandmother of two, life goes on and it couldn't get any better.
Ojuolape Ojora
Ojuolape Ojora The Erelu Oodua is one celebrity woman that other celebrity women take a cue from in matters of Style and Comportment. This is because the Erelu who is 70 years old personifies all that is Style, Class and Elegance. Since the late 60's to date she and her husband, the respected Lagos High Chief, Otunba Adekunle Ojora have loomed large on the social scene, so much so that no major party is complete without their esteemed presence.
Titi Abubakar
The wife of the former Vice -President, Atiku Abubakar is one society woman that attracts other society women to herself. Deep down, she is a nice woman with a good heart. Quite sociable, Titi loves looking good and dresses well to parties in very expensive lace fabrics. She attends parties with her circle of friends. Because she is nice, and friendly, she is at home with a lot of society ladies.
Cecilia Ibru
Cecilia Ibru, the 'firstlady' of the banking sector and the CEO of Oceanic Bank has dominated that sector. She has also come to be seen as one celebrity woman who occupies an enviable position as a role model to other aspiring celebrity women. Despite her remarkable efforts in the corporate world, she has not lost touch with the social circuit. When she steps out to a party, it is always in the company of the Olorogun. She has a look-alike twin sister who is a Deaconess. She is Mrs. Lucy Lawrence
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Betty farrell here, would like to say hi to Priscilla Soyemi. Remember John Gough's flat (over the shop) Whitworth road. Brings back memories! If anybody reads this can you pass the message on to Priscilla, Betty, Dublin (Ireland)