TAIWO ADEKANBI NMULTIMILLION HOME NEARS COMPLETION
The Egbe/Ejigbo located Nmultimillion home of New York, America based socialite is fast nearing completion. Sources disclosed that the edifice, which has started causing stir in the neighbourhood is scheduled for completion in few months time. It was also gathered that the reason for the speedy rate of work on the edifice is not unconnected with the insinuations that Taiwo is planning to relocate to Nigeria after spending 15years in New York, America. Birds hinted that Taiwo feels its high time he began his business here in Nigeria in other to help contribute his own quota into the Nigeria economy.

STELLA BUSARI SHIFTS MUM’S GRAND BURIAL
Top society woman and wife of auto dealer, Stella Busari has shifted the grand burial of her late mother-Mrs Okoro. Though the new date has not yet being disclosed, it was gathered that the postponement was a result of Stella’s family’s insistence on preparing fully for the burial. While many are still buying Aso Ebi and other materials needed for the burial, we were reliably told that Stella and her hubby are more than prepared to stage the superlative burial before the end of next month.

…STILL ON STELLA BUSARI
Words filtering into Gistville reveal that Stella Busari has finally relocated her top computer school. The outfit, which was shutdown for sometime has relocated to 22 road in Festac town. Gossips hinted that Stellabus Computer School has also undergone new several things which include acquisition of new laptops, desktop computers, instructors and faster internet services. The light skinned society woman was also said to have been up and doing since the relocation and refurbishment of the Stellabus Computer Schools.

BETWEEN GOV. FASHOLA AND NELSON MANDELA
Those who witnessed Governor Raji Fashola’s 45th birthday penultimate Saturday would agree with the fact that the Lagos State Governor has some similarities with the ex-South African president, Nelson Mandela, who also turned 90. Although there was a day difference in their birthdays, there are insinuations that the Lagos State governor might also be on his way to putting his feet on the sands of time. And just like Nelson Mandela, who celebrated his birthday with the less privileged and HIV victims, Gov. Fashola was at various orphanages and destitute homes to celebrate his 45th birthday.

JIDE VERSACE GOES UNDERGROUND
Dublin returnee and one time socialite, Jide Versace seems to have gone underground. Even as the reason for this is still unknown, Jide has not been a regular face at hangouts and social gatherings. While he is alleged to be shuttling between Lagos and Ibadan, sources hinted that the dude is stranded here in the country. A popular face on the Dublin and Lagos social scene, Jide is alleged to be battling hard times in the country as a result of some of his dealing while in Dublin. However, some friends have dispelled the insinuation, saying the dude is doing just fine in Nigeria since his relocation.

PETERKINGS ATTAH RESURFACES
City businessman and Akwa Ibom influential personality, Peterkings Attah has resurfaced on the Lagos social scene. Gist filtered into Gistville that the Akwa Ibom born dude breezed into Lagos few weeks back and has since been adding life to his business concerns in the Lagos metropolis. Gistville was told that his Ogba located City Point restaurant and bar has started witnessing a high patronage judging from his return to Lagos. Peterkings, who is said to have been away as a result of his involvement in the Akwa Ibom politics, has been restructuring and strategizing on how to improve on his business concerns.

AWARD WINNING SONGSTRESS, ASA SPEAKS ON CAREERBorn 20something years ago to the Elemide couple in far away Paris, France, Bukola Elemide, who is known refered to as Asa has shown that she’s one of the biggest things to happen to the Nigeria music industry in and outside the shores of the country. Spotting dreadlocks, the petite sized Eagle as her stage name implies, who was groomed in Lagos actually began her musical career as a result of the influence of Bob Marley, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Marvin Gaye on her personality. She first had the chance to prove herself at the 2002 edition of the NB plc owned Star Quest Talent Hunt reality Show but was denied as judges however couldn’t see her vision. But as an Eagle, who knows where she’s going to, she forged ahead and despite some difficulties at first, she was able to stamp her feet on the Nigeria musical ground and the result is her debut and mind blowing album, Asa…In this brief and impromptu chat with Gbenga Bada, she bore her mind on some issues ranging from her career to her source of inspiration. So, how has the journey beenWell, it’s been okay and we’ve been working for months now, going around the globe, playing in different continents and serenading people’s soul with good music. When did you sign with France based Naïve recordsI signed with Naïve records in September 2006 and I released my debut album in December 2007. Why did it take so long to come back home and perform in a concert since you left the country for FranceAfter we released the album, Asa, in France, we were supposed to come back home and promote it but things changed along the line and we were booked to be on a world tour for several months. We have been performing at concerts all over Europe and even some other parts of the world. The tour actually started in March 2008 and we’ve been travelling all over the world. We are in Nigeria because of the show organized by Mint maker, who fitted into our schedule and we would be coming back some other time. But it is believed that your high fee is responsible for your absence in shows and concerts in the country…That is not true…Our fees has not been why we’ve not been performing in Nigeria shows or concerts but like I have said earlier on, it is due to the tour, which we embarked on. It’s not like I can’t be paid by Nigerian event companies but our schedules are tight and only the company that can fit into it can bring us into the country as much as we always want to come back home. Mint maker, the event company that organized Asa Live in Lagos, was able to fit into our schedule and that’s why we are here. They’ve been on our trail and we’ve been talking for months now. What is your relationship with Kevin Luciano and Questionmark EntertainementI don’t work with them anymore. I stopped working with Questionmark Entertainment in 2005. I’ve pretty moved on and here we are performing all over the world. What informs your kind of musicMy environment, the people around me and the situations going on in the world, are things that informs my kind of music. Being a Nigerian, living in Lagos and listening to wide range of music. Which genre of music does your songs belong toI would say I sing soul music with a fuss of Jazz, Hip Hop, Raggae and even Highlife. However, when I play at concerts or shows, I try singing something extraordinary, which is not like the usual thing you listen to when you play my album in the confines of your home. You talked about being on tour recently, can you tell us more about the tourWell, the tour began in March 2008 and we’ve been to several countries in Europe like Italy, Germany, London, Australia, Japan and other parts of the worlds. It’s been great, going to other sides of the world and seeing the people responding to your kind of music, even when they don’t even understand the language. We are still going to perform at places like Nantes, France, Germany, Japan, Australia, USA, South Africa, Namabia and Nigeria. It’s quite interesting and another whole new experience. The crowd especially in Japan, where I bought a Nigerian artiste’s CD, was quite the best. What inspired your popular songs, Fire on the mountain and WaheediWell, the song Fire on the Mountain, was discovered by myself and Cobhams, the producer. The song is basically what we’ve always discussed together every time we see and what is obtainable and going on in our society. We just thought of it and together, we made the song. On that of Waheedi, it’s a folklore and it was inspired by the Yoruba style of talking in proverbs..it’s more like saying little things means a lot.. and I like these historical stories, I remember when I was a child, I heard a lot of stories and I decided to write the song. It was even borne out of imagination but the whole essence is to do something for people to laugh about and also teach them some morals at the end of the day…like they say (Aboro la n so fun omode, to ba denu e a di odindi) meaning A word is enough for the wise…it’s a good song, comic song and a folklore, that is funny but with morals..I also have songs like 360degrees and Eye Adaba, which is very popular. What are your musical influence It comes up from my upbringing…first of all, I grew up in Lagos listening to the likes of Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Marvin Gay, Bob Marley and of course a lot of local music on the street and music in the church. These I would call my musical influence. You were born in paris, and now, your musical career has taken you to France, do you speak FrenchYeah…a little.

ALIBABA’S EVENTS CENTRE, XQZ MOI DEMOLISHED
Doyen of Nigerian standup comic, Alibaba was recently dealt a blow by the Lagos State government, when the men of the Lagos State Ministries of Lands and Environment demolished part of his Lekki/Ajah based events centre-XQZ MOI. Sources in the know squealed that the ugly incident occurred last Friday, June 20, 2008, when part of the events centre was earmarked for demolition by the Lagos State government officials. Investigation further pieced together by First Weekly revealed that 80meters square of the XQZ MOI was actually demolished by the Lagos State government. And this act was alleged to have been done as a result of the Lagos State Ministries of Lands and Environment to achieve a megacity. While it is being speculated that the comedian’s lease period of the land had expired-since he had acquired the land long before he erected the events centre on it, it is also being said in some quarters that it was due to some illegal occupancy of the land. It was alleged that the Lagos State Ministry of Lands is at present carrying out a check and operations on the illegal occupancy of lands in the Lekki/Ajah axis of Island. Furthermore, some unconfirmed sources hinted that the ministries recent operation, which has affected one of Festus Odimegwu’s properties in Lekki, is not unconnected with the rumours that some land occupiers acquired their landed properties for purposes that are different from what it is at present. Informants squealed that this allegation is fast gripping many on the Island that several celebrities, personalities and dignitaries with landed properties on the Island are begging to move against the Lagos State government and its recent demolitions. However, words around the Alausa roundhouse have it that the Lagos State government is determined to carry out its duties and will not deter in turning the metropolis around especially the Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Ajah axises.

EX-GOVERNOR DONALD DUKE TURNS NANNY
Handsome faced and embattled governor of Cross River, Donald Duke has literarily turned into a nanny of some sort. Donald, it was hinted, goes about referring to himself as a pensioner and telling anyone who cares to listen that he now goes about taking care of his kids. The tourism guru and corporate musician have been spotted by keen watchers to have been taking his kids to school every morning and also picking them up after school closing hours. His reasons, we learnt, is that he hasn’t given such attention he would have love to give his children while he governed Cross River state for eight years but now that he has become a pensioner, he would endlessly shower his kids and wife unflinching support and love.

KENNY ST. BROWN ACQUIRES N2.6 MILLION YARIS CAR
Estranged wife of troubled musician, Eddy Asiedu Brown, Kenny St. Brown was the cynosure of all eyes, when she splashed a whopping N2.6 million on a state of the art automobile. Kenny ST. Brown was spotted at Tayo Ayeni owned Skymit Motors on Mobolaji Bank Anthony way, Ikeja on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 when she added a Toyota Yaris car to one of her wonders-on-wheels. The car, a sky blue Toyota Yaris car was acquired by Kenny St. Brown after she parted with N2.6 million to the Tayo Ayeni owned auto shop. Even as she has publicly agreed that her troubled musician hubby is in her past, the light skinned Miss Ogungbe has embraced her career and celebrated her 10th year in the entertainment industry.

PHOTOTEK BOSS IN CHIEFTAINCY MESS
Frontman at Phototek, Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa is at present enmeshed in a messy chieftaincy title palaver. Alhaji Adegunwa is allegedly fighting his elder brother, Alhaji Oluwakemi Idris Adegunwa over the post of the Chief Imam of Ososa Community. Sources privy to the messy fight squealed that the entire Ososa Community was thrown into pandemonium penultimate week as a result of the clash between the Phototek boss and his elder brother, the current chief Imam of Ososa Muslim community. It was further squealed that Alhaji Sulaimon Adegunwa, who currently hold the post of the Baba Adinni of Ososa Muslim Community is fighting tooth and nail to become the chief Imam of the community – a move which has thrown the Adegunwa family into confusion. Even as the league of Imams and Afas in Ogun State have condemned the Phototek boss’ action, the Awiyale of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona, is said to have also condemned Alhaji Sulaiman Adegunwa’s action.

BUKOLA OMOSHENI RULES DUBLIN AIRWAVES
Dublin based radio broadcaster, Bukola Omosheni is at present ruling the Irish airwaves with his voice and immense talent. Gistville gathered that Bukola, who is married to a beautiful Nigerian, has won the hearts of many with his multicultural programme known as the Confluence. In a recent programme on www.ustream.tv/channel/liffey-sound-fm-live, Bukola thrilled audiences with his jibes, banters and fluent communication skills. Noting the reactions of audience through the website address, Bukola seems to have distinguished himself from the usual presentation style and has over the time developed a brand new and self-styled presentation skill. Members of the audience were all pouring out encomiums on this young Nigerian, who’s making waves in Dublin.

BETWEEN DERIN DISU AND TUNJI BRAITHWAITE
Mistakenly, many take the ageless beauty and Lagos Island local government boss, Barrister Derin Disu as the daughter of brilliant and one time presidential candidate, Tunji Braithwaite. And just like many, Gistville erroneously refered to the highly intelligent woman as the daughter of Tunji Braithwaite but after some investigations, it was authoritatively gathered that the 50something year old is the younger sister to Tunji Braithwaite. Barrister Disu, who explained in clear terms that she is the younger sister to Tunji Braithwaite and not his daughter, also seized the opportunity to further reiterate on her ambition to serve the people of Lagos Island Local government.

SOCIETY LADY, AISHA GUOBADIA STILL AWAY
Gist around town indicates that society lady, Aisha Guobadia is still very much missing on the Lagos social scene. Aisha, sources informed, has been held down abroad, a situation badmouths said is as a result of her alleged incarceration. Gistville was further told that Aisha’s alleged incarceration is as a result of her involvement in the ‘gold-dust’ business. Aisha, we learnt, might be staying longer than many had thought and has been cooling her tender feet in the four walls of a prison yard.

… STILL ON AISHA GUOBADIA
As if the problems in her life isn’t enough, Aisha Guobadia’s brother, AY, has seized the opportunity of his sister’s alleged incarceration to take over her properties. AY, a fun loving dude, has been cruising around town in some of his sister’s state of art cars which include a Toyota 4runner Jeep, an Highlander Army Green Coloured jeep. Gossips who spotted AY some weeks back, reeled out in surprise how the dude cruised Aisha’s Army Green Highlander jeep with plate number AGO2 Aby to a hangout.