Turning 50 is really a great landmark in one’s life. Call them the “Golden Girls” and you are right and on point. Generally, for such milestone, a huge bash is organised, literally soused in laughing, dancing and cutting of the cake. It is really a time to celebrate and the celebrators are the ones who need almost constant attention, but in this season, the COVID 19 pandemic has restrained most of them from celebrating. That, perhaps, was why they rather chose to mark their big days with private bashes in their homes. These set of women turned 50 within the last 3 months and they celebrated it with their families. They also treated themselves to lovely photoshoots. They are stylish, fashion-conscious, urbane, sophisticated and up-to-the-minute in appearance. These celebrities are usually the life and soul of any event wherever they go. Beautiful, vibrant, bubbly, vivacious, are exciting words that aptly describe them. Below, Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI, chronicles the lives of these stylish amazons, who just hit the golden age.
AISHA BABANGIDA
She is the daughter of Nigeria’s former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. She turned 50 on May 25. She still looks very beautiful at 50 and ageing gracefully. She held a very private family birthday party at her residence. Aisha Babangida is a humanitarian leader and experienced founder with a demonstrated history of working within philanthropy, helping deserving communities throughout Nigeria. She is the Chairman of the Better Life Programme for the African Rural Women. She took over the scheme from her mother, Maryam Babangida, who was the Chairman and founder. In 2016, she founded the Egwafin Microfinance Bank, which provides access to funding and financing of projects in Africa. She was a director of North Link Insurance Company and was also on the governing council of the University of Abuja.
NANA OTEDOLA
Beautiful, elegant and amazing are some of the apt words to best describe this tall and pretty lady, Nana, the lovely wife of a foremost businessman, Femi Otedola. She forever remains a style icon of our time. The beautiful woman added another feather to her cap penultimate Sunday, 2nd, August 2020 when she turned 50. At 50, life surely begins for this lovely mother of 4. This beautiful woman played host to a private party at her residence in London by her husband, Femi and 4 children. She was seen clad in a lovely brown attire and frilled it with a pair of gold earrings. Nana started her business career in 2005 in the United Kingdom. Her longest appointment has been for 13 years in Fineshade Energy Limited. And today she holds a director position in her company. Her own business makes her one of the wealthiest women in Nigeria with a residence in the United Kingdom. She is the CEO of the upscale dry cleaning outfit in Lagos, Garment Care Limited.
BUKKY GEORGE
Bukky George is the founder and CEO of HealthPlus Limited and Casa Bella International Limited. She also turned 50 on June 28, 2020, and celebrated it quietly with a zoom party.
Her company, HealthPlus, is the first integrated pharmacy and healthcare provider in Nigeria and the fastest-growing chain firm in Africa.
Bukky is an amazing woman and Entrepreneur, who has succeeded against all odds. She earned her degree in pharmacy from the University of Lagos in 1992 and graduated with five awards as the best graduating student. She acquired relevant skills and experience working with SmithKline Beecham – now GSK, and May and Baker before setting out to start her own company in December 1996 in a small store in Ikeja, Lagos. She further added a more colourful feather to her entrepreneurial hat when she started CasaBella Beauty Supply Company in July 2010 – a one-stop store for grooming and beauty solutions for both men and women. For over 15 years, she has since grown her company into a global brand, with over thirty branches and over four hundred employees.
FUNMIBI ODUWOLE
Wedding and event décor expert, Funmibi Adebayo Oduwole needs no introduction in event decoration. The CEO of Rostal Flowers, who’s married to an architect has built a clientele among the rich and mighty in the society. She turned 50 on July 17, 2020, and played host to a mini party at her Lagos residence. Known to be a professional in her field, she has planned some of the exclusive social events and outstanding weddings in the past. For her education, she went to the University Staff School, UI. And from there, she went to Abadina College. She later went to The Polytechnic, Ibadan where she bagged National Diploma before gaining admission to study Geology at the University of Ilorin. BSC in Geology from the University of Ilorin, Kwara State. She served at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), a subsidiary of the NNPC in Lagos.
AWELE ELUMELU
Awele is one of a success story. She also turned 50 on June 24, 2020. Talk about beauty and brain combined, the pretty wife of a foremost banker and Chairman of Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu, comes to mind. She was treated to a lovely surprise birthday party in their home by her husband and children. She plays an active part in her husband’s conglomerate as the Chief Executive Officer of Avon Medical Services Limited and oversees the healthcare investments of the group. With a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree from the University of Benin, Awele had worked with the Grantham and District Hospital, Grantham, United Kingdom. She had also worked with the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. In January 2018, Awele was appointed the Private Sector Champion for Immunisation in Africa by GAVI, the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation.
YINKA DAVIES
Yinka Davies, an ace singer and actress, came to the industry as a teenager. Now, she is 50 and has aged gracefully well. She started out as a fine artist but embraced showbiz along the line and became the rave of the moment, hobnobbing with the big names in the industry. The music and stage diva marked 30 years in the entertainment industry in 2017. Yinka Davies was born to a Benin Republic/Sierra Leone Father from the Lisabi clan (although her mother is from the Shagamu royal family.) and a mother from Ikorodu in Lagos state. Her father was an Aeuronatic Engineer with the Nigerian Airforce.
BOLA OKOLIE
One of Nigeria’s most outstanding female entrepreneur, Bola Okolie (nee Oni), is 50 too. She turned 50 on. The CEO of Bonix Drinks, Nigeria’s number one drinks service provider is well celebrated within the events planning sector. Her company is a pioneer of many ideas that have now become a trend in the drinks service business in Nigeria and she has become a role model for many women in the business. She also held a private birthday gig and flaunted numerous birthday photoshoots to the admiration of all. Trained as a nurse, Bola is a graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, where she started her business, while helping her late mum who was selling soft drinks at Tejuosho market, back then.
This humble start has, indeed, helped Bola build her brand successfully, alongside her husband, Bernard Okolie. And in over 20 years, together, they have built Bonix Drinks into a big brand of international standards, and their business has inspired many to veer into the sub-sector. But Bola has continued to hold her own on account of the many training she had undergone abroad to enhance and keep her services in hot demand.
LINDA EDOZIEN
Linda is the daughter of one of Nigeria’s most accomplished technocrats and a former Economic Adviser to President Shehu Shagari, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien. Linda Edozien could give under 30 ladies a run for their youthful body and look. The popular Luxury Spa owner recently celebrated her 50th birthday by releasing stunning new photos online, which got the internet buzzing. Edozien, who is the MD/CEO of Barazahi Spa/Wellness outfit in Lekki, Lagos, is a popular figure in the beauty and wellness industry.
RADEKE KUPOLUYI
Popularly called Radek by her teaming friends, the name got stuck to her because it is also her shop’s name. She turned 50 on June 27th, 2020. She is a big-time clothier, who deals majorly in maternity wears. She is very popular in Ikeja and among celebrity women because of her love for her friends and every person who comes in contact with her. She glowed on her 50th birthday and played host to a mini-party at her shop where she treated guests to yummy meals. She is one of the top executives at Alade market. Let us also mention that she is a crowd puller, a core society woman who drags many of them to her parties, very beautiful and highly industrious. She sits atop over 3 outlets in all these years and her brand has remained number 1 for maternity women, who want to look corporate and sassy. Have you ever also spotted her at any event, this dazzling woman is very stylish and knows how to combine colours. She dresses good and her choice of jewellery is second to none. Recently, she opened her 4th store inside the new Omolola Plaza, new Alade market, Allen, Ikeja. She is blissfully married to the boss of Flip Tv and E247 Magazine, Biodun Kupoluyi.
BUNMI TEJUOSHO
By every standard, she is a woman of true and pure grace. She is a golden fish. She turned 50 on the 21st of June, 2020. And she recently celebrated her golden jubilee in a low-key yet classy party in the true meaning of the word. Described as a woman of many parts – a successful businesswoman, mother and a symbol of inspiration. The stylish woman of honour has continued to be a blessing to her generation through her repeated acts of philanthropy.
Well-mannered and unassuming, the beautiful woman, who is one of the closest friends of Toyin Saraki, wife of Nigerian Senate former President, Bukola Saraki, has done well for herself in the last five decades of her existence. No doubt, she is an epitome of grace and mercy. Little wonder, she is winning in everything she lays her hands on. As always, the golden jubilee is a big deal. But owing to the coronavirus pandemic, the birthday girl couldn’t roll out the drums for a lavish celebration. Nonetheless, she was treated to a classy low-key birthday dinner by her family and close friends. Bunmi Tejuoso is known for her bright personality.
FUNKE AKINRINMADE
Funke looks great at 50. She turned 50 on the 10th of July, 2020. She is part of the Board of Governors, Kings Court Nursery School, Ikoyi. The beautiful woman turned 50 recently and had a lovely photoshoot by Ty Bello. The committed and passionate educator is the proprietress of Cassia School in Lagos, which she founded last year. Her dream started 17 years ago with the birth of Kiddies Pride Crèche and Playgroup that grew into one of the most sought-after primary school in Port Harcourt, Cedarwood School today. Born 50 years ago in Katsina State. She is blessed with 3 children.
OMOWUNMI KALEJAIYE
The FCMB top shot is also on this golden list. She turned 50 on the 23rd of July, 2020. Omowunmi is an experienced banker and financial expert with over 15 years experience. She also has relevant experience in Public Relations and Training as she has held positions in those fields.
She is currently an Assistant Vice President responsible for the commercial and retail businesses in the branches of Victoria Island area of F.C.M.B.
Omowunmi has a Mass Communication degree from the University of Lagos and currently pursuing a Master’s in Corporate Governance from Leeds Beckett University. She has attended various courses locally and abroad. Omowunmi is also a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Other beautiful women who turned 50 recently were also Mrs Kemi Olabanji, the CEO of Nimmie cakes, the wife of popular celebrity photographer, Photonimi, Mrs Aboderin and Mrs Nihinlolawa Adebiyi.
– TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI
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