When you talk about celebrity women in Nigeria, you cannot but mention their names. Not only have they become icons that dominate the Nigeria Social establishment but they are also grand matriarchs in their own right. They are mentors to many women and have positioned themselves on a high pedestal as their names and legacies have been written on the sands of time. This set of women are in their ’70s, ’80s and not slowing down. They still call the shots on the social and corporate scene big time. They play big in their different fields, be it in business, academics or corporate sector. They are one of Nigeria’s social circle favorite as they make statements and turn heads at any function you see them. The have been on the scene for over 30,40 years and still counting. One common thing amongst them is that they are rich. They make parties tick and they are no small fry in the style sector as they turn out gorgeous in their lovely outfits and expensive jewelries and accessories. You have to hand it to Nigerians, women in particular. This set of pretty celebrities have got it all, they are the better halves of some prominent celebrity men in Nigeria and their marriage speaks for them. In no particular order, City People’s SOCIETY EDITOR, TAYO FAJORIN- OYEDIJI chronicles the lives of these women who are aging gracefully at over 70.
Chief Mrs. Leila Apinke Fowler’s life is a success story of a humble but noble woman who had trod many paths before becoming an educationist. Chief Leila was first a nurse, then a lawyer, a leader and moved on to become an educationist. Leila popularly called Mama, established Vivian Fowler Memorial College for girls in 1991. She is 86 years and still very sound.
Chief (Mrs) Sade Thomas-Fahm is notable for kick-starting the Nigerian fashion industry and for being the first to own a boutique in the country. She is 85years and still waxing strong especially in the art of designing.
The Yeye Oge of Lagos, Chief Mrs. Opral Benson is one stylish society woman who has for over 5 decades dominated the social scene. In the 60’s, Opral was usually the cynosure of all eyes at any party she attends, so much so that she gets invited to parties because of the class she accords such parties. Now at over 80, she is still very active.
Chief (Mrs) Gwen Nwachukwu, a grand dame of the Nigerian social establishment is the wife of General Ike Omar Sanda Nwachukwu, one of Nigeria’s most dignified Army generals and politicians. She is 72 years.
Lateefat Modupe Okunnu is a retired civil servant and administrator who was the Deputy Governor of Lagos from 1990-1992. She is in her mid 70s.
What of this 2 jolly friends?, Mercy Adeyinka and Nta Lijadu? Mercy is in her 70’s, she is one of the top society women other women respect a lot. She has a good heart and this is reflected in her ageless look. She loves to attend functions with her best friend, Nta Lijadu who is just as lively as her. They both wear similar outfits to parties.
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. She turned 70 two months back.
Indisputably, the queen of high quality Aso Oke, popularly known as Super Q, Detoun Olubi-Filani is one society woman you just cannot wish away. For over a decade, she has been in the forefront of promoting Aso Oke and even influencing the way it is tied and worn. A trend-setter, no doubt,
Detoun, popularly known as Iya Ibeta, dominates the social circuit with her irresistible aura, beauty at 80.
Chief (Mrs.) Olufunmilayo Ogunbadejo is one of the pioneers of Aso Oke in Nigeria, through one of the branches of Tisbee Nigeria Limited. With her style, she has carved a niche for herself in her choice of career. She took Aso Oke to a new level with her elegant brands. She imports aso oke now. She is 73 years old.
Former Lagos Governor and Minister for works and housing’s mum, Cecilia Fashola is also in her 70s. she is still very agile and attends A.class parties.
Mrs Beatrice Kolade is the pretty wife of Chief Christopher Kolade, the corporate woman leads the Chris Kolade Foundation and has expanded the Foundation’s donor portfolio immensely.
Alhaja Abimbola Jakande, wife of the first civilian governor of Lagos State is also not slowing down. She still attends events and sometimes alongside her husband. She is 72years.
Nigeria’s former First Lady, Margaret O. Shonekan is still bubbling as ever. She is in her late 70s but still attends parties most times in the company of her husband. She spent much of her career with the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) as a topshot having reached the pinnacle of positions.
Alhaja Kuburat Olayinka Okoya, wife of billionaire industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Razaq Akanni Okoya (of the famous Eleganza), has seen it all having lived in opulence and affluence for close to five decades. But there is something amazing about this ageless mother of seven – that is her mien, disposition to life and humility which has made her age gracefully at 76 years.
Hilda Ladipo, Ogunbanjo is the pretty wife of Pa Chris Ogunbanjo. She was the editor of AMBER, a women’s lifestyle magazine established in the 1960s but later acquired by Daily Times.
Mrs. Victoria Hansatu Gowon, a nurse by profession is the wife of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) who helped to elevate the status of nurses in Nigeria by making the government pay nurses more. She is always seen in the company of her husband. She is still very strong.
(Dr.) Mrs. Tokunbo Gbadebo (nee Ogunjo) is the wife of The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo. She also goes out most times with her husband.
On the list is one and only stylish icon, Mama Bakassi, Senator Florence Ita Giwa, who is in her 70s but you can mistake her to be in her 50s. The powerful dresser and stylish icon has achieved so much for herself and she has been on the scene for more than 40 years, she always turns heads at parties.
What of Chief Mrs Ireti Asemota? The diamond loving woman is the wife of Lagos Billioniare, Chief Sunny Asemota.
Style matriarch and Labanella Boss who is also the wife of Late Industrialist, Wahab Folawiyo, Hajia Abba Folawiyo cannot but be on this list, it is only if you are not a socialite that you will not know Sisi Abba as everyone loves to call her. It will interest you that she is in her late 70s and still fit.
Chief Mrs. Yewande Onileere cannot miss this list. She is a socialite per excellence. One woman who is surely aging gracefully at 80 is Erelu Ojuolape Ojora who is married to Otunba Adekunle Ojora. The marriage which has lasted over 50 years is still what many emulate. She turns heads at parties and adorns choice jewelries. She is a lover of luxury French laces.
Madam Kofo Olugbesan is a custom topshot and the elder sister of late Lekki British School founder, Mrs. Biodun Laja.
The founder of tastee fried chicken, chief Mrs Pamela Adebayo does not just go out, she attends A class events, and when you see her at any party, she dresses moderately but expensively. She is in her 70s.
What about Corporate Amazon and society matriarch, Chief Sena Anthony? she holds the Yeye Olofin of Lagos. She is an Oil and Gas Law Consultant and an external director for Oando Plc, she is one of the good faces we see at parties. She is aging gracefully too.
Mummy Adeola Yesufu, a celebrated aviation Amazon and grand dame of the Nigerian society, clocked 70 few months back and many society women came together to celebrate her. The ageless and elegant society matriarch is also the delight of many parties.
Mrs. Teni Aofiyebi, a veteran actress, businesswoman and socialite is also one of the society matriachs of our time.
On this list is Alhaja Hafsat Saro, the beautiful wife of Kwara Billionaire, Alhaji Umar Ayinla Saro. She compliments her husband with many businesses. She is well known amongst the social milieu as one of the paparazzi’s delight anytime she steps out in her expensive outfits and jewelries.
Fatima Adegunwa is as popular as her husband, very prominent on the social scene, a big time business woman who has a knack for expensive jewelries is married to her husband of many years,
Dr. Sulaiman Adebola Adegunwa, OFR, whom they popularly call Alhaji. Risi Odumosu is a big time textile merchant and the Iyaloja of Gutter Market in Lagos Island. She is aging gracefully too.
Chief Mrs. Bewaji Kuku who is the Alaye Gbade of Lagos is a big time textile merchant, a chartered administrator and politician. The woman who is over 70 is a party delight and she runs a successful company, Bewatex limited. One of her close friends is Hajia Titi Atiku with whom they rock parties together. Hajia’s beauty has also stayed for many years and they complete parties when they step out.
Chief Mrs. Cordelia Agboti is also a party rocker. The celebrity woman is a director at NLNG.
Elegant, beautiful are the apt words to fully describe Olori Abimbola Balogun who clocked the iconic 70 years few months back. When you mention the beautiful wives of prominent and highly educated men in Nigeria, Olori Abimbola Adetutu née Ayoola, the pretty wife of Otunba Subomi Balogun, the chairman of FCMB and Olori Omo Oba of Ijebu land will not be missing. She wields enormous influence and is well respected in Ijebu and Ogun State as a whole and most significantly, she wears the best apparels and Jewellery.
Foremost Educationist, Chief Mrs Winifred Awosika has not only been great, she achieved greatness and indeed greatness has been thrust upon her. She is the founder of the prominent Elite School, Chrisland Schools. She is an educationist of high repute with over 40 years of teaching experience. She has many businesses scattered all around the country.
The 1st wife of Oba Oniru Olori Aramide Oniru is also not left out, dark beautiful robust Olori is the head of all the wives, she is the Iya Aafin of Iru Land. Mrs dupe Sagoe is the doyenne of textile business in Nigeria and one of the most formidable society grand matriarchs of the Nigerian society.
Alhaja Tinuke Abioro is in her 70s, she is a trained nurse and runs one of her late husband’s business. She is well visible on the social scene.
Among the former first ladies in Nigeria, Mrs. Derin Osoba, wife of a former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, still commands a lot of respect. when her husband held the reins of power in Ogun State, her good looks was always a subject of attraction, as celebrity journalists scrambled over one another for pictures for their cover pages. Her presence at high-octane events has never gone unnoticed. Though the elegant former first lady could be said to be selective about social events she attends.
Erelu Abiola Dosunmu, the only white wearing Erelu is very stylish and she is only the type of Erelu that can stick to one colour and make the best out of it. She is a party delight too.
Mrs. Funmilayo Alebiosu is the wife of Otunba Bushira Alebiosu from Ijebu Ode, she is a titled chief, the Otunba Adefugba of Ijebu.
Funmi Bush is also one of the society women in Ijebu who adorns expensive jelweries and laces. Quintessential Lady of style,
Chief Mrs Onikepo Akande is over 70 but she looks younger than her age, very stylish and highly learned, the 2-time Minister is the beautiful wife of Chief Bayo Akande, an Ibadan High Chief. She always stands out at parties in her lovely French laces and when she goes cosmopolitan, her hair fascinators are second to none.
Former Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Mrs Ayo Philips is a woman who loves her job and also loves to grace her friends party.
Another beautiful woman on the list is Aduke Theresa Akinyelure, she is the wife of Former Mobil topshot and NNPC Director, Pius Akinyelure, she runs a thriving boutique on the Island.
–TAYO FAJORIN-OYEDIJI
