Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay, marks his 50th birthday in style
By Kemi Akinyemi
The guest list brimmed with illustrious names. The decor of the venue left no one in doubt that it was a grand event. It had to be. The man for whom the illustrious names had gathered is one of the grandees of the Nigerian media. He is Prince Nduka Obaigbena, publisher of ThisDay, who turned 50 on 14 July. The celebrations kicked off with a thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos. Obaigbena, fondly called The Duke, was joined by his mother, Princess Margaret Obaigbena, family members and close friends.
The service was followed by a reception and party at the Tafawa Balewa Square on the Lagos Island. The exclusive party was coordinated by Elizabeth R, the first class event management company, owned by Ibidun Ituah Ighodalo, a former beauty queen. Spotting a black suit, Obaigbena was all smiles, as he welcomed his guests and ushered them to their seats. The reception programme soon took off and was declared open with a prayer, which was offered by Ituah Ighodalo, the parish pastor of Christ Church of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. Ighodalo, who is a long standing friend of Obaigbena also officiated proceedings of the event.
One of the major highlights of the event was the deluge of tributes by eminent personalities. Notable among those who paid their tributes were Ambassador Babagana Kingibe, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Donald Duke, former governor of Cross River State; Chief Sam Amuka-Pemu, publisher of Vanguard; Maiden Ibru, wife of Sir Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian; Nero Ashibeluwa, best man at Obaigbena’s wedding; and Architect Fatima Wali, a corporate titan.
The celebrant was assisted in cutting his cakes by a bevy of beautiful celebrity women. These included Helen Prest Ajayi, a former beauty queen; Julie Edewor, Biodun Aluko, Mosun Emeruwa, Bimbo Cardoso and Fatima Wali.
Obaigbena was born at the University Teaching Hospital, Ibadan, on 14 July, 1959.
His father, the late Edwin Ukperi Obaigbena was a prince of Owa Kingdom in Delta State. He also fought in the Second World War. Obaigbena attended Edo College, Benin City and University of Benin. His journalism career began in 1978, when he joined The Nigerian Observer. He also worked with the defunct The Dawn, Newsweek and TIME International, where he helped develop a special survey and country section. In 1995, Obaigbena founded Leaders and Company Limited, publishers of ThisDay. He is regarded as an innovator in the Nigerian media environment and has funded several cultural initiatives around the world. These include the ThisDay Music and Fashion Festival, which is now in its fourth year; fashion shows in London, South Africa, Milan, New York and Paris. Recently, he established ARISE, an African culture and style magazine. The magazine just hosted The ARISE Africa Fashion Week, which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Earlier this year, ThisDay group launched its ranking of Nigerian universities, a project aimed at recognising teaching and research efforts of Nigerian universities. Modelled after the popular UK universities rankings done by the Times of London, the rankings are expected to promote and celebrate best practice in Nigerian universities, while at the same time challenging the universities at the bottom of the table to shape up. Recently too, Obaigbena donated 100 computer sets to some secondary school students.
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