The Nigeria soft-sell magazine market
became awashed with the story of pretty star actress, Laide Bakare’s broken
marriage with her former husband, Mr. Okufulure, courtesy of a well- crafted
and circulated press release by her publicist, Folorunsho Hamsat. And the press
release also disclosed that the role interpreter and mother of one had since
entered into a new relationship with a Lagos based popular businessman,
Mr.Tunde Oriowo. “The relationship began late last year and culminated in the
lovers officially sealing it with the Muslim rites called Nikkai, at a quiet
ceremony in Lagos attended by trusted associates and close family from both
sides.” The release stated in part.
But curiously not much was revealed
about the identity of Laide Bakare newly found “Mr. Right”. However, this
reporter can tell you authoritatively that the new man in Laide Bakare’s life
is known as ATM is some circles within the Lagos social establishment. And that
is largely due to his spending prowess on showbiz figures in the recent past.
Although, many that knew the man also referred to as “ Omo-Onile” in his
Lekki-Ajah environs few years ago still call his source of wealth into question
but we can report authoritatively to you that his has flourishing businesses in
Lagos. And again, findings have also shown that he is already married with kids
just like the man Laide Bakare has just dumped.
The Grand Patron of Lagos chapter of
Freelance and independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) who is
said to be currently holidaying in the United States of America with the
actress, is also alleged to have dated several female Islamic artistes one of whom
he donated generously to her launching early last year. And after the husband
of the artiste found out, he allegedly beat her to the extent that she
sustained a serious injury just above one of her eye-lids which was obvious in
one of the group musical videos the light complexioned songstress shot around
that time.
It is therefore believed that it is
more because of money rather than love that Laide Bakare has gone into the
relationship with her “ATM” card to withdraw some cash from the “machine” before
the card would expire.
Blow is an expose written on the Big
Boy called ATM, early last year for a popular soft-sell magazine and titled: Lagos Big Boy, Akanni Mutairu Who Spends Big
@ Parties, + Why They Call Him ATM. Enjoy it and form your own opinion.
His name is Chief Akanni Tunde
Mutairu Orilowo but he has come to be nicknamed ATM. And that is not really
because ATM can be deduced as initials from 3 of his names viz: Akanni Tunde
Mutairu but more because of his spending prowess in the social circles.
It has gone down on record in recent
times that ATM, who is the Chairman of Primavera Group of Companies consisting
of Primavera Engineering Construction Ltd., Primavera Oil & Gas Ltd., Mabo
Dredging Company and Orilowo Investments and Properties, is one of the biggest
spenders on showbiz stars.
And the cases in which he has
displayed his free-giving nature abound. Some of the very recent instances
include when the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria
(FIBAN) did his investiture as Grand Patron of the Association late last
year(2011). The Okun-Ajah, Lagos-born Big Boy did not only give FIBAN 2 plots
of land in Ajah, he also presented them a 14-seater Toyota Hiace Bus before he
capped it up with the donation of $10,000(USD) to the coffers of the
Association.
And not one who makes noise about his limitless generosity or
covets cheap publicity, ATM still displayed his immense kindness at an album
launch and birthday ceremony by a popular female artiste recently. After others
had launched the artiste’s new album and it was the turn of ATM, he actually
dispensed instantly more cash than the Automated Teller Machine; he wowed
everyone with what he did. Because the MC had made known the artiste’s
situation, the wealthy middle-aged launcher deemed it fit to firstly deal with
that aspect of the female singer’s life before going into the launching proper.
And what did he do? He publicly announced that the pretty singer should come
pick up a new Toyota Space Bus at his office the next day.
As if that was not enough, ATM went
further to launch her new album with a sum of $10.000(USD). And that triggered
a frenzy of excitement among the guests at the launching who thought they had
seen the highest when Alhaji Musiliu Akinsanya (MC Oluomo) launched the album
with #1 million naira earlier. As a matter of fact, Oluomo himself left where
he was sitting and went straight to the table of the bulky Big Boy (ATM) to
salute him.
Oluomo lifted his 2 hands above his
head and stamped his foot one after the other on the floor in paying respect to
the good-looking socialite for his spending prowess. It is worthy of note to
state that Oluomo who is a top socialite and popular Lagos Transporter is a
free-giver himself. And for him to have saluted another free-giver meant a lot
to those who know how these guys spend money as if it’s going out of fashion.
Meanwhile, another revelation came at
the same venue when Otunba (now Oga Nla of Fuji) Wasiu Alabi Pasuma who was the
main artiste at the event mounted the stage. In telling how important ATM is to
him, the handsome Fuji artiste sang that ATM was the one who paid his
performance fee to come play at the show. And when he learnt that he (Pasuma)
had gone on foreign tour of Europe, ATM further paid for his ticket from and
back to Germany just to come and perform at the launch.
And Pasuma also revealed that ATM had
few weeks before bought a new 14-seater Toyota Hiace Bus for his band boys
while adding that the bus was as at that point in time parked in front of his
own (Omole Phase 1) house; perhaps, for those who might want to confirm whether
it is true or not.
The free-spending ability has
remained the current unbeatable record of ATM at any showbiz or social
gathering he attends. And while he shares his initials with a machine that also
dispenses cash, one might just conclude that the only difference between ATM (
the Big Boy) and Automated Teller Machine (ATM) is that while the latter has
withdrawal or dispensing limit per day, the former doesn’t seem to have
dispensing limit. He has an enviable record of giving all the time and that
makes him a better ATM!
Note: An average ATM card has a life-span of between 3 to 4 years. It is only hoped that Laide Bakare's made exclusive "ATM Card" would last much longer...
