Former British supermodel Naomi Campbell has been barred for five years from running a charity in England and Wales after an inquiry found funds raised by an organization she founded were spent on spa treatment and room service charges.
The inquiry into Fashion for Relief, released on Thursday, identified “multiple instances of misconduct,” including the use of charity money to pay for a five-star hotel stay for Campbell in the south of France.
According to the inquiry, only 8.5% of the funds raised were spent on charitable grants, and most of the funds were used to pay for Campbell’s stay at luxurious hotels, spa treatment, and cigarettes.
Campbell founded Fashion For Relief in 2005 to relieve poverty.
Reacting to the inquiry in an interview with AP, Campbell said she was unaware of the expenses because she “was not in control of my charity“.
“I have just found out today about the findings, and I am extremely concerned,” she said.
“I was not in control of my charity, I put the control in the hands of a legal employer.”
Aside from Campbell, other trustees such as, Veronica Chou and Bianca Hellmich were sanctioned.
Hellmich was banned for nine years for receiving $385,000 of unauthorized funds for consultancy services. Chou was banned for four years.
Commenting on the ban, Tim Hopkins, who was part of the investigation, said Campbell and the other trustees failed in their legal duties.
“Trustees are legally required to make decisions that are in their charity’s best interests and to comply with their legal duties and responsibilities,” he said.
“Our inquiry has found that the trustees of this charity failed to do so, which has resulted in our action to disqualify them”.
About £344,000 has also been recovered, and a further £98,000 in charitable funds has been protected.
British supermodel, Naomi Campbell, has put to bed a bouncing baby boy.
The model took to her Instagram page to announce the arrival of her baby boy on Thursday.
She described the child as “a true gift from God.”
According to Campbell, it’s never too late to become a father or mother.
Recall that Naomi Campbell welcomed her first child, a girl, in May 2021, at the age of 50.
“My little darling, know that you are cherished beyond measure and surrounded by love from the moment you graced us with your presence,” she captioned the post. “A True Gift from God, blessed! Welcome Babyboy.”
“It’s never too late to become a mother,” Campbell added, along with the hashtag #mumoftwo. She did not reveal the name of her son.
British model, actress and singer Naomi Campbell, has told the organisers of 64th Grammy Awards to give Afrobeats the representation it deserves, following non recognition of Wizkid’s world acclaimed song, Essence.
In a post on Instagram early Tuesday, Naomi also blasted the organizers of the 64th Grammy for missing to recognize Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” album.
first consoled Wizkid for being snubbed by the Academy in two awards categories.
She described Wizkid’s #MadeinLagos album as beyond phenomenal and a winner without doubt.
“You are the KING of the people , that has brought AFROBEATS mainstream that means more than any academy of any sort”.
Naomi attached Essence song in her post and peerless statistics that really showcased Essence and Made In Lagos as champions.
Then, she descended on the Recording Academy for choosing to be “tone deaf” to what is going in the universe.
“Changing World to Global is not Enough.. get up to speed on the state of all popular music and include Afrobeats Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, Album of the Year and all the subcategories that this
genre so deserves – just as an other respected and recognised musical genre.
“#MadeinLagos Album and song Essence ,was clearly in the wrong category. How can you ignore the song Essence , The song by Wizkid , and Tems that was covered and remixed by Justin Bieber , you seem to isolate under global, when it should have been in song of the year category.
“This is a misrepresentation and a neglectful categorisation of Music ONCE AGAIN.
“Give Afrobeats the representation it deserves . You are .Ignoring 1.3 billion people It will only make us Rise !! Afrobeats in our hearts Africabeats to the world !, Naomi wrote.
Award winning model, Naomi Campbell is now a mother. The 50 year old made the announced via social media on Tuesday that she welcomed her first child, sharing a photo of her holding the new baby’s feet.
Celebrities and fans alike congratulated the new mother.
“Omg!! Congrats mama! Love you,” Ryan Destiny commented on Instagram
Actress Zoe Saldana wrote: “oh my goodness congrats lady! What a blessing!!!”
Fashion designer Marc Jacobs also expressed his excitement at Campbell’s new baby.
“Oh my God!!!!! Today is the day?? How absolutely incredible. How lucky she is and how lucky you are! What a wonderful Mother you will be. Blessings all around,” he commented.
Campbell’s newest addition to the family comes a few months after the death of her godson, Harry Brant, a rising model who died from an accidental drug overdose at age 24.
In a moving Instagram tribute, Campbell admitted that “it’s taken me a few days to get my head around this to digest the fact my beautiful godson Harry Brant has gone to the spiritual world.” She added, “Harry, you’ve taken a piece of my heart.”
Naomi Campbell has offered her support to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry following their decision to step back from frontline royal duties.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex shocked the world last week with their decision to ‘step back’ and become ‘financially independent’.
Yet supermodel Naomi, 49, insisted she was firmly behind the announcement, as she told PA: ‘I support them whatever.’
It is not known if Naomi knows or has met the Sussexes, but she has previously voiced her support for the pair after they took legal action on the British press.
She told The Guardian: ‘When I heard [she was taking legal action], I was like “Bravo. Good for her”‘.
In a statement released on their Sussex Royal Instagram account, Harry, 35, and Meghan, 38, announced they would be stepping back from royal duties following ‘many months of reflection and internal discussions’.
They intend to ‘become financially independent’ while still ‘continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen’, the statement said.
The couple spent six weeks over the festive period based in the Canadian province of British Columbia – staying at an exclusive property on Vancouver Island.
The duchess, a former actress, lived and worked in Toronto during her time starring in the popular US drama Suits and knows the country well having lived there for seven years.
Following a meeting at Sandringham on Monday, the Queen said the royals had held ‘very constructive discussions on the future of my grandson and his family’.
The monarch, 93, added: ‘Although we would have preferred them to remain full-time working Members of the Royal Family, we respect and understand their wish to live a more independent life as a family while remaining a valued part of my family.
‘Harry and Meghan have made clear that they do not want to be reliant on public funds in their new lives.
‘It has therefore been agreed that there will be a period of transition in which the Sussexes will spend time in Canada and the UK.
‘These are complex matters for my family to resolve, and there is some more work to be done, but I have asked for final decisions to be reached in the coming days.’
The Sussexes have several celebrity friends, including George Clooney and his wife Amal and Oprah Winfrey.
Oprah has denied advising the couple on their decision to move to Canada, but said she will support them.
Racial diversity in fashion has improved in recent years, but the industry must not treat it like a catwalk trend, British model Naomi Campbell has said.
“In so many ways, but most importantly the diversity; It’s finally … sunken in but now we hope people don’t think it’s in for a trend, like clothes are in for a season and out for a season, that’s not going to happen,” Campbell said in an interview with Reuters.
“It’s improved absolutely, I can’t say it hasn’t. I do think there’s always more room for improvement … There’s still some ways to go,” she added referring to equal pay.
Campbell began her career as a teenager and has modeled for fashion heavyweights, such as Versace, Chanel, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, among many others.
She has also championed African designers and co-produced April’s Arise Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria.
Asked if African designers were finally getting recognition, she said: “We’re on our way, we’re not there yet, but we’re getting the platform … they deserve to have.”
On designer labels improving their green credentials as public environmental awareness grows, Campbell said most brands were “very aware of sustainability.”
“I feel that everyone is consciously aware now and trying to do their part. It’s amazing, you go on set now to do shoots and it has to be a non-plastic shoot.”
One of the five major supermodels of the early 1990s, Campbell has featured on the covers of more than 500 magazines.
However she wrote in this month’s British Vogue she only recently began feeling more at ease in her own skin.
“Just because I’m a model doesn’t mean that I felt comfortable,” she said.
“If I would put on something that was figure hugging and I had to go outside and get a taxi in New York City, I’d always tie a cardigan around my waist because I felt a little self-conscious.”
Campbell founded charitable organization Fashion For Relief in 2005, hosting catwalk shows to raise funds for causes that have included victims of Hurricane Katrina and Typhoon Haiyan.
She began her charity work with late South African president Nelson Mandela, who referred to her as “honorary granddaughter.”
The British Fashion Council on Monday said Campbell would receive the Fashion Icon Award at December’s Fashion Awards in recognition of her industry contribution and charity work. Campbell said the award was “an honor and thrill.”
Asked about Britain’s impending departure from the European Union and its impact on the country’s fashion industry, London-born Campbell said: “How’s Brexit going to affect the country on the whole is what I care about.
“I don’t think divide is good in any situation and there is a divide and when there’s divide there’s unrest, and unrest is not good.”
But she added that she hoped there would be more opportunities in fashion.
“When people say global to me and I ask them if they mean are they in Africa and they say no, they’re not global to me … So if this is going to open up the territories that were not included … then I’m for it in our fashion industry.”
International supermodel, Naomi Campbell was a special guest at the Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday night.
The-48-year-old, who was in Nigeria for the Arise Fashion Week, was received at the iconic cultural centre by Yeni Kuti and Femi Kuti.
Her hosts took to social media to share pictures of her at the shrine .Yeni wrote: “Pix 1 We welcome Naomi Campbell to the Shrine. Pix 2. A group picture Pix 3 I hug and peck. Mutual respect Pix 5. Deep discussions Pix 6. Selfie time.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwcCon4HVNe/
Son of Afro-beat maestro, Femi Kuti, Made, shared a group picture, writing: “After a super show last night at the Shrine @afrikashrine with @femiakuti @yeniakuti @kunlekuti Uncle Dotun @naomi @optimus_dammy @matthewohio @efe_one and more family!! !! Surrounded by super humans!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BwbzEXWgy8G/
On July 3rd, 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Shrine and pre-launched the Season of African Cultures 2020 in France.Macron said he had visited the Shrine as a student in 2002
Campbell’s first public appearance came at the age of seven, in 1978, when she was featured in the music video for Bob Marley’s “Is This Love”.
At the age of 12 she tap-danced in the music video for Culture Club’s “I’ll Tumble 4 Ya”.
In 1986, while still a student of the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts, Campbell was scouted by Beth Boldt, head of the Synchro Model Agency, while window-shopping in Covent Garden.
Her career quickly took off—in April, just before her 16th birthday she appeared on the cover of British Elle
International supermodel, Naomi Campbell could not contain her excitement after meeting Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
The two super women met at the 2019 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland where they spent time inspiring each other.
48-year-old Campbell, who is one of the most recognizable models from the 80s, took to her Instagram page @naomi to gush over Okonjo-Iweala.
She said, “The only person I wanted to meet this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland over a beautiful dinner we shared our strength’s and hope.
“The brilliant and beautiful Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; globally acclaimed economist, Nigeria’s first female Minister of Finance.
“Active board member for a variety of large and impactful organizations like the African Risk Capacity, Standard Chartered Bank and Twitter.
“She’s one of Fortune’s 50 Greatest World Leaders in 2015 and Forbes Top 100 Most Powerful Women In The World, 2011-2014.
“Ngozi, you are the epitome of #BLACKEXCELLENCE and a trailblazer for women around the world!
“I’m inspired by your intelligence and vision, you are history in the making. #BlackHistoryMonth,” Campbell said.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala also took to Twitter to appreciate Campbell’s words. She also extolled the impact of her work on fashion and arts industry Africa.
She said, “Thank you @Naomicampbell for such kind words. And thank you for all you are doing to make fashion, architecture and technology accessible to those without access on the continent.
“And for being a Voice for the people of African origin in the industry and around the world,” Okonjo-Iweala said on Twitter @NOIweala.
64-year-old Okonjo-Iweala is currently a globally recognized economist and she sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization, and the African Risk Capacity.
As existence draws curtains on the year 2018, TheNewsGuru (TNG) takes a look back at some unforgettable top trend moments of the year.
With President Muhammadu Buhari emergence as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015 and as 2018 ushers in another election year to determine if he serves second tenure as a democratic president or is replaced, the years seems to be 3 years in one.
It seems 2018 is the year of the mother of all politics, especially as coalition such as the one seen pre-2015 general elections cropped up, however rickety, in earnest expectations to oust seating president Buhari, whom many in some quarters have judged to have performed below par.
From Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s recent stuttering at the vice presidential debates to former governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose’s ‘I’m in pains, I can’t take this anymore’ gimmicks to small girls who have big gods, 2018 seems to be the year of assurance; assurance?
The unforgettable trend moments in the year 2018 were just dropping, one by one, gbagam, and we bring them to you in this list ‘gbagamly’.
I’m in pains, I can’t take this anymore; EFCC I’m here
2018 would be incomplete without the mention of former governor of Ekiti state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who many have judged, alongside Senators Dino Melaye and Ademola Adeleke, as the clowns of Nigerian politics.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlIYyZTHq6M/
While Senator Melaye is the all time musical politician Nigeria has known, and Senator Adeleke won the prize for the best dancer politician, former governor Fayose won the award for Nigeria’s best actor politician.
The year was dramatic when Mr. Fayose appeared on TV donning a neck gear and weeping accusing the Nigerian police to have beaten him up during a rally organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlGFwFSjCeT/
Nigerians will not forget in a hurry the polo t-shirt the former governor put on when he appeared at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) headquarters in Abuja.
Let’s not forget that our all time musical politician jumped off a moving vehicle in a ‘james bondic’ manner and then went on to spend 11 hours on top of a tree, escaping people, he said wanted to assassinate him.
The lawmaker, who defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the PDP alleged that his attackers were policemen.
PDP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi and his counterpart in APC, Yemi Osinbajo both stole the show as they battled each other at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja in the vice presidential dabate.
The internet was abuzz with uploads of memes, quotes, short videos, other form of excerpts from the debate session and of course Osinbajo’s stuttering caught the attention of Nigerians, who themselves also took over the heated conversation by citing some of the statistics doled out by the several vice presidential candidates to support their arguments who should be Nigeria’s next VP.
Candidly, I did not know how to spell out Osinbajo’s famous stuttering at the debate. Whether it is “why we were where were where” or “why we where were we were”, I really don’t know. But, what we all know is that our amiable VP said what he said. Thats all!
The police is your friend, so if we laugh over a transmission joke, they will understand. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris Kpotun transmitted in the course of the year while trying to read his speech during a commissioning event.
President Muhammadu Buhari in April did not take it easy on the Nigerian youth at the Commonwealth Business Forum in London he attended.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s young population he said just want government to hand them everything on a platter.
While the president did not explicitly say Nigerian youths are lazy, Nigerians felt bad by the comments he made that implied so.
One Anthony Okolo questioned the president about the Northeastern region of the country, which actually prompted Buhari’s reaction.
https://youtu.be/zzsxim-q-eo
Iberiberism
Okay, so, if anyone wants a statue of himself at any location of choice in Nigeria, we probably now know who to contract by now. In Imo State, it seems Governor Rochas Okorocha might be having the statue of every Nigerian in the locker room to erect somewhere. Lets not forget this is our happiness governor and the crooner of iberiberism.
What if you come to my state, I have collected N500 billion and the only thing I could show to you is borehole… for me that is what I call iberiberism, Okorochas said in an interview with Channels TV.
Whatever iberiberism meant in that syntactic structure, the term stood among the top trend moments of the year.
NYSC certificate
2018 might not be the best of years for former Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun as reports emerged she allegedly skipped the compulsory one year National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) programme and forged her exemption certificate.
Adeosun, who is one of the best ministers, if not the best, President Buhari had was forced to resigned after investigations into the matter. The Adeosun certificate moment is one of the most powerful moments of the year.
Assurance
Of course, it seems 2018 is the year of assurance. If 2018 is not the year of assurance for you, it definitely was for Chioma Avril.
Nigerian music superstar, Davido orchestrated this unforgettable 2018 moment gifting Chioma, his girlfriend, a Porsche car which reportedly costs N45 million.
The 2018 lover boy also took to his Twitter handle to announce a N60 million endorsement deal for Chioma, and it did not end there.
The Nigerian pop star released a high-life mid-tempo song with a follow up Chioma-dedicated music video, in which Davido shows his romantic side, heaping praises on Chioma his lover.
Nigerians sure caught the fever, and 2019 may be the year of insurance.
Sweet Boys Association
Many know him as a rapper and actor, but Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana now loves to be called president of the Sweet Boys Association (SBA).
The entertainer calls SBA a prestigious league of well-mannered, well-clad and purposeful, ambitious gentlemen.
According to Falz, the inaugural members of the Sweet Boys Association are BBNaija star Tobi Bakre, media personality Noble Igwe, fashion designer Mai Atafo, singers Ric Hassani, Adekunle Gold and Banky W, actor Timini Egbuson, among others.
If you have not been living under a rock, the Sho mo age mi ni trend won’t be alien to you. ‘Sho mo age mi ni’ meaning ‘do you know my age?’ is a Yoruba jargon that trended on Nigerian social media platforms especially on Instagram.
The slang, made popular by budding Nigerian actor, Abimbola Kazeem a.k.a Jiganbabaoja, spread like wildfire with celebrities creating comedy skits from the trend.
2018 was the year of stew, as well, and this may echo forth into the year 2019.
Everywhere stew is a slang that can be attributed to Freedom Atsepoyi popularly known as Mr. Jollof, with stew becoming viral after Wizkid released his hit song titled ‘Fever’, in which he featured Tiwa Savage in the video.
Celebrities like D’banj and Don Jazzy also leveraged on the trend by using the slang to talk about their songs and activities.
Personally, I think Naomi Campbell won the ‘small girl, big god’ contest, if it were to be a contest actually. Campbell and Buhari allegedly stumbled upon each other at the launch of the Eko Atlantic City, and it was the talk of the town for a period of time in the year.
Campbell took a snapshot with Buhari and tweeted, “Was a pleasure to be invited by his Excellency, the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, to the private launch of Eko Atlantic @NGRPresident @MBuhari”.
When a typical Yoruba man says “I deserve some accolades”, it sounds like a person’s full name, like Adisa Sam Akolade, just like Toke Makinwa found out that “Able God” was not actually “Ebuka”.
Mr. Spellz
Internet sensation, Dede Nne aka Mr. Spellz gained prominence over a viral video he featured in where he misspelt ‘Buhari’, with Nigerians on social media in a bid to imitate his spelling errors created a trend from his mistakes.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqJ1zZmDM2Y/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqJymLPDy7n/
The year 2018 was important, 2019 is importanter.
Did we miss out on any moment that should make TNG’s unforgettable top trend moments of 2018, drop it with a comment below… it’s importantest!
