By Oladapo Sofowora

Without gainsaying, Chairman of Premier Lotto, Chief Adebutu Kessington is one of the top businessmen Nigeria can proudly boast of, apart from lottery business, he has invested heavily in every sector of the economy. This industry has become so big under such a relatively short time that it has made millionaires of owners of the online platforms. Premier Lotto is one of the biggest cash-generating entities in Nigeria. This business has made Chief Adebutu alongside his immediate family, billionaires in several figures.

For over a week now, many have passed unfair judgment by casting aspersions on the persona of the Odoole of Yorubaland over a leaked phone conversation between him and late Senator Buruji Kashamu who passed away penultimate weeks in Lagos. In the footage, the late billionaire was heard asking Baba to ask for forgiveness for any of his wrongdoing in the past. He also asked for another chance to right his wrongs. Since the video went viral, it generated mixed reactions from all sundry, most especially, on social media platforms.

Sources close to the businessman disclosed that; he decided to record their conversation based on late Buruji’s past antecedent of being slippery, whose words were never his bond. “Baba Ijebu was never aware that late Kashamu was in the hospital, he called the very day he was taken to First Cardiology Hospital, Baba was shocked when he saw the call. This was the same person that waged war against him and his business. The video was recorded to stand as evidence if by chance Late Kashamu wants to rescind his words” a source alleged.

The source disclosed further that Baba Ijebu as he is fondly called never had any intention of leaking the video until some unscrupulous elements started spreading rumours that he could probably have hands in Buruji’s death. To further counter the lingering rumour, the video was released to prove that he has mended fences with the deceased before his death. “His intention was not to release the video until these reprobate people came out with the unfounded theory that he had a hand in Kashamu’s death. So, to prove that he has forgiven him he had to show to the world the video’’ sources added.

OLUSHOLA VICTOR

THE demise of former senator representing Ogun East Senatorial district, Buruji Kashamu, came as a shock to most people. While his life was enveloped with controversies, he was able to record some big wins in politics and business.

People will remember him for different reasons based on their relationship with him. However, the late Chairman/Chief Executive of Kasmal Group of Companies seemed to have made the biggest impact on society with his foundation.

Read Also: Between Kashamu and Obasanjo

In 2009, he set up the Omoilu Foundation, a non-profit organization, to empower the needy and give hope to the hopeless. It was gathered that Kashamu used the foundation to reach out to many people within Ogun State and beyond. The foundation offered interest-free micro-credit schemes, scholarships, payment for surgeries and hospital bills and other empowerment programmes.

OLUSHOLA VICTOR

TEARS of joy and pure emotion rained last weekend in the household of the Onasanyas and Phillips as their children, Sharon and Dotun, became one.

The ceremony, which was graced by former Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel and his wife, Yeye Olufunke, was originally slated to hold in June but the outbreak of COVID-19 halted it.

With adequate safety measures put in place, the engagement ceremony finally held on Friday, August 14, at Conference Hotel in Abeokuta, while the wedding party was moved to Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in the same city next day.

Daniel advised the couple be patient and always tolerate each other. He also challenged the husband to use his aviation skills to manage the affairs of the house, saying pilots were known to be calculated and attentive to details.

Read Also: Buhari celebrates with Osadolor at 60

At the wedding ceremony, it was quite obvious that the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Strategy, Ogun State, Rev. Ibikunle Onasanya and his wife, are strongly attached to their only daughter and baby of the house. Also, her three brothers literally played the role of personal body guards of their lawyer baby sister. They supervised her looks for the day, moderated photo sessions and made sure nothing went wrong.

Other notable figures present included Majuwa of Moribodo Kingdom, Ilutitun- Osooro, Oba Adeoye Idepefo; Chairman, Ogun State Local Government Service Commission, Olubukunola Onabanjo; Chairman, Forthright Group, Mr. Johnson Teniola; Chairman Reward Investment and Services Ltd, Deacon Henry Olayemi; District Overseer, Foursquare, Abeokuta, Rev. Adedimeji Adegbesan; Former Central Bank Director, Otunba Detola Banjo and Former District Overseer, Foursquare, Abeokuta, Rev. Ezekiel Abikoye.

Dotun and Sharon met through a mutual friend, Seyi Lawal, who thought he was responsible and would be a better half for the bride. Once Lawal perfected the matchmaking, they became inseparable. Even distance – Dotun is based in Lagos while Sharon was in Ogun State – couldn’t break them.

OLUSHOLA VICTOR

FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo, has finally stepped out after he released a controversial statement following the untimely death of Senator Buruji Kasamu from COVID-19.

He had said Kasamu could not beat death despite deploying various devices to escape from the law for alleged offences. Despite the mixed reactions which his remark generated, Obasanjo didn’t swallow his words.

The moment he was spotted at the first anniversary of the Agura of Gbagura, Oba Sabur Bakare, Jamolu II, attention shifted to him. Like a prophet, he knew the mind of the people and used the occasion to send another message.

Read Also: Between Kashamu and Obasanjo

The 83-year-old elder statesman made it clear he would live beyond 100 years, adding that he would attend Oba Bakare’s 20th anniversary whether invited or not.

Bakare ascended the throne in May last year after receiving the staff of office from former Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.

OLUSHOLA VICTOR

LITTLE is known about the children of Zenith Bank chairman, Jim Ovia, who has broken boundaries in the banking sector. But he is happily married to Kay Ovia and their union is blessed with five children – Isioma, Zephia, Tito, Tomi and Jesse.

Tito is already following her father’s footsteps but she chose the health sector. Like her father, she is an information technology enthusiast and she loves building software,

Tito, who happens to be the third child, made it to Forbes’ Under 30 list of young people who want to make a difference in the health sector.

Read Also: Oluwatoyin Suarau’s golden celebration

Born in March, 1994, she attended Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, for her high school. She obtained a B.Sc Degree from the prestigious University of Manchester and later became a Doctor of Biomedical Sciences.

Along with two of her friends – Adejoke Olubusi and Dimeji Sofowora – Tito founded Helium Health in 2017. This is an application that allows over 500,000 doctors to have information from over 500,000 patients all over West Africa.

OLUSHOLA VICTOR

MRS. Deborah Oluwatoyin Suarau is not one who is noisy about her achievements.  As a Chartered accountant, the Mushin Local Government Council Treasurer, and wife of former Commissioner of Agriculture, Lagos State, Hon. Toyin Suarau, loves her records to attest to her success in public service.

During the week she sauntered gaily into the golden age of 50.  Many would have thought it a moment to roll out drums and invite family, friends to sing her praises to high heavens. But she opted for a private celebration in line with government’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Read Also: This may be Kashamu’s biggest legacy

She started the day with prayers from top Christian clerics, who gathered at her Oko-Oba mansion to thank God for the gift of life.

A few privileged people who attended the private celebration were treated to an array of local and continental dishes accompanied by an endless supply of drinks.

The celebrant who wore an alluring birthday outfit, warmly exchanged pleasantries with invited guests who showered encomiums on her as they testified to her gentle and welcoming persona.