Category: Society

Socialite, show promoter and publisher of Ireland-based Street Journal magazine, Mogaji Bowale Oluwole Arisekola, is not a greenhorn in the media business. He has devoted years to advocacy and is also a man who has used his pen to demand accountability from past governments.

 The Mogaji Ajenigi-Eye of Yemetu-Oje has always distinguished himself as a man born to make a difference. He is a man who oozes class and also loves to stand out from the crowd.

 More reason the gangling entrepreneur has, over the years, grown astronomically in his endeavours. The man, who has been an advocate for Ibadan indigene in inclusion into the federal government, has raised some concerns calling out the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.

Read Also : When Wole Arisekola became Mogaji

 Arisekola raised concerns over the recent delay in the selection and coronation of the vacant Alaafin of Oyo and Soun of Ogbomoso stool in the state.

 Via an open letter, Arisekola, who is also the President of the Association of Online Media Practitioners of Nigeria AMPON, disclosed that the stool is far too vacant and that as the Chief Executive of the state, who is saddled with the responsibility to protect the state and its heritage, he should have waded into the kingship tussle and ensure all stumbling block mitigating the attainment of a new king should be resolved.

 “Your Excellency, I want you to look into the continued vacant of these most important stools immediately and allow these two obas to be crowned as soon as possible. I don’t want to believe the rumour that the continuous vacant stools of these two great Oba’s are due to your romance with some interest in the state who see the emergency of the two great stools as a setback to them,” he said.

 Stating that the pivotal role the Alaafin stool plays in Yoruba land, Arisekola said, “Sir, the role of the executive governor is different from the traditional rulers; continuous vacancies in the two traditional and well-respected stools are a bad omen for the state.”

 “Thus, until the collapse of the Oyo empire in the early 19th century, its dominance and commercial links with different parts of the world provided the basis for stability that protected Yorubaland from aggression or untoward experiences.” He further added.

Call him a miracle-working banker and you would have aptly described the highly cerebral Herbert Wigwe in a nutshell. In the finance sector, he is no pushover.

 If he writes a book on policy making, finance, risk management and economics, all his revelations in the book will never be gotten in the four walls of the classroom. This is because as a businessman and a top banker, he has seen it all. He had swam against the tides in the turbulent moment and today, he is a man who can stand on both his feet unwavering with his achievements speaking big of him. At his level, he does not need to prove naysayers right or wrong, his intimidating records and unprecedented achievements laced with the astronomic rise of Access Bank which later metamorphosed into Access Holdings is more than enough to write his name in gold.

 After succeeding his closest ally and business partner, Aigboje AIG-Imoukhuede, as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank in 2014, he redirected the fortune of the bank by repositioning it with the acquisition of now-defunct Diamond Bank which is regarded as one of the biggest takeovers in the Nigerian banking industry in recent times with numerous branches littered across the country, boasting of branches in Cameroon, Zambia, Kenya and South Africa. 

Read Also : Herbert Wigwe’s brilliant acquisition skill

To further shut those who doubted his competence, Wigwe with his access holding yet again pulled a string that got many talking in the banking industry in a bid to take over the African market. With the conglomerate announcing it has entered into agreements for the acquisition of Standard Chartered’s shareholding in its subsidiaries in Angola, Cameroon, The Gambia, and Sierra Leone, and its consumer, private and business banking business in Tanzania. Each transaction remains subject to the approval of the respective local regulators and the banking regulator in Nigeria came as amazement to many who have questioned his competency.

 The accounting graduate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, loves to work hard and play hard. He also loves philanthropy and cheerful giving. This is the reason Access Holdings have always tilted towards giving back heavily to their immediate environment. Through its recent Polo Day celebration, held at the esteemed Guards Polo Club in Windsor, United Kingdom, the group announced plans to construct 100 classroom blocks across Nigeria to aid learning and ensure underprivileged students get access to quality education in a very conducive environment. The coy also believes the initiative will help give access to a safe and nurturing learning environment, ultimately inspiring children to dream, learn and become more to meet their full potential.

 Access Holdings, through Access Bank Plc, has over the years refurbished several schools in Kaduna putting over 12,000 children through continuous education. Also, 60 classrooms and a computer literacy building have been commissioned. The communities surrounding the schools are supported with boreholes for water, while households have been empowered with equipment and training to secure employment, stimulating economic and social development. The completion of the new set of classroom blocks will represent a significant step in the organization’s goal of attaining a student-to-class ratio of 35-40 students per class in line with the national target.

Billionaire business magnate Alhaji Dahiru Mangal, whose business investments include real estate, construction, oil and gas, aviation and hospitality, was said to have shown traits of greatness with his drive since his formative years.

  With over $2 billion worth of fortune, Mangal is still putting more effort into working round the clock to sustain his wealth by building a conglomerate that will outlive him.

 Mangal is a strong believer in friendship and sustaining relationships which are factors that have helped sustain him in his sojourn to the top as he currently has a smooth relationship with movers and shakers of Nigeria.

 The Katsina State-born moneybag is not in a good mood, especially the recent scene playing out around him. First, it was the loss of his son Nura Mangal, then brother Bashir Barau Mangal and now his wife Hajiya Aisha Magal, who died last weekend and was buried on Sunday July 16 in Katsina according to Islamic rights.

Read Also : Dahiru Mangal’s inspiring story

 Mangal and his wife were two love birds who never failed to show love and affection to each other. We gathered that the sudden death of his wife has weighed him down but according to the teachings of Islam, he has accepted it as the will of the creator and he has no one to question it. This has made many top personalities across the country flood his Katsina mansion to pay a condolence visit and show solidarity with one of the richest men in Katsina.

 He is also not happy with the recent no-fly embargo placed on his Max airline after multiple reports of the airline not meeting the required safety standard. Also for the viral video where water was gushing out from the fuel compartment. This further made the aviation regulatory body ground the airline until it meets the statutory safety measures to fly.

 Sources say the company is incurring debts running into millions of naira on their pilots, engineers, air hostess, ticket sales representatives and the like as they are not making money due to the pronouncement that has grounded their operation. A source said all these have contributed to his unhappy state but concluded that Alhaji Mangal will bounce back in no time. 

Nigerian-American medical doctor, Dr Rommel Asagwara has deemed it fit to reconnect with his roots after leaving for over two decades to study medicine in France, traveling around the world and preaching a healthy lifestyle. This move has contributed immensely to the growth of healthcare.

The founder of Dream Weight Botox Clinic has displayed his passion for the upgrade of Nigeria’s healthcare system which has prompted him to expand his invention in Nigeria as he is set to open an aesthetic clinic on Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos with the mission to bring world-class quality of care in aesthetic medicine to people in Nigeria and removing the need to travel overseas or medical tourism.

The experienced doctor, as revealed, lived on three continents, was born in Africa, grew up in Europe and thrives in North America. No doubt, this has given him experiences and vast culture and plays a big role in the way he views the world.

 Undoubtedly, many Nigerians would want a piece of his intellect, his hands-on skills and anything he has to offer as a doctor. Dr. Rommel has seen it all, even as a young doctor with two busy clinics in the US, Ridgeland Mississippi and Atlanta Georgia.

He preaches that Nigerians need to be made aware of how to prevent illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and some cancers from ravaging them.

 It was disclosed that one of his major aims is to spread his vast knowledge with easy steps, such as eating smaller portions of starchy foods, adding more fibre and protein to our diet, and incorporating healthier lifestyle changes to make people live a stress-free life.

To say Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola with the sobriquet Yayi is born under the proverbial lucky star is not out of place with the recent happenings around his political trajectory. Interestingly all he has made for himself today is not by chance or fluke. It’s an intentional effort fuelled by sheer dint of hard work, resilience longsuffering and perseverance. His story to the top teaches that loyalty plays a pivotal role in the life of anyone who wants to grow in life under any mentorship. For him; Loyalty is unshaken as he has remained loyal to those he learnt the game of politics from and he has played by the rules which helped him grow beyond borders as a seasoned lawmaker and perhaps one of the senators who has represented two different states in the red chambers. Call him the record breaker; he would cackle revealing his dentition.

 From being a member of the Lagos House of Representatives, Federal House of Representatives, Senator Representing Lagos West and now Representing Ogun West he has contributed nothing but success built on massive empowerment programs, Sponsored life-changing bills and motions, Robust political engagement, Infrastructural development and a host of other things. He is of the opinion that as a politician, the greatest gift you can give to those who voted you into office is to make life easy for them by prioritising them and protecting their interest these have contributed to his popularity growing like wildfire. While the good people of Lagos West senatorial district are not happy he went to Ogun state they still gave him their blessings and thanked him for the job well done. His recent engagement in the emergence of the Senate President of the 10th assembly also sealed his grip as an all-round politician and also solidify his place as an influential politician in the red chambers. Like the popular parlance that the reward for hard work is more work; based on his antecedent as a promise keeper and a workaholic the Senate President gave him the highly coveted Chairman of the Appropriation Committee. While it was announced, nobody contested the fact that the shoe suited Yayi; he is a round peg in a round hole. Many believe he will perform excellently well in that capacity owing to his experience as senate chairman of Finance.      

By all standards, Barr. Allen Ifechekwu Onyema is a man of many parts. While some see him as a consummate business with huge investment in the aviation sector, some see him as a change advocate, some see him as a philanthropist of high repute and some still see him as a passionate patriot who does not joke with projecting Nigeria on the global stage.

 In which and every way you see him, he is all rolled in one but most importantly his large heart is unrivaled. Many would wonder why he so much cared for those around him but he was a man raised in love and grew in compassion. This has affected him positively so seeing the sight of those around him in distress brings pain to his heart. He will not rest until he finds a lasting solution.

 Little wonder why his Air Peace airline has engaged more in philanthropic deeds since its founding and today remains one of the biggest airlines that has engaged more in corporate social responsibility. 

If philanthropy were to be an art, the Anambra-born but University of Ibadan-trained lawyer would definitely have a mastery of it. Many say his company has adopted this and enjoyed goodwill from many Nigerians who can’t thank Onyema enough for constantly putting his father’s land first before anything. Today his deeds have put Air Peace in a league of its own, especially for his constant support when the country is in dire need of evacuating distressed Nigerians abroad. First, it was in South Africa during the Xenophic attack, During COvid-19, During the Sudan War, Transporting our National team for international games to mention a few. These gestures would have cost hundreds of dollars but Air Peace made it Pro Bono in its bid to give back to society if you wonder why despite several attempts to soil its name and that of Air Peace; they have continued to leapfrog its competitors and soar higher across the skyline locally, Regionally and internationally. Today the airline has become a prestige for all Nigerians and also a thing of envy for many countries.

 In his bid to support our heroes past, who have contributed to sporting activities by representing Nigeria and bringing glory to African soil internationally, Onyema alongside Air Peace have decided to honour the 1976 Montreal Olympic team and the 1980 Nations cup winning team with a wall of fame with their name scribbled at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, life monthly tickets to any destination Airpeace is flying, one return ticket on international trip and money to the families of those who are dead and personally to those who are still alive.

 All these will be unveiled on July 28 at the Eko Hotels in Lagos. Onyema disclosed that the idea was to honour patriots who have represented Nigeria at different levels and have been abandoned by the authorities.

 He claimed that the gesture will go a long way in creating a precedent for coming athletes that there is a reward for every hard work.

Like the boisterous sounds of dynamite from a quarry site; the name of Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu founder of BUA groups bangs loudly. Although different from the proverbial empty barrel that makes a loud noise; his good works of philanthropy; constant sharing of prosperity among Nigerians, magic wand in business and ability to turn fortune out of every misfortune has kept his name a recurring decimal in the mouth of many giving him so many admirers in and outside the country. He is a tsunami in the business terrain. Ignore him at your own peril. He is a master strategist who knows his onions on the ABC of doing business. More reason he has built an empire that will outlive him with many highflying business pies tied in Agriculture, Cement, Construction and a host of others to mention a few. It’s not news that catching his rapt attention at any point attracts a gift because no one sees him and no benefit from his largesse and deep pocket. He is a man who sees wealth as God’s giving more reason he gives like it’s going out of fashion.

 While many have noted his highflying waves in any business he ventures into but his ability to foresee like Nostradamus; the man who sees tomorrow has made him a multi Billionaire in dollars. His achievements are unrivaled and impeccable that a toddler can even speak of his strides to put Nigeria on the world map. During his formative years, those close to him averred that he displayed the trait of a man whose path would be smooth and great. Despite all the hurdles and hard times he faced; he was able to swim across the heavy tides. While growing up, he sharpened and harnessed his business dexterity carefully learning the tenets of running a successful business empire under the tutelage of his late father who was a business mogul and wealthy trade merchant during his heydays in Kano.

The Billionaire Money bag believes in the business ideology which gives room for healthy competition and a quest for improvement; more reason he got to his current level with sheer dint of hard work and resilience. He believes that his business should consider his customers who are equally Nigerians and they deserve the best not minding his profit. When his competitors jack up the prices of their commodities; Samad retains his price so the average Nigerian can have purchasing power. Despite paying heavily for his stand but he has constantly been favoured by his creator which has made him invincible in business with impeccable feats and highflying results in addition to his unprecedented increase in wealth and rating globally. The man of high taste for luxury, who loves to have fun in his exclusive private and double-decked yacht, has once again overtaken others to become the richest investor in the Nigerian Exchange.

 With a whopping $6.1 billion, and a spike in the market value of his BUA foods, Abdulsamad overthrew his closest rival Alhaji Aliko Dangote to secure the spot convincingly. While BUA foods has continued to receive massive patronage for its quality products, its stake in BUA foods has witnessed a staggering 109 percent rise occasioned by the strong buying interest in the foods company, remarkably ranking fifth most valuable on the Nigerian Exchange. Rabiu’s fortune on the exchange reveals he holds a 96.29 percent stake in his flagship company, BUA Cement. With the value of the stake standing at $3.008 billion. Rabiu also owns a 92.6 percent – worth $3 billion – stake in BUA foods, bringing the total value of his holdings to $6.01 billion.

IF one man has done well for himself and distinguished himself from his peers – especially on his job – then it’s definitely Funso Aina, the senior manager, external relations, MTN Nigeria.

Though he would rather put forward the telco’s achievement than his personality to the public glare, the suave and dandy Aina has continued to add more feathers to his filled cap of achievements.

However, only those close to Aina will tell you about his unbridled love for the arts. His collection of artworks and artefacts remains one thing that is easily noticed amongst his inner caucus and friends.

For Aina, the art collection becomes a behaviour after a while and refuses to leave. Aside from the inner peace, Aina tells friends that he draws inspiration from the inspiration behind many of the artworks and artefacts.

Aina has been consistently rewarded for his dedication and sheer brilliance at corporate communications.

Between 2022 and 2023, he has been rewarded with the award for the Most Influential PR Practitioner of the Year and Innovator of the Year in the brands’ category at the highly respected SABRE IN2 Awards.

Aina is undoubtedly one of Africa’s most decorated media and PR professionals with over 22 years of work experience in journalism, cultural diplomacy, and telecommunications.

A jovial professional and result-oriented professional with varied competencies and hands-on experience in public relations, corporate communications, media relations, public affairs, perception, stakeholder, reputation, issues, and crisis management.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History (University of Ilorin, 1992) and a Master’s degree in International Relations (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, 1998) and is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).

Before now, the journalist-turned-PR specialist had proven his worth having served at different organisations before joining the MTN Nigeria Public Relations team in January 2009.