Princess Dr. Toyin Kolade also known as ‘Iyalaje Oodua’ is a successful businesswoman and humanitarian of a high note. She has her hands littered with many business pies including oil and gas, interior decoration, real estate, maritime, and hospitality, among others. A woman of substance, those close to her disclosed that she loathes the sight of people in distress around her, she is always ready to assist.

 Kolade, the Managing Director, Fisolak Global Resources, Fisolak Royal Furniture, and Arikay oil and gas, joined the billionaire club at the relatively young age of 21, having learned the basics of doing business from her late mother, Madam Comfort Adejuyigbe. For the mother of four, every October 16 for the last six years continues to go down memory lane in her history book as the day her mother transited to the world beyond. Ever since her demise, Iyalaje Oodua has always used the occasion to remember her annually and use the avenue to reach out to the needy in her hometown in Ilesha, Osun State.

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Last week, the top importer, clearing, and forwarding guru converged with vulnerable people, widows, students, and other residents in the ancient town of Ilesha, at her mother’s residence where she doled out edible relief materials worth millions of Naira to cushion the effect of the biting economy as she has always done most especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, where she was applauded by many on the role she played in giving out containers load of food items meant to be sold for free to the needy within her immediate environment and in Osun State. At her late mother’s remembrance, she gave out N20,000 cash to over 200 people, especially old women, Rice, Semovita, Garri, Yam, noodles, Spaghetti, Sugar, Salt, Groundnut Oil, tomatoes paste, and lots more. She also provided free health checkups like Blood Pressure tests, Blood Sugar tests, eye tests, and other also drugs administered.

Temitope Ogunsemo ventured into the murky waters of entrepreneurship when he attempted to secure his academic transcript years ago. When getting the transcript became a herculean task, he birthed the idea of a school Information management system that would not only improve the storage, preservation, and retrieval of academic records but would also position these schools to harness the benefits of digitization. In 2010, he founded Krystal Digital Solutions Limited, a company that specializes in the development and deployment of customized and service-oriented software applications as well as IT training.

In 2017, Krystal Digital has not only grown to become a household name in the digital space it won the Tech Company of the year award at the Nigeria Technology Award. In November 2018, it was awarded Most Enterprising ICT Organization at the Nigeria Entrepreneur Award Ceremony. Ogunsemo has received several awards both locally and internationally. In 2019, he was singled out as the Most Influential Global Young Leader at the Africa Europe Youth Leadership Summit in Gambia. In that same year, he was part of the list of the 100 Most Influential Young Africans and 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians respectively. Forbes Africa listed him in 2018 as one of the 30 Most Promising Young Entrepreneurs in Africa.

 The Choiseul 100 Africa is an annual survey exclusively carried out by the Institut Choiseul. It identifies and ranks the young African leaders 40 years old and below, who will play a major role in the continent’s economic development soon. It is not surprising that the technology guru, for the third straight year was listed among these young creative entrepreneurs who have a well-designed future for digital and infrastructural development in Africa and are incessantly doing their best to make it happen.

For maritime and hospitality connoisseur, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, happiness is a must, especially when things look bleak and uncertain due to the shocking demise of his twin brother Kehinde Afolabi.

 The head honcho of SIFAX groups was thrown off balance when the news of his twin brother got to him. It was as if the world was coming to an abrupt end like a part of him went missing. Following the teaching of the bible which harps on the fact that death is inevitable for everyman and God almighty giveth and he taketh, Afolabi succumbed to the will of the creator of heaven and earth as he quietly mourned his brother who was lowered to mother earth amidst tears a few weeks ago.

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 Last week Saturday on October 22, at the popular Marriott Hotel, Ikeja GRA, he hosted the high and mighty for the wedding ceremony of his daughter very reserved and highly cerebral Mariam Afolabi, who married her long-time beau Qudus Badmus. The whole of Lagos was shaken to its foundation as Dr. Afolabi, who is known for not doing things in half measure, ensured he spared no cost in making the wedding soiree a memorable one despite still mourning his twin brother. From captains of industries, top politicians, socialites, celebrities, and other captains of industries it was indeed a celebration that those who were privileged to attend would not forget in a hurry. The wedding also coincidentally falls on the bride’s mother Deaconess Folashade Afolabi’s birthday.

 The Marriott boss indeed showed that when it comes to hosting soirees, he has a mastery of it from the arrangement to the endearing hospitality it shows why Afolabi delved into the hospitality business. Sources disclosed that to round up the wedding soiree, a destination wedding in Dubai would be held over the weekend. Already, ‘Dr. Afolabi, his inlaw, friends, and family members have jetted to Dubai for the grand finale of the wedding that will be taking place tomorrow.

Forbes-rated billionaire business magnate Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu founder of BUA groups is synonymous with that proverbial tsunami hovering around the business firmament, changing business narratives and causing disruption worldwide. His achievements are unrivaled and impeccable that a toddler can even speak of his giant strides to put Nigeria on the world map. Despite all the hurdles and hard times he faced in life, 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. With his audacious mindset to succeed, he ventured into business changing the narrative by giving his rivals a run for their money. As of today, he is regarded as one of the biggest investors in the Nigerian economy with business interests in real estate, sugar, cement, oil, and gas among other business chains tied to him.

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 Apart from his fortune calculated to be worth billions of dollars by Forbes, he has a large heart. His generous donation to fund research and education across Africa through its yearly $100 million ASR Africa Fund for Social Development and Renewal is well applauded by many.

 The Kano-born generous money bag is not interested in frivolities, he devotes most of his time to facilitating and sealing juicy business deals that will favour Africa and Nigeria at large. For his immense contribution to public and private sector partnership, philanthropy, and business excellence he was among the prominent Nigerians conferred with the Nation Award as The Commander of Federal Republic CFR and Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS) by President Buhari.

If the banking profession were to be an art of problem-solving Segun Agbaje, the head honcho of GTCO would have a mastery of it like a born genius. All his life he has worked assiduously to uphold excellence; this is quite evident in his dealings since the creation of Guarantee Trust Bank over three decades ago. Since he assumed office as the MD/CEO of one of the fastest-growing new-generation banks in the country, Agbaje has proved to pundits wrong that age is not a big factor when it comes to efficient service delivery and well-focused administration. In fact, at this point, he does not need to prove his wizardry in boardroom politics as it’s quite evident and crystal clear that he is capable in all ramifications.
In the face of persistent opposition within the competitive financial world, he has remained focused, while also steadily delivering immeasurable growth to the bank, with several customer-friendly products and services that make other competitors groan in envy.

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It is a fact that the quintessential banking guru, who is blessed with some unique attributes as well as sterling leadership qualities, was said to have mentored several individuals, who today occupy top managerial positions in their respective organizations across the country.
Since the birth of the newly formed Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and its listing on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, following the restructuring of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc, sources disclosed that the financial powerhouse under Agbaje is marching towards success yet again. In its released unaudited Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2022, to the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) and London Stock Exchange (LSE), the Group reported profit before tax of ?169.7billion, representing an increase of 11.7% over ?151.9billion recorded in the corresponding period ended September 2021.

Omega Fire Ministries Senior pastor and general overseer, Apostle Johnson Suleman is currently paying the price for being famous. Even though he might not like his name being enmeshed in controversies but with the position, he occupies, and a large followership both online and offline, his name has become a recurring decimal over the past years. The televangelist has often told those who care to listen that he is on a mission and every attempt to distract him from accomplishing the mission he was sent to this world would, such person would meet the wrath of his creator.

 Over the years, he has severally been linked to having affairs with several actresses, but in a bid to pull him down a, he has returned stronger. Apostle Suleman was said to have donated heavily to the poor. His philanthropic gestures are second to none as he has touched more lives most especially via his crusades across the world.

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 Last week, the Edo-born clergyman saw death with by flash. His convoy was ambushed and attacked by some unknown gunmen who killed seven people from his convoy. Many were faced to ask questions on what the Apostle might have done to warrant such gruesome murder of his security details and domestic staff and attack on his convoy. Sources say the attack has moved from what used to be cyberbullying to offline and it should not be taken with levity as every attempt to take his life must be resisted at all costs.

When Prof. Femi Osofisan aptly entitled his literary masterpiece Birthdays are not for dying; what he literally meant was that Birthdays can only be celebrated by the living in celebration of the gift of life which is rare in this age and time because of the reduction in life expectancy. But for Hon. Dr Kafayat Abike Dabiri-Erewa the Managing Director Nigerians in Diaspora Commission NIDCOM sauntering into age 60 is a milestone that she won’t take for granted especially as she is still filled with life having achieved a lot politically and other life endeavours. Despite being born into the prominent family of Erogbogbo in Ikorodu Lagos State, she worked fervently to carve a niche for herself and today she is relevant in the scheme of things.

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All her life, the veteran journalist cum politician has dedicated it to the service of humanity where she has been a problem solver and has thrived with excellence in a male-dominated country representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency three times at the green chambers where she sponsored numerous bills that have transformed the country and have also facilitated projects that are of use to his people. On Tuesday, October 11, it was a double celebration for Madam Diaspora as she is fondly called by many. She was also conferred with a national award as an Officer of the Order of Niger OON by President Buhari for her contribution to nation-building and bridging the gap between Nigerians in the diaspora and home where she has created assistance to distressed Nigerians. The conferment ceremony coincidentally fell on her birthday as she was hosted by her husband’s friends and family to a private celebration soiree in Abuja. Her eldest son surprised her with his presence as she was moved to tears by the show of love not only from friends but from her close associates.

Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Dr. Maureen Tamuno, is the perfect embodiment of panache and progressive diplomacy. Since her appointment in 2021, the former House of Assembly member has been up and about, diligently handling her new brief with the practised gait of a well/informed diplomat. She has been very proactive and continually puts the country on the global stage.

Last week, the Rivers State-born diplomat once again shone like a diamond at the three-day workshop of the International Seabed Authority in Abuja. The event was well attended by important personalities such as the Secretary-General, International Seabed Authority, Michael Lodge; Minister of State for Transportation,  Prince Ademola Adegoroye; Chief of Naval Staff as well as senior representatives from  Comoros, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sao Tome and Principe and Uganda.

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Many top dignitaries at the event spoke glowingly of Tamuno, who is also Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the International Seabed  Authority. Both Adegoroye and Lodge lauded Tamuno’s hard work, dedication and diligence since her appointment. The theme of the worship was “ Promotion of the sustainable development of Africa’s deep-seabed Resources In Support of Africa’s Blue Economy.”

On October 12, 2012, the family of Egba born Alhaji Fatai Olalekan Akanmu Gbemisola, founder of Fatgbems Groups were thrown into disbelief as their patriarch bid farewell to this world after battling for his life in a hospital. It was a sonorous moment as the whole Abeokuta went into mourning mode over the passing away of the kind-hearted billionaire Oil and gas mogul, who was equally a philanthropist. In accordance to Islamic rite, he was buried at his Amdallat Residence in Ibara Housing Estate home amidst tears, eulogies, adulations and grief.

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As they say, sweetness is the remembrance of the righteous, despite his death at age 64, he lived a life worthy of emulation as he touched many lives. With over 40 petrol retail outlets littered across the country and his over 6,000 employees, he ensured they were all treated well and never owed their salaries. At his Abeokuta home town, his sons Alhaji Gbemisola Ajibola, Adedamola Gbemisola, Adebayo Gbemisola led their other siblings with Islamic clerics to prayer and a symposium in honour of their late father at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library OOPL. They also used the opportunity to fete those who came to celebrate with them and reached out to the needy via philanthropy like their father used to do during his lifetime.