Category: Society

The success story of Kennedy Okonkwo known as Ned Okonkwo on the social scene can only be best described by American novelist Henry David Thoreau. During his formative years, the death of his father almost realigned his already journey. The sojourn became rough as it was also cloudy to navigate through the hard times. With determination and the will to be successful, he was able to turn his constraints into a success story. Today, he is a major player in the country’s real estate, hospitality, oil and gas sectors with a money-spinning business chain worth billions of Naira. The Ojoto Anambra State-born business mogul sits on top as chairman of Nedcomoaks Limited, a property development company with a speciality in real estate development and architectural and civil designs and also Victoria Crest Homes, a housing property that provides affordable housing options to especially the middle class. With his experience, while growing up he promised his creator that he will never desist from philanthropy which has led him to give back to society in numerous ways. He founded Kennedy Okonkwo Programme For Tech Entrepreneurs, where thousands of youth benefit from him and has also doled out scholarships to brilliant students among other things.

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On October 12, the Psychology graduate of the University of Ibadan celebrated his 45th birthday in grand style with a black and gold themed soiree tagged: Nwdland at the Balmoral Hall of the Federal Palace Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos. It was a display of colours as the birthday was carnival-like. It was a gathering of the crème personalities across Lagos and Abuja who came to felicitate with the property.

The story of Jubril Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, a sub-Saharan African indigenous integrated energy group, would make a compelling read, any time and any day.

Indeed, if anyone could venture into producing his biopic, he or she should be assured of a good return on the investment in time and cash. Such is the interesting and inspiring lifestyle of this very dynamic entrepreneur who today is a big player in the oil and gas sector.

His early life also portrayed him as a potentially great person in life. And, like most young men of his generation, his dream was to become one of the greatest businessmen in the world. Luckily, providence granted him his heart’s desire. At the outset of his business, Tinubu faced a lot of daunting challenges. But his uncommon daring spirit and survival instinct made him overcome the teething challenges.

For the Lagos-born oil magnate, popularly called the King of African Oil, his emergence as a world-acclaimed businessman did not come as a surprise to those who knew him early in life.

He started out with a small oil firm, Ocean and Oil Services, many years ago. When he started, his clear vision was to lead the company into a leading indigenous exploration and production player on the African continent.

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With resilience and focus, he has achieved that dream, as he has been able to grow the business into a conglomerate playing on the continent’s energy sector. That he is head and shoulders above several of his competitors in the industry is no longer in doubt. Today, he is one of the few Nigerians who rub shoulders with other top executives around the world, making him a glittering star in the global business firmament.

Apart from this, the trained lawyer’s philanthropist gesture is worthy of emulation, while some are so engrossed with their own lives and interests that they are unable to spare a second in consideration for others. Others measure the value of their lives based on how many lives they have touched and blessed, not to mention the degree to which they have done these. Tinubu belongs to the latter category and has become one of the brightest beacons of hope for the underprivileged in Nigeria.

In recognition of this feat, Tinubu, on Tuesday, October 11, was among eminent and top Nigerian personalities that President Muhammadu Buhari bestowed national honours upon. The high-flying tycoon received the medal of national award of Commander of the Order of Niger, CON.

The name Hajia Bola Shagaya resonates in the mind of many as a successful woman who has crested her name in gold and a seasoned businesswoman who commands power and respect in the country. Apart from being a socialite of note, she has the heart of a diamond as her generosity to mankind is unmatched. Despite the numerous disparaging comments about her, she remains unperturbed chasing her dreams with much gusto and silently achieving them.

More than six decades after the stylish billionaire businesswoman was conceived to mother earth, she has lived all her life for humanity. She sees wealth as God-given and to be used to uplift humanity. Despite how rough the tides are, the fashion connoisseur has a way of maintaining a smooth sail.

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The CEO of Bolmus Group International is not a fan of celebrating elaborate birthdays but when she turned 60 years ago, she shut the country down. Her soiree gathered the high and mighty under one roof. It was a gathering of the elites from the business, social, political and corporate world. It was like a movie as she reserved her dance steps for that day to celebrate the gift of life and also give thanks like the biblical David.

On Monday, October 10, 2021, this graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaira sauntered into age 63 with no fanfare as she lost her dear mother Alhaja Saadat Abdulraheem Baakini to the cold hands of death last week at age 95 after being admitted in the hospital for days. Close sources gathered that the death of her mother has created a lacuna in her life as they both shared a mother-and-daughter bond. She has openly ascribed her success to the teachings and uprightness of her late mother who is also a known businesswoman of high repute. According to Islamic rite, her mother was buried the same day but Hajia Shagaya and her siblings and family members are getting set to host friends and family to their matriarch’s 8th day Fidau Prayers at Atlantic event centre Ilorin on October 16.

IF you know ex-Ekiti State Governor, Peter Ayodele Fayose, very well, you will readily attest to his fondness for inspirational singer Yinka Ayefele.

The former number-one citizen didn’t just become a fan of Ayefele’s style of music overnight, he has been with the singer for a better part of his journey.

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One of the reasons Ayefele takes a special spot in the heart of Fayose is not unconnected to a track in his first album, Bitter Experience.

In the album, he sang in his native tongue explaining gold in the dirt. This song, gossips say, readily resonates with Fayose, who didn’t become the governor of Ekiti State by chance. It was gathered that anytime Ayefele sang praises of Fayose, he ensured he sang the song to put a smile on his face and dance to his feet.

Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim aka Mama Migrants and IDP loves to make a loud impact without attracting attention to herself. She has dedicated it to the upliftment of humanity without any personal gain. Those close to her say she loathes the sight of anyone in distress as she is readily available to help at her own detriment. More reason she was able to climb the ladder of success in life to an enviable height.

With entrenched institutional frameworks, under the supervision of the Honourable Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, Sulaiman-Ibrahim has shown capacity and love for her assigned assignment seeking durable solutions for IDPs in Nigeria. She was the DG of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP from 1 December 2020 till 27 May 2021, when the Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari announced a swap and she was redeployed as the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.

Hon Imaan has spearheaded policies that would strengthen national response in areas of her mandate.

As Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS), NNPC, Bala Wunti has proven that he is no pushover in the energy sector with his over thirty years of experience. The Ahmadu Bello University alumnus has lately been given a baptismal of fire by some elements who are not happy with the progression and the rapid change he is making in NAPIMS. They went as far as launching a campaign of calumny against him by circulating materials that lay disparaging and unfounded claims about him.

It was gathered that before Bala came as the head of NAPIMS, there had been a cat and dog relationship between NAPIMS and GMD NNPC. Since Bala came on board, he ensured a healthy working relationship with NNPC’s Kolo Kyari and has used the working relationship to take NAPIMS to a new level by increasing its return on Investment increased revenue and investment capacity. The two men defy the odds by working close and putting the long-term battle for supremacy from their predecessor as a thing of history. This newly found working relationship between NAPIMS and GMD NNPC is not sitting well with some people who are determined to create unrest between Bala and Kyari. This spurred the calculated media attack on Bala. But despite all attempts to drag him in the mud, he has remained unperturbed as Kyari has also thrown in his support, trust and confidence in him.  It has since been revealed that some people are feeding off the unrest of the heads of the two organisations in the past but when they both came they ensured all the bad blood between their predecessors remained a thing of the past.

For a while now former militant leader in the Niger Delta and ex-commander of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo aka Tompolo has been in the news for his hold on the multi-billion Naira Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded to him by the Federal Government.

The N4bn per month contract, which covers the Ijaw-speaking part of Bayelsa State (Southern Ijaw and Ekeremor local government areas), Delta, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states, has attracted a groundswell of opposition from some stakeholders in Bayelsa, Ondo, Imo and Rivers states.

While his contract was announced some stakeholders within the oil-producing region raised an eyebrow on why it’s only Tompolo that will be handed the contract as they also called out the minister of state for petroleum, His excellency, Hon. Timipre Sylva for favouring Tompolo in the contract procedure despite other stakeholders also eyeing the contract.

A very smart and native intelligent Tompolo hurriedly converged stakeholders within the region he would be securing via dialogue to run an all-inclusive pipeline surveillance activities measures to ensure oil theft and vandalism in cut to size.

He met with traditional rulers, youth and women groups, activists and other stakeholders in the South-South geopolitical zone, urging them to support the efforts to rid the region of oil thieves for the good of the region and to clamp down on all illegal activities in the region.

While speaking at the stakeholders’ meeting held at the palace of the King of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oboro Gbaraun, in Oporoza, Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, Tompolo promised to reach out to all stakeholders and pointed out that “the business of pipeline surveillance is all-inclusive.”

Despite having the support of all political and traditional leaders, his move to ensure all warring factions are put on the same page some have resorted to a campaign of calumny as they have written a series of petitions claiming the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation is wanted by the EFCC and he has resorted to blackmailing the NNPC for the contract to be awarded to him. Some even claimed the Minister of State for Petroleum had a stake in the contract hence why Tompolo was awarded the contract. Those in the know averred that Tompolo is capable.

Highly calculated and an avid risk taker Hon. Kunle Soname has crested his name in the list of investors in Nigeria who has shunned frivolity and grand opulence but are interested in investing their last kobo in the country’s growth. The politician, soccer enthusiast and head honcho of Bet9ja is not your regular billionaire who finds pleasure in lukewarmness.

All he is interested in is bringing value and also filling a lacuna to any impending issues as he has always done with his love for sports in Nigeria investing billions of Naira into Remo Stars football club as he recently completed a world-class home stadium for the team in his home town in Ikenne-Remo Ogun state.

The former Chairman of Kosofe Local Government does not like to sing his own praises himself, he loves to do things quietly and let the results speak in volume.

More reason when he acquired the Portuguese league Clube Desportivo Feirense making him the first Nigerian to own a foreign soccer club years ago, many applauded him for his silent achievements. In the sports business today Soname has grown to be a household name.

At a time when the nation’s aviation sector needs more investors amid the shutting down of some other airlines due to debts and unserviced loans, Soname came to the rescue by expanding his business frontiers where he recently commenced the operation of his Value Jet airline with a fleet.

Value jet was officially handed a certificate of operations and also commenced demo flights as part of the regulatory requirements set by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which is a mandatory regulatory exercise toward receiving an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) from the NCAA.

Sources say Soname’s decision to enter the aviation industry is consistent with concerted efforts to make flight tickets more affordable for Nigerians and to create value for investors in an industry plagued by operational difficulties and a persistent rise in operating expenses.

When billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola CON, announced that he would be quitting the oil and gas sector by selling his shares in Forte Oil in June 2019, delving into the energy sector via an investment vehicle called Amperion Power Distribution Company Limited, many business analysts saw this as a wrong move for the business tycoon. Many could not fathom why he would quit a lucrative money-spinning business that made him a household name and a business phenomenal in Africa’s business sector for the power sector.

For students who are hoping to bag a degree in any business-related field, the secret of how he was able to navigate back to winning ways after being hit by a fall in the global oil price over a decade ago, should be studied and can as well make a good project thesis. It takes uncommon grace, determination, sincerity of purpose and doggedness to weather the tsunami.

However, those who have come in contact with the highly cerebral business mogul, never doubted his ability, shrewdness and brilliance in making his decision. This group of people maintained that he still had the magic with which he turned around the fortune of moribund African Petroleum, AP, in which he rechristened Forte Oil.

Otedola, who is blessed with a proven magic wand, successfully re-jigged the company from its former declining state to a flourishing one. Indeed, barely a year after he diversified into the power business, he has proved his critics wrong. His midas touch that has seen his N64.3bn investment in the energy sector, Geregu Power Plant, become a success story is giving its rivals sleepless nights. The company is not only yielding good investment, but it has also revamped the energy sector for good. Over the week, Geregu Power Plc (GPP) was admitted into the Mainboard of the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) by way of listing by Introduction (LBI) with the admittance of 2.5 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobos each at N100 per share on the exchange making it the first Genco to be listed on the NGX Main Board, a listing segment for well-established companies with demonstrable records of accomplishments. The listing of Geregu’s shares has added N250,000,000,000 billion to the market capitalisation of NGX, further boosting liquidity in the Nigerian capital market and providing opportunities for wealth creation.

Industry watchers claimed, amid high investors’ demand, Geregu Power’s stock gained 10 percent on its first trading day on the NGX to close at N110 per share from N100 per share it was listed by introduction.

A woman of style and panache, Olori Hadiza Yakassai Elegushi has never let her guards down when it comes to looking ravishing. Anytime she saunters into any public space just taking a 360 view of her outfit will surely make a loud statement. She has remained the apple of Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi’s eyes who has never hidden his love for her. The Kano-born daughter of a renowned politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai is an embodiment of royalty with her composure and ability to mix colours together to make a fashion statement.

Despite being a very reserved person, if fashion were to be an art she has a mastery of it to the point that she makes those around her go green with envy. Her curvaceous shape and her ravishing smile are points of attraction.

Despite still being selective about the function she attends, Olori Hadiza does not joke with her husband’s family. Those close to the Elegushi family averred that she is treated like an egg by the family members most especially by Oba Saheed’s mother Olori Sinatu Elegushi, who found a daughter in her.

Like a goldfish that has no hiding place in the water, Olori Hadiza yet again shone like a star last weekend at the wedding ceremony of her sister in-law Omotara Airat Elegushi who tied nuptial with Abolaji Gafar Shittu at a grand opulence event held at the highbrow The Monarch event centre in Ikate Lagos where dignitaries trooped in to celebrate with Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, who was the host and an elder sibling to the bride. When Olori Hadiza alongside Hauwa Yakassai, Nana Kusherki Lusher and Kulu Yakassai stepped into the event hall, paparazzi cameras kept shuttering to catch a glimpse of her well-knitted and crafted outfit. She looked all ravishing, confident and chilled walking down graciously to her reserved seat.

At the party, she became the cynosure of all eyes as other guests at the party could not keep their eyes off her bold fashion statement and charming aura beaming like a bright moon. Like a cultured lady, she moved majestically around the hall wearing a charming smile and graceful gait paying homage to her husband’s guests and also having a swell time at the event.