Category: Society

Adebayo Adelabu is a child born under the proverbial lucky star. During his formative years, he was well nurtured on the path of greatness. All his life, he has never had a reason to struggle for anything in life, things often fall in place in his favour. His astronomic rise in life is a clear indication that; he is grace personified. As a seasoned banker, entrepreneur, economist, technocrat, and politician, the Agbaakin Parakoyi of Ibadan land has never despised his humble beginning. He has always upheld the Omoluwabi tenants, which have been a driving force to his success in life.

Looking at his background, losing his grandfather, Chief Adegoke Adelabu, foremost Ibadan politician, at age 43 and losing his father at age 33, one would think the highly cerebral First class Accounting Graduate from the Obafemi Awolowo University would never attain age 52 as he did on September 28. Signature, as he is fondly called, has silently prayed to his creator, for the gift of good health, wealth, success, and of all, long life which he is currently enjoying today.

The Aare Soludero of Ado Awaye unlike his 50th birthday two years ago where he hosted a one-week long filled birthday celebration activity, where he impacts his immediate environment with his God-given wealth and resources, he opted to have a birthday devoid of unnecessary fanfare and used the moment to reflect on life generally most especially as embargo placed on the political campaign has been lifted leaving to contest as the Guber candidate of the Accord Party in Oyo State after he grudgingly left his erstwhile party the All Progressives Congress APC. Sources say on his birthday he ensured he did some quiet donations as his house was filled with a mammoth crowd consisting of his supporters who converged to celebrate with him and have a share of his usual largess.

He was said to have donated heavily to empower people and also celebrate with the downtrodden.

Fully armed with the intelligence of the biblical King Solomon and the grace of King David, Zenith Bank founder, Jim Ovia’s success story is a clear indication that truly hard work pays. Those close to him often say he is a man with clear foresight. Some often call him ‘A Man Who Sees Tomorrow’. When he founded Zenith Bank 30 years ago, he had the vision of creating a bank that was going to metamorphose into one of the most extensive banking brands in Nigeria and by extension Africa. His bank is uniquely known for its banking hall all glass designs laced with a white and red colour symbol, which connotes strength, purity, and peace.

It’s the joy of every parent for their children to make them proud in such a capacity, the author of ‘Africa Rise and Shine’, is a proud father as his beloved daughter Bienose Tito Ovia walked down the aisle in a lavish white wedding in Marrakesh, Morocco last week with her longtime boyfriend turn husband Ugochukwu Emmanuel Chukwu who is the son of top politician Chief Tony Chukwu. The wedding was a total display of splendour amidst grand opulence as Ovia spared no cost to ensure it was a super success after the couple had their traditional engagement in Lagos sometime in June.

The Morocco wedding was an emotional moment for Jim as he walked his daughter down the aisle where he was almost moved to tears. Sources say they both share a strong father and daughter bond as walking down the aisle with his daughter was quite an emotional one for the generous money bag.

Unlike the proverbial warrior who lives to chant the poetry of his own deeds and derring-do, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar (Rtd) remains impressively humble and immune to conceit while threading a rare path to acclaim. Since his formative years, he was always attached to brilliance and intelligence as he has always distinguished himself from his peers. At the Airforce school, he won the best in flying cadet and the best all-round cadet which was what gave him a very distinguished career in the Nigeria Airforce rising through the ranks to become the Chief Of Air Staff in 2015 till his retirement in January 2021. The Bauchi born highly cerebral man attracts torrents of honour home and abroad. At a keenly contested primary election in Bauchi, Sadique’s emergence as the Gubernatorial candidate and flagbearer for the All Progressives Congress APC at the 2023 election was because of his deeds and recurring success established as a man who challenged resolve with steely grit, and exploited the arduous planes of ambition and toil, till he encountered grandeur at the crossroads, where wild contemplation and hard work morph into triumph in the military with impeccable records to his highflying resume.

While in active service, he was awarded letters of commendation for good leadership and management of resources by Air Marshall Petrnrin, and Air Marshall MD Umar. He also bagged a letter of special commendation by Air Marshall Alex Badeh for his service to his fatherland. These and many more availed him of the requisite experience needed to be appointed by President Buhari as Chief of Air Staff. At the twilight of his tenure, he restructured the Airforce by moving its Aircraft serviceability status from 35.5percent to 90 percent, flying 60,000 hours strengthening the aerial combat of the airforce to tackle insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and also Oil theft during operations. He increased Airforce personnel via recruitment, logistics resupply plans, an increased supply of aviation fuel, and also increased training for pilots. Under his watch, he raided and destroyed all IED production factories within the North East axis which drastically reduced explosives and suicide bombers. He also ensured the destruction of oil bunkering vessels by training over 153 Pilots, including the First Female Combat fighter Pilot Combat helicopter gunship Pilot. For his sensitivity to gender inclusion, the Ministry for Women Affairs awarded the ‘He For She’ award.

He facilitated collaboration with the Royal Airforce in the United Kingdom to train Air Force personnel on rudiments to increase their preparedness while fighting insecurity for five years which generated 5,000 Special forces personnel for the Airforce to protect Airforce Base across the country and also go for special operations for internal security purposes. He equipped the Airforce with enough manpower recruiting over 11, thousand personnel, He also ensured the formation, upgrading, and equipping of Airforce Special reference hospitals across the country where Commissioned Medical personnel in the Airforce are there to treat patients or victims of insurgency to decongest other private and government-owned hospitals across the country.

For his contribution to humanity outside his service to the country with his lofty ideas that redefined the Airforce, Sadique through his foundation floated in 2021 and operating in Bauchi and Katsina supported vulnerable children who cannot afford education and women who are struggling in their business. The foundation gave out scholarships and organises extra moral classes for children during holidays and also gave out business grants to struggling market women within the state. The foundation also pays hospital bills for women with Vesico Vaginal fistula VVF. He also invested in youth empowerment and skill empowerment programmes.

Since his foray into the murky waters of politics decades ago, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan with the moniker ‘Yayi’ has properly prepared himself for every mantle of service and leadership ahead of himself. He is not just a leader, he also leads by example and has served hence, contributing to his astronomic rise in the Nigerian political space. If you think he is a rollover that can be benched with the wave of a hand, you are completely wrong; as small as the Needle is, the chicken can never swallow it, so Yayi is in the scheme of things politically, he is not rollover as a member of the Lagos House of Assembly, Member Federal House of Representative and a member of the Senate now seeking to return to the senate clinching the Ogun West All Progressives Congress APC ticket.

With the next election in 2023 gradually building up, the Senate Chairman committee on Finance is gradually preparing to make a statement by breaking a political record in history. Those close to him will attest to the fact that; he is a known political master strategist, who knows when to take a calculated risk. He tried it before when he wanted to contest for the Ogun guber seat in 2019, after weighing all options, under pressure from the former Governor Ibikunle Amosun, he withdrew and collapsed his structure to support the incumbent Governor Dapo Abiodun who cruised to victory against all odds. Yayi believes the maxim that says “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Just like the girl scout motto, the chartered account is always prepared for the task ahead.

A close source close to the two-term Senator, representing Lagos West Senatorial District at the Upper National Assembly, is an integral part and a strong factor of the political permutation and calculation required by Ogun Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun needs to win the 2023 guber election owing to his increasing influence spreading like a wildfire. “Yayi is currently a beautiful bride politically that everyone wants to be in his camp. Senator Yayi has shown how formidable he is in the past as a time-tested politician who knows his worth. He is currently one of the most sought-after politicians in Ogun State. With his current status politically, all the House of Assembly and House of Representatives members within his axis are scampering to be in his team to ensure his tsunami cruises them to victory at the pools. Governor Dapo is also relying on his political experience and clout to break all the barriers to win the second term as Governor.”

Over the week, Senator Yayi was commended and appreciated for his service to the country as a seasoned politician, finance, and accounting guru by President Buhari, who conferred him a National honour as Commander of the Order of Niger CON.

If Fatima Gumsu Sani-Abacha Mala-Buni, daughter of the late Military Head of State, Gen Sani Abacha, were to start counting her blessings, it’s so enormous that it will take her a lifetime to do so. Despite being born with a silver spoon in her mouth, one would marvel at her level of respect and courtesy for everyone that comes her way. For the want of a better description, she is a misunderstood person. It requires spending quality time with her to understand that she is an angel in human form.

For over two decades, the stylish mother of five has faced sheer criticism from the public on issues relating to her father’s reign as head of state. Despite every attempt to talk her down emotionally, she gradually developed a thick skin not allowing naysayers to deprive her of joy. Since she found love again in the sight of her husband the Governor of Yobe State Mai Mala-Buni, she has been radiating a positive aura around her. She has rededicated her life to the upliftment of humanity serving as a swizz knife for her husband attending to women empowerment and also increasing her quest for capacity building for women across Yobe state.

She has remained a shoulder to lean on for her husband as she is over the country supporting her husband in his quest to deliver good governance.

On September 23, the stylish fashion enthusiast celebrated her 49th birthday with not much fanfare. Unlike her birthday years ago, where she would be treated to a high-cost dinner at the best hotels around the world, she opted for a private dinner inviting her close female and high-wired friends alongside her children at a high-brow restaurant in Abuja.

At the round table dinner, they had the very best of continental meals as they chatted sharing moments from their formative years together. The birthday girl with smiles on her face in a celebratory mood posed with over 10 gigantic cakes, cards, and other gift items as friends and family made a toast to the good life for her as well as sang the birthday song for her.

The popular parlance, ‘Kings are born not made’ aptly describes the new Oloworo of Oworo Oba Babatunde Saliu who is known to have always shown traits of a man who is destined to be a leader with his commitment to things that concerns those around him. As the immediate past Vice Chairman of Kosofe LGA, also a former Senior Special Assistant to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on land matters, those who have worked with the king confessed that he is an angel in human form blessed with a respectful and cultured nature. When his late father the immediate past Oloworo of Oworo Oba Bashir Oluwatoyin Saliu joined his ancestors, the then Prince Babatunde Saliu never jostled to replace his late father as the traditional ruler of Oworo Kingdom.

According to sources, his older brother had made his intention to replace their father but meet stiff resistance and opposition from sons and daughters of the kingdom who were more comfortable with Oba Babatunde Saliu for his peace-loving, developmental and progressive nature as their new king.

Those close to him disclosed that despite the blue blood running in his veins, he is a man known to loathe the sight of anyone in distress as he is always willing to help. On his announcement as the crowned prince months ago, the whole town went agog in a positive frenzy mood. After completing the mandatory 90 days in seclusion (ipebi), he was given a warm and loud reception as both young and old indigenes of Oworo paid homage to him and pledged their allegiance.

Read Also: Awori monarchs pay royal visit to new Oloworo

Last weekend, at his coronation shindig, all economic activities came to a standstill as it was a gathering of the high and mighty as prominent Nigerians and thousands of guests stormed the Oworoshoki community to celebrate the coronation of Oba Babatunde Saliu. The event was held at the popular sand field area of the community under a marque. Oba Saliu ensured those who attended had enough to eat and drink as he spared no cost to ensure he fetes the mammoth crowd who came to celebrate with him. Fuji Maestro, Wasiu Ayinde was also on the bandstand to serenade invited guests.

Among the guests and dignitaries present were; the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bolaji Robert, Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), Ojora of Ijoraland, Oba Fatai Aromire, Osolo of Isolo, Oba Kabir Agbabiaka, Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi; Olofin Adimula of Isheri Olofin, Oba Sulaimon Bamgbade and Oniru of Iru, Oba Gbolahan Lawal among others.

Others are the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government Barrister Moyosore Ogunlewe and members of Lagos State Association of Council Vice Chairmen (LASACVC), as well as members of the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), Omoba Olumuyiwa Sosanya, who was the father of the day.

If you reside within the Abuja metropolis, Mishbahu Inuwa Yahaya is no rookie in the social life in the nation’s capital.  He is charming, eloquent, smart, intelligent, and of all a devoted Muslim. Apart from being the son of Gombe state Governor, His Excellency Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, he has beautiful ladies scampering for his attention. But the graduate of Architecture from the University of Portsmouth  finally quit bachelorhood when he tied the nuptial knots with Ameera Babayo at a superlative wedding soiree and traditional Kamu last weekend in Gombe.

Emir of Gombe’s palace played host to an array of dignitaries from across the country as the Wedding Fatiha  was presided over by the Chief Imam of Gombe Central Mosque, Sheikh Barrister Ali Hammari. His Royal Highness, the Emir of Gombe, Dr Abubakar Shehu Abubakar III was the groom’s representative (Wakil) while Alhaji Kawu Adamu, Dan Malikin Gombe served as the bride’s guardian (Waliy).

The Wedding Fatiha conducted at the Gombe Central Mosque was witnessed by high-profile personalities and well-wishers which include Boss Mustapha, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sen. Kashim Shettima, Ahmad Lawan, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, and Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri

When listing one of the few Nigerian businessmen who enjoys tremendous goodwill based on the account of his untainted and unblemished character, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, Chairman/CEO of Casiva Limited’s name readily comes to mind. He is a stickler for success and always struck gold in any venture he delves into. He is a consummate businessman who knows about the oil and gas terrain like the back of his hand. Like a cat with nine lives, the oil and gas guru has always floored naysayers who trivialize his effort by spewing unprintable lies in the media space to dent his persona. All his life, he has upheld hard work, doggedness, and resilience, a trait common with his lineage and instilled in him by his parents. Today, he is not only reaping bountifully what he sowed in tears, he is currently on top of his game in business and politics as a top member of the ruling All Progressives Party APC. He is the head honcho of Casiva Limited and HLSI Security Systems and Technologies, a company owned by Israeli-based Mitrelli Group and part of Mitrelli’s security branch.

Dan Amana Dutse of the Dutse Emirate in Jigawa State is high-wired, and influential but loathes unnecessary media attention as he loves to keep a low profile but loves to impact people around him. During his wedding ceremony in December 2017 in Abuja, leading dignitaries and government functionaries gathered in Abuja, hence, causing air traffic and road traffic. Also during his turbaning as Dan Amana Dutse in 2017, he was honoured by a large number of eminent personalities in the country as several dignitaries witnessed the beautiful ceremony.

Read Also: Ooni of Ife melts hearts with generosity

Around 2019/2020, his security, civil and mechanical construction, supply, and procurement company, Casiva, was listed among the 15 consortium/companies awarded contracts for crude oil imported petroleum products by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC. After the contract, tongues wagged claiming his filial relationship with President Muhammadu Buhari gave heads way for the contract but those close to him averred that his capacity, track record, and experience paved way for him based on merit. “During the bidding process, Danu ensured his company participated in all the stipulated process, which made it possible for the NNPC to award the company the DSDP contract out of over 130 companies that bided.” a source disclosed.

For his love for philanthropy, and provision of free health care for the downtrodden, the shrewd businessman gives back to humanity and his immediate environment via his Nasiru Haladu Danu Medical Mission Foundation. In Dutse, Jigawa State capital, about 5,000 people, including men, women, and children received medical attention from American medical specialists at his expense.

Earlier this year, he donated to revitalize the Northern entertainment industry by giving out money, 30 new laptops, and mobile studios to empower artists and the creative industry.

Highly cerebral, suave, cosmopolitan, and urbane Governor of Awka Ibom State Emmanuel Gabriel Udom, is not a man who got to his current status by fluke. He worked hard and fought his way through to greatness leveraging his background in the private sector before delving into the murky waters of politics to better the lives of his people. Many of his traducers were patiently waiting for him to fail, but to their chagrin, the level of success he has recorded after seven years in charge as Governor of Awka Ibom is unprecedented. There is always a rhetorical question often thrown at him on his idea of delving into politics – a game perceived to be dirty, for a very gentle and humane personality like him – and his response has always been that his political odyssey is people-oriented and the only way to bring to life his dreams for Awka-Ibom is venturing into politics.

Today in the scheme of things in the country, The bachelor’s degree holder in accounting from the University of Lagos is also a Chartered Accountant trained with Price Water house Coopers and a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Management, attending the Advanced Management Programme at INSEAD, France is not a pushover.

Udom’s antecedent as a seasoned banker with vast knowledge in finance, economics, Forensic auditing, and Accountancy and serving as a top bank executive with Zenith Bank has him helped harness a governing style on diverse ways to generate and maximise funds for capital projects and also provide basic amenities to his people.

Read Also: Wike, Okowa, Udom, Ikpeazu, Makinde, others absent at PDP National Caucus meeting

This also helped him increase the state’s Internal Generated Revenue IGR and also fund more projects attracting foreign direct investment into the state. Today, Awka Ibom state is currently the first state to run a commercial airline, Ibom Air. This has also opened the eyes of many states to investing with the right people to manage it. Three years after Ibom Air was launched, it has left its name in gold and won the hearts of many air travelers as their top choice airline.

Today, he is getting a wide range of accolades for his stellar performance in the delivery of projects and the dividend of democracy. Apart from his peace-loving nature with his recent move to end the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party, he is being lauded for the just concluded Awka Ibom Itu LGA Mimshac Vehicle Assembly Plant, where 20 indigenous engineers were sent to Israel for training as it will further create massive employment for over three thousand Akwa Ibom indigenes.

The plant will also source consumables locally from small and medium-scale businesses and also reduce demand for dollars. In celebration of Awka-Ibom at 35, Udom commissioned a series of projects that include 10KM surface, an underground drainage system in Uyo, six Lane – 29km Etinan / Ndon Eyo Road Project along with the 10-lane, 9.5km Third Ring Road, General Hospital at Ikot Abasi and many others.

In the league of men who are regarded as patriots of Africa, the name Tony Onyemachi Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holding, is a recurring decimal. The billionaire mogul is known for prioritizing the welfare and upliftment of African entrepreneurs through his Tony Elumelu Foundation TEF.

The super dandy boardroom guru’s business conglomerate has over 30,000 people on its employment roll.  In six years, his entrepreneurial programme has helped over 1.2 million African youths get trained and 15,000 have been empowered.  The programme is aimed at eradicating poverty, illiteracy, high density of migration for greener pasture, and hunger among other salient issues affecting the growth of Africa. His foundation has also partnered with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to bring its proven methodology to the rest of the world.

Over the week, at the United Nations General Assembly UNGA in New York,  Elumelu prioritized entrepreneurs with the partnerships he signed. He partnered and solidified arrangements with Google on a coalition to empower more entrepreneurs across 54 African countries.  He also signed a $20 million partnership with the United States Africa Development Funds USADF.