Category: Society

A stylish businesswoman and socialite of note, Hajia Bola Shagaya, can be likened to a golden fish that has no hiding place. Her enchanting demeanour and poise attract a large audience of people to her. Among billionaire aristocrats in the corridor of power, she is revered – most especially among the women holding high positions of power in Nigeria. The woman of substance has her hands in many pies, all of which have given her fame and wealth. It is no news that she traverses the world, making contacts and breaking new grounds.

Interestingly, those close to her often wonder what has kept her relevant with everyone regardless of party affiliation. The secret of the Kwara State-born billionaire is yet to be unravelled as the staying power to her sartorial elegance keeps her detractors busy. For over three decades, Shagaya has maintained a cordial relationship with the past first ladies including the current first lady, Aisha Buhari. It would be recalled that she is a close ally to late Maryam Babangida, Hajia Maryam Abacha, late Stella Obasanjo, as well as Dame Patience Jonathan.

A few weeks ago at the Access bank Polo Tournament in London, Hajia Bola was spotted with other invited guests that include prominent Nigerians. Her table was a mecca of sort as people trooped there to pay homage to the ever-smiling powerful woman of substance. Again, she became the cynosure of all eyes at the 80th birthday celebration of fashion icon, Sisi Abba Folawiyo last weekend. She was radiating like a star immediately she stepped foot into the event arena. Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade never stopped singing her praise to the high heavens. President Obasanjo also pulled her up while they danced to the rhythm of King Sunny Ade.

Fully armed to the teeth with the fearlessness of Achilles and grace of Terpsichore, Barrister Allen Onyema, head honcho of Nigeria’s Air Peace, is no pushover in the league of extraordinary business moguls, who developed an interest in the growth of Nigeria. Allen’s investment in Nigeria has created direct and indirect employment, increasing his fleet with brand new aircraft thereby globalizing Nigeria’s aviation sector by flying Nigeria high across the sky to the rest of the world. Despite his success, some unscrupulous elements are hell-bent on dragging him in the mud with disparaging and libellous claims.

If you wonder how he was able to break barriers by rising to an enviable height in business, his passion, patriotism and love for impacting his immediate environment further spurred him to greatness. Despite his many philanthropic and patriotic works, he is setting new records by giving Nigeria a ray of hope. While many airlines are folding up due to high maintenance, costs of aviation fuel and other debt-related issues, the trained lawyer from the University of Ibadan was able to manage the company, waiving off issues set to sink it. In a bid to further increase its flying routes apart from Dubai and Johannesburg, Airpeace flew 240 passengers from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to Guangzhou, China last week in one of its flagship aircraft for an inaugural flight. This is a feat that was widely celebrated as it will reduce travel time and save the stress of connecting flights. Sources averred that the airline plans to code-share with Asian carriers to distribute passengers to other destinations outside Guangzhou, China.

When luxury personified real estate mogul, Oluwasijibomi Ogundele aka Sujimoto came into the real estate business in 2014, his intention was clear as he mapped out his plans to take over the industry in a different dimension. Not many believed in his tall and audacious dreams, hence, some laughed and some sneered. Their word almost became reality but Ogundele kept fighting like a wounded lion who must catch its prey. Today, he is the most sought-after luxury property merchant in Nigeria.

Like a man with the vision of an eagle, Ogundele quickly took advantage of the global change from regular homes to smart and automated homes and his gamble paid off. A visit to his Guiliano by Sujimoto Residence in Banana Island, one would be amazed at the jaw-dropping 9th wonder of the world erected by Sujimoto. Despite the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Sijibomi was able to navigate through the turbulent waters. When most companies are lamenting and folding up due to the recession, Sujimoto Constructions Company weathered the storm and recorded massive growth with its numerous project beautifying the skylines of Lagos.

Despite the dwindling economy in Nigeria that has affected the prices of commodities with over 80% increment across the country, Sujimoto has not lowered the quality of materials used for his 15-storey Lucrezia by Sujimoto building currently under construction in Africa’s most expensive neighbourhood, Banana Island, Lagos. Sources said he is planning to embark on the construction of a Sujimoto Twin tower 44-storey building in the heart of Ikoyi Lagos. The building will be a luxury residential and commercial where clients can live in or lease it and enjoy massive Returns on Investment.

In his ascension to the throne of his forbearers years ago, the Oniru of Iru Land His Royal Majesty Oba Abdulwasiu Gbolahan Lawal promised to leave no stone unrolled in his quest to ensure greater development within his domain. Oniru has since proven a point that building bridges, mending fences and staying in peace and accord with aggrieved parties will help promote development, peace and tranquillity. This was the first step he took when he reconciled all those who jostle the highly revered throne with him. His wisdom, humility and enchanting demeanour have further gained him many friends than enemy. Today, his palace door is thrown open to developmental ideas in tourism, housing, and infrastructural development among others.

One thing Oniru does not joke with is his unquenchable thirst for knowledge which has spurred him to greatness as a former police officer and a government appointee. He loved education like the back of his hands, more reason he returned to school where he bagged an M.Sc from the prestigious London School of Economics, United Kingdom. After completion of his master’s degree in 2020, due to the pandemic, the institution was unable to have a convocation ceremony. He, alongside his family in matching attire, stormed the convocation ground in royalty as he displayed the richness of Yoruba culture in his royal attire and his poise.

The very reserved and highly cerebral Ibrahim Odumboni has carved a niche for himself as a seasoned banker, technocrat and boardroom guru. Odumboni’s appointment as Managing director of Lagos Waste Management Authority LAWMA, has clearly shown that the ability to visualise and conceptualise ideas plays an integral part in quality performance. More reason he has remained highflying in managing the affairs of the waste agency in Lagos with much gusto. Despite some elements across Lagos trying hard to undermine his efforts in ensuringa cleaner Lagos, Odumboni has refused to relent. He has taken the cleaner Lagos campaigns not only to schools, private and public entities but has also taken it to the streets where he plans to reduce and ultimately stop indiscriminate littering on roadsides and drainages.

Over the past few weeks, the LAWMA boss led by example by accompanying his team to the street of Lagos at night to evacuate waste on the roadside as he also sensitises the general public of the harm caused by those waste and also sought partnership to ensure waste is properly disposed to ensure a sickness free environment. The LAWMA Academy, an educational arm of Lagos Waste Management Authority, will organise a four-week summer school for children aged 8 – 13, from August 1 to August 26, at its headquarters, Ijora-Olopa, on the tenets of effective waste management.

Aare Bashir Olawale Fakorede does not court unnecessary media attention. You would never see him around controversial issues. But when it comes to philanthropy and business, he is always at the forefront with full force. He does not like to talk much but often times, his giant strides speak volumes for him and that’s why he has remained a delight to businessmen. His rise to riches and fame has raised many eyebrows, but many do not know he worked hard for what he is enjoying today.

Ever since his foray into the terrains of business, his sincerity continues to distinguish him from his peers. More reason he was open to ma1ny pies of business. One industry he knows like the back of his hand is the retail aspect of the oil and gas sector. If you wake him from sleep to deliver a comprehensive lecture on the supply chain of Oil and gas, with a spontaneous response, he would deliver beyond imagination.

Upon his admission to Yaba College of Technology, Lagos where he obtained an Ordinary National Diploma in Accounting and later Ambrose Alli University for BSc. Accounting, his sojourn as an entrepreneur kick-started in 1995, when he floated his flagship, Bash Distinct Oil. With his first filling station in Obalende in 1996 and other retail outlets, he soon began to expand and grow into a formidable force owning chains of filling stations with Enyo Retail & Supply (ERS), a leading indigenous oil and gas distribution company with over 50 retail stations across Nigeria.

After years of conquering the sector, he later diversified his investments with 2B5M Limited Agricultural firm, High link Royal Castle Development Real Estate and Dredging Company.