Category: Society

In the league of extraordinary men of valor, Alhaji Aliko Dangote ranks high with a long altitude. The illustrious son of Nigeria is bent on putting his fatherland on the global map as a destination for business investment with his audacious projects. Many wonder what goes through Aliko Dangote’s mind every time he sits to conceptualize these projects that do not only employ thousands but further position Nigeria as truly the giant of Africa. Those close to Dangote disclosed that his dreams are scary as they look so unrealistic. Over the years, he has created possibility out of every impossibility.

Detractors and naysayers who have tried to undermine his grace and hard work are beginning to see that apart from his enormous wealth, he is truly a man who will go all out to achieve his set goals with much gusto. Years ago, when he made his intention to construct the biggest fertilizer plant in Africa and also a refinery that will bring an end to the export of petroleum products, many thought the dream was never going to turn into reality. Again, Aliko has shown the world that any dream can be actualized with hard work and dedication. On Tuesday, March 22, those, who visited the site of the second-largest fertilizer plant in the world were mesmerized. All attendees at the grand launch wowed at the level of progress made in the actualisation of one of his tall dreams.

For Kogi State Deputy Governor Edward David Onoja, his foray into the murky waters of politics is divine. Despite every attempt to quit, the love for his people keeps pushing him to do more. His rise in the scheme of things politically in Kogi state is not by fluke but he armed himself with basic needs to succeed and people-driven ideology. More reason he was able to successfully function as the Chief of Staff to his boss Governor Yahaya Bello from 2015 to 2019 before he was considered worthy to serve as the Deputy from 2019 till date. Onoja functions like the swizz knife with his ability to multi-task and also make the job of governance seamless for his boss.

Like conjoined twins, Gov. Yahaya Bello and Onoja’s bond can be likened to that of a bow and arrow. They both function together and get a greater result. Despite attempts for traducers to fuel rumors of bad blood between them, the duo have remained unperturbed working effortlessly to achieve a common goal to transform Kogi state to meet its true potential.

Sources say Onoja is loyal to his boss to a fault. He understands that loyalty pays and someday he might be rewarded for standing solidly by his boss. He is regarded as one of the most popular Deputy Governor in Nigeria, more reason his principal designates works for him and he has performed excellently well to the chagrin of those who do not want him to succeed.

On ascending the throne of his forbearers as the 51st Ooni of Ife, on December 7, 2015, Oba  Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II has been a blessing to the Yoruba race. The Arole Oodua has been steadily achieving his dreams to further put Oodua land on the global world map retaining its glory as the cradle of civilization in Nigeria. He did not just achieve with words of mouth, he was practicable and intentional in his actions. As of today, he remains the most accessible youth-friendly monarch in Nigeria. Despite being criticized for his open arms and accessibility to all sundry, he disclosed that the traditional institution is for the people so he remains the father of all as his palace is a home for all.

One of his core areas of focus is youth empowerment. He remains the monarch, who has given youth inclusion with an annual Royal Africa Young Leadership Forum award where various exemplary youths are inducted and also given the mandate to make a positive impact in their locality. In a bid to attract direct foreign investment in the area of agriculture, Ooni led delegates of over 100 young farmers to Paris, France for the International Agricultural Show. The event would avail young large and small scale farmers to see how technology can aid food and animal production.

In Paris, Ooni met with the French Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Julien Denormandie and Cote D’Ivoire’s Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani, where they had extensive discussion on how all countries can work in hand to enhance more impute in making farmers grow astronomically. “Ooni loves farming and it’s evident with his passion during this trip to Paris. He sits on the board of various agricultural companies in Nigeria. His aim is to enable wealth creation through Agric for youths. His love for agric will further open more avenues for teeming youths who have no job to also key into the vision of President Buhari on using Agric as a tool for food and wealth sustainability.”

In the policing job, Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Abiodun Sylvester Alabi is not a greenhorn. When it comes to security and safeguarding of lives and properties, engaging him would afford you to see his depth as well as his spontaneous and witty answers to area of doubts in security. After he was enlisted into the Police Force over three decades ago, he has remained steadfast, dedicated, goal-oriented and of all hardworking. Little wonder Alabi has excelled in the police job with impeccable records to his credit with a quite intimidating resume.

Despite policing being a herculean job, the Ekiti born super cop has made it look so seamless by serving notably among United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in 2001. He was an elite Police Mobile Force as Unit Commander in August 2001, Squadron Commander of Police Mobile Force Squadron 43 Lagos (Diplomatic Protection Squadron) in charge of the security of all Embassies in Lagos, Lion Building Divisional Headquarters as the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and later redeployed as the DPO of Ikeja Divisional Headquarters, among many capacities he had acted his records are still unmatched and his performance has remained sterling. The Sociology graduate remains a nightmare to criminals everywhere he has served.

When his posting to Lagos was announced, many never doubted his competency owing to his pedigree. In a little while, it didn’t take him so long to show his dexterity with his long list of achievements within the space of two months in charge as the Commissioner of Police Lagos. Sources disclosed that under his watch, 62 armed robbery suspects, 104 suspected cultists and 60 murders suspected were arrested.

While many thought  Moyosore  Ogunlewe, a lawyer was riding on the popularity and fame of his father, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, ex-Minister of Works, the Executive Chairman of Kosofe Local Government is deviating from the norm by working fervently to carve a niche for himself as an astute politician and technocrat with leverage on his extraordinary cerebral prowess. The Kosofe number one man is hell-bent on ensuring his strides and indelible footprints are felt across board, delivering his numerous campaign promises to the people who elected him into office.

After being sworn in last year, he made clear his intention to redefine Kosofe to the envy of others through developmental projects. He has been delivering exceptionally well most especially in the area of education, road construction, empowerment, skill acquisition, primary health care, adult literacy sensitization, trade and commerce and a host of others.

For his love for education as a graduate of Business  Administration from the University of Lagos and Law from the University of Buckingham, he recently doled out 1000 JAMB exam forms to indigent students from Kosofe. Sources close to him disclosed that he loves education and will spare no cost to enable indigent students to benefit immensely from his government.

For years, Rita Mbah has lived her life guarded by unwavering principles. Staying true to her belief has placed her in the league of women, who call the shots in the corporate and political space in Enugu state. In all her humane deeds, she loathes media attention. The Holiday Lights (Commercial Christmas  décor company) boss does her things without expecting any reward from anyone. Therefore, when she founded the KeepingHopeAbreast Initiative and decided to offer a free screening of 1,000 women annually for breast cancer, little did she know that some people had opened a dossier of sorts on her.

It, therefore, came as a pleasant surprise to the beautiful CEO of Modern Diagnostic Centre, Enugu, when she was nominated by Ladies in Business Magazine Global organization in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, for recognition. She was rewarded for her contribution to Womanhood in commemoration of International Women’s Day. On March 12, 2022, the highly cosmopolitan woman shone like a diamond when she joined other prominent women who have shattered the glass ceilings to receive awards which took place at the DoubleTree By Hilton in Dubai.

Mbah, a Microbiology and Brewing graduate was first a former Special Adviser on Intergovernmental Affairs and Multilateral Partnerships and then a  former Commissioner for Special Duties to Governor Sullivan Chime; a former Secretary, Enugu Movement for Goodluck Jonathan 2015; a former Secretary, Gburugburu Campaign Organisation 2015; a former Commissioner for Special Duties to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, 2015 and a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism in 2017.

Like Nostradamus, the man who sees tomorrow, Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing came into the real estate business well-armed and prepared for the numerous challenges ahead. He is fully aware that one needs to do things differently to get the needed result. When he floated Adron Homes years ago, one of his unique selling propositions was giving a home to everyone regardless of their class strata. With lofty ideas, great marketing and communication skills, he was able to redefine Adron Homes from a moribund real estate company to become a major player in the much saturated real estate terrain.

If the graduate of Estate management and development from the University of Ibadan is asked about real estate, he will spontaneously give you practicable information that will make a best-selling book in real estate development and management. When most of his peers were busy living in grandeur and opulence, the Ilishan-Remo born businessman was busy building a business empire, buying and selling apartments for his friends. His breakthrough came over 20 years ago when he sold an apartment for a friend at Jubilee estate, Otedola Lagos. Instead of spending the proceeds realized, he invested  and today, he is reaping bountifully with a smile on his face. The Aare Apesinola Of Ibadan land in a bid to celebrate the landslide achievements recorded within 10 years, he and his team have agreed to celebrate with a year-long lineup of activities. Recently through their corporate social responsibility, on Wednesday, March 16, 2002, the company activated a Clean Up campaign, at all locations where their offices are situated from Lagos, Ogun, Oshogbo, Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Oyo took to the street to clean up dirty areas. Sources disclosed that before the end of the year, the company will host a talk-of-the town grand finale soiree at an undisclosed location in Lagos.

Chief Mrs Dorothy, the matriarch of the Anyiam-Osigwe’s dynasty, recently turned 90 and on Sunday, February 27, 2021, family, friends and associates turned our enmasse to celebrate the Ogarambadiugwu I of Nkwerre.

The celebration had several dignitaries in attendance including the executive governor of Lagos state, H.E. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Anyiam-Osigwe offsprings.

Chief Mrs. Dorothy has become an exemplary figure for females and women with an an outstanding, distinguished, and impeccable pedigree. As a foremost educator, journalist, and business expert, Chief Mrs. Anyiam-Osigwe, whose daughter, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is a leading filmmaker and founder of AMAA, was described by Governor Sanwo-Olu as a devout woman of faith whose altruism has helped to propel the Anyiam-Osigwe family name to enviable heights and a beautiful example of how women can help to engender positive societal change. The Anyiam-Osigwe matriarch, who was all smiles all through the church service in St Dominic’s Catholic Church, Yaba, and reception at Marcllian’s place, Ikeja GRA, expressed gratitude to God for good health and long life. She also expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu for honouring her and her family by attending the thanksgiving service. “May God Almighty  continue to bless Lagos State and Nigeria,  the people of Lagos have remembered me as their mother, I will continue to pray for them. And for the Governor, my son, I will continue to pray for everything that concerns him,” the Yeye Aladewura of Lagos said.

For the want of a better description, Attorney-General Minister for Justices Abubakar Malami (SAN) is a misunderstood person. In the corridors of power today, his name is a recurring decimal and you can ignore him at your peril. Despite the campaign of calumny to paint a different picture around his persona, those close to him disclosed that, despite his steadfast and upright principles, he is one of the most benevolent humans on earth. Yes, give it to him, he has built a formidable name with his ability to stay loyal and also tow in line with the mission and vision of his principal in ensuring core strength to our judiciary which gave him an edge above his other colleagues in the President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet.

Before his appointment in 2015, the Kebbi state-born lawyer turn politician has fought many fierce battles like a fearless warrior and won. First was an internal war that arose in the legal profession clique that tried to scuttle his appointment as AGF. But the then 48-year-old silenced his traducers with an impeccable result which also gave room for his reappointment in 2019 making him the youngest person to occupy such the role since the beginning of the 4th republic and the first person from the Northwest Geo-political zone.

Last week, the AGF in an elated mood welcomed with joy the newest addition to his family as one of his sons, Abiru-Rahman, who tied the nuptial knot with his longtime girlfriend Aisha Humaira Umar, daughter of former Chief Justice of Kebbi state in 2021, welcomed a baby boy. According to sources, the AGF is currently embarking on consultation with party chieftains over the possibility of succeeding Governor Atiku Bagudu as Governor of Kebbi State in 2023. “He is currently gathering momentum back in Kebbi. As it stands, all odds are in his favour for his next political move.”

For Victoria Samson, one thing that drives her since her foray into the oil and gas business over three decades ago is building a reputable business conglomerate based on trust and standing out from the crowd. Thriving excellently in a male-dominated industry is not a new thing for her because she has set out for greatness more reason she was able to crest her name in gold positioning Bovas oil and gas as peoples oriented company saddled with the interest of the common man. Her journey into the oil and gas world started in 1980, as a dealer under Texaco Nigeria Ltd, now MRS Plc, winning the most priced Texaco Plc Best Dealer Award in sales, marketing innovativeness among others for the Latin American/West African Region. Shortly, an indigenous independent petroleum marketing company was birthed, and christened BOVAS group which is today regarded as one of the most proactive oil and gas entities in Nigeria.

During the current scarcity of PMS products in the country with some gas stations hoarding petroleum products creating artificial scarcity across the country, many have lauded Mrs. Samson for standing for the masses in making sure all their gas station dispense fuel and the same pomp prices nationwide.