Connect with us

Society

MORE CONTROVERSIES TEAR LULU-BRIGGS’ FAMILY APART

Published

on

What could the living probably do as a mark of respect for the dead?

This is a question begging for a satisfactory answer, especially when
one takes a peep into the life of the family left behind by the late
Benson Lulu Briggs, who passed on about eight months ago.

For want of better description, it seems the crisis that has now reared
its ugly head in the family may not abate in time, if care is not taken.

Quite surprisingly, since December 2018 when he passed on in Ghana,
everything that has either been written or said about him has continued
to generate mixed reactions from members of the public.

While you expect that the family would have accepted the grim reality of
the passing of the late businessman and philanthropist and accorded him
the respect deserving of a man of his stature by giving him a
benefitting burial, the world was literally jolted by a sponsored
advertorial published on May 23, 2019, where the Oruwari Briggs House Of
Abonnema, among other disquieting claims, said: ” We do not know if
High Chief O.B Lulu Briggs is dead or alive”.

In the said advertorial, it was said that since his wife, Chief (Mrs.)
Seinye Lulu Briggs, travelled with him to Ghana five months ago, they
had neither set their eyes on him. So, they pooh-poohed the reports of
his death. To them, there is no concrete proof that the patriarch of the
Lulu family is truly dead!

The sponsors of the advertorial, unapologetically, also premised their
claim on the fact that the rumours of his death amount to a violation of
the Kalabari culture and tradition.

No doubt, this is the kind of stuff that once popularized two Yoruba TV
programmes: Nkan Be! and Labe Orun! Or how else does one explain this
claim, given recent reports that some family members, including High
Chief Senibo and Dumo Lulu Brigss, had visited Ghana to see the corpse
of the patriarch of the family privately?

“It is embarrassing! It even smacks of disrespect to the death. The
family is not united after the death of its patriarch. If this
continues, the burial of the departed high chief will take a long time
in coming,” a family source said.

The source further heaped the cause of the unresolved crisis, which has
delayed the burial for about Nine months, on the doorsteps of Dumo, a
politician and successful billionaire businessman.

Dumo, Chairman, Platform Petroleum has allegedly presented himself to
all, since his father died, that he has an axe to grind with his stepmom
and widow of the deceased, Seinye Lulu Briggs, who presently controls
the reins of Moni Pulo Limited and the estate of the late High Chief.

Meanwhile, another reliable source told www.crystal.com.ng [1] that the
war tearing apart the family apart is not unconnected to the assets left
behind by the deceased, which are allegedly in the hand of his widow.

We also learnt that contrary to reports in a section of the media, the
widow, Seinye Lulu Briggs, had, on different occasions, made moves to
reconcile with the family towards planning a benefitting burial for the
late businessman and resolved all lingering issues, but she had been met
with stiff opposition and attacks, especially from Dumo.

Nine months after the patriarch of the family passed on, the planned
burial ceremony has been shifted twice, thereby making his remains to
remain in the sepulchral milieu of a morgue in Ghana.

Though many point fingers at the wife of the deceased, Pastor (Dr)
Seinye, for the unresolved crisis in the family, it was gathered from an
impeccable source that billionaire businessman, Dumo Lulu Briggs, has
been fanning the embers of disunity in the family, which has made the
burial plans failed.

It was further revealed that efforts by deceased’s wife to ensure
amicable settlement of the crisis have been allegedly shunned by the
billionaire businessman who recently lost woefully at the Rivers State
governorship.

The source also disclosed that Dumo had stubbornly turned deaf ear to
the wise counsel by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“Mrs. Seinye has been all over the place, inviting people to intervene
in the matter, but Dumo wouldn’t yield. And this is the woman who
loved their father till his death. She was the only one who stood with
the founder of Moni Pulo while he was bedridden. She is a true
definition of a virtuous woman

“ I am surprised Dumo has been using the state election as an excuse,
even after the election has been won and lost,’’ our source added.

It was exclusively gathered that while the Will left behind by the for
National Party of Nigeria, NPN chieftain was read to the families
penultimate weeks. As disclosed this has indeed generated more
controversies while the gulf in the family is further widen.

The late Lulu-Briggs was named one of the 10 richest Nigerians in 2014,
with an estimated net worth of $500 million. He was the Vice Chairman of
the now-defunct National Party of Nigeria, NPN, the dominant political
party in Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.

His oil exploration and production company was awarded its first oil
block in 1992, when the then Nigerian President, General. Ibrahim
Babangida (retd.), was encouraging indigenous participation in the
upstream sector of the oil and gas industry.

The company currently has oil blocks in Ondo, Abia and Akwa-Ibom States.
Its flagship project, OML 114, produces 10,000 barrel.

Continue Reading

Society

Oando Boss, Wale Tinubu, Celebrates Alake of Egbaland at 80

Published

on

By

Alake of Egbaland

The Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Mr. Adewale Tinubu, CON, has felicitated the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, on his 80th birthday.

The oil mogul, in a message made available today, Thursday  September 14, 2023 congratulated the revered and respected monarch, who is also the Chairman of Oando Group, on the milestone.

Tinubu wrote: “I felicitate the Chairman of Oando, His Royal Majesty, the Alake of Egbaland, on his landmark 80th birthday.

Kabiyesi, your leadership and wisdom have been a beacon of inspiration to us all, and we, who have been privileged to know and work with you, have been positively impacted by you.

“80 years is truly a blessing from God, and I wish you good health, and many more years of impactful leadership.

“May your reign be blessed with continued success and your legacy forever etched in history. Kabiyesi o.”

10 / 100
Continue Reading

Society

When High Flying Personalities gathered to Honour Iyalode of Lagos, Bintu Tinubu at 80

Published

on

By

‘’Of all the gifts that life has to offer, a loving mother is the greatest of them all’’ so says a popular quote.

To say that Oando boss, Wale Tinubu and his siblings were blessed with a loving mother is like stating the obvious, their mother, Chief (Mrs.) Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos is a one a million whose love and care has guide them to who they are today.

Her love is  sweeter than flower of love.

To appreciate the loving, selfless and hardworking mother, her children Wale, Shola, Iyabo, Kunle, Jide and Olu yesterday gathered the world when the celebrated the woman as she clocked 80 in a blaze of glory.

For the children,  the attainment of the ripe age of 80 is  worth celebrating, particularly in a country, where death is so cheap.

It was a great moment for the Edo State-born businesswoman as her families, friends and business associates gathered to share her gladsome moment with her.

The birthday party is no doubt would be described as a blowout, lively, sparkling, fun, exciting, and enjoyable, it is simply the best so far  in the year 2023.

Trust the Tinubus, they are  detribalised Nigerians whose circle of friends cuts across the various Nigerian tribes that they has built over the years.

They   showcased their  hospitality side as they hosted Who- is-who in high society, including captains of industry, monarchs, politicians, socialites and celebrities, yesterday Sunday, July 2nd 2023 at  the Grand Ballroom, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was indeed a night for the high-networth,  high profile and highflying  eminent personalities.

It was obvious that they have a commanding sense of hospitality. It was upscale and finest in all ramifications.

 From the catering to the ushering, no stone was left unturned. Ushers were brought in to perform different tasks; from assigning seats to guests to taking their meal requests and even ensuring that the place was immaculate and clean.

The hall was colourfully decorated with balloons and other aesthetic materials to give it a regal look. The foods were incredibly rich, flavoursome and magically moreish.

Premium and top-quality drinks only meant for the elites flowed like an endless river. Indeed, the gaily guests had no reason to complain as everything was well taken care of.

There was no dull moment as Vintage Band was there to serenade the gaily dressed guests.

The party go to its peak with the King of Juju music, King Sunny Ade that proved that he is still on top of his game as he livened up the atmosphere with his world class beat while guests danced until their legs could no longer carry them. 

Some of the guests at the birthday bash include, the governor of Lagos; Babajide Sanwoolu with his wife, Ibijoke Sanwoolu, Ogun State governor; Dapo Abiodun, Kwara State governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, Senator Gbenga Daniel with his wife, Yeye Funke Daniel  Senator Ibikunle Amosun with his wife, Funsho Amosun,  Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Tony Elumelu, Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hajia Bola  Shagaya, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki with his wife, Toyin Saraki, Babagana Kingigbe, Folly Coker, Wale Edun, Mo Abudu, Founder and Coordinator of Tinubu Support Group; Hon. Aminu Suleiman, Segun Awolowo, Hajia Abbah Folawiyo, Yomi Awobokun, Among several other eminent personalities.

11 / 100
Continue Reading

Society

Celebrating The King of African Oil, Jubril Adewale Tinubu at 56

Published

on

By

Jubril Adewale Tinubu

From midnight, even as  Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON,  Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, chose to  put his mobile phone on silent mode, its screen flashed continuously and  aroused  him from his beautiful sleep, as it was  bombarded with calls and text messages from family members, friends , business associates et al.

Interestingly, the undisguised expressions of love by his loved ones from that dead of night and through the rest of the day have become like an annual ritual of sorts that they perform whenever the oil guru marks his birthday.

On his part, the University of Liverpool- trained lawyer has so much to thank God for, as he turned 56 today, Monday, June 26.

A reliable source told us that Tinubu, who began his career with his family law firm, K.O. Tinubu and Co., in 1990 and later co-founded Ocean and Oil Group in 1994, is celebrating the birthday surrounded by  his family at his residence in London.  

Also, the occasion affords Tinubu, fondly called The King of  African Oil, to  thanked God for the rare grace to have lived an eventful life thus far and for another great opportunity to reflective on his earthly sojourn so far, and pray for greater blessings in the coming years.

It was also gathered that he would use the occasion to put smiles on the faces of the needy around him in his characteristic magnanimity and sense of fellow-feeling.

This may not be surprising to those who know him too well, as he had used the occasions of his birthday in the past to act as the Angel of hope to the disadvantaged members of the society.

Just like his name, Jubril, he has been an angel to many whose paths have crossed with his on many occasions. He has lent support and been a shoulder to lean on for numerous less-privileged and the poor.  He is indeed  a bellwether in the acts of generosity to  others. He sees sharing love with them as a sacred devotion.

The man who today is Africa’s pride in oil and gas   is usually driven by an abiding quest to change the lives of his people  for the better.

10 / 100
Continue Reading

Trending News