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Femi Otedola The Great!

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When Femi Otedola woke up on Sunday, November 10, so many thoughts had occupied his mind.

But there is no doubt that attending the Gala Dinner organised by his daughter, Florence Otedola, aka DJ Cuppy, in support of the Save Our Children vision later in the day at the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja was topmost in his itinerary.

It is not impossible that the Otedola, Executive  Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, must have made very brilliant contributions, as may be necessary, to the success of the event put together by his multiple award-winning daughter.

But what the richest man in the South Western part of Nigeria  obviously didn’t share with any soul, as the day drew nearer, was what he intended to offer as financial support towards the cause during the event.

A few hours into the evening of fun, when the fate of the victims of the Boko Haram insurgency in the North Eastern part of the country, was again foregrounded and being critically examined by concerned individuals, government functionaries and corporate organizations, the Lagos State-born multibillonaire businessman shocked the world with a personal donation of a whopping sum of N5bn!

If asked if he had thought it out, he would have, bumming with his wonted effervescent smile, answered in the affirmative. He would have also told you that he did not give out such a humongous amount of money to lift the souls of the affected persons or to the promoters of the Save Our Children because his lovely daughter was involved. He would have also probably told you that he did not need the money to buy 39 units of 2019 Rolls Royce, 92 units of 2019 Mercedes G-wagon, three luxury apartment in New York,250,000 bottles of Hennessy Cognac, 395 units of 2019 Tesla model three electric cars, seven vintage Yarch or even start a luxury private jet business with seven cirrus vision jets cause he knew the money could be used for the sake of humanity .

The donation remained the biggest in this generation and would definitely remain unmatched for a long time to come. Probably, not this generation.

When he made the announcement, the hall did not only literally rise and tumble in joy, his daughter, in particular, was indescribably over-joyed and felt greatly proud of his father’s act of magnanimity.

Indeed, what appeared like a thread among the dignitaries, including Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo;  Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulumid; Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote; Group Chief Executive Officer, Oando Group, Adewale Tinubu; Hajia Bola Shagaya; Babagana Kingigbe; Minister  Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo; Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, his counterpart from Lagos, Babajide Sanwoolu; former Senate President,  Dr. Bukola Saraki; former anti-corruption czar, Nuhu Ribadu and Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu wasthat Otedola is a rare creature.

As it would be expected, his gesture, which the Vice President described as the biggest donation ever by an individual in Africa to the cause, has been trending on the social media.

But those who know him too well say giving is almost his second nature.

It will be recalled that Otedola, in 2017, had dazzled at the Augustine University’s Fundraising and Founders’ Day event held at the Muson Centre, Onikan,  Lagos, where he was the Chief Launcher.

On that occasion, he  had reportedly  wowed  when he  made a  pledge to donate a well-equipped Faculty of Engineering building to the institution, which will be worth over N500million.

A few months after, the shrewd businessman  fulfilled his promise, when he laid the foundation of the building in the presence of the  Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Reverend (Dr.) Alfred Adewale Martins and his mother, Lady Doja Otedola, among other notable personalities.

Among his other acts of uncommon generosity and fellow-feeling, he came to the rescue of ailing popular thespian, Victor Olaotan, last year, when he needed over  $100,000 for treatment of an injury he sustained in a ghastly auto accident in 2016.

The veteran actor received the much-needed but expensive neuro-rehabilitation treatment that saved his legs from being amputated, courtesy of the Lagos State- born business magnate’s kindness.

Interestingly, since the beginning of this year, the businessman has not only rededicated his energy into giving, he has channelled  billions of Naira into charity.

For instance, the benevolent billionaire took  up the medical expenses of the famous reggae icon, Majek Fashek, who was terribly sick and stranded in London.

In line with his avowed commitment to lending a helping hand to his needy compatriots, Otedola, again, helped a dying soul, Christian Chukwu.

Immediately news broke that the former Green Eagles skipper needed $50,000 to complete treatment for prostate cancer which had affected his leg, Otedola was said to have called him and promised to foot the bill at the Wellington Hospital, London.

He could not imagine the man who had made the country proud in the past as the captain of the first Nigeria team to win the African Nation cup continue to writhe in pains.

In May this year,  Otedola also came to the aid of Peter Fregene, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper, who had been bedridden since 2001.

Otedola has also reportedly taken up the medical expenses of ailing Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba.

In 2017, Daba, who had been battling leukaemia and prostate cancer for the past few years, returned to Nigeria from the UK ,where he went for medical treatment.

The ace broadcaster also revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017. This was barely months after he was hospitalised due to leukaemia.

It is a fact that the billionaire energy magnate does not court media attention needlessly. Yet, almost every move he makes, either in his business or private life, has never escaped the attention of newshounds.

Such is the life of this business  mogul who has become an angel of hope to many and a God-sent to his compatriots who have been visited by the vicissitude and lassitude of life.

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

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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.”

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

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‘’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.

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

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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.

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