It was the late actor and martial artiste, Bruce Lee, that said: Patience is not passive, on the contrary, it is concentrated strength. The quote can best describe the action of billionaire businessman, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs. Since December 27, 2018 when their oil mogul father, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs died, Dumo, on behalf of his other siblings, has demanded inquest to ascertain the circumstance surrounded his death. This has pitted Dumo against his Step-mom and widow of the Kalabari High Chief, Mrs. Seinye Lulu-Briggs. She had kicked against every move by Dumo to carry out an autopsy on their father to ascertain what actually led to his death. Seinye was said to have even filed a suit to stop the order of the Kaneshie District Magistrates’ Court in Ghana for an inquest into the death of her husband months after. Amidst all the intrigues and schisms that trailed the nearly a-year family squabble, Dumo has exercised patience, and evidently, he is laughing last and laughs best.
We gathered that contrary to the speculations that the entire family reached consensus on the funeral rites of their patriarch, Seinye, the widow, refused every peaceful moves until the matter went for hearing at the Superior Court of Judicature in the High Court of Justice in Accra, Ghana. In the Consolidated Suit Number: GJ/1601/2019, the Court entered judgement in favour of Dumo while it also ordered that the mortal remains of the late OB Lulu-Briggs should be released to Dumo for onward movement to Nigeria for the burial and funeral rites.
The super wealthy businessman and philanthropist died last December aboard a flight to Accra, Ghana. He was aged 88. The deceased’s extended family —Oruwari Briggs family of Abonema— has expressed sadness and embarrassment that their prominent son and patriarch’s remains have not been interred nearly a year after his demise. “We are much more sad and embarrassed that his (Lulu-Briggs) mortal body is lying outside Nigeria in another country (Ghana). The custody of our paramount ruler has not been handed over to his adult able bodied children, the chiefs and elders of the Oruwari (Briggs) House,” the family stated. “More than anything else, this has led to the mutilation of the body of our paramount ruler because of the uncertain circumstance as to the true story of how and when he actually died which has become unknown to us because of the variety of statements.” But Seinye, it was learnt, probably realizing the futility in fighting everyone over the funeral rites, has however capitulated and tendered apologies to her husband’s family and elders.
In a recent letter addressed to the Chiefs of Briggs Compound, Seinye had pleaded for understanding and apologized to the family over her past actions. “What I prayed is that God Almighty may grant you grace to exhibit His counsel in your deliberations and decisions as it affects me and all my children. I pray also and ask for your forgiveness for any offense or perceived offense my words may have caused in your hearts during this period…” she wrote.
With a year passed and perhaps, reasoning finally prevailing, Dumo and his step-mom, alongside some select family members are in Accra, Ghana to conclude arrangement on how to bring the remains of the deceased billionaire to Nigeria.
Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, was said to have played a significant role in bringing peace into the late Kalabari high Chief’s family. He has asked the gladiators to sheathe their swords and offered the state government’s readiness to foot the bill of the entire funeral rites of the billionaire founder of Moni Pulo Limited. A January 25, 2020 tentative date for the interment has now been agreed by all the gladiators thus hopefully bringing to closure the controversy surrounding the burial of the large-hearted oil tycoon.
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.”
‘’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.
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.