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Billionaire Businessman, Femi Otedola’s Philosophical Wit

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It is just 26 days into the New Year.

Yet, recognition and honour have started coming the way of billionaire businessman and Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola.

Last Monday, the  Executive Chairman, Geregu Powe Plc, was honoured with the Philanthropist of the Decade Award at an event to commemorate the 25th anniversary of ThisDay Newspapers at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

At the well attend event, Otedola, while receiving the award, had used the opportunity to clear the air about his other passion, philanthropy and recent humongous donation of N5bn to the Save The Children Foundation in November 2019 in Abuja.

Of course, he was not unaware of the reactions that trailed the donation, including the reported disguised belief expressed in some quarters.

In fact, Otedola, also an art aficionado, regaled the distinguished audience with details of how his children had been shocked when he made his intention known hours to the donation of the money to the Foundation.

Goaded by his love for his “innocent children,” he disclosed that he immediately deployed his philosophical wit, and also shared his deep understanding of what makes life meaningful and living worthwhile with them, in his effort to make them sea reason with them.

According to him, he explained to his visibly shocked children that they would never go broke or hungry because he had tried as humanly possible to give them the greatest weapon against poverty: education.

By the time he ended his speech on the occasion, no one in the audience agreed less with him that it was a well thought-out donation, one that gave him indescribable joy and great fulfillment.

It will be recalled that, apart from the wondrous donation of N5bn, Otedola in the past, had dazzled at the Augustine University’s Fundraising and Founders’ Day event held at the Muson Centre, Onikan,  Lagos in 2018.

Then, he had pledged to donate a well-equipped Faculty of Engineering building to the institution, which would be worth over N 500m.

The shrewd businessman, a few months later, 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.

Last  year alone, he  invested millions of Naira into charity, apart from other donations made to former Green Eagles player, Christian Chukwu, singer Majek Fashek and Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba, among many others.

Also in 2019, he was named  the biggest individual donor to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF). Subsequently, he and some other donors were celebrated at an event tagged “Transformational Security” and the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-olu commended him for consistently intervening to improve the society.

Without a doubt, his act of generosity continues to shoot for the sky; he loves giving back to his society without blinking an eyelid.

However, he loathes people singing his praise over such acts of humaneness.  He is not your kind of billionaire who calls for publicity over little donation.

On his humanitarian gestures, he has been quoted as saying that “God has been so kind to me in life.

“I feel highly privileged.

“The only way I can show my gratitude to Him is to use my resources to support those who are underprivileged.

“This I intend to do for the rest of my life.

“In a world full of conflicts, diseases, calamities and inequality we all need to show the milk of human kindness, to reach out and comfort the sick and give a helping hand to the weak.

 “A lot of people think when they die, they take their money with them, we’ll see.

 “In my journey of life, I have taken the risk, I’ve done the chase, I’ve enjoyed the thrill and I have achieved success and recognition. What next? You give it back!”

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Aare Adetola Emmanuelking Honored with Prestigious OSCOTECH Fellowship Award

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Esa-Oke, Osun State — The Chairman and CEO of Adron Group, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, has been conferred with the prestigious 2024 Osun State College of Technology (OSCOTECH) Fellowship Award (FOSCOT). The honor was presented during the institution’s 8th Combined Convocation Ceremony, in recognition of his outstanding achievements and enduring contributions to society.

The event, held at the OSCOTECH campus in Esa-Oke, Osun State, witnessed a gathering of prominent dignitaries, including the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator (Dr.) Ademola Adeleke; members of the Osun State House of Assembly; Permanent Secretaries; and esteemed royal majesties, including Oba Adeyemi Akanbi and Oba Festus Kayode Awogboro. The fellowship award was also conferred upon other distinguished individuals, including the Owaniran of Esa-Oke, Oba Adeyemi Adediran, and Yeyeluwa Modupeola Adeleke Sanni, sister to the Osun State Governor.

In his acceptance speech, Aare Emmanuelking expressed heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, reflecting on his transformative journey from a student at OSCOTECH to a successful entrepreneur and community leader. He stated, “Twenty-seven years ago, I walked these very grounds as a student, full of dreams and aspirations, like many of you here today. My time at OSCOTECH shaped the foundation of who I am today, instilling in me not just technical skills but the values needed to unleash my boundless potential.”

Aare Emmanuelking further extended his appreciation to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Rector of OSCOTECH, Dr. S.A.O. Adegoke, and the entire OSCOTECH community for the esteemed honor. He also commended the institution’s staff for their unwavering dedication to academic excellence and called on alumni to uphold the legacy of OSCOTECH by contributing to its growth and development.

This recognition underscores Aare Emmanuelking’s relentless commitment to fostering societal progress through innovation, leadership, and philanthropy. The Adron Group Chairman’s contributions to the housing sector and community empowerment continue to set a benchmark for excellence and service.


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Tayo Ayinde, other topshots, Honour Ikeja APC Chairman At Son’s Wedding

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It was an atmosphere filled with love when the families, friends and associates of Mayegun Adekunle Dally-Adeokun, Olori-ebi of Adeokun-Olaboyede(Olisa) royal family, Ijebu-Ode honoured him and his beautiful wife, Evangelist Olayide, in Ibadan, Oyo state at the walimatul-Nikkah of his son, Lukmon Adekunle Jnr to his beau, Faahidat Omowunmi, delectable daughter of Alhaji Suleyman and Alhaja Tawakalit Balogun on Saturday, 23 November 2024 .

The colour of the day, Teal Green and Magenta ruled the hall of the Citron Events Centre as guests turned out glamourously to celebrate with the couple.

The solemnization of the union was done in a strict Islamic tradition. Nikkah lecture was given by Sheikh Dr. Bashir Ayodeji Eleshinmeta, Ansar-ud-Deen Society, Missioner, Oyo State. Are Dr. Abdul Rafiu Ademola Sanni, President, Ansar ud deen Society( Nigeria and overseas) was the father of the day.,

Distinguished guests at the wedding included: Oba Abdul Rasheed Adesanya, FCA, Olisa of Ijebu-Ode; Hon. Tayo Ayinde, Chief of staff to Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu; Hon Seyi Lawal, member, Lagos House of Assembly, representing Ikeja State Constituency I; Hon Damola Kasunmu, member of Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikeja State Constituency II; Alhaja Afusat Abioro, Iyasuna of Ikeja; and Engr Mojeed Balogun, Chairman, Ikeja Local Government Area among others.

The Nikkah was followed by a classy reception and after party where guests were treated to continental and traditional dishes even as drinks flowed freely

 

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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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