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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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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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