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Much Ado About Ooni And Asiwaju’s Courtesy At Oniru Coronation

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 Great names and institutions are not built overnight. It was H.H. Younus AlGohar who drove it home by positing that respect does not come by asking for it; it is earned overtime through giving it to others.

Over the years, Nigeria’s political luminary, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown like Laurence Sterne said that respect for ourselves guides our morals while respect for others guides our manners. Only little people are indifferent, superior people are caring and respect constituted authority whether traditional or political. It is not out of place to say that Tinubu falls among those in our part of the world with great respect for traditional institutions having rightfully earned two great titles —among many others— Asiwaju of Lagos and Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, bestowed on him by two revered monarchs.

In a country where traditional leaders are still widely respected, these chieftaincy titles enhance his power and reach. And he has used them for the good of the nation and so many of the citizens.

As a two-term Governor of Lagos State, it is not by happenstance that nearly a decade and half since he left the seat as the State’s Chief Executive, Tinubu still retains massive support in the state and outside. He has been credited with the social and economic progress seen in Lagos over the past two decades. He keeps an open house and reaches out to people in need. Tinubu is a man of the people. He is liked by many people of different social status. It is a known fact —by many— that Asiwaju has helped great numbers of young and elderly people to grow and achieve their dreams. Even when some of these people turned around to work against his interest, he never begrudged them and is always quick to forgive them whenever they realised their follies.

No matter the circumstances, Tinubu is not known to have ever undermined any of those he helped to rise or subject them to any form of public ridicule. This brings to the fore the needless furore dominating the social media feeds of some characters over a circulating video and still picture of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Babatunde Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife; and National Leader of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Tinubu exchanging greetings during the coronation outing of the 15th Oniru of Iru Land, Oba Omogbolahan Lawal in Lagos last Sunday September 6, 2020.

Of course, some mischief-makers have gone to town spinning different conspiracy theories around the picture and the fleeting moment of the interaction. There had been allegations of Asiwaju Tinubu displaying arrogance and disrespect to the highly revered Oonirisa. But that is farther from the truth and not a representation of what transpired at the coronation event.

While so much attention has been focused on the picture, those pushing the false narrative have refused to allow the true situation to explain itself.

His Imperial Majesty Ooni Ogunwusi actually came in when the programme was reaching its peak with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu —represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat— reading his address.

Many dignitaries including Asiwaju Tinubu were already seated when Ooni made his way into the venue. At events, it is protocol not to allow anyone into a venue when a Governor or President is making a speech. Meanwhile, protocol was shunted aside to accommodate the entry of the revered Ooni, with the number one citizen of the state —a duly elected Governor standing— waiting to continue his speech, which he had to pause to welcome the Ooni. Everyone at the top table welcomed the Oonirisa, including Asiwaju, and allowed him to quickly take his seat. As rightly gathered, the circumstance of the exchange of courtesy was such that before Asiwaju could get up, Oonirisa had moved. This beggars the question: why so much ado about a harmless, fleeting courtesy moment? To them, such posture denigrates the office and stature of the Ooni. Some have even stretched the issue languorously with tales of how Oba Ogunwusi emerged as the Oonirisa. Of course, the true story of how the monarch emerged and people who knew the role played by Asiwaju are still alive to present the true narrative when necessarily. But to those who want to cry more than the bereaved, they should not drag the revered stool of the Ooni into the needless controversy.

There are always different angles to a story but those screaming for Asiwaju’s head, do so not because they love the Oonirisa more but definitely just because Asiwaju was involved.

Mr. Tunde Rahman, a seasoned journalist and media adviser to Asiwaju Tinubu, in a reaction to one of the threads on Facebook, said “Anyone who knows Asiwaju Tinubu would know that he has great respect for traditional institutions. He is full of humility. He would not disrespect any traditional ruler, talk less the Oonirisa, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who is no stranger to him. “Kabiyesi and Asiwaju know that there is no issue in this. They are not unmindful of the fact that some people are just out to fish for a non-existent disaffection between the two of them. Oonirisa knows Asiwaju holds him in high esteem and has high regards for him”.

Of course, Asiwaju Tinubu is the phenomenon! When they do not talk about him then there is nothing to talk about. But Jagaban is a recipient of many titles and he respects tradition so much. Observing rightly how Oonirisa and Asiwaju Tinubu were circumstanced at Oniru’s coronation outing, there was no way Ooni has been denigrated.

It is not surprising and unfortunate that those at the forefront of schisms and stoking controversies around the incident at the Oniru coronation outing notably were Yoruba. But I will like to leave these compatriots with a quote from a notable social commentator, Olukayode Salako, in a recent article; he said: “Yorubas are fast losing it, they hardly support themselves to grow economically, unlike the way the Igbos and the Northerners do to one another; they naturally rebel against their own kinsmen and they are fond of always standing and working against the survival of their leaders.

FUNSHO AROGUNDADE is a Lagos Based Journalist.

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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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