Again, billionaire businessman, Orikolade Ayodele Karim, impressively established his privileged position and connections yesterday, Saturday 3 ,April, 2021 during his installation as the Agbaoye of Ibadanland by the highly revered Olubadan of Ibadan, His Imperial Majesty Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji.
Since he was announced as the successor to the late title holder, Chief Harry Ayoade Akande, after a rigorous search, preparation had been in top gear towards the installation of Karim, an ally of the former Emir of Kano, Mohammed Sanusi.
A source privy to the selection process disclosed to us that Karim, boss of Shoreline Natural Resources and one of the youngest tipped for the title, became the popular choice based on his influence and connection that go beyond the shores of Africa as well as his almost unmatched generosity.
The Olubadan Palace in the Popo Yemoja area was enlivened with select dignitaries who witnessed the traditional installation of the billionaire as the Agbaoye , while a lavish reception later held at the popular Jogor Centre along Liberty Road in the heart of Ibadan.
The ancient city was literally shutdown and shook to it very foundation.
There, it was obvious to all that the billionaire had a commanding sense of hospitality, as the gaily dressed guests were treated to continental, Chinese and local delicacies and expensive wines.
At the event it was parades of business magnates with high net worth such as Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Lamido Sanusi, Bola Shagaya, Otunba Funsho Lawal, Managing director of Telegraph Newspaper, Ayo Aminu among several others.
Meanwhile, another member of the Karim Family, Ayodeji, is said to be planning to extend the fun today as the majority of the eminent individuals who were at his brother’s soiree yesterday will join him for the official opening of his new venture, Pythagoras Lounge —a new hospitality haven regarded as the biggest hangout in Ibadan, with Fuji music czar, Adewale Ayuba on the bandstand.
Pythagoras located on the popular Felele Junction in Challenge area of the city is specially built not just as a lounge but it is also embedded with everything entertainment, ranging from food, drinks, grills, gaming shop and unisex salon , among others.
The Karim Brothers’ investment prowess has famously propelled them into the list of Nigeria’s wealthiest.
The sons of a policeman and an entrepreneurial mother who ran a small commodity trading firm’s antecedents precede them anywhere they go. Through their various investments, primarily in Oil & Gas and Construction, the extremely private pair has grown to own a slew of other juicy business concerns.
Fifty-two year old Kola is the Chairman of Shoreline Natural Resources Ltd., the third largest indigenous oil explorations company in Nigeria and owner of a 45% participating interest in OML 30.
Reports have it that through his Shoreline Group, he has in his employ more than 5,000 people in several countries.
Kola is also a director on other blue chip establishments, including Ecobank, Schlumberger, Nigerian Ropes Plc, African Eagles Plc, Trans Amadi Facilities, and Grange Education Ltd.
He is also the Chairman of Costain West Africa Plc, where his younger sibling Ayo was the erstwhile Managing Director.
Besides his recent investment in the hospitality sector with the Pythagoras, Ayo, 50, has also expanded his horizon by investing heavily in the agro-allied business with focus on livestock.
His multi-billion naira Winchester Farm is situated on a large expanse of land in Egbeda along Ibadan-Ife Expressway with a state-of-the-art abattoir , where livestock are processed for a ready-made market.
There is no gainsaying that the Polo-loving Karim Brothers truly love their hometown given their level of participation in the socio-political development of the ancient city of Ibadan.
