Fuji music star, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, M.O.N otherwise known as K1 De Ultimate has joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the passing of the founder of First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Otunba Subomi Balogun.
In a statement personally signed by the Mayegun of Yorubaland he stated that Yorubaland has lost a great man.
‘’It is a great shock to learn about the exit of a foremost son of Ijebuland, a generous philanthropist, Chief Micheal Olasubomi Balogun, the founder of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), among several other establishments.
With his exit, Ijebuland just lost one of its pillars, an enviable character and a stylish price. A strict disciplinarian, business magnate and source of pride to the whole of Ijebuland.
I commiserate with the Awujale Of Ijebuland, the people of Ijebuland, Ogun state and the whole of Yorubaland over the transition of the direct descendant of Oba Tunwase of Ijebu-Ode, Chief Balogun who holds the chieftaincy titles of Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland, the Olori Omoba of Ijebuland and the Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians amongst several others.
I pray that Almighty Allah will console all of us especially those he left behind and his legacy will be protected in his memory as good son of Ijebuland’’ He stated.
Yesterday, Friday, the boardroom guru, breathed his last in London at 89. The demise was that of a titan whose footprints were golden tracks across different aspects of the Nigerian society.
A renowned legal practitioner who participated in the drafting of the act that initiated Nigeria’s independence, his feats as a banker have been woven into tales teaching younger generations grit, focus and management of success.
He was a high-ranking Ijebu aristocrat from Ogun state with a litany of titles like Otunba Tunwase, the Olori Omo-oba of Ijebu, Baba Oba of Ijebu-Ife and the Asalu-Oba of Ijebu Mushin.
Group Chief Executive, Oando Group, Mr. Wale Tinubu has sent his heartfelt congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Kashim Shettima.
The Oando boss, in a statement yesterday, said the antecedents of the former Lagos State governor showed that he would lead a government that would provide transformational leadership and take the country to higher level.
In the message he also assured Nigerians should hope for economic prosperity and transformation. He stated this in his congratulatory message to the new President who assumed office on Monday. ‘’I extend my heartfelt congratulations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Deputy, His Excellency Kashim Shettima on the occasion of your inauguration. With your exceptional leadership, I am confident that our great nation will experience a new era of transformational leadership, economic prosperity, and renewed hope. “I eagerly anticipate a united, peaceful, and safe Nigeria for all under your visionary guidance. “I wish you both excellent health and an illustrious tenure, and pray that Allah (SWT) bestows upon you the strength, courage, and tenacity required to propel Nigeria forward,” he said
Prominent businessman, Alhaji Nasiru Danu is among the 339 persons nominated on merit by the federal government to receive national honours. Recall that the federal government announced the recipients of 2023 national awards on Sunday. Alhaji Danu was nominated for Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR). Apart from his track record in business, Danu has a burning desire for humanity. Positively affecting the lives of the less privileged is paramount to Danu. He has successfully impacted on the needy through his foundation known as The Nasiru Haladu Danu Medical Mission Foundation. The foundation has engaged in philanthropic projects like the free medical mission in Dutse, Jigawa State where about 5,000 people including men, women and children received medical attention from American medical specialists.
The Arole Oduduwa, Ooni of Ife; Ooni Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II (CFR) has made an appeal to all Nigerian across the country regardless of their party affiliation to sheath their swords and work together with the President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the progress of Nigeria.
Ooni Adeyeye made this call in Lagos while hosting a high delegation sent by Kenyan President His Excellency; William Ruto headed by Kenya’s Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Francis Koskie also Chairman Dangote Groups Alhaji Aliko Dangote, CEO of Propetrol Harry Ebohen, Governor of Ogun State; Prince Dapo Abiodun and Fintech Guru Kunmi Demuren who met with the president Elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Lagos residence where series of discussion was held on how Africa can synergize to bring about national development; creating a platform for prosperity through African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) while creating an innovative future for our young people.
Ooni said; ‘Nigeria remains Africa’s largest economy, most populous nation, and a political powerhouse. During my last visit, the Kenyan President assured me of his government’s unwavering determination to improve its nations’ and businesses’ footprints in Nigeria. Africa is the world’s engine, and we must remodel its priceless natural resources and safeguard its age-old wealth for our progress.
After the meeting with the Kenyan Government representatives and Nigeria’s business communities, Asiwaju Tinubu also showed his readiness to partner with other business leaders in his quest to transform Nigeria’s economy and also transit Nigeria from a consuming dependent economy to producing economy. Making recourse to Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s $20Billion Refinery which is set to commence operation fully by the end of the month. Asiwaju also committed his readiness to partner with East Africa most especially Kenya by creating a more robust partnership; rejigging its long relationship which will help both governments grow astronomically in trade, cultural exchange and intergovernmental development.
Ooni also averred that as the country transitions to a new government, it’s best for all hands to be on deck regardless of candidate choice and party affiliations as the election has gone and governance and putting Nigeria on the right path to greatness should be a collective effort. “As the presidential inauguration approaches, I beseech you all, young and old, Obidients and Atikulates, hopeful and weary, amiable and passionate, to lay down your arms. There is no reason to waste time looking back; all we have is today and the future. Now is the time to embrace our diversity and uniqueness. We may differ in opinions and approaches to achieving a better Nigeria, but we all want a nation we can be proud of. Let us come together to support the vision of Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.’