SpyglassÂ
If the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, topshot, Bayo Adelabu, had listened to wise counsel, he would have probably had a rethink before going into politics.
It was gathered that the respected banker did not heed the advice of his friends and family members who discouraged him from venturing into politics, after he declared his intention to vie for the number one job in Oyo State in 2019.
But today, he knows better, as his dream of becoming the state governor is fast evaporating.
Indeed, the billionaire is said to have dumped the ambition due to his recent encounters.
A source said, “Adelabu never expected what played out since he made his intention known in the state. Though he has not made public his intention, many are already aware of it. His experiences have not been palatable. Hence, his reasons for dropping the ambition for now.â€
Until now, the respected banker, who is a grandson of the late Adegoke Adelabu, famously described as the strongman of Ibadan politics, was tipped as the successor to the incumbent governor, Abiola Ajimobi, with whom he had a warm relationship with .
To underscore his seriousness, he was said to have hastened work on the completion of his 25-room country home in the Alalubosa area of Oyo State. But not long after, things started to fall apart between him and Ajimobi, thereby making his ambition suffer a terrible blow. Besides, another factor militating against his gubernatorial ambition is the fact that he is said to be popular only among the elite in Ibadan and not in the whole of Oyo State.
Until his appointment as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), he was an Executive Director/Chief Financial Officer (CFO), First Bank of Nigeria Plc. (FBN). Prior to that, he had held the positions of General Manager as well as the West African Regional Head of Finance and Strategy (Consumer Banking Business) for Standard Chartered Bank from where he was head-hunted in 2009. Bayo holds a First-Class degree in Accounting from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and a member of the Institute of Directors of Nigeria.
CAROLINE EKANEM’S DEEP WOUND IN THE HEART
Caroline Ekanem, an actress and former wife of billionaire businessman, Musa Danjuma, has always been in the news for many reasons.
Though she is not one of the A-list actresses in the nation’s movie industry, Nollywood, she commands respect for her charm and beauty.
Her marriage to billionaire Danjuma, a brother to a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma(retd.), offered her a new lease of life.
The forgoing may not be news any longer. However, Spy Glass gathered that the young lady is nursing a wound in her heart, following a series of losses she has suffered recently.
It was gathered that the mother of two has been somewhat low-spirited since she lost her boyfriend, Tagbo, who was said to have died of suffocation inside a car after an outing at a nightclub.
A source revealed that though she is getting attention from men, she has refused to look their way, as she is still grieving the loss.
Kwara Gov, Ahmed, Ooni of Ife Honoured
If you were at the Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos last weekend, you would have given thumbs up to the organisers of the annual LEAD project lecture.
It was obvious that they went the extra mile to put up the show, which was the 9th edition of the awards ceremony.
One of the highlights of the evening was the recognition accorded the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
While Ahmed received the LEAD Project Africa ‘Man of the Year’ for 2017, the Ooni was awarded the Lead Royal Icon of the Year. He was represented by Oba Adeyemi-Asaoya of Isoya-Ile.
The Lead Africa Think Tank Award is an annual corporate event that recognises and rewards governments, industries, companies and individuals who are making giant strides in their fields and contributing immensely to the society.
According to the organisers, the award of excellence was bestowed on the governor for his high performance since assuming office and his track record of achievements which established him as an expert in strategic planning and resource optimisation.
Meanwhile, Oba Ogunwusi was honoured for his role in promoting Yoruba culture at home and abroad. The Senior Special Assistant, SSA to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Olajumoke Omoniyi Oduwole, Managing Director, Slot Telecommunications, Nnamdi Ezeigbo, Registrar, APCON, Alhaji Garba Bello Kankarofi and other top dignitaries were also honoured for their achievements.
Yewande Peregrino’s Unfulfilled Dream
The death, last Monday in Lagos, of Yewande Peregrino, a Lagos top-flight socialite and make-up artist, has cast a pall of gloom on the beauty industry.
The Lagos Island- born mother of one, Armani Moropeda, who reportedly died after a brief illness, belonged to the league of leading make-up artists in Nigeria.
Very creative, she worked with many big names and built a successful brand which she ran for over 10 years.
Before death plucked her, she was planning to expand her business beyond Lagos and launch a clothing line. She had, according to some sources, planned to launch the clothing line next year when she would have turned 40 in May.
Sadly, these beautiful dreams seem to have died with her. However, even in death, she is still very relevant, especially as she impacted positively on those whose paths crossed hers in life.
Orji Kalu’s Rising Profile
Without a doubt, Orji Uzor Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, has assumed the status of a man of the people in a nation where many politicians are not regarded highly.
Yes, at different times, he has suffered undeserved humiliation in the nation’s political space. But like a true fighter, he has always emerged a hero. Perhaps, this explains why he has, once again, become a reference point and a colossus.
Spyglass gathered that his Abuja and Igbere (Abia) country homes are like Mecca visited daily by his loyalists as well as political associates because he is a force to be reckoned with in the nation’s political circle.
The youngest person to take the oath of office as a governor in Nigeria at 39, according to Forbes, he holds the double honour as the fourth richest man in Nigeria.
The blunt philanthropist, who sits atop the SLOK conglomerate with interest in airline, shipping, oil and gas, amongst others, has his business tentacles spread across the world.
