Society Watch With Adebayo Adeoye

Society Watch With Adebayo Adeoye

Segun Agbaje: The Champion Extraordinaire


History, many say, is often written by champions, who also sometimes rewrite it.
This is true of banking expert, Segun Agbaje, who is acknowledged to be a problem-solver.
It is a fact that the quintessential banking guru, blessed with some unique attributes as well as leadership qualities, has mentored many individuals, who today occupy top managerial positions in their respective organisations.

Since he assumed office as the MD/CEO of one of the fastest-growing new generation banks in the country, GTBank Plc, a few years ago, Agbaje has proved pundits wrong that age is not a big factor when it comes to efficient service delivery and well-focused administration. Even in the face of persistent opposition from both within and outside the financial world, he has remained focused, while also steadily delivering immeasurable growth to the bank, with several customer-friendly products and services that can make other banks go green with envy.
At the moment, Agbaje has reiterated his commitment to take the bank to the next level, with the birth of GTCO.

This is coming weeks after the official listing of the shares of the newly formed Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) on the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX), following the restructuring of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Plc. GTCO has commemorated the listing of its shares on the local course, with a closing gong ceremony, while also unveiling the company’s new brand identity to capital market stakeholders and members of the general public.
Indeed, Agbaje, who is now the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, is a professional banker par excellence, with an intimidating academic and cognate profile of over two decades.

Oil Top Player, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Celebrates at 50


No matter how you look at it, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah is one of Nigeria’s business titans.
Quite expectedly, when the Chairman of Capital Oil turned 50 last Friday, his family members, friends and associates took turns to felicitate with him.

It was clear that those who rejoiced with him on the occasion had done so in appreciation of his heart of gold and outstanding feats in life. The Senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District has touched so many lives in his earthly sojourn. So, for some of the beneficiaries of his kindness, the occasion provided a rare opportunity to celebrate and pray for him.

His story is definitely an inspiration to many. At a relatively young age, the Nnewi-born businessman had stubbornly followed his heart, with a steely resolve to rule his world later in life. That was at a time when many of his mates were still oblivious of what the future had in stock for them.

Call it an audacious ambition and you will not be wrong! But it was obvious that he could no longer be stopped in his tracks to lay the foundation of his business empire, which has now grown to become a conglomerate.

At 50, he could be described as a warrior, who has survived many wars that would have ordinarily consumed a lily-livered both in business as well as politics. The member of the Upper Chamber could also be likened to a cat with nine lives; the more they try to bury him, the more he sprouts like a seed in a well fertile land. He is known to be unapologetically committed to the uplift of his community, while also helping the course of humanity. Little wonder he is a leading candidate in the coming Anambra State governorship election coming up in November this year.

Crisis Trails Shina Peller’s Chieftaincy Title


If information reaching Society Watch is anything to go by, then a serious crisis that may disrupt the peace being enjoyed by traditional rulers in the South-west may have reared its ugly head.

This is coming against the backdrop of the chieftaincy titles conferred on popular socialite and member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Abiola Peller alongside his wife, Ayobola as the Ayedero of Yorubaland and Yeye Ayedero by His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, the Alaafin of Oyo.

Ayedero of Yorubaland literally means someone who brings peace and prosperity to his people (Yorubaland) as well as someone who ensures that tranquillity reigns in the land and makes life easy for all.

The event was held at the Royal Palace of the Alaafin in Oyo, Oyo State and attended by royal fathers, traditional chiefs, businessmen and women, celebrities and other prominent personalities in and outside the country.

Following the ceremony, Society Watch gathered that some monarchs have decried the statement credited to Alaafin, who reportedly boasted that he remains the only monarch who reserves the exclusive rights to confer chieftaincy titles that would cover Yorubaland on worthy individuals. While some traditional rulers in the South-west were said to agree with the Alaafin’s position, some others kicked.

A source hinted that the Deji of Akure land, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, frowned on the statement, saying that every authentic traditional ruler in Yorubaland has his root in Ile-Ile and that the issue of exclusive right should not arise.

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Akanbi, another source disclosed, threw his weight behind Oba Adeyemi, saying the title, Alaafin, confers leadership on the monarch in the region, considering the fact that the title was first used by Oduduwa himself and Oranmiyan.
The pertinent question, therefore, remains: did Alaafin goof or not?

After Vacation Abroad, Sir Kessington Adebutu Rejuvenates


In Nigeria today, Sir Kessington Adebutu, famously known as Baba Ijebu, is a household name. You don’t have to be in the business world to know him. He is blessed with a larger than life image. Indeed, if the history of billionaires in Africa were to be documented, Adebutu’s name would stand out. Also, it is no exaggeration that he is respected by all, not only for his wealth but also for his uncommon brilliance, a situation that makes him dine and wine with the most powerful across the world.

The Odoole of Yorubaland is a businessman, an inspiration and one of Nigeria’s brightest minds in business. He has shown a substantial capacity to manage every storm that has hit the betting sector, as evidently seen in how he transformed and recreated the sector with his Premier Lotto.

Since he single-handedly remodelled the industry, it has turned into a billion-Naira-generating sector that many are now willing to invest in.
In recent times, the flamboyant man has slowed down partying or attending social functions following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. After he attended the last convocation ceremonies of the University of Lagos, Akoka, where he was honoured with an honorary Doctor of Science, he jetted out of the country to London with his youngest wife and his twin children for the summer holiday.

He was also said to have spent some time in Malta.
But sources revealed that the cerebral and well-respected business magnate returned to the country last Friday after several weeks of a well-deserved holiday.
Adebutu, who will be 86 on October 24, 2021, is said to be looking more relaxed and rejuvenated with his skin glowing like a newborn.

Joy in Oba Kuoye Lukman Adeleke’s Heart

If a horse, as the Yoruba would say, could walk in the belly of the Olu of Imasailand, Oba (Rtn) Kuoye Lukman Olalekan Adeleke, it would not tumble. That his heart was filled with joy when he received the Staff of Office from the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by the Hon. Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Afolabi Afuape, recently, is putting it mildly.

The new monarch assured the indigenes of Imasai in Yewa North Local Government of Ogun State of his commitment towards the development and progress of the ancient kingdom. He promised that his reign would be all-inclusive and asked for cooperation from all stakeholders as well as their unflinching support toward a peaceful reign in the town.

Speaking during the ceremony, he said: “I want to specially appreciate our indefatigable Governor, HE Dapo Abiodun, and other Executive Council members, for standing firm for what you believed in. This is a very important activity and ceremony, and I do not take for granted the trust you have all bestowed on me.

“It is my firm belief that the unblemished track record of my performance where I have worked, both in the private and public sectors will be used for the development of this town. I am very grateful for this opportunity and I want to thank my fellow contestants who have graciously accepted the decision of the people. I want my dear brothers who vied for this stool with me to know that we are all winners as my Obaship will be inclusive administration.”

The monarch, from the Oyesokun Ruling House, emerged victorious during the selection process conducted by the traditional chiefs under the strict supervision of officials of Egbado North Local Government.
Until his selection to the stool of his forefathers, he had worked with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). He had also served as the Special Assistant to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, a former governor of Ogun State, and was also a former Secretary and Vice-Chairman, Transition Committee of Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government.

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