When the World Celebrated the Ooni of Ife
To some, turning 47 is no big deal. But that is not so in the case of Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
The colourful monarch was deservedly celebrated beyond the shores of the country on Sunday, OCTOber 24, 2021, when he turned 47. The ancient city of Ife in Osun State and its environs literally stood in honour of the first-class monarch on the occasion.
Although his friends, associates as well as other royal fathers made the day a grand one for him, many, in a show of love and appreciation, placed congratulatory adverts in some national newspapers. And, indeed, the contents of the adverts spoke volumes of his enviable place in the hearts of the advertisers.
Also, many extolled the virtues of the handsome king on other platforms, describing him as a strong advocate of peace and unity.
The Ooni of Ife is a role model to his contemporaries and the younger generation, owing to his contributions to humanity. It is widely acknowledged that since he ascended the throne of his ancestors, the narrative of Ile-Ife, which is described as the cradle of the Yoruba race, has changed. This was evident immediately after the coronation when he began to unfold his development plans for the town, to the admiration of all. Sources revealed that many of his decisions have been very accurate, which confirms the belief in some quarters that he is a man blessed with uncommon sagacity.
Like every creature, this well-revered king too has his own humble beginning. But his will inspire any ambitious soul, any day and any time. As a young prince, he had a clear vision of what he wanted to do later in life, and he pursued it with unwavering doggedness.
Until he became the Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi had been a major player in the real estate sector. He had constructed highbrow and eye-popping estates such as Jacobs Mews Estate, Yaba; Lake View Park 1 and 2 located along the Lekki-Epe Road and Chevron Toll Gate; The Northpointe Phase 1 and 2 Estates, Golden Leaf Estate and the Lord’s Estates.
Azeez Yusuf: Making Nigeria Proud in the Diaspora
The flawed perception that has been hitherto ascribed to many Nigerians living abroad is gradually and stealthily being renewed and refreshed by a new set of Nigerians who are giving the country a better and improved image abroad.
One of this new crop of guys abroad is the very entrepreneurial and officious Asiwaju Azeez Oladapo Yusuf who has been eking out a legitimate living in The Gambia for over two decades now and has never been found wanting.
Now a resident of Gambia, Yusuf has his hands in many legitimate pies, leaving the grand impression that Nigerians living abroad are not about scams, fraud, drugs and shady dealings, all in the name of making cool money but with questionable sources.
Enterprising, Yusuf is well known and massively patronised in the Gambia especially with his hospitality haven, Big Apple, that has remained number one in giving quality entertainment and relaxation to patrons in that African country and beyond.
Those who have visited his Big Apple will attest to the aura and ambience of the hospitality spot. Still in the attitude of making a living through legal and legitimate means, the very innovative and industrious Yusuf, who is also a lawyer runs A&A Consortium Gambia Ltd in the Gambia, which comprises real estate, oil and gas, and agriculture.
Yusuf is a good representative for Nigerians living abroad, and his activities and ventures outside the shores of his fatherland bear very sterling testimony to this.
Allen Onyema: Flag-waving Patriot
In 2019, the profile of Air Peace boss, Allen Onyema received a boost, after he offered the use of his Boeing 777 aircraft, free of charge, to evacuate Nigerians from South Africa during the xenophobic attacks.
It was a rare act that highlighted not only his patriotism but also his love for humanity, especially considering the fact that over N280 million was set aside for this purpose.
Though many naysayers had said then that it was a mere public relations stunt, the man has since proved them wrong. Despite the uncertainty in the country, he is one of the few patriots who believe so much in the nation.
Today, he is fast becoming a role model to many; he preaches his love for the country while also motivating others, particularly the youth who have lost hope in the country.
Many would not forget in a hurry his motivational speech in September, which spurred the nation’s Super Eagles into action in their campaign towards qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Apart from fulfilling his N20 million pledge to the team after they won the match, he also donated one of his aircraft for the trip.
Onyema, who charged the team to use sports to unify the country, stated that Air Peace was very happy to be associated with the team. He added that the favour which God granted Air Peace had manifested in their victory against Liberia.
No doubt, this singular act further endeared him to many Nigerians.
The only Nigerian who had probably beat his record is the late MKO Abiola, who was Africa’s Pillar of Sports. But Onyema is gradually stepping into his shoes.
For Onyema, starting an indigenous airline was not about making profits, but about creating jobs. He decided that commercial aviation was a much nobler venture than leaving his money to sit idle in the banks. Such is the life of this business mogul who has become an angel of hope to many and a God-sent to his compatriots, who have been visited by the vicissitude and lassitude of life.
To say he is generous with his God-given wealth, is to put it mildly.
Despite a two-year delay resulting from the absence of an operating licence, Air Peace has grown to become the largest indigenous airline in the entire West and Central Africa with competitive fares on both passenger and charter services.
Has Aminu Tambuwal Chickened Out?
Oftentimes, one of the names that have been enjoying a good mention whenever the 2023 presidency is being mentioned is the current governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
This is not unexpected, at least, to his supporters who claimed that “the country is on the precipice, and needs a messiah.”
According to them, the searchlight should be beamed on individuals who can give the nation positive vibes.
It was gathered that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives started nursing the ambition to become the number one citizen of Nigeria shortly after he assumed office as the governor of the state.
Tambuwal was one of the leading aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the build-up toward the 2019 presidential election. However, his loss at the primary had made a mess of his ambition.
It was gathered that, contrary to expectations, he seems not to be interested in pursuing his presidential ambition again. This development has come like a rude shock to his loyalists, who believe that Tambuwal would have been a perfect candidate for his party, PDP in the race.
His reason, according to a reliable source, is that he lacks the financial war chest to prosecute his agenda.
“Many will agree that the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tambuwal has proved himself to possess distinguishable qualities that make a good leader. He has the requisite skills to make very urgent decisions that can solve most of the problems we have as a nation. He is clearly a leader with a vision. He is very young with less baggage. But contesting for the presidency of Nigeria goes beyond that. So, the man does not see himself as anyone who has the capability for such an assignment for now,” a source said.
Apart from being the former speaker at the Lower Chamber, Tambuwal is a member of many professional parliamentary and international bodies. He is a member of the International Bar Association, Nigerian Bar Association and National Executive Committee of the NBA.
He is also an alumnus of many universities and international educational institutions, including Harvard University, USA, and was the regional representative of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
Tambuwal at various times served as Organising Secretary and Legal Adviser of political parties. His position as a lawyer, legislator and Speaker of the House of Representatives was appreciated and recognised when he was appointed into the highest professional policy-making body of the Nigerian legal profession with his appointment to the Body of Benchers.
Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akande’s Achilles’ Heel
One of the popular sayings among the Yoruba is: “There is no respect for a king without a queen.” But it seems that the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akande, does not give a hoot about this saying, as he is not in a hurry to remarry after his former wife, Chanel Chin, a Canadian, left the palace in a controversial manner.
The break-up of the marriage, which produced a son named Oduduwa, had been followed with accusations and counter-accusation that went viral for many months. It was so messy that it was the talk of town across the country.
Among other reasons, the Oluwo accused her of being an ‘agent’ planted in the palace by his enemies and that she filmed their bedroom activities, which she allegedly tried to use to blackmail him.
But since she left the palace, it seems he is not in a hurry to bring another woman into the palace. He has not been romantically linked with any other woman. Although a source revealed that he has a woman after his heart, he has not made up his mind to bring her into the palace.
“Kabiyesi has a woman he is dating. But remember that, once beaten, twice shy. So he is watching her for now.”
Adama Indimi’s New Lifestyle
Who says being married cannot make one kick some bad habits, particularly if one is determined to make the marriage work?
If you are in doubt, ask Adama Indimi, the beautiful daughter of Borno State-born billionaire, Mohammed Indimi. Before she finally bade goodbye to spinsterhood last year, she was controversial and was always in the news for the wrong reasons. Besides, she was very active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she commented on issues that did not affect her directly in any way.
However, since the pretty damsel got married to her heartthrob, Malik Ado-Ibrahim, the founder of Bicernery and owner of F1 Team Arrows, in August 2020, she seems to have turned over a new leaf, as no controversy or negative news has been traced to her in recent times. A source revealed that the only thing that matters to her at the moment is the success of her marriage to her billionaire hubby.
Before her marriage to Ado-Ibrahim, who is also the heir to the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, the ravishingly beautiful lady was one of the hottest spinsters in that part of the country.
Very fashionable, Adama, who runs a travel agency, Kauna Solutions, was not in short supply of men who wanted her as a partner.
But none was willing to take Adama, a graduate of the Lynn University, Florida, US, to the altar simply because of her controversial nature. It got so bad that tongues were already wagging over her single status before she was finally hooked to the billionaire Prince.
