Femi Otedola’s Lesson of Good fatherhood!

Without a doubt, billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola’s life is symbolic of good fatherhood. Today, no one can deny his sterling achievements in the business world. But what many do not know is that, while he continues to make giant strides in his business, he has not failed to keep the sanctity of his marital vow intact. Besides, he is one of few successful businessmen around that cherish family values. Last Monday, Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil, wowed many when one of his lovely daughters, Temi, celebrated her 21st birthday. It was one memorable moment among the Otedolas , as he was joined by his beautiful wife, Nana, to celebrate with their daughter on her day of glory.

The private birthday party, according to reports, held at his beautiful London apartment. In the midst of the low-key event, Otedola and his wife reportedly also used the moment to show their romantic sides, particularly during the photo session.

Otedola comes across as a liberalminded individual who allows his beautiful daughters- Wunmi, Ife and Temi- to choose their paths in life.

His princesses are in their own world, pursuing their individual passions. interestingly, under the guidance of their parents, they seem to have taken their passions to impressive heights within a short period of time to the amazement of many. No doubt, they are a pride to their loving parents.

Wunmi is literally having a sizzling romance with soul music. The “Don’t Break My Heart” crooner went into music after bagging a degree in Psychology and Philosophy from the St. Andrews University and a Master’s in Music from the Vocal Tech, United Kingdom. Temi, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, is a delight on the turntable. Her dexterity has earned her accolades as well as popularity across the continent of Africa.

Like her sisters, Temi is also doing her father proud. A fashion enthusiast, she owns JTO, a fashion blog, where she expresses her fashion, art and photography adventures.

In this, she shares the same passion with her father whose abiding love for arts could be seen on his late father, Chief Michael Otedola’s Impact Press located on Randle Avenue, Lagos Though the event has come and gone, it is still the talk of town, especially as the respected business has unwittingly succeeded in passing a message across that the pursuit of legitimate wealth, which is desirable, should not take the place of family value in a man’s life.

His name rings loud in both the social and corporate circles on account of his wealth and knack for celebration of life in grand styles.

However, for some inexplicable reasons, the businessman, for some time, suddenly fizzed out, leaving tongues to wag over his financial status.

In fact, the rumour of him suffering a reversal of fortune became so rife when he waited almost a year before burying his father, the late Benneth Offor.

But typical of a strategist, he shocked his critics when he eventually rolled out the burial plans for his late father. He had caused a stir with the-out- of- this world burial he organised for his father who was buried in a N15 million gold casket in November last year. For the doubting Thomases who still believe it was all a stunt, the businessman has, once again, proved that he is back for good, as he recently donated books and computers to some schools across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria via his Sir Emeka Offor Foundation (SEOF).

The recent gesture is the fourth major book distribution the Foundation has organised in Nigeria since the initiative began.

Interestingly, the continent-wide project is a collaborative effort between the Foundation and Books for Africa (BFA), a non-profit organization based in the United States.

Segun Adewale runs Aeroland, a thriving travel and tours agency. He has been in the business for some time and has made a name for himself. He is respected by many of his competitors on account of his achievements over the years.

But his adventures in politics have been quite uninspiring. Indeed, many who have been following his journey on the political scene now see him as a serial loser, having tried unsuccessfully to be elected into either the House of Representatives or the Senate at different times.

Since 2007, Adewale, who is the current Lagos State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has reportedly made huge financial commitments in his bid to realise his political ambition. But to the dismay of his fans, it has been a wild goose chase.

Consequently, Spyglass gathered that the Ekiti State-born businessman has now resolved to take the battle to his home state. He is said to be warming up to contest for the number one job of the state in 2018 after Governor Ayo Fayose’s tenure ends.

A source disclosed to Spy Glass that Adewale’s game plan is to ride on the crest of his closeness with Fayose to realise his dream. Though it is said that he contributed immensely to Fayose’s success in the last election, his albatross, according to political observers, may be his lack of knowledge of the Ekiti political terrain.

In the Nigerian telecoms industry, Wale Ajisebutu’s name evokes admiration, respect and envy in equal measure. He runs 21st Century Technologies, a fixed line telecommunications company that offers voice, data, VSAT solutions, data centre operations and Internet services to the Nigerian public.

His clientele, according to a source, includes some of the largest multinationals, oil and gas firms, hotels as well as several blue chip organisations in the country. From the Lagos offices of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Company (Nigeria LNG) to the top banks in the country and the largest manufacturing firms in the city, 21st Century has built a huge customer base that can make his competitors green with envy.

It was gathered that when British Telecoms wanted to offer data communication services to its high net-worth clients in Nigeria, it reached out to Ajisebutu and signed a $20bn US dollar deal with his firm. Also his company was contacted when the management of Olokonla LNG Project wanted a reliable data communications network for their operations. It was also gathered that when Gateway Communications of South Africa, a leading provider of pan-African voice and data connectivity services, wanted to acquire GS Telecom in 2007, in a transaction valued at approximately $37.5 million , Ajisebutu made a bid for the company. But he was unsuccessful. You will be dead wrong if you think that is the end of the story involving Gateway and 21st Century. How? Gateway Telecommunications SA (Pty) Ltd eventually resold the carrier services and business network solutions of GS Telecoms across Africa to Vodacom Group for an enterprise value of approximately US$675 million for 21st Century Technologies owing to its intergrity and expertise in the Nigeria telecommunication sector.

When Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, the late Akarigbo of Remoland in Sagamu, Ogun State joined his ancestors, little did the kingmakers envisage the enormity of the challenge they would face thereafter.

Since his passing on, several contending forces are reportedly literally battling for the soul of the town. This development, no doubt, is an indication that royalty is sweet and that the luxury of a modern palace is irresistibly tempting!

Spy glass gathered that though it is the turn of the Torungbuwa ruling house to produce the next king of the ancient town, the selection process has reportedly been marred by crises. This is due to the fact both the Famolu and Iluyomade families within the ruling have produced three major contestants: Prof. Babatunde Ogunmola, Vice Chancellor, Lead City University, Ibadan; Prince Adedayo and Prince Babatunde Ajayi. But this may not be the only headache of the kingmakers. It was gathered that a United States-based member of the ruling house, Prince Nurudeen Kazeem, has kicked against the selection. However, a family member, who craved anonymity, disclosed that Kazeem had been declared persona non grata, following his removal as Secretary of the family in 2010 over some unconfirmed allegations. Though Ogunmola is said to be trying to douse the tension by creating the impression that there is no crisis in the whole exercise, a source told Spy Glass that “With the way things are going, it might take a long time before it will come to normal. Apart from the three selected in the family, other candidates who have also shown interest include: Alhaji Dauda Awosanya, Otunba Folarin Solarin, Shehu Adefemi Ashimolowo, Alh Tajudeen Saka and Prince Ibrahim Adesoye Sanni . The family should just find a way of dousing the tension instead of pretending as if everything is normal.