WALE TINUBU’S SERVICE TO HUMANITY
enthusiasm.
For her, turning 40 is no mean feat. So, in appreciation of God’s grace in her life, she is rolling out the drums today to mark the milestone.
Society Happenings gathered she had been making arrangements in the last few weeks to make today’s ceremony grand. Interestingly, her family, friends and colleagues are said to have been pouring encomiums on her, since last Friday when she actually turned 40.
The top Lagos State civil servant known to be a jovial and fun-loving personality is said to be close to a number of influential personalities from across the country.
Wale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, is not one of your run-ofthe-mill businessmen. In many ways, he is head and shoulders above several competitors in the industry. He is one of the few who run their businesses with human face.
From the relatively small company, Ocean and Oil Service, this great achiever has soared higher on the wings of his uncommon brilliance and business acumen to become the King of African Oil.
While the foregoing may not be news, especially to those who have been following his story with interest, he is recognised as a businessman
whose love for fellow human beings beggars description. He seems to have entered a vow to be committed to the course of humanity; he can’t stand the sight of his fellow human being in distress or wants. For instance, he showed his milk of kindness during the last Eid-il-Kabir Festival, when he donated several rams and cows, in addition to cash gifts, to the needy across the state.
But you will be wrong if you label it a ceremonial affair, as the dark-skinned business guru has also been ‘secretly’ involved in philanthropic gestures.
It is a fact that Oando Foundation has rehabilitated 48 schools across 20 states and plans to adopt 100 schools before the end of this year. It also offers over 100,000 students access to quality primary education, while broadening the capacity of over 4,000 teachers. It has also offered over 2,560 scholarships to pupils, in addition to providing other amenities such as roads, boreholes, hospitals and town halls in host communities.
Tinubu, a Law graduate from the University of Liverpool, led Oando as the African company to achieve a secondary listing on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and achieved another milestone with the completion of the Canadian oil and gas firms, Exile Resource, which gave birth to Oando Energy Resources (OER).
Among other things, he is also recognised for turning a mono-product called Oando Marketing into an energy giant with investments across the energy chain. Besides, his driving force has helped him maintain the top position in the very stiff sector among his competitors. He is an incurable optimist and always strives to attain result even when it seems nothing is going as planned.
Suddenly, Osita Chidoka, a former Minister of Aviation, seems to have found his groove, after experiencing a temporary reversal of status.
Prior to this chapter in his life, he was of the toast of many during the twilight the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Stories abound that before he was sworn-in on Wednesday, July 2014, the former Federal Road Safety Commission’s Corp Marshal had received a royal treatment from his friends who organised a surprise bash in his honour. The party, as gathered by Society Happenings, was to bid him farewell and welcome him into a new beginning. The event which held at Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja was attended by Senator Andy Ubah, FRSC top echelons and a host of other prominent Nigerians and business expatriates.
However, that seeming giddiness did not last for too long, as the current government took over from the then President Jonathan’s administration. Following that transition, his fame faded and his number of powerful friends decreased. Consequently, he
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