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Interview: Battling An Incurable Form Of Cancer changed my view about life… NG Clearing CEO, Farooq Oreagba.

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3 months ago

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The Managing Director of NG Clearing and former Member of the Derivatives Product Advisory Committee of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Farooq Oreagba, has revealed that being diagnosed with cancer was the best thing that happened to him as it changed his priorities in life.

Speaking on the Morning Show on Arise TV on Sunday, Oreagba, who stole the show at the 2024 Ijude Oba, an annual celebration by the Ijebu people in Ogun State, mentioned that although he is battling an incurable form of cancer, multiple myeloma, he is passionate about giving hope to other cancer patients.

Oreagba said, “I’ve always been a bit of a controversial person, but we’ll not go into that. I think from the moment I was diagnosed with cancer in February 2014—it’s an incurable form of cancer—priorities changed.

“I’ll say this to somebody, and it’s going to sound ridiculous. I’m 58, and if I could live another 20 years, I’ll say being diagnosed with cancer is the best thing that ever happened to me. It changes my perspective on life. What I’m there for. I’m there for it.

“Counselling cancer patients, trying to improve access to better healthcare, I’ll do that all day long.”

He also mentioned that he runs marathons to raise money for cancer charities, just to give people hope.

“I got hope from places I least expected, and from some of those I expected, I got nothing. That’s life, and you learn your lessons,” he said.

Oreagba further spoke about how he has been able to find fulfilment and stay happy despite his health status.

He added, “You don’t know how much time you’ve got; you line up your priorities. For me, it is family first because I don’t know how long I’m going to be around, but by God’s grace, I’m 10 years and counting, and since I’ve been crowned ‘king of steeze’, I’m not about to just go like that anytime soon.

“I’ve been counselling cancer patients for a while. I was diagnosed in February 2014. I had a bone marrow transplant in August 2014. I did chemotherapy every day, 21 days a month, for eight years.

“I don’t do chemotherapy anymore; I’m living my best life; I’m back working. That gives me a sense of fulfilment because people ask me why I am so happy. ‘I’m alive!’ And as long as you’re in the game, you can win the game; each day is a blessing.”

Oreagba also explained how being diagnosed with cancer reduced the number of friends he had.

He said, “One thing I realised is that when I was a senior executive at the exchange in the early 2000, let’s say I had five million friends.

“When I left the exchange in 2010, my five million friends went down to one million. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, my one million went down to a hundred. That was a very important lesson; it’s important that you hold your friends close, keep your 10 toes down all the time, and be yourself.”

Speaking about his tattoos, he stated that they held significant meaning to him and that he had had them for years; hence, they were not curated for the Ojude Oba event.

“People talk about my tattoos; I’ve had tats for years, and I’m very particular about them. I try to make sure that I don’t have a tattoo on my face and that my sleeves are down when I’m in corporate mode.

“Here’s the famous tattoo,” he said, showing his arm, “it says, ‘I live each day as if it were my last. So don’t judge me.’ That says, ‘Only God can judge me,’ he said.

He further explained that he has other tattoos for his kids, some indicating the moment when he had lots of friends. “I’ve got ‘Ride or die.’ These were not curated; they’ve been there for years.”

Discussing the importance of the Ojude Oba, Oreagba described it as a family tradition spanning generations that showcases their heritage and identity.

“Ojude Oba has evolved over the years; I’ve been doing it for 15 years. Within my family, the Oreagba family, my grandfather was the main rider going back to the 1960s; he died in 1967, so we only had one rider. My uncle took over, and he was the main rider from ’67 to ’84.

“It’s a family affair; it’s not about one individual, and it’s a very expensive venture,” he said.

He noted that he sees it as a unifying activity that brings families together, adding that preparations have begun for next year’s edition of the event.

He explained, “It also brings families together because you could have one cousin who wants to ride but can’t afford a horse, and you are all going to wear the same outfit. You have to be considerate of other people, or you must support them.

“But for me, it’s just an expression of who I am. I didn’t choose the clothes; the family did. They’ve started arranging clothes now for what we will wear next year.”

At the event, different groups of people wore matching attire, showcasing that they belonged to the same association. However, Oreagba stated that he doesn’t belong to any group and that the only association he belongs to pertaining to the festivity is the one created by the paramount ruler and the Awujale of Ijebuland.

He said, “The only group that I’m a member of is called the Heritage Group, and it’s a group that was formed by Kabiyesi Awujale.

“I’m not a member of any ‘Egbe’; it is a heavy thing; you have to be back in Ijebu every weekend for meetings; and I have a primary job, which is important to me because that allows me to afford the medication that I have been using.”

He also gave credit to the photographers for how his pictures from the event went viral, stating that it wasn’t planned that way.

“This is a total shock to me. I didn’t nail it; the cameraman nailed it,” he said.

Oreagba added, “The only thing that was curated is that it used to be two men at the front, and this time it was three. I was at the front.

“The outfits are chosen by family members. The entrance: I am one of my grandfather’s oldest grandchildren, and if you look closely, I’m one of the two light-skinned guys as well, but I look exactly like my grandfather. When we leave the palace, we go around town. It’s usually a great feeling when people see me they don’t know who I am, but by looking at me, they just know that I’m an Oreagba.

“My cousins and nephews want to throw horses up and down, but I’m too old for that; if I fall off, my cancer is bone cancer, and if I break a bone, it will never set properly.”

During the interview, he also described his unconventional living arrangement on the beach in Lagos for four years, highlighting his commitment to living life to the fullest despite challenges.

“What I did in my spare time up until last year was that I lived on the beach for four years. I lived in Lagos, on a beach, as my primary home for four years. I did not have a home in Lagos at all. I did not worry about security; I just lived my life,” he added.

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Dayo Oketola: Obasanjo to speak at former Punch editor’s book launch

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2 days ago

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September 5, 2024

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The immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, is set to launch a book he authored as his contribution to the development of the pen profession.

The book,  ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens,’ will be launched on September 17, 2024, at an exaugural lecture to mark the end of his time as an editor and celebrate his nearly 20 years of experience in journalism.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will be the Special Guest Speaker at the event, which will take place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, by 10 am.

Oketola, now a senior member of the PUNCH Editorial Board, left as Editor of The PUNCH in June.

While serving as editor, he won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in December 2023. He also led the organisation to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same award ceremony. Oketola, a consistent journalism prizeman, also won  Editor of the Year Award at The Industry Awards 2022. He is a two-time winner of the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg 2015 and Nairobi 2016, among numerous awards during his illustrious journalism career.

In a statement, Oketola said, “I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of my book, The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens, scheduled for September 17, 2024.

“On the same day, I will also be hosting an exaugural lecture to celebrate my tenure as Editor of The PUNCH and nearly 20 years in journalism.”

Speaking further, the former editor described his years in journalism as one that had driven advocacy and impacted different sectors of the economy.

“My 20 remarkable years of stewardship to the nation via media and leadership practices have driven advocacy and impacted areas such as business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building, a testament to the power of journalism in shaping our society,” Oketola remarked.

Other influential guests hosted at the media event are a former Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki, who will chair the occasion, and the Convener, Centre for Social Media Research, Dr Akin Olaniyan, who will be the book reviewer.  The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, will grace the occasion as the Chief Host.

Similarly, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, is the host, while the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba,  is the co-host.

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Society

Super TV CEO alleged murder suspect Chidinma’s trial resumes Oct 15

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4 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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A Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square will on October 15, 2024, resume the trial of Chidinma Ojukwu, charged with the murder of the Super TV Chief Executive Officer, Michael Usifo Ataga.

Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, is being prosecuted alongside her sister, Chioma Egbuchu and one Adedapo Quadri for the murder of Ataga.

The defendants were arraigned on October 12, 2021, by the Lagos State Government.

Ojukwu and Quadri are facing the first to eight counts bordering on conspiracy, murder, and stabbing while her sister, Egbuchu, is facing the ninth count of stealing an iPhone 7 belonging to the late Ataga.

Ojukwu and Quadri were alleged to have conspired and murdered Ataga on June 15, 2021, by stabbing him several times with a knife in the neck and chest.

The incident occurred at No. 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

Society Reporters reports that before the ongoing court’s vacation, the prosecution had called 11 witnesses.

The 11th witness, Dr Richard Somiari, a forensic expert, had revealed to the court that the DNA blood sample found on Chidinma’s red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga.

Somiari, a director and consultant for the Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre, was led in evidence by the Lagos State Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions, Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi.

He told the court that he had practised forensics for 15 years and had conducted over 500 forensic tests.

Somiari told the court that his office received 21 different items on different days from their DNA centre.

According to him, the items that were received for evidence included a stained red dress, an army green T-shirt, and a DNA sample from Chidinma Ojukwu.

He also told Justice Yetunde Adesanya that other items received were urine, blood, gastric content and byle which were retained for toxicology reports.

The witness said the goal was to create an evidence triangle to link the suspect to the crime scene and the victim.

Somiari said the DNA on the red dress matched that of the victim, Ataga but did not match that of Chidinma and the other suspects, Babalola Disu and Oluwatomi Dada.

The witness during cross-examination by the first defendant’s counsel, Mr Onwuka Egwu, told the court how the result of the toxicology report was forwarded to the office of the Attorney General of Lagos, Commissioner of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He, however, said not all forensic reports went through such a procedure.

When asked if he questioned the report given by Dr. Andrea Nuhu, in the United States of America, the witness said, “I have already said that I am not a toxicologist. It is a toxicologist that can do such.”

Egwu, however, requested the video of the crime scene to be played and the court granted it.

While the video was playing, he asked the witness whether the samples of blood on the cotton, the wall, the duvet, the white polo the victim was wearing, the chair, and a rug were tested.

The witness answered that the samples were not submitted.

He explained that the markers indicated in his report had nothing to do with the video.

Earlier, Somiari told the court that some samples were in storage but not tested.

The second defendant’s counsel, Mr Babatunde Busari, also cross-examined the witness.

He asked if any DNA sample was taken from the second defendant, Quadri, and the witness said no.

The counsel also asked the witness if he took part in the toxicology analysis which he answered no.

The third defendant’s counsel, Ms C. G. Ugochikwu, said she had no examination for the witness.

 

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Billionaire Businessman, Adebayo Ogunlesi’s son Geoffrey engaged to Meyer, Spider-Man star ex-wife

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4 days ago

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September 3, 2024

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The former wife of Tobey Maguire, known for his role as Spider-Man, Jennifer Meyer, has announced her engagement to Geoffrey, the son of Nigerian billionaire businessman Adebayo Ogunlesi.

Meyer shared the happy news on her Instagram, posting photos from their intimate proposal.

Displaying her engagement ring, the celebrity jeweller captioned the post, “Yes.”

Fans and celebrities have since flooded the comments section congratulating the newly engaged couple.

We gathered that the pair began dating in the summer of 2023 but only made their relationship public in November when they attended the Baby2Baby Gala together.

Meyer first met Maguire in 2003, and the two were married in 2007.

They announced their separation in 2016, and Meyer, 47, officially filed for divorce in 2020.

The former couple shares two children, Otis and Ruby.

Meyer is the founder of her jewellery brand, which has earned her recognition in the industry.

Geoffrey, meanwhile, is the founder and CEO of The Ogunlesi Group, an entertainment and music management company based in Los Angeles.

His firm manages high-profile clients, including Young Thug, CharlieonnaFriday, and Myles Frost.

Tobey Maguire is best known for his role as Spider-Man in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy (2002-2007) and reprised the iconic role in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (2021).

 

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