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ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE NEW OONI OF IFE, PRINCE ADEYEYE ENITAN OGUNWUSI……+ Never Seen Pix!

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Forty-one years ago in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, a prince was born into the Giesi Ruling House, Ojaja Royal Compound of Agbedegbede in Ile-Ife. He was named Adeyeye Enitan.
Many years before the birth of the young prince, it was predicted that a child of prominence that would impact the lives of mankind would be born into the family at exactly 1pm. Indeed, Adeyeye came into this world at exactly 1pm on a Thursday, the 17th of October, 1974. With the news of the arrival of a new born prince, he was specifically named Adeyeye by his grandfather Pa. Joseph Olagbaju Adewole Ogunwusi Jnr. The name Adeyeye in English translates to ‘A Crown Befitting for a King’; Pa Ogunwusi on setting his eyes on the new born prince began to call him Adeyeye Ooni from that very day till he passed away. The young prince’s late mother also named him Enitan which in English translates to ‘A child of great story’.
Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is the 5th direct descendant of the Giesi Ruling Family (Ooni Ojaja Orarigba – Ayikiti ninu Aran reigned form 1878-1880, he was the 44th Ooni of Ile-Ife to rule. He begat Adegosan Adewole Ogunwusi, who was an extremely powerful prince in Ile-Ife and a war veteran that never lost any battle for Ile-Ife and the Yoruba race. He begat Pa Joseph Olagbaju Adewole Ogunwusi (Jnr.), a very bold prince who took after his father. He begat Prince John Oluropo Ogunwusi, a radio and television anchor and star presenter that spanned the entire mid-1980s to early 21st century in the South-Western part of Nigeria. He begat Prince Adeyeye Enitan.
Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was quietly delivered into the humble family of Prince Ropo and late Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi (Ile Opa family compound, Ile-Ife). Like the proverb, “A golden fish has no hiding place”, young prince Ogunwusi’s excellence and outstanding acumen would soon start to announce it for the world to see.
Prince Adeyeye is best described as an astute entrepreneur driven by turning impossibilities to ‘possibilities’. The Young Prince’s power of imagination has set him aside, hence, revolutionizing his approach to creativity and innovation. He is a distinct achiever with the conscience of youthful excellence.
The ambitious young Prince with exceptional business ideas delved into Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) locally and abroad for over 12 years. He is also actively involved in the development of over 2,500 housing units with various consortia of developers within the last 8 years.

In Nigeria, he set up and fostered strong trade relationships through the Association for International Business (AIB) with presence in over 200 member countries across the globe. One of the laudable achievements of this body includes the trade facilitation between the United Arab Emirates (Jebel Ali Free Trade Zone Development) and the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC).

Furthermore, Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi led the Government delegation to Canada in 2002 that promoted strategic alliances through a partnership with the Ondo State Government on solid mineral (Bitumen, Dimension Stones, Granite, etc.) potentials of the state, which gave rise to the formation of the ‘Amalgamated Mining and Exploration Company Limited’ – wholly owned by the Ondo State Government. In addition, he facilitated the development of Sparkwest Steel Galvanizing Plant (the only steel Galvanizing Plant in Nigeria), National Iron Ore Mining Company Limited and Jakura Mines resuscitation projects, which has eventually become the major limestone feedstock to Obajana Cement Plant in Kogi State, Nigeria.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was involved in the trading and marketing of commodities as the main facilitator for Dangote Group’s break into the ‘up-country supply chain consortium’ between 1996 and 1999. To mention a few, he also traded for Dohagro Allied, Global Apex, Olam, Clemco, Stallion Group and Milan Group at about the same period. This was where he gained his expertise in marketing which till date is one of his core strengths. He also facilitated the biggest Lead and Aluminum recycling plant set up in Nigeria by the National Steel Company of India in Ota, Ogun State.


In 2002 Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was able to revitalize the processing of rice and setting them into different groups and sub categories. In addition he was able to donate rice and tilling equipments to the Oyo and Ogun State chapters of the “Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria”. The Young Prince was a major force in propagating the Ofada rice production; which was made possible under the chairmanship of Alhaji Abubakar Wodi of the “Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria”.

The industrious Prince began his strides in the Real Estate sector with various dredging and land reclamation projects in Lagos State. Prince Adeyeye is the initiator of Essential Homes, a real estate product launched in January 2014, formed to deliver affordable upscale homes to middle and low income earners. The 1st phase of the product (the Southpointe Estate, Lafiaji Road-Lekki, Lagos State) started in February 2014 and has been successfully delivered within a year with approximately 60% occupancy recorded. This attests to the huge market demand and acceptability of the Essential Homes brand. He also led the team that developed the prestigious Northpointe Estate Phases I, II, III and Midland Court on Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

In addition, Prince Adeyeye has successfully undertaken numerous multi-billion Naira projects across Lagos and its environs; Jacob Mews Estate Yaba, Lakeview Park I and II Estate Lekki, the ongoing Golden Leaf Estate, Lekki and Grand Lake Estate Ajah, Lagos. The Lord’s Estate which is in partnership with Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, the piling of Lagos Home (a residential project powered by Lagos State Government), Ilubirin, Lagos and the upcoming Ife Grand Resort and Leisure.
Prince Adeyeye has a clear track record of community development starting with his home town. Four years ago, during the occasion of his Mum’s funeral, the community was without any form of electricity. The Prince embarked on a ‘Power Project’ to install transformers and light poles that generated electricity which till date is serving the good people of that community.

This ‘Power project’ was also extended to the other parts of the town. The Lafiaji community, off Orchid Hotel road, Lekki – Epe expressway, Lagos also benefitted from his community development projects with the opening up and reconstruction of 6.5km road, with a 1.1km green extension without Government intervention. He also made possible the electrification of this whole stretch powered by his company, Gran Imperio Group.

Within a year, to actualize his dream of the development of one of the best resorts in Nigeria, he led a team that opened up a remote jungle called Inagbe Island in Amuwo-Odofin LGA, Lagos. His vision and creativity transformed Inagbe Island into a whole new community offering world class relaxation and recreational facilities. The multi-billion Naira Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure, Lagos, Nigeria is the first of its kind in the whole of West Africa bounded by the Lagos Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. With this feat, he is set to increase the country’s GDP through tourism and reduce unemployment by providing direct and indirect employment. At the launch of  this magnificent project in December 2013, The Managing Director of First Bank plc., Mr.Bisi Onasanya, told The National Newspaper(published on December 13,2013) that tourism remain a veritable means of  entrepreneurship and a source of revenue for Nigeria. Hence, it should be given necessary support. At the unveiling of the signage of the resort, Mr Bisi Onasanya said” It is a shame to some of us that we have waited this long for a younger person to come and wake us up and show us what we are able to do.”

Prince Adeyeye is very passionate about people and their pursuit of happiness. Alongside his vibrant personality, he is very down to earth and enjoys being in the midst of his workers. He celebrates and dances with them, dines with them, cracks jokes and of course gets on the work grind with them.

Early this year, Prince Adeyeye disclosed his plans to take Ile-Ife to greater heights by rebranding the ancient town and replicating the Grand Resort in Ile-Ife, having already acquired a good land mass for the project. On the 7th of March 2015, Prince Adeyeye was a recipient of the prestigious NIDSA (National Ife Descendant Students’ Association) GOLD AWARD for 2015 on the occasion of the Ife Day celebration.

He is a grassroot fellow to the core, whose humility is second to none and a lover of youths. As a philanthropist, Prince Adeyeye has sponsored numerous less privileged children and youths in his hometown of Ile-Ife and likewise in Lagos where he lives. Many youths till date are beneficiaries of Prince Adeyeye’s scholarship platform.
Prince Adeyeye is currently an employer of over 300 indigenous youths at the Inagbe Cocowood Factory-Essential Homes Furniture brand, which is the first of its kind in Nigeria using 100% indigenous raw materials for production. He has over 450 direct employees across his various companies and over 3000 indirect employees.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a Director on the Board of Imperial Homes Mortgage Bank Limited, (formerly GTHomes) which is a leading National Mortgage Bank and former subsidiary of one of the biggest banks in Africa; GTBank plc.
He is also a Director at Fina Trust Microfinance Bank Limited; one of Nigeria’s foremost Microfinance Banks focusing on SMEs and micro credit facilities.
He is the founder and Managing Director of Gran Imperio Group, which is the holding company of his Real Estate and Construction, Manufacturing, Facilities Management, Leisure and Tourism companies in Nigeria.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND & FAMILY LIFE
Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi attended Sobuola Memorial Nursery and primary school, Ibadan and completed his primary school education at Ibadan District Council (IDC), Akobo, Ibadan. He then attended the prestigious Loyola College, Ibadan in 1985, led by Reverend G.B Daramola, the principal of the college. He later proceeded to Ile Ife at Saint Peter’s Secondary School, Omi Okun, Ile Ife led by Late Johnson Adebisi.

He holds a Higher National Diploma in Accountancy from the Polytechnic Ibadan, where he started cutting his teeth in outstanding entrepreneurship, even as a student. To mention a few, the royal prince of Ile-Ife (the source) is a member of some dignified professional bodies namely; Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), an Associate Accounting Technician and a certified member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) Nigeria. He is also an active member of the Global Real Estate Institute (GRI) having participated at various levels.

He is married to Adedokun Adebisi Ogunwusi and blessed with a daughter, Adeola Aanuoluwapo Ogunwusi.
To be a Prince in Yoruba land in itself is outstanding. However, to be a prince of the source, Ile-Ife, the Cradle of Civilizations is to be truly blue-blooded. The young Prince is very passionate about what he believes in; people and possibilities and thus has achieved giant stride from his very youthful age.

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi over the years has fostered numerous remarkable partnerships with dignified Royal Fathers of Lagos(Yoruba Land) in some of his Real Estate developments; HRM Oba Saheed Elegushi, Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate Land, Lagos(Development of Lake View Park 2, Lafaji, Off Orchid Hotel Road, Lekki-Epe expressway), HRM the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, (development of Northpointe Estate, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos), HRM Oba Oyekan, Onilado of Ilado-lnagbe Island, Lagos(Development of Inagbe Grand Resorts and leisure, Lagos), HRM Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, The Oranmiyan Osile Oke Ona of Egba Land, Abeokuta (development of the Lord’s Estate, Buckswood College Abeokuta), HRM Oba Oloruntoyin Saliu, The Oloworo of Oworonsoki, Lagos (partners in the proposed Oworonsoki Redevelopment Scheme, Lagos), HRM Oba Akinloye, Ojomu of Ajiran Land, Lekki – a host to several developments which Prince Adeyeye has embarked on. HRM Olofa, Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi (partnership during the rice and sugar merchandising for Dangote Group and others).

Prince Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is indeed a highly dignified man, fearless and daring, a self-made man who not only has passion for his home town but for his country as a whole. He has forged respectable alliances with some of the most esteemed Royal fathers, leaders and kings of our time. It is without doubt that the young prince of Ile –Ife through his vision to impact the lives of everyone around him and his fervent passion for humanity has broken grounds as an investor in people and a preservationist of the cultural heritage of Ile-Ife. He is loved and highly admired by the people of Ile-Ife and importantly, he remains in tune with his roots and tradition.

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EFCC’ Raids National Hajj Commission HQ Over Alleged N90bn Fraud…

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Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja on Tuesday amid allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds.

 

The raid, which took place at 11 a.m., resulted in the detention of NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatimah Usara, along with three other unidentified staff members. The operatives arrived with a valid warrant of arrest, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

 

This operation is part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a N90 billion intervention fund intended for the 2024 Hajj.

A source at the EFCC headquarters informed Vanguard of these developments, highlighting the gravity of the allegations against NAHCON.

 

The EFCC’s actions follow a previous raid by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) at the same commission, adding to the scrutiny surrounding NAHCON’s financial practices.

When approached for a comment, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined to provide an immediate response but indicated that further details regarding the arrests and the investigation would be shared in due course.

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Much ado about Globacom during a festival of joy – Toni Kan

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There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about – Oscar Wilde

In October 2024, Globacom, announced the commencement of its yearly Festival of Joy promo.

Prizes to be won by lucky subscribers included Toyota Prados, Kia Picantos, tricycles, power generating sets, sewing machines and grinding machines. To win, existing Glo subscribers were to dial *611# to opt into the promo and keep recharging while new subscribers could participate by purchasing a new SIM, registering it and dialing *611#.

To qualify for the draw for the Prado Jeep, subscribers are required to recharge up to N100, 000 cumulatively in a month during the promo period. Those desirous of winning a Kia Picanto are required to recharge up to N50, 000 cumulatively; N10, 000 in a month for tricycle hopefuls and N5, 000 total recharge in a month to win a generator. For the sewing machine, a total recharge of N2, 500 in a month is required, while for the grinding machine, a recharge of N500 in a day will make a subscriber eligible for the draw.

On Thursday, November 24th, 2024, the first draw was held in Warri, and Mr. Mayuku who is the Chairman of Delta State Security Trust Fund and a popular figure in Warri emerged the first winner of a Toyota Prado jeep.

On hand to present him with his prize was the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor. The Speaker, who was designated the Special Guest of the day, was accompanied by the Chairman Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State, Chief Anthony Ofon. Other special guests included Mrs. Anwuli Efejuku, the Head of licensing and operations, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Delta State office.

In his speech at the event, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor described Globacom as “a network that is known for giving. Over the years, many Nigerians have been empowered by Glo.. The people of my constituency in Warri South West and the entire Delta people are grateful to Glo…Kudos to Glo and our own Dr. Mike Adenuga. Please keep on empowering Nigerians.”

But days before the presentation of the Prado jeep and sundry other gifts to lucky winners, a story made the rounds announcing what the writer described as “the stunning decline of Globacom.” The story rehashed a well-worn tale of supposed governance issues at the digital solutions company, a drop in its subscriber numbers and sundry other claims.

The writer began by enumerating a string of game-changing innovations that Globacom brought to the telecom sector. “If per-second billing was a game-changer for the industry, Globacom pulled off another stunt in October 2004 by offering free SIM cards—undercutting competitors selling theirs for ₦2,000. This aggressive price war was only possible for a late market entrant, and Globacom backed it with hefty marketing campaigns, signing Nigeria’s biggest celebrities as ambassadors. By 2004, long before other Nigerian telcos recognized that data, not voice, was the industry’s future, Glo had begun offering 2.5G internet service to 70,000 subscribers. By 2009, it had landed a 9,800km submarine cable in Lagos, showing the depth of its ambition to connect Nigerians to the internet. “We got the people talking,” said one of its ads.”

The writer appears conflicted with his story see-sawing between adulation and vilification. How does one describe a game-changing innovation as a stunt? Praise was soon to give way to a string of jeremiads and hastily cobbled insinuations as to Globacom’s business dealings and financial health.

But the argument was hollow. How, for instance, can a company in poor financial health be the only one operating its own towers and providing jobs for thousands of Nigerian engineers and logistics providers, something the writer admitted requires huge financial outlay?

According to the piece “unlike other major operators, Globacom doesn’t outsource its over 8,700 towers to companies like IHS; instead, it builds and maintains them with foreign technical experts. “The cost of operating those towers alone is enormous, covering energy, security, community engagements, and personnel costs,” said an industry expert.

The writer, not content with Globacom segues into MoneyMaster PSB. “Beyond infrastructure, Globacom has made little investment in its Payment Service Bank (PSB) licence, acquired in 2020, resulting in stagnant growth for the service.”

That line of reasoning was not just defective but egregious in nature because MoneyMaster remains at the forefront of deepening financial inclusion in Nigeria. In September 2023, MoneyMaster announced an 8% annual interest on savings accounts for millions of its G-Kala customers.

A story in BusinessDay captured the development. “MoneyMaster PSB, initiated by Globacom, a digital services company, has announced 8 percent annual interest on G-Kala’s savings account. Both new and existing G-Kala savings account owners will enjoy an 8 percent interest rate per annum for all deposits made into their G-Kala savings account.”

And just a few weeks after the article was published, the Lagos state government lauded MoneyMaster PSB for “for its support and participation in the state’s ‘Ounje Eko’ initiative.”

MoneyMaster PSB is one of the collecting banks for the Ounje Eko initiative which offers a weekly food discount market where Lagos residents can buy a variety of food items at a discount of 25 per cent.

MoneyMaster aside from deepening financial inclusion via the initiative is doing what Globacom has always done best, empower Nigerians.

But traducers will always traduce and so instead of focusing on Glo’s spreading of joy and continuing empowerment of Nigerians the focus remains instead on issues that seem to belie the company’s giant strides.

The recent departure of a top executive was recently highlighted as proof positive of the company’s declining fortunes but anyone with a modicum of understanding of the corporate space will realise that there is a human resource term for hires that go south pretty quickly.

Every company has its culture and where a new employee decides that the culture is not in alignment with their aspirations, they are free to leave. The story failed however to highlight the well-known fact that Globacom holds the industry record for executives who leave the company only to return.

Since the Festival of Joy promo commenced in October 2024 and after the first draw in Warri, draws have been held subsequently in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan and at each event lucky subscribers have gone home with mouth-watering prizes amid glowing testimonials of Globacom’s empowerment.

Hear civil engineering contractor Ayobami Adejumo who was presented a Prado jeep by the Special Guest of Honour, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat at a ceremony in Lagos “I still can’t believe it. A call came from Globacom and the news was too good to believe. I thank Glo immensely for this prize. I will use the jeep personally; it will enhance my status and help me to get more jobs as a civil engineering contractor”.

As Globacom continues to spread joy and empower millions across Nigeria despite the shenanigans of naysayers, even the blind can “see” that, to paraphrase a well-known quote by Mark Twain: “the reports of Globacom’s decline are greatly exaggerated”

 

***Toni Kan is a PR expert, financial analyst and former Head of PR at Globacom.

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Lovers of Lagos Applaud House of Assembly for Standing with Hon. Meranda

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The Lovers of Lagos, a coalition of concerned citizens and political observers, have commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for upholding legislative independence and standing firmly with Hon. Meranda, despite reported arrests by the Department of State Services (DSS) and alleged intervention by party leaders.

 

Their praise comes after members of the Assembly reaffirmed that the removal of former Speaker Hon. Mudashiru Obasa was carried out lawfully, in strict compliance with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Powers and Privileges Act. The lawmakers, citing Sections 92 and 96 of the Constitution, maintained that due process was followed, and any attempts to challenge the action were attempts to undermine the Assembly’s authority.

 

In a statement released after their appearance at the DSS Lagos Command in Shangisha, the lawmakers assured Lagosians that the House of Assembly remains an independent arm of government, committed to serving the best interests of the people.

 

“The Lagos State House of Assembly will not bow to pressure or intimidation. Our actions were guided by constitutional provisions, and we will continue to uphold the integrity of the legislative process,” the lawmakers stated.

 

Despite rumors of political interference, the House stood firm in its decision, a stance that has earned it the admiration of Lovers of Lagos. The group expressed its confidence in the Assembly’s ability to protect democratic values and legislative autonomy.

 

Additionally, the lawmakers commended the DSS for its professionalism in handling the situation, ensuring that engagements were conducted smoothly and respectfully. All detained lawmakers have since been released.

 

Reiterating their commitment to legislative duties, the Assembly called on all stakeholders—including the executive and the public—to respect the sanctity of legislative processes and avoid undue interference.

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