Boss Picks
As Governor, I’ll Bring Back Prosperity to Osun State – Hon. Femi Kehinde
By Eric Elezuo
By September 2018, a new governor will emerge in Osun State to replace Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who will be completing his eight years mandate then. Consequently, the Osun political circle is saturated in the bid to find a suitable of more suitable replacement with a great number of aspirants expressing their interest.
Among the many contenders is Barrister (Hon) Femi Kehinde, a remarkable former House of Representatives member, whose sound political and economic analysis of Osun State gives him an immediate edge to be governor.
Meeting him at his Ikeja, Lagos, office, Barr Kehinde expresses the humility that is tantamount to taking anyone to any great heights. Devoid of airs or attendant arrogance, he cuts the picture of a steward who is ready to serve, not out of pretension but from the genuineness of heart. And when he opens his mouth to talk about the needs of Osun State, and strategies to meeting the needs, one would readily cast his vote for him. He is a fountain of knowledge, and a great reservoir of wisdom.
Barr Kehinde is running for the gubernatorial position of Osun State under the guiding star of the Action for Democracy; a party he says is stronger than ever. In this interview, he made governance look simpler than ABC, meticulously stating the panacea for poverty, and the roadmap to prosperity. Enjoy:
Can we meet you sir?
I am Honourable Barrister Femi Kehinde. And as the name implies, I am a legal practitioner. I have been in law practice for over 35 years. I am a native of Ile-Ogbo in Aiyedire Local Government in Iwo division of Osun state. I was born on November 3, 1959 to the family of Samuel Adebisi Kehinde and Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Wulematu Aduke Kehinde from Gbogan, who was until her passage, the Iyalode of Gbogan Land.
I started my early education in Ibadan being the son of a ‘nomadic’ police officer, and I relocated to Gbogan; where I finished my primary education at the Saint Paul’s Primary School, Gbogan in 1972. I attended Olugbo Community High school, Ipetumodu; also in Osun State between 1973 & 1977. I came out with a division 1 certificate. Thereafter, I had a brief stint at the Ibadan Polytechnic for A-level education and subsequently was admitted to the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University in 1978. I was in the Department of History for two years, between 1978 & 1980, before I relocated to the Faculty of Law where I qualified as a lawyer in 1983.
What prompted your relocation from History to Law?
Well, my father was a police man and when I was young, I had accompanied him on one or two occasions to court sessions. During my secondary school days, apart from being the best student in school; I was also very good in History, Literature, and in art subjects. My colleagues in school call me Justice; predicting my future career. When I got admission, fortunately, we were the first set of Nigerians that would sit for JAMB exam in 1978. Hitherto, what we had was concessional examination; you sit for as many exams as possible in the few universities we have then, which were not up to 10. So, when I was in History in Ife, I was elected a member of the Student Representative Council (SRC). From the SRC, some members would be appointed to the judicial council; I was fortunate to be among those that would be in the judicial council, even as a student of History. I now saw the students of Law bamboozling us with big grammar. And I said to myself, I can perform better; and I started the process transferring from History to Law.
Can we say passion prompted you?
Yes, it was passion to be a lawyer, and be like Obafemi Awolowo. As of that time, I had read the biography of Obafemi Awolowo. I saw his foray into politics, to law profession, and into journalism; and I said I want to be like Obafemi Awolowo. As a matter of fact, when I qualified as a lawyer, I did my law practice in the law firm of Obafemi Awolowo in 1984, because I looked up to him as an idol, and I see him as an iconic figure, I saw his life as worthy of emulation. Ever since, I’ve had my career in law profession. I would summarise and say History is my passion, Law is my profession, and Politics is my vocation.
31 years after Obafemi Awolowo died; did you see yourself living this status?
I believe that Awolowo’s life is exemplary; be it in conduct or in discipline; his life was patterned on self-discipline; that is how we describe his life. He is strictly principled and highly resourceful, brilliant, and if you look at his life at the age of 8, he wrote in front of his father’s house “To laugh at infirmity or deformity is nullity; that’s was the language coming from a toddler, and I believe that from that age, you begin to capture your life.
Let me give you an example of Harold Wilson; one of the best British Prime Ministers. At the age of 10, Harold Wilson went with his father to number 10 Downing Street, which is the official residence of the Prime Minister of Britain. He asked his father for a photo shot. He had a shot with his father at the age of 10 and prophetically told him that he would end-up in that house as a Prime Minister of Great Britain, and he accomplished that dream. So I saw in Awo somebody of the status of Harold Wilson. Now, it may be possible for people of our generation to match that feat, we would look at his life as a life worthy of emulation, but the attainment may not be too easy, because of the way we live today and because of the level of moral decay in the society that we are in.
This level of moral decay, can we attribute it to one of the reasons you wish to be the governor of Osun State?
Yes! When we were in the primary school there were some written write-ups that were compulsory for daily recitation. Examples are ‘Ise logun ise’, which was a poem by J.F. Odunjo, and some few others. Those were our moral pathfinders. When you want to leave your house in the morning, your parents will remind you ‘ranti omo eni ti iwo nse’ (remember the son of who you are) as if you don’t know the lineage of your parents. Those were what made us the men that we are today. You could not imagine wearing an apparel or cloth that were not bought for you by your parents, today, ladies buy handset in school for their parents. So you can see a complete departure from Nigeria of yesterday to Nigeria of today. I have written about the life of so many Nigerians; I wrote the history of Samuel Oladoke Akintola. I wrote the life; travails and challenges of Obafemi Awolowo. I’ve written about Oba Olatoro Olagbegi, that was a monarch in Iwo two times. I wrote about Oba Adetoyese Adeoye Timi of Ede land. I wrote about so many Nigerians, including the late Justice J. I. C. Taylor. I wrote about the Ibadan strong man of Politics in the 50s that is Adekofi Adegbala, and so many other Nigerians. In the course of these researches, I also took a lot from their lives and I believe with this knowledge if I get that opportunity by the grace of God to be governor of Osun state, I can right all the wrongs I have seen.
One, Awolowo as Premier did not live a flamboyant lifestyle. He did not live in government quarters; he lived in Okebola in Oke-Ado. He did not ride in an official car; he rode throughout in his own car, without dispatch riders. He did not stay in office above the official working hours, and he worked with the young and the traditional institution. In his cabinet, there were five traditional rulers that were non-portfolio ministers. His government was life in abundance; provided free education 1954; free health services; rural intervention; food and employment. Any government that provides these is certainly providing a life of comfort for the society. He has farm settlements, and those there encourage the youths to go into agriculture. There were plantations like palm oil, cocoa, rubber, cashew, etc. There was growth and development. We had oil palm factory in Okitipupa in Ogun State. Agriculture brought industrialization; these are the formula we are going to use. I am going to, by the grace of God, bring prosperity back to Osun state. We have the largest gold deposit in the entire south western part of Nigeria. But the mine is under illegal miners. We want to take very serious advantage of this opportunity by partnering with the Federal Government. We would pay fees and royalties to government, we would encourage investors to bring in equipment and we would have understanding with them in partnership. The mine deposit in Ilesha according to geological survey, IS worth about $2 billion, and the mining depth, unlike in South-Africa or Ghana, is just about 100 meters. In South-Africa, you will dig as much as 400-500 meters; in Ghana, you will go as 200-300 meters, but our mine is surfaced; you will not travel beyond 100 meters to hit the real gold. Because what they prospect now with local equipment like digger, shoves and others cannot get them the real gold, what they get are just flakes. So, we are going to leverage on this advantage. We are going to massively encourage agriculture as a business. In Osun today, Erimo part in the Ijesha area are beautiful lands for rice production. Farmers have been taken out of these farms because of disturbance from birds. We are going to synergise and partner with farmers by providing modern seedlings, fertilizer, and utilities that will drive away such nuisances from the farm land. If birds could not disturb rice production in Kebbi state, why in Osun state. We are going to have rice mills. The partnership between Lagos and Kebbi states has brought prosperity to Kebbi State. They have just bought rice mill of about N8 billion naira; no single rice mill in Osun state. We are going to massively invest in cassava, yam and coco-yam. You know cassava alone has 14 ingredients, among of which is Ethanol and Nigeria still import Ethanol. Also, we are going to encourage the tourism potential of Osun state. The Osun festival has been given a UNESCO standard and approval but have we leverage on that opportunity? On my visit to the palace of Otaoja of Oshogbo, I told him we are going to enhance tourism in the state, and ensure the river provides opportunity for boat regatta. And I am going to work on the Erimo tourist site, which is a gory sight now. I want to draw exemplary leadership from the committee of nations that are doing well.
“We would reduce wastage in government and bring the state back to God. In the entire landscape, Osun is the only state that gives holiday to traditional worshippers. We are going to massively engage our youths in gainful employment”
How do we do this? We would reduce wastage in government and bring the state back to God. In the entire landscape, Osun is the only state that gives holiday to traditional worshippers. We are going to massively engage our youths in gainful employment. The world is moving away from white collar job, we want out youths to believe in themselves, and the opportunities that are derivable in entrepreneurship. These, by God’s grace we are going to do. We are going to leverage on what we have to put smiles on people’s face.
Looking at Osun state, what do you think is lagging or lacking that would make one want to take over the leadership?
Government is continuity. I keep saying that I am not interested in the past but I am interested in the future. And whatever that is not right on the table, we are certainly going to put them right. If we begin to talk about what we see in Osun state today, for example, teachers are been owed 36 months; in the hospital there are no equipment and so many other things. We want to engage the society to bring a better day, a better future, and put smiles on faces of our people. There are about 2837 cosmopolitan communities in Osun state, the advantage of this is that there could be opportunity in co-operation; co-operative farming, co-operative society and several others. Also, it means because of that advantage you can earn a living, and we can only do this by encouraging our youths and providing them with necessary implements. If Malaysia could come to the western region to pick palm seedling, and they are now the largest exporter of palm oil in the world, then you will believe something is wrong. In Rwanda today, despite the tragedy of the civil war, they have the best airline in Africa. Parents are now withdrawing their wards from private to public schools. I had all my education in Osun state. In Osun today, there are communities that you can only access through Ilorin; you have to travel to Kwara state before they can get to these communities in the state. I don’t want to be bothered; I want to face the main thing. No government is a complete failure but what they have done that is not good, we would leverage on it and correct them.
Luckily, I am not running on their party platform because the world has moved beyond that. It is no longer the party but the person. Alliance for Democracy (AD) is the party that took me to National Assembly in 1999.
Why choose to run under an unpopular party?
I am a founding member of the AD just like Asiwaju or anybody; we all joined the party and got opportunity from that party to go to higher places. AD did not die nor was it deregistered. Some people left AD to move elsewhere like AC that metamorphoses into ACN and APC. And you will not see progressive tendency if you want to follow the idea and ideals of Obafemi Awolowo. AD exists as a party; some of our leaders did not leave the party and they are still there. It is not the size-strength of a party that wins the election. There was no Labour Party in 2007 when Mimiko picked that ticket and against all odds and permutation, he became the Governor of Ondo State. The last election in Anambra state, it was not APC or PDP that won; it was APGA. In France, Macron won the election even as an independent candidate because he left the popular party and delivered a message of new beginning; and he is today the President of France. Nobody ever gave Donald Trump a chance in the last US election. So, all powers belong to God but it is dynamism, and centre play of forces; and those forces are usually physical or spiritual. But, I am so passionate about my belief in God.
How do you want to match the likes of Aregbesola and Omisore’s candidates in terms of money?
I believe there would be interplay of forces and dynamics that would make money irrelevant. Today, with the dynamism of our youths, money is becoming irrelevant in electoral contest. I was with the Igbo community in Osun state to canvass, and they told me money has failed. When someone gives you N1000 for vote which is equivalent to 64 kobo per day, and would not give you give no good governance or drugs in our hospital. There are quite a lot of things to do.
Do you take into cognizance that you can’t do it alone; without people?
It is just one man that changed the fortune of Rwanda. It is one man – Obafemi Awolowo with good lieutenants that did all the magic including bringing the first of things like television in Africa, first stadium in Africa, first secretariat and many others. It is only one person.
How do you intend to go about bad influence in your governance?
In collective governance, there must be a shadow on everybody. Even Awolowo refused to approve one of his ministers’ bills in UK just to dissuade other ministers from coming for approval of unnecessary money. This and many others made him decisive. Also, the western region was the first to have an embassy in London, which we called Agent General; and our first agent general is Okorodudu followed by Toye Coker. Those were the beautiful days, and I want to emulate those days because they are possibilities. The Nigerian Constitution made compulsory only one minister for the executive, which is the attorney general, therefore you can decide to do away with some ministers. To cut the cost, if a minister is not doing well, one can remove him. And I am also an apostle of parliamentary democracy, because the present presidential system that we run cannot successful bring prosperity to the economy. It certainly cannot, it is expensive unlike the parliamentary where the legislature and executive are almost fused. You cannot be a minister unless you are member of the parliament. What I am saying is that the number of ministers we have would not have tasted such opportunity, because you must come from a constituency through election, and that is why we are not getting it right. We need to erect a system that would reduce cost of running for election and I believe the modern evolution should look at it. We should have a home grown constitution; tested and authentic. We need to redefine Nigeria; we need to redefine the concept of good governance; we need to make governance less attractive as it was in the days of our fore fathers.
“I was distinguished by my level of performance in having an effective parliament. I was highly formidable in the law making process, and I think I have landmarks. I was not a docile legislator, not a sitting legislator, I was an active legislator”
What were the things that make up your score cards in the four years you spent in the House of Representatives?
In the four years, my duty mainly was representation; followed by legislation. The duty of providing fertilizers and bore-holes and others are executive functions. In the four years, I was distinguished by my level of performance in having an effective parliament. I was highly formidable in the law making process, and I think I have landmarks. I was not a docile legislator, not a sitting legislator, I was an active legislator.
Was there any particular developmental project you undertook in your constituency?
In my constituency, we had opportunities of rural electrification; and I want to say I electrified some communities in my constituency; Oburo, Asa, Iwo Oke, Ajagba and some other communities; those are all in the Iwo local government – also in Ayedire Local Government, Oke-Osun. Aside from that, I provided opportunities for foreign investment and scholarships from my little resources. And doing this, I did not contemplate a future of becoming a governor. I was doing it as a call to service and duty. I am happy today that I have a reference point and that is just being a legislator. You can imagine what one will do if I have the executive power.
By next year you will be 60; how do you see yourself running against young candidates?
I am the young candidate. I am still in my 50s; if I become governor in September, I would still be in my 50s and I believe that I am the best mid-gap between the young and the old; because I understand the language and travails of the old. And if I become governor by God’s grace, I am going to establish old people’s home, and before now I have even identified spots, unused building, public and private building that are abandoned. I want to take care of the aged because they become the most vulnerable in their old age, and unfortunately, the government is not even paying their pension not to talk of gratuity. Therefore, I have the opportunity of just living the life of the old and preparing to enter the age of 60. I still have mental faculty, I am a lawyer, writer, author, and publisher.
Photo credit: Ken Ehimen
By Eric Elezuo
Have you seen a man diligent in his assignment; he will dine with kings, and not with mean men, so says the Bible in a paraphrased version. It posits that diligence is the password and passport to recognition.
Beyond diligence, there exists also steps of the ladder to Eldorado. These include focus, determination, foresight and patience. And not forgetting expectation. One man embodies these qualities, and has therefore, catapulted himself, and by divine assistance to the proverbial enviable heights. He is Henry Ukazu, a legal coordinator with the New York Department of Correction.
The story of Ukazu is far from grass to grace as is popularly known. It is a story of doggedness, purpose, intention, programmed to achieve and can-do-attitude.
Henry or Henry the Great as he is popularly called by associates, friends and well wishers, prides himself as a go-getter, who from day one set out to live a life worthy of reference. This he began by understudying great achievers in Industrialization and most especially in capacity building including the Yomi Garnetts of this world and the May Angelous of this world from whom he learnt the principle of educating, inspiring and transforming both lives and resources.
Having done all, and still in the business of doing as much, Henry has risen, transcending the days of little beginning, when even as a Law graduate from Nigeria, relocated to the United States of America to become a security guard; a ploy that came both naturally, and from situational variables to help shape the man he has become today.
Yes, the man of today! Of the many accolades trailing his meritorious existence, Henry was selected as proud recipient of the United States of America Presidential Award; a feat only available for professional achievers, the morally upright, academically sound and those whose impact in the society as regards capacity building are topnotch. Henry qualified in all, and it was no surprise that the American government gave him this once in a lifetime recognition. He shone like a million stars at the presentation, becoming a much sought after commodity, even in his absence.
He said this much of himself as obtained from his personal website:
“I am an experienced tax preparer. I am a certified Tax Preparer by the Internal Revenue Service. I also have a solid background in Social Service having worked for Sebco Corporation, a private organisation operating under the auspices of New York Department of Homeless Services.
“I had my High School, bachelor and Law school in Nigeria before emigrating to New York after being called to the Nigerian Bar to further my academical and professional life. I am a prolific writer. By the special grace of God, I am the author of the acclaimed inspirational and motivational book Design Your Destiny- Actualizing Your Birthright to Success- a creative book which centers on self discovery and how you can unleash your potentials by maximizing your failures.
“I am a very dynamic person. I am the product of grace. What most people don’t know about me is that I have a humble background. I have literally succeeded in life because of strong family ties, friends and mentors who showed uncommon favor to me. I can go on and on, but I will leave the rest of the story to be told at a later time.
“My passion to serve humanity made me to study law. With this profession, my ultimate goal in life is to be the father to the fatherless, mother to the motherless and defender to the defendless.
“I am a big believer of change and social justice in our society. I am a progressive being who likes advocating for the youths. I am passionate about leadership through service. I like educating, mentoring, enlightening folks, and giving speeches. I am also passionate about empowering humanity especially the youths. I derive joy and satisfaction affecting the lives of people positively. By doing such deeds, my life and mission on earth is complete in addition to being fulfilled when I put smiles on the faces of people I come across daily. My ultimate aim in life is to leave the world better than I met it and also do same for any person I come in contact with.
“I rely on the Ubuntu theory which literally means, I am because we are, I am because of what other people have made of me. It’s my utmost believe and understanding that we are on earth for humanity and the best investment we can have on earth is to invest in humanity.”
At less than 40, and with many years to explore, Henry has proved to be a gift to this age and to humanity, raising giants and giant slayers in enterprise and sundry endeavours, using his global platform, GLOEMI. Apart from hia books, he also contributes articles under the themes Adding Value and Food for Living through The Boss Newspaper and Pointblank.ng respectively, from where it is circulated across media platforms.
Henry is married to his sweetheart, and they are both blessed with a son, Chisom.
Congratulations on your latest achievement sir!
By Eric Elezuo
Rising to the pinnacle of one’s career is not a mean feat. Becoming the chief executive officer of any organization, let alone a multinational firm, or by implication, a multi-dimensional company, is an achievement worth celebrating. It is even more legendary when the subject is internationally connected and has enduring links with notable figures, especially America’s President-elect, Donald John Trump, and is thriving without an iota scandal. Mr. Massad Boulos, the Chief Executive Officer of SCOA Nigeria, is that one person.
Born a Lebanese in 1971 to a Greek Orthodox family in Kfaraakka, Koura, Boulos has over the years, while growing, and through career trajectory, acquired three more national identities including American, French and Nigerian. These have projected to the category of international personalities, looked upon as fostering world peace and coexistence.
His name, which translates to Paul to the Apostle, in Arabic, betrays his religious inclination, but his close-knitted relationship with Arab Muslims and other Muslims of the world further cements his open minded attitude towards humanity even as he categorically and vigorously campaigned for Former President Trump, who is today the President-Elect, awaiting the coming of January 20 to become the 46th President of the United of America.
While the campaign and election lasted, Boulos prized himself as Trump’s ‘envoy’ to Arab and Muslim Americans, shuttling through the states of Michigan, Arizona and Florida to convince them that Trump is a better candidate, capable of bringing the Israeli/Hamas war to a sudden end. His efforts paid off as Trump won the election with a landslide.
“Our community in Arizona is so big and so important, we can make a difference. We can make sure we get that margin,” he was quoted as saying by Washington Post in August.
He has been a solid ally of Trump since 2018 when his son began to date Trump’s daughter, Tiffany. Both got married in 2022, and in December 2024, Trump, who described him as an ‘accomplished lawyer’, named him his Middle East advisor.
Going down memorylane, The Washington Post in September, captured the origin as follows: “The war, which began 11 months ago after Hamas-led militants carried out a stunning cross-border attack on Israel, has reduced much of Gaza to rubble. The Oct. 7 attack killed about 1,200 people and saw 250 dragged back into Gaza as hostages, according to the Israeli government.
“But months of negotiations mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have failed to deliver a cease-fire and hostage-release deal. Meanwhile, fewer than half the hostages have returned to Israel alive, while the war has given rise to starvation and disease throughout the enclave.”
A product of a political hegemony as his father and grandfather were prominent politicians, funding the Free Patriotic Front, Boulos however, chose the path of his father-in-law, Michel Zouhair Fadoul, who came into his life much later in existence, and became a truck seller; a profession he committed his very all, and rose to become the Head of its Nigeria axis. That is the SCOA Nigeria; a prolific truck manufacturing and marketing firm.
He however, had political stint as an ally of Michel Aoun’s FPM and represented it in Nigeria, where his business is domiciled.
It was reported that in 2009, the FPM shortlisted him, though by 2018, he was supporting Frangieh’s Marada. Consequently, hia appointment by Trump defines hia capacity to shuttle between both ideological prism, and bring harnessing in Middle East politics.
He said of the Israeli massacre and the subsequent and ongoing war, “Those massacres would not have happened if there was a strong president at the White House. The entire war wouldn’t have happened.
But Trump’s “clear and unequivocal position on this is that he is totally and absolutely against this war… And he’s totally and absolutely against the killing of civilians.”
The Trump Vance team captured his person as follows in a press statement by the Spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, while defending him over an avalanche of ‘fake’ information:
“The truth is Mr. Boulos is a highly respected businessman who has proudly served as the CEO of some of his family’s group of companies based in West Africa for more than 27 years and his family has employed tens of thousands of people around the globe.”
The statement further allocated the following achievements to Boulos:
• Mr. Boulos has degrees in both business and law.
• SCOA Nigeria PLC, a member of the FADOUL Group, is a well-known conglomerate that exclusively represents numerous global brands for decades.
• SCOA and the other family group companies have been very successful in the Nigerian market providing high-end products and specialized services to the largest companies in the country.
• SCOA is also part of the Fadoul Group, which is one of the largest privately-owned family businesses in West and Central Africa with a presence in 10 different countries since its founding in 1966.
• The FADOUL Group employs more than 20,000 hardworking people
• The Boulos and Fadoul family companies have developed into a family group with over $1 Billion USD in value and hundreds of millions in assets.
Soundly educated, Boulos, who moved to Texas as a teenager graduated from University of Houston-Downtown in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. He moved to Nigeria to work for SCOA at the completion of his education.
Today, he is a notable shareholding authority in the conglomerate. Boulos, as a matter of principle, will say much about his Enterprises because he “made a practice of not commenting on his businesses”. He allows entities to make their own various conjectures.
A man of peace and saddled with the responsibility of keeping all and aundry qith arms length, Boulos reportedly has ‘links with Christian politicians and parties in Lebanon, including Suleiman Frangieh and the Free Patriotic Movement (FPM) both of which are Christian allies of Hezbollah, but maintained talks with opposition parties like the Lebanese Forces, says Wikipedia.
It was therefore, easy to portray Trump as supportive of “global peace” in the 2014 election campaigns.
As a positive identity and credential, Boulos has acted as an intermediary between the Palestinian Authority and its leader, Mahmoud Abbas and Trump.
More recently, she has been a franchisee of Creative Education International (CrEd) Lagos Island. As at 2020, she worked at La Pointe Delicatessen, in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Together they have four children. While one of their son, Michael, is married to Tiffany Trump, daughter of Donald Trump, another son, Fares, is an actor.
Though he would be holding an important position for the American government come January 2025 when the administration of Trump is inaugurated, Boulos, who has undeniable roots in Lebanon had said his time like during the electioneering will be split.between South Florida and Nigeria, where he oversees his family’s billion-dollar conglomerate, SCOA Nigeria.
Boulos is a longtime proponent of the Grand Old Party (GOP), another name for the Republican Party, His support therefore, for Trump is rooted in both politics and family, and so believes in the Trump Vance Transition Team verdict that, “President Trump wants peace and prosperity for all people.
“President Trump will once again deliver peace through strength to rebuild and expand the peace coalition he built in his first term to create long-term safety and security for both the Israeli and Palestinian people.”
The count begins therefore, on January 25 as Trump resumes office.
However, the management of SCOA in a statement titled “Celebrating the Legacy of Massad Boulos Leadership at SCOA Nigeria”, to further project his image, and prove fake narratives wrong, noted as follows:
Recent media criticisms questioning the breadth of experience and business acumen of Mr. Massad Boulos, the incoming Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, are not only misguided but also dismissive of the remarkable track record of both the man and the companies he has been instrumental in nurturing.
For instance, SCOA Nigeria PLC, where Mr. Boulos serves as Managing Director/CEO, is far from being just another company. It is a formidable force in Nigeria’s industrial and economic landscape. With roots spanning over four decades, it holds the distinction of being the first European automotive assembly plant in Nigeria.
In the 1970’s, SCOA Nigeria PLC made a name for itself by assembling Peugeot 404 and then 504 pickup trucks at its assembly plant at Apapa, Lagos and service center at its Lapal House facility on Lagos Island. Today, the company continues this proud legacy, assembling, distributing, and marketing M.A.N trucks and buses, power generators, tractors, agricultural equipment, industrial equipment and other heavy-duty construction and mining machinery critical to Nigeria’s key sectors.
SCOA Nigeria PLC’s clients include some of the most prominent and respected names in Nigeria’s construction industry, such as Julius Berger—widely regarded as the nation’s leading construction firm—Lafarge Africa PLC, a major cement producer, the Chagoury Group, renowned for developing the prestigious Banana Island, a premier residential enclave in Lagos, the DANGOTE Group, and many others.
Beyond trucks, SCOA Nigeria PLC is a trusted supplier of concrete, road construction and mining equipment, partnering with leading infrastructure companies to drive Nigeria’s development. For example, Julius Berger relies heavily on SCOA’s equipment for large-scale projects, including the 376km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway and the 43.6km Lagos-Shagamu stretch of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Abuja-Kano Highway.
Similarly, Hi-Tech Construction, currently working on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Lagos-Badagry-Sokoto road network, depends significantly on SCOA PLC for the machinery and technology required to execute these ambitious projects, aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade across Nigeria’s southern, central, and northern regions.
Similarly,SCOA PLC has also been instrumental in the development of Eko Atlantic City, a groundbreaking urban project built on reclaimed land from the Atlantic Ocean. This visionary initiative, designed to address Lagos’s urbanization challenges and promote sustainable development, has been made possible in part by state-of-the-art machinery supplied by SCOA. Notably, Eko Atlantic City is set to host the United States Embassy, projected to be the largest of its kind globally upon completion, further underscoring the strategic importance of this landmark project.
In fact, SCOA Nigeria PLC’s impact extends beyond Nigeria’s shores. As a member of the FADOUL Group – one of the largest and most successful family-owned businesses in Africa – its influence spans across West and Central Africa. The FADOUL Group, established in 1966, operates numerous successful enterprises, employs over 20,000 people, and is valued at over $1 billion, with hundreds of millions of USD in assets. This legacy highlights the scale and scope of the operations under Mr. Boulos’s leadership.
Contrary to unfounded claims in certain media outlets, the suggestion that Mr. Boulos is not a billionaire is both baseless and misleading. As President-elect Donald Trump rightly described, Mr. Massad Boulos is a “deal-maker,” a characterization grounded in fact. His proven ability to negotiate and execute complex international transactions has facilitated significant partnerships between Nigerian, German, and French businesses, delivering substantial value and mutual benefit.
As a Non-Executive Independent Director of SCOA Nigeria PLC since 2012, I have witnessed firsthand Mr. Boulos’s instrumental role in driving the company’s success. His ability to navigate the complexities of international commerce, exemplified by the supply of a significant fleet of trucks to Lafarge Africa through a tripartite arrangement between a logistics firm, GPC and Union bank plc, has earned him widespread recognition and respect.
Mr. Boulos’s leadership has not only been vital to SCOA PLC’s achievements but also to the broader international business successes of the FADOUL Group. This is precisely the kind of experience and strategic vision he brings to his new role as Senior Adviser on Arab and Middle East Affairs to President-elect Trump.
As noted in a press release by Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance Transition Spokeswoman, attempts to smear Mr. Boulos’s reputation are part of a broader effort by opposition elements to undermine President-elect Trump’s nominees. The truth remains that Mr. Boulos played a pivotal role in mobilizing the Arab-American and Middle Eastern-American vote, contributing significantly to the Trump-Vance victory—an achievement that underscores his political and organizational acumen.
Efforts to denigrate Mr. Boulos’s qualifications and achievements are not only futile but also a disservice to the facts. Mr. Boulos’s expertise and accomplishments are well-suited for his new role, where he will undoubtedly deliver impactful results on behalf of President-elect Trump and the United States.
By Eric Elezuo
“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five-point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed” – Governor Adeleke
In May 2024, two historical events took place to further cement the tag of ‘Performing Governor’, for which the Governor of Osun State, Asiwaju (Senator) Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, is known, and justifiably so. They include the conferment of the Asiwaju of Edeland title on him by his community, represented by the Timi of Ędę, HRH Oba Adesola Munirudeen Lawal (Laminisa 1), as well as the best governor of the year award conferred in him by the Vanguard Newspaper.
The prestigious Asiwaju title was previously held by Governor Adeleke’s elder brother, Isiaka Adeleke, who passed away on April 23, 2017.
Today, two years into his administration as the Number One Citizen of Osun State, Governor Adeleke has proved all doubting Thomases wrong, and lifted the state from comatose to prominence with verifiable, welfaristic and people-oriented projects that speak for themselves.
Recall that while stating the reasons behind his award as the Governor of the year, the General Editor, Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Jide Ajani, has said the governor’s attention to Infrastructural development of the state, has been topnotch, with special emphasis to his approval of infra upgrades of several tertiary institutions in the state.
The governor, in his humility, dedicated the award to the entire people of Osun State.
“We watched the video with the Vice Chancellor listing several approvals and even with the Governor asking the University to look into what other areas of intervention the state should act on. That video excites our curiosity and we proceeded to investigate further by leveraging on our team on ground here in Osun as well as a team from the headquarters.
“We discovered what the Vice Chancellor said in the video was a tip of the iceberg. Osun is indeed a huge construction site. You have continued to complete abandoned projects. You have completed many inherited projects from your predecessors
“We have your records on roads, bridges, water, school and health center upgrades among others. We read your multi-billion naira infrastructure plan and its ongoing implementation. You did not play politics with the development of your state.
“It is the totality of your passion for development that convinced the judges to confer the award on you. It is our hope that this recognition will spur you to an even greater push to deliver on your governance agenda”, Ajani had said.
In response, the Governor acknowledged as follows:
“Since I assumed office, I have devoted myself majorly to delivering on our five point agenda. I deploy my network locally and nationally in support of our noble projects and programmes for Osun. I am elated that our contributions are being noticed.
“I dedicate this award to the good people of Osun state. They made our positive records a reality. We have the unconditional support and love of our people in our push to take Osun to greater heights. I will personally attend the conferment in Lagos.
“Our government is forging ahead with our systematic physical and stomach infrastructure agenda. We are working on a new airport, an inland beach resort, cocoa sector revival, upgrade of the free trade zone for agro-industrialisation, robust climate change agenda and digital economy programme. We are on a mission to place Osun on the path of sustainable development”, the Governor told the visiting delegation.
THE MAN, ADEMOLA JACKSON ADELEKE
Born of the Adeleke family of Ede in Osun State on May 13, 1960, Adeleke commenced his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Surulere Lagos State before he was privileged to relocate to Old Oyo State to continue his education at Nawarudeen Primary School, Ikire.
Adeleke was born Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke to a Muslim father and Nnena Esther Adeleke, an Igbo Christian mother. Like him, Adeleke’s father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was a Senator and the Balogun of Ede land in Osun State. His father, Raji Ayoola Adeleke was also the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).
On completion of his primary education, he moved on to The Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School, Ede to begin his post primary schooling. In the later years however, he attended Ede Muslim Grammar School Ede, where he completed his secondary school education and subsequently relocated to the United States of America, joining his two older brothers, who were also studying there.
In the United States, he joined Jacksonville State University, Alabama, and studied Criminal Justice, with minor in Political Science.
To prove doubting Thomases, who wiped up controversies around his educational qualification, wrong, he went back to school and got enrolled at Atlanta Metropolitan State College in the United States, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2021.
A businessman and administrator of no mean repute, Adeleke was the humble Group Executive Director at his brother’s company, Pacific Holdings Limited from 2001 to 2016, where his credible performances shot the company to enviable heights; a height it is still enjoying till date.
It is imperative to note that before he joined Pacific Holdings Limited, Senator Adeleke worked with Quicksilver Courier Company in Atlanta, Georgia, US, as a service contractor from 1985 to 1989. His dexterity to work earned him a progression in career, and he berthed as Vice President at Origin International LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, US, a flavours and fragrance manufacturing company. His meritorious stewardship lasted a period of five years, from 1990 to 1994.
Not a few has described Adeleke as the philanthropic capital of Ede, as his influence in aiding the less privileged and downtrodden remains top notch. He is a voracious believer in community development, and has not spared any expense to see that his community receives global influence.
Politically, Adeleke is a beacon of light and hard nut to crack, having remained an albatross to opposing powers and a reference point to ideal administration.
Shortly after he lost his brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who died in April 2017, he contested the Osun West 2017 Senatorial by-election after the death of his brother, emerging as the winner under the Peoples Democratic Party, where he decamped to from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Having emerged senator, Adeleke’s political influence waxed stronger, an on July 23, 2018, he emerged as the governorship candidate of PDP in Osun State after defeating Akin Ogunbiyi by seven votes. Efforts made to deprive him of the mandate was twated by the courts.
Adeleke’s lawyer in his defense claims his secondary school hasn’t come out to deny his testimonial asking the court to dismiss the Case. The court dismissed the suit stating that the plaintiff could not prove Adeleke’s forgery.
Adeleke ran for Osun state governorship election under the PDP against top contenders Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola of APC and Iyiola Omisore of SDP on 22 September 2018. The election was declared inconclusive by the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) while Adeleke was leading, and a rerun slated on September 27, 2018. The candidate of the APC Oyetola was declared winner after the run-off. Adeleke protested the result describing the election as a “coup”.
Much as on March 22, 2019, the tribunal sitting in Abuja declared Adeleke the winner of the election, the Supreme Court later affirmed Gboyega Oyetola as the authentic winner of the 2018 Osun State governorship election on Friday, July 5, 2019
Popularly known as the Dancing Senator because of his penchant to joyfully react to the sounds of music, Adeleke is uncle to one of Nigeria’s popular musicians, Davido.
Governor Adeleke is married to an equally successful businesswoman and a self-made boss. They are blessed with three children who are all entertainers. They are B-Red and Shina Rambo and a daughter, Nike Adeleke. He is the uncle of one Nigeria’s primus inter pares in entertainment, Davido.
As expected, Adeleke is moving Osun State to the greatest of heights as he promised, and many who know him agree that there are still very many more in the offing.
ADELEKE’S EXTRAORDINARY EASE OF DOING BUSINESS STRATEGY
The governor has shared good news on the ease of doing business in the state as follows:
In continuation of our administration’s effort to improve the state economy and encourage the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), we have completed the harmonization of multiple taxes and levies collected by different government departments, agencies, and ministries across all business sectors of the state economy including the informal sectors into a single bill. This Harmonized Bill curates all levies, which businesses are expected to pay on an annual basis as a single bill.
This initiative is to promote ease of doing business by ensuring seamless and convenient payment of levies and taxes due to individuals and businesses across the state in equal or unequal tranches and ensure the issuance of Harmonized Bill Certificate upon completion of payment of the total amount.
I hereby note to all business owners in Osun state both in formal and informal sectors that the official online payment channels for the state is pay.irs.os.gov.ng; POS machines in Tax stations across the state; commercial banks across Nigeria; and Money Transfer Services for those outside Nigeria.
In addition, we have also completed the deployment of Automation System for improved service delivery on payment of rent and lease on government properties; processing of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) in 45 days; Electronic Affidavit System; Electronic State of Origin and Local Government Area of Origin portal; Mobile tax stations; Online Tax payment system etc.
ADMINSTRATION’S ACHIEVEMENTS AS SHARED ON NEW YEAR DAY
The governor declared as follows:
The good people of Osun state at home and abroad.
I greet you warmly with best wishes of a prosperous and blessed new year. I convey my intimate prayers that the new year will bring us new opportunities, progress and advancement as a state and in our individual lives.
I extend new year greetings to the elders of Osun state; to our royal fathers; to our religious leaders; to the young and the old; to professional elite, to artisans, to students and to womenfolk. Accept my sincere appreciation for your support before my election and for the last one year of my governorship of our dear state. I am humbled by your prayers and mass backing for our administration.
I remain firmly focused on the Five Point Agenda under which you, Osun people, elected us into office. We reaffirm our faith in the principles guiding the five point agenda which are transparency and accountability, open government, localisation, responsive leadership and attunement to citizens’ aspirations.
On the strength of the above, our government devised wholesale approach to governance such as:
●Dismantling bobby traps planted by our predecessor,
●Blocking leakages in public finance, ●Addressing the corruption and revenue diversion in the solid mineral sector,
● Restoring local government administration for grassroot development
● Embarking on mass water project provision
● Executing 91 kilometers of road construction
● Implementing free medical surgeries with over 50,000 beneficiaries;
● Total renovation of 31 schools
● Launching sport sector reforms
● Reviving the major commercial and industrial projects of the state
● Pushing for implementation of agric processing zone in Osun state;
● re-professionalisation of the public service;
● Strong attention to workers’ welfare;
● Tapping into tourism, entertainment and cultural potentials of the state;
● Ramping up efforts for a cargo and commercial airport for Osun state, among others.
Our administration achieved a lot by ensuring belt tightening, reducing cost of governance and denying ourselves many perquisites of office. As a Governor, my official expenditures are covered through the approval process rather than security votes, thereby assuring transparency and accountability.
As of today, our administration is struggling to purchase official vehicles for the state cabinet because the officials of the previous government bolted away with state vehicles. So our cabinet and other top officials have been using their private cars since we appointed them into office. Also, we are still working to renovate the official quarters vandalized by the officials of previous governments. Many of our top officials still operate from their private houses.
Despite the above handicap, our team is determined to continue to deliver on our electoral promises. I am glad to report with gratitude to God that we have remained responsive to the will and aspirations of our people. We get positive feedback and we are satisfied with our high approval ratings.
We are challenged to do more. We are prepared to make corrections where necessary as much as we will remain uncompromising when it comes to anti-corruption drive, transparency and accountability as well due process. As I always affirm, our tenure is married to rule of law and fear of God…
Adeleke is busy creating an Eldorado out of what remained of Osun State barely two years after he took over the driving seat.
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