Boss Picks
The Indefatigable Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1
By Eric Elezuo
When a man purges his path, honours will have a safe passage to continually locate him. The same marks the path of the distinguished paramount ruler of the ancient and revered Iwo Kingdom, the Oluwo of Iwo HIM Oba (Dr.) Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi Telu 1.
This is one youthful ruler, who bears tradition with fear and reverence of the Almighty God, and was privileged to have been honored in high places, including an Honorary Doctorate Degree by the premier private university, Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, in 2018.
A nationalist to the core, Oba Akanbi, who believes politics should not be left to politicians alone, has been in the forefront of canvassing for royal fathers to highly get involved in politics. This, he said is because, politicians cannot be trusted but traditional rulers who has the interest of their people at heart can.
“Kings have to be in politics and so does everybody else, regardless of what you think about it. Politicians are people that you can’t really trust but then as a father, who has the best interest of his community and the nation, one has to be involved,” he was once quoted as saying.
The above and more, has formed the background for which Oba Akanbi has been considered for such a grand honour.
In their own words, the management of the Igbinedion University said the choice, is in “acknowledgement of a throne committed to serving humanity and his contribution to academic excellence in Nigeria.
“The award is in recognition of your outstanding contributions as a traditional and cultural icon, outstanding and visionary leader, developmentalist, general role model, and national builder.”
It is therefore, not a fluke that the revered Oba is being honoured in this way seeing that the award is the third so far to be bestowed on him, and according to as many that know him, more are readily in the offing for the first class traditional ruler, who attested that he rules by the directives of the Almighty God.
Born on June 21, 1967 in Iwo, Oba Rasheed Adewale Akanbi hails from Molaasan Compound of Gbaase Ruling House in Isale Oba in Iwo.
He attended Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Oritamefa, Ibadan between 1972 and 1978 before proceeding to Iwo Grammar School, Araromi, Iwo, where he stayed till 1982. He completed his secondary education at Oba Akinyele Memorial High School, Idi-Ape, Ibadan.
He later attended The Polytechnic Ibadan in 1985, and obtained Ordinary National Diploma in Mass Communication in 1987. He also obtained a certificate in Cybis & Axis System from the Convergys Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada (2001-2005) in addition to Seismic certificate in Operations, Oil and Gas Processing Facilities (2005).
In the quest for further and standard education, Oba Akanbi attended George Brown College, Toronto, Canada, where he obtained a B.Sc. in Business Administration. This was between 2005 and 2009.
He worked as a Data Processor, Bio-skin GMBH in Hamburg Germany (1996-2005), International Development Analyst (Oxfam Canada); travelling to help war and disaster stricken countries around the world by supplying and supporting refugees with relief materials.
Oba Akanbi also worked as Associate Supervisor, Purdy Wharf Towers, Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada.
He is the Chief Executive Officer of Prince Enterprises, Toronto, Ontario M5H4E7 Canada, Director and Founder of People Against Loneliness Inc. 508-58 Waterson Road, Toronto Ontario, Canada, West Africa Coordinator (Karcher Group FutureTech) presently working on supply of future technology on peace keeping force to the Defence Ministry and Managing Director, Morganz Gamo Quarry, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Podo Village, Ibadan.
A polyglot, he speaks fluent Yoruba, English, French and Deutsche (German)
Oba Akanbi may be the Oluwo of Iwo, but he sees himself as more of a national figure than being limited to his community.
Hear him: I consider myself a king over a nation. Anything that happens in Kano, affects me because an investor is coming from overseas will always ask how Nigeria is; they won’t ask how is Iwo? There are many embassies that I know that have put Nigeria at the high- risk position of ‘you come at your own risk’. It affects me as well. So traditional rulers have to get up and become part of politics especially when it has to do with security of lives and property of subjects.”
He is also a stern believer in the crusade to root out corruption from the Nigeria body polity, saying he is doing his bit in the community where he holds sway.
“Yes. That’s what we’re doing now. We’re tackling corruption the same way Buhari is tackling it. I have started with the crusade of fighting corruption in our traditional and cultural systems. Our culture is not moving because it is steered by corruption. So all those rituals and killings of human beings all around are what we need to take out.
Oba Akanbi is cherished by his people for his series of humanitarian projects, poverty alleviation programmes and community development activities. He is also in the forefront of projecting peace and tolerance among Yoruba obas.
He once created a stir in the media space when in 2017, he named his child Oduduwa. The child was given birth to in Canada.
On this day, Ova Akanbi’s foresightedness has located the industrious journalist, Chief Dele Momodu and wife, Mobolaji, for grand honours of Aare Tayese and Yeye Aare Tayese of Iwoland.
May your reign be long Kabiyesi!
By Eric Elezuo
If there is a limit to paying dues as regards affecting humanity, Captain Emmanuel Adesegun Sotomi, has done absolutely divine, excellently well and incredibly outstanding. And he is only 45 years. Yes, December 5, 2025 was his birthday.
A typical all-rounder, Sotomi is a blend of academic, field and the unthinkable. He is a generalissimo in every field he has found himself; enterprise, camaraderie, business of 9-5 or flying for commercial purposes or pleasure. Sotomi is the future.
A brief of his adapted career trend reveals that Sotomi has seen it all, achieved it all, and can be defined as human technology transfer in the way he has mentored a great number of youths and competitors and contemporaries alike.
Philanthropism; yes, a lot of folks, who know him are full of testimonies of his open handedness, his love to rescue the needy and lift the downtrodden are phenomenal. He is a lover of humanity, a true legend in discipline.
Soft spoken and well read, Sotomi is a dream of every growing youth, who planned to be thoroughly established before the golden age. He is a role model.
Below is a derived biodata of the fast rising pilot-cum-entrepreneur…
Captain Segun Sotomi is a skilled commercial pilot, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. He attended the University of Lagos before going to top-tier aviation schools in South Africa, Canada, and the United States to obtain his pilot licenses. He is currently a captain with Gulf Helicopters Qatar, a subsidiary of Qatar Petroleum.
Capt. Sotomi is licensed to operate both airplanes and helicopters [Licenses include SACAA PL (Airplane); CPL / FAA ATPL (Helicopter)]. His previous work experience includes Nest Oil, where he flew offshore.
He is also the founder and CEO of Southern Shore Integrated Services LTD, an offshore aviation logistics support company, and has a passion for working with, and empowering youths.
Captain Sotomi has served in several management positions in his flying career, and also sits on the board of different top-tier companies.
He is an avid polo player, and is happily married with children.
Happy 45th birthday!
Distinguished Ghanaian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Inna Mariam Patty, was officially called to the Bar of England and Wales at Lincoln’s Inn on November 25, 2025, graduating with Distinction from the University of Law.
In an extraordinary show of support, guests travelled from Ghana, Dubai, Uganda, South Africa, the United States of America and across the United Kingdom to celebrate this landmark achievement at both the Call ceremony and the private dinner celebration held afterwards.
Among the high-profile attendees were Miss Patty’s parents, Ambassador Youssif Patty and Mrs. Jameelah Patty, and her siblings, as well as: H.E. Mrs. Zita Benson, Ghana’s High Commissioner to the UK, and Mr. Bobby Benson.
Others were Mr. Kwabena Osei-Danquah, Chief of Staff, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, Ms. Eileen Baguma, HR & Corporate Affairs Director, EACOP Uganda; Ms. Pihillipa Pepera, CEO of Pippas Health Centre, Accra; Mrs. Vangie Mari Patty, Regional Engineering Manager, Puma Energy; General Manager, EIB Network; and Founder & President, Women in Sustainability Africa.
The dignitaries joined family, friends, and colleagues who travelled internationally to honour Miss Patty’s distinguished academic achievement and her transition into the legal profession.
Speaking after the ceremony, Patty remarked: “This milestone is a continuation of my purpose—to use law as a tool for empowerment, justice, and social impact, especially for women and vulnerable communities.”
Patty is widely celebrated for her leadership as CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Ltd and Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, through which she has driven initiatives in education, healthcare, and community development. She also serves as a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital.
Her exceptional career has earned her recognitions including:
Overall African Woman Achiever (CSR Consultant), African Women Awards 2023
Top 50 Young CEOs in Ghana (Avance Media, 2023)
International Arch of Europe Award (2017)
Patty’s call to the Bar marks a powerful blend of entrepreneurial excellence, philanthropy, and legal advocacy—positioning her as a rising legal voice and social impact leader for Ghana and beyond.
ABOUT INNA MARIAM PATTY
Inna Mariam Patty is a Ghanaian business executive, lawyer, and philanthropist. She is CEO of Exclusive Events Ghana Limited, Chairwoman of the Miss Ghana Foundation, and a Board Member of FOCOS Orthopaedic Hospital. Patty holds an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics, as well as a GDL and BPC with Distinction from the University of Law.
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