Boss Of The Week

Mike Ozekhome: The Defender of the Defenceless

Published

3 years ago

December 24, 2021

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Travails and trials have in no way limited his penchant for the support and upliftment of the rights and privileges of the people; common, downtrodden, privileged or otherwise. It is therefore, no wonder that he chose the law profession as his course of passion. His name is Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, a name synonymous with speaking truth to power, rising to the occasion and answering the cries and hues of the oppressed. Mike Ozekhome, as he is simply called, is a bundle of talents, achievements, invincibility and attendant philanthropy.

Born on October 15, 1957 to Chief Abu Ozekhome and Chief (Madam) Alimoh Abu Ozekhome, in Iviukwe, Agenebode in Edo State, Ozekhome, a lawyer and human rights activist, who holds the prestigious rank of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN is arguably the most popular lawyer in the country today, and well known for his work as a constitutional lawyer. As a man of versatility, he is a distinguished orator, and one of his numerous columns in diverse newspapers in Nigeria, The Boss Newspaper, attest to the fact with his The Oracle, a regular Saturday tonic that authoritatively speak truth to power, and accurately predicts events.

Destined for greatness, Ozekhome, who had an average growing status, was admitted into the University of Ife, known today as the Obafemi Awolowo University, in the mid 70s, where he obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree (LL.B.), graduating in 1980, having lost a session as a result of switching from the English, his original course, to law.

Prior to his admission into the University, he attended St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Iviukwe, and St. Peter’s College, Agenebode. It is instructive to note that he made the best graduating results in both institutions. He also attended Baptist Academy, Lagos, in 1975 before berthing at the present day OAU.

He was thereafter admitted into the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island Lagos in July, 1981, and was privileged to serve under a distinguished luminary, Chief Kanmi-Isola Osubu.

After his law school days, his quest for greater knowledge saw him returning to Obafemi Awolowo University to earn his Master of Laws (LL.M.), a degree which he received in 1983. While studying for his LL.M degree, he undertook teaching on the side in the same faculty, and today, some of his students are eminent jurists.

Much as he had nursed the intention of earning an immediate LL.M, Ozekhome however, choose to seek background and on the ground experience in the field of law. Consequently, he was posted to the Ministry of Justice, Yola as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) after law school, and afterwards to the Federal Ministry of Justice, Lagos State where he exhibited traces of a gifted personality endowed with a can-do attitude.

His dint of hard work, coupled with his commitment, focus and determination, made ways for him, seeing him taking a gigantic leap to becoming the state counsel for the National Provident Fund, better known today as Nigerian Social Insurance and Trust Fund (NSITF).

His firebrand approach to defending the law and the people involved revealed him before the activist, human rights lawyer and social crusader, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who absorbed him into his Chambers. And steadily, like the eagle he has come to be, he soared and gradually rose to become the Deputy Head of Chambers, a position he held till 1985.

Exactly three years after obtaining his LL.M degree, Ozekhome founded his own multi-office firm, Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, in 1986 with offices in Lagos, Abuja, and not forgetting his home town, Benin City. His rise in the industry was phenomenal, breaking barriers and records, and transcending all known protocols. As a result, in 2010, he emerged as one of 19 senior legal practitioners conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. It didn’t take anyone by surprise. It was an honour well deserved. He is known to have handled many epochal cases in the history of Nigerian legal system, and most them, probono.

It was at the instance of his Chambers that Ozekhome began his frequent visits to detention facilities over his constant confrontations with repressive juntas.

Most of the cases he handled have helped define, redefine and shape Nigerian legal jurisprudence, and at the same helped in enthroning a ‘favourable climate for the sustenance of human rights, democracy, good governance and the rule of law’.

No one will forget in a hurry the “Cicero of the Conference”, as he was nicknamed by the Conference leadership, for his sterling performance and contributions when in 2014, he represented the Federal Government as a delegate at the National Constitutional Conference.

Ozekhome’s contribution to judicial engineering and jurisprudence cannot be overemphasized. In 1987, he co-founded the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), known as the first human rights organisation in Nigeria.

In 1992, he founded the Universal Defenders of Democracy (UDD), an international human rights and pro-democracy league. He also founded the Democratic Rights Agenda (DRA) and Peace Initiative (PI), a peace building and conflict resolution centre.

He was also the pioneer Director of Legal Services and member of its Governing Board. In 1998, he co-founded the Joint Action Committee of Nigeria (JACON), with the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was chairman as he maintained the National Vice Chairman, Publicity and Publications status.

As a selfless and influential human rights oriented figure, Ozekhome has attracted awards and honours, numbering over 300, from across the length and breadth of the country including academic and traditional. He is the Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edoland (Commander of the traditional Armed Forces of Edo land). This is a title that was jointly conferred on him at Ekpoma, Edo State, on March 2, 2002, by all the 72 Traditional Rulers of Edo State, a feat never before achieved by any person. He was also in October, 2021 conferred with the chieftaincy title of Ada Idaha Ke Efik Eburukutu Kingdom (pillar of strength of Efik Kingdom) by the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V.

Other titles attached to the name of the legal luminary include the Okporokpo of Oleh Kingdom in Delta State, Eno-bakhare of Benin Kingdom, (Oba’s word is final), and Ikemba 1 of Ezebe Ancient Kingdom.

Ozekhome is an international personality, and has been featured variously in Dictionary of International Biography (“Who is Who in the World”), by IBC, Cambridge, England, 28th and 29th Editions, “Who is Who in Nigeria”, by NIBC, Lagos, “Who is Who in Nigeria,” by NewsWatch Publications Ltd, etc.

He is also a member of the International Bar Association (IBA), Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA), African Bar Association (A.B.A), Pan African Lawyer Union (PALU), American Bar Association (ABA), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), National Executive Committee, Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Island Club, Usagbe Club of Nigeria, Etsako Club ’81, etc.

Among his academic honours are honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D), Doctor of Letters (D.Litt), Doctor of Administration (DA), Doctor of Jurisprudence (JD), Doctor of Letters (HonDL), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D), from various Universities in USA, United Kingdom, Israel, Nigeria and Belize City, Belize, Central America. And needless to mention the ever young legal icon is appreciative of his humble achievements.

As a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary International, Ozekhome’s philanthropic gestures are highly noted. He is an International Ambassador of Peace, honoured with the Global Peace Loving Citizen of the World, (GPLCW), the highest honour given out by the Universal Peace Federation (UPF).

He has been variously described as a “man who felt good is not good enough where better is possible”, and believes that “leaders make things possible; exceptional leaders make them inevitable.”

Ozekhome somehow had had a taste of the insecurity in the country, which he is fighting tooth and nail to end, when in August 2013, he was kidnapped was on the Benin-Auchi motorway in a bloody raid. He was released weeks later after a ransom was supposedly paid.

Ozekhome, a lover of sports, music, literature and wildlife is married to his heartthrob, who is also lawyer, Lady (Chief) Josephine Mike Ozekhome, LL.M, and they are blessed with seven children, Chief Mike Ozekhome.

Sir, for your high level of intelligence, which you have employed for the service of humanity, you are our Boss of the Week. Congratulations sir!

Boss Of The Week

Aliko Dangote: Celebrating An Industrial Giant at 68

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A lot has happened in the life of African richest man, Aliko Dangote, since he celebrated his 67th birthday just about a year ago. One of such is the revolutionary trend in the petroleum industry following the kick off of production in his audacious refinery in Lagos. At 68 today, Dangote has become a greater force, maximizing respect for not just a job done, but a job perfectly done.

Consequently, accolades from personalities across the nation, including President Bola Tinubu, Femi Otedola and a host of others have continued to surge towards the President, Dangote Group, a man of immense entrepreneurial and industrial expertise, as he hit another glorious age, celebrating 68 in grand style.

To President Tinubu, Dangote is “Africa’s industrial icon,” whose unwavering commitment to nation-building must be praised.

“Aliko Dangote’s life embodies hard work, generosity, and faith in Nigeria’s potential. His willingness to invest in people and nation-building reflects profound business ingenuity and love for humanity,” Tinubu noted.

Otedola described him simply as one whose ‘journey is inspiring’, while heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, joined in the euphoria of conviviality, which describes the personality of the rich but simple Dangote.

In fact, the cakes that were presented to celebrate his birthday are all testaments of the accomplished entrepreneur’s strides in the past years.

Organisations such as GTBank, Access Bank, and FCMB each presented custom-made birthday cakes inspired by the legendary business achievements of the celebrant. One of the cakes was a towering depiction of a refinery, another was styled like a grand mosque, while yet another was designed in the shape of a cement factory.

The billionaire businessman has consistently proved that his entrepreneurial skills are not just geared towards uplifting him as a person, but to creating an enabling environment for the Nigeria youth and child to grow and develop in an environment he can proudly co-own. His vision, no doubt, is practically for the greater good of the world in general, and Nigeria in particular.

For so many blessed reasons and very many more, Dangote was named, and for the second consecutive year in 2024, the Africa’s foremost entrepreneur and humanist, and was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The billionaire industrialist was accorded special recognition by the Organised Private Sector (OPS) employers in the country under the aegis of Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA). That was just a tip of the iceberg in consideration to the avalanche of efforts he has put into business, and the lives touched so far.

Born in Kano in 1957, Dangote proudly shuttles between three wonderful tags as the richest man in Nigeria; the richest man in Africa and the richest Black man in the world. He has paid his dues, and mankind is the better for it.

Releasing impacts, Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF), the private charitable foundation of Alhaji Aliko Dangote. Incorporated in 1994, as Dangote Foundation, is saddled with the mission to enhance opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education, and broaden economic empowerment opportunities. 20 years later, the Foundation has become the largest private Foundation in sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest endowment by a single African donor.

The primary focus of ADF is child nutrition, with wraparound interventions centered on health, education and empowerment, and disaster relief. The Foundation also supports stand-alone projects with the potential for significant social impact.

The Foundation works with state and national governments and many highly reputable international and domestic charities, non-governmental organizations and international agencies to advance its humanitarian agenda.

In one of its biggest collaboration to date, Aliko Dangote Foundation started working in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and key northern State Governments in Nigeria from 2013 to eradicate polio and strengthen routine immunization in Nigeria.

Worthy of praise is the fact that nearly a decade, the Foundation has spent over N7 Billion in the course of feeding, clothing and the general welfare of the Internally Displaced Persons in the Northeast.

To make his host communities feel at ease, and the impact of his presence, Dangote has embarked on an initiative to provide further support to improving educational systems in Ibeju-Lekki and Epe locality. The educational support initiative is a tripartite programme consisting of scholarship, capacity building for teachers and school infrastructure projects.

In addition, Scholarships have been awarded to 52 secondary school students whilst some financial support was provided to their parents and/or guardians. Tertiary students will be included in the next batch of the scheme.

Furthermore, about 100 teachers, principals and school administrators were trained in teaching techniques for the 21st century. After which they were monitored in class on how they were using the skills acquired.

There is hardly any sector that has not felt the milk of human kindness running through Aliko Dangote; the military, media, politicians, governments across boards and more.

Dangote is surely an asset to this world!

As at today, there is no space for slowing down for Dangote as he continues to trudge on, creating firsts after first for himself and for humanity.

He is blessed with three wonderful daughters, who have followed the rewarding footprints of entrepreneurship.

Congratulations are in order for the African giant, and may he continue enjoy many more laurels as his footprints remain indelible in the sands of time.

Sir, continue to dominate the pages of history books with your impactful strides and results!

Boss Of The Week

Olufemi Oladipo Adelowo: Fresh Honours for West Africa’s First Rheumatologist

Published

1 week ago

April 7, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

In recognition of his efforts, and desire to continue to affect humanity, and leave a lasting impact, West Africa’s first Rheumatologist, Dr. Olufemi Oladipo Adelowo, has once again been honoured with yet another feather on his cap of accomplishments.

Prof Adelowo’s latest feat is his emergence as the winner of the Hall of Labour Foundation (HLF) Role Model Award, an award dedicated to professionals, whose impact in perpetrating their craft has rubbed off on humanity on a positive basis.

According to the organizers, in a letter signed by its Executive Secretary, Patricia Otuedon-Arawore, Prof Adelowo’s award is predicated on his established track of outstanding contributions in the field of medicine.

The letter further noted that “this has set him apart as a great Nigerian role model”.

Adelowo will be crowned with his honours at the 28th anniversary celebration of the Foundation scheduled for May 28, 2025 at the Oriental Hotel, in Victoria Island, Lagos.

The medical expert is not new to awards and honours, however, as he has constantly amassed recognition every step of the as a result of his timeless researches, innovations and discoveries.

It would be recalled that not too long ago, The Ogbomoso Pivotal Club, a group of astute professionals, academics and entrepreneurs, celebrated the first Rheumatologist in West Africa, in addition to calling on the Federal Government to recognise Prof. Adelowo with National Honour for making the country proud.

Prof. Adelowo was recognised for his exceptional contributions to the field of Rheumatology with the prestigious APLAR Master Award, conferred by the Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR), making him the first African to be so bestowed.

A distinguished Ogbomoso-born scholar, Adelowo received the award fro APLAR in recognition of his remarkable contributions to rheumatology, particularly in teaching, research, and professional service within the APLAR region.

Adelowo is a medical expert of repute, described as a Professor of Medicine, Consultant Physician, and Rheumatologist. He has held numerous academic and leadership roles both locally and internationally.

He served as the President of the African League of Associations for Rheumatology (AFLAR) from 2014 to 2019 and as chairman of the Executive Committee of the International League of Associations for Rheumatology (ILAR) from 2015 to 2016.

Throughout his career, Prof. Adelowo has made a significant impact in Nigeria and beyond, establishing rheumatology clinics at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and University of Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH). He has supervised over 30 FMCP and FWACP dissertations and trained more than 55 rheumatologists in Nigeria, three of whom are now Professors. Additionally, over 25 of his trainees are consultant rheumatologists in Nigerian teaching and specialist hospitals, while 15 others practise in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Kenya.

The Ogbomoso Pivotal Club, had also at a special event in Lagos, honour and presented Prof Adelowo with a special award in recognition of his achievements and as an inspiration for younger generations to follow in his footsteps.

Describing the Professor at the event, President of the Club, Joel Owoade, said Adelowo was an exemplary leader whose dedication, commitment, and hard work have made him a model for others.

“Professor Adelowo is a shining light, and we are proud to be associated with him. We will continue to celebrate him and others who are making Ogbomoso and Nigeria proud in their careers and service to both the nation and the international community,” Owoade said.

Adelowo’s career path is captured as follows:

Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, University Ibadan, Nigeria, 1973

FMCP, Nigerian Postgrad. Medical College, 1982

Fellowship of the West African College of Physicians, W. African Postgrad. Medical Coll, 1993

Senior house officer UCH, Idaban, Nigeria, 1975-1978, senior registrar Nigeria, 1979-1982

Honorary registrar St. Bartholomew Hospital, London, 1980-1982

Senior lecturer, consultant physician U.I.T.H., Nigeria, 1983-1985

Medical director Adeola Specialist Hospital, Nigeria, 1985-1992

Professor medicine, consultant Ogun State University, Nigeria, since 1992

Chairman Post Graduate Medical College Board of Rheumatology

Examiner Nigerian Post Graduate Medical College, West African College of Physicians.

Prof Adelowo is presently a Consultant with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and Arthrimed Specialist Clinic, Ikeja, and he qualifies by scholarship to be addressed as follows: MD, FMCP, FWACP FRCP Edin FRCP (Lond) FAMedS MACR MAPLAR.

The Prof specialises in many foelds of medicine including Rheumatology Osteoarthritis, Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Autoimmune Disease. He also has 115 Publications, 21,100 RReads as well as 2,144 Citations.

Apart from being a renowned professional, he is also a distinguished family man, and is blessed with children.

Boss Of The Week

Eric Gumbo: The Excellent, Gutsy African Administrator

Published

3 weeks ago

March 22, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

African originality is not in contest. It is evidenced in the prodigious achievements of the rank and file of citizens, who on a daily basis continue to churn out one great after another. Among the list of prolific achievers of Africa is the undisputable Eric Onyango Gumbo; a true African son of Kenyan origin.

Masterful, focused, determined and an all round goal-getter, Gumbo is a legal egghead, who is an Advocate of the Court of Kenya, with over 20 years of legal and advisory experience across Africa, in addition to being an entrepreneurial genius, whose chain of businesses and endeavours speak volume of the mettle he is made of.

Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Moi University, and a Post graduate Diploma in Law fro the Kenyan School of Law, Gumbo has added a lot of feathers to his cap of merit, including the Commissioner for Oaths, Notary Public and being a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is one man, who knows his onions in the legal profession, and has used his skills to project the Kenyan justice system as well as project the African continent in the positive legal limelight.

Gumbo is the Managing Partner of G & A (Gumbo and Associates) Advocates LLP, which he founded in 2006, and later established as a Limited Liability Partnership, G&A Advocates LLP, in 2017. And as a visionary leader, he was to expand the firm further to operate in both Nairobi and Eldoret with solid partnerships and collaboration with other leading law firms across Africa.

Beyond his qualification in the normative training of Law, Eric Gumbo has over the years, also enhanced and focused his practice of law in Dispute Resolution and Commercial Law. Towards deepening his training and experience within the two areas of practice, he has also undertaken and completed programs on Financial Markets from Yale University, Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Branch) and Fintech Law and Policy from Duke University. He is currently undertaking a course in Green Business strategy from the Hongkong University of Science and Technology.

Gumbo is not the regular run-off-the-mill Advocate. In his career of over two decades, as an Advocate, he has successfully handled numerous highly sensitive matters according to the G and A website. Some of these include as copiously re-presented:

As part of the team selected to advise and represent Kenya’s elections management body in all the three (3) Presidential Election Petitions filed in in the Supreme Court of Kenya. Acted as legal counsel for one of the state corporations in relation to a claim presented against the state corporation by a downstream affiliate of one of the multinational oil and gas companies where the value of the subject matter was in excess of US$ 45 Million.
Advised and represented a leading electric power producer in a ground breaking transaction between it and the Government of Djibouti for drilling of three geothermal wells in Djibouti.
Provided legal advisory and contracting support to a transport-sector state corporation which involved reviewing and drafting of commercial agreements, and negotiating of diverse aspects with various contracting parties in relation to one of the countryâ€™s flagship infrastructure projects.
In the Public Private Partnership space, Gumbo is currently part of a team that is advising and representing one of the energy sector state corporations in relation to a claim filed before the Public-Private Partnership Petitions Committee in relation to a project valued in excess of US$ 320 Million.
Gumbo also continues to act for diverse entities entrusted with the carrying out of various regulatory and independent constitutional mandates in sectors such as health, energy, telecommunication, education, trade, aviation, procurement, environment and natural resources, capital markets and financial services.

Gumbo is involved in numerous other activities beyond engaging in the actual practice of law.

In the first place, he currently serves as a Non-Executive Chairperson of the Legal Aid Centre for Eldoret (LACE), and also a Council Member representing the Law Society of Kenya in the Council for Legal Education (C.L.E). This is not excluding the fact that he is also a Board Member of the Kenya Re-Insurance Company Limited (Kenya Re), a public listed company.

Larger than life itself, Gumbo’s profile keeps expanding with mouthwatering appointments, requiring zeal, experience, gusto and can-do-attitude. Recently, he was appointed by His Excellency the President of Kenya, Willam Ruto, to serve as a member of the panel mandated to recruit the Auditor General for the Republic of Kenya, and has affiliations that enhance his proclivity to meritorious practice of law. Such affiliations include memberships of the Law Society of Kenya, the East Africa Law Society, Chartered Institute of Administrators and the Legal Aid Centre of Eldoret.

A seasoned legal counsel with over 20 years of experience across Africa, Gumbo has built a strong reputation in the legal industry, specializing in financial services, regulatory matters, advisory roles, commercial transactions, and dispute resolution. He is highly sought after as a consultant, and provides advisory services to both private and public sectors on high-stakes transactions and regulatory frameworks in banking, infrastructure development, energy, and ICT.

His website also described him as “A seasoned public speaker and thought leader, he actively contributes to legal reforms and policy discussions, particularly in financial engineering, electoral law, and governance,” and “has successfully led legal teams in significant sovereign finance transactions and complex cross-border projects, showcasing his expertise and commitment to advancing the legal landscape in Africa.”

Beyond consulting for the Kenyan government, Gumbo has proved his trans-border billing by offering generous consultations to the governments of Somaliland and Tanzania as well as corporate entities such as Rasmala Trade Finance Fund, Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa and Ardmore Capital Management LLC among others.

In addition to his many endeavours, which include advocacy and consultancy among others, Gumbo find time to engage in speaking Engagements as captured below:

● Presented a seminal paper on the recent developments in electoral law in Kenya to the Faculty of law Mount Kenya University of Kenya on 31st January, 2024.
● Presented a paper on the art of persuasion and legal drafting in a symposium organized by the Law Society of Kenya for advocates in private practice on the 9th June, 2023.
● Presented a paper on trial advocacy in a seminar for advocates in dispute resolution practice in Kenya on the 15th September, 2023.
● Presented a paper on employment law and practice in commercial banking institutions on the 29th November,2023.

Married with an enviable family of adorable children, Gumbo is a great sports enthusiast, with special bias to golf, which he plays voraciously. Golf, to him, is the next big time.

Africa needs Africans. African needs prolific Africans. Africa needs Eric Onyango Gumbo!