Boss Of The Week

Femi Otedola: Meet FirstBank’s Newest Non Executive Director

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2023

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Billionaire business man, Femi Otedola, has added yet another feather to his crown of grace with the recent appointment as a Non Executive Director by FBN Holdings, the parent company of one of Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion banks, FirstBank of Nigeria Plc. The appointment was formalised during the 11th Annual General Meeting of the company.

The appointment, which took effect on August 14, 2023, subject to the shareholders’ approval, was contained in a corporate filing signed by the Holdings’ acting secretary, Mr. Adewale Arogundade.

His appointment, according to the bank is based on his reputation as a “dyed-in-the-wool and visionary entrepreneur whose energy is directed at transforming enterprises and putting them on the path of growth”.

Part of the statement described Otedola as “A strong leader with a track record of achievements in business and always aiming to make things better and adding value in areas where pioneers have trod.

It added: “He was thrust into the public’s consciousness with his foray into the downstream sector of the oil industry when he started Zenon Petroleum and Gas Limited.

“Zenon disrupted and redefined the standards in the sector, and to ensure that his very high standards are met, he also invested in storage, shipping, insurance brokerage and port agency and petroleum retail outlets building a formidable, value-driven presence along the downstream value chain.

“In his quest to grow his foothold in the sector, he initiated the purchase of majority shareholding in the then African Petroleum Plc in May 2007 and joined the board as chairman of the board on 25 May 2007.”

In December 2021, Otedola became the single largest shareholder after acquiring 7.57 percent of the issued shares capital of FBNH, a position he maintained till July 2023.

The son of a prolific politician, who rose to become the governor of Lagos State, the Geregu Power Plc Chairman, simply addressed as Femi Otedola (CON), is a focused and determined man, a man, who made his choice from day one, and has refused to be derailed. He has carved a niche for himself in the prolific world of entrepreneurship.

Born on November 4, 1962, in Ibadan to the family of the late Sir Michael Otedola, a former governor of Lagos State, Otedola is a definition of everything good, positive and encouraging. He has lived his 60 years representing the very essence of living, affecting lives as a philanthropist, developing careers and manpower as a businessman, industrialists and entrepreneur, and raising biological children, who has stood their own in the society. There is hardly anywhere this tall, handsome phenomenon of a personality can be faulted.

The billionaire businessman started his education at the University of Lagos Staff School before attending Olivet Baptist High School.

A former chairman of Forte Oil Plc, the Chancellor of St Augustine University, Epe, Lagos, is the founder of Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, and the owner of a number of other businesses across shipping, real estate and finance. He has recently invested in power generation as part of the liberalisation of the sector in Nigeria.

Known for never settling for less; known for his abhorrence to mediocrity, the Geregu Power Plc chairman, scored yet another top as he chose his 60th birthday to fulfill a lifelong ambition of cruising on the most expensive boat in the world, the Christina Onassis. It has been reported that while growing up, Otedola’s childhood fantasy has remained to cruise the yacht made exclusively for the best of the best in the society. The yacht, owned by late Greek billionaire, Aristotle Onassis. is presently housing Otedola and his close and dear family members as they transverse exclusively across the most beautiful islands and shores the universe is known with.

Otedola heard about Onassis, the Greek Shipping guru, at the age of 13, and adopted him as his role model. It was therefore with nostalgia that he looked forward to the day he would cruise his. So, his 60th birthday presented a veritable opportunity to fulfill this objective, the amount of Pounds splashed notwithstanding.

LIFE AND TIMES OF FEMI OTEDOLA

The man, who has homes in Lagos, Abuja, Dubai, London and New York City has a much impressive existence since he set out to take the bull by the horns in the field of enterprise. This is as chronicled by wikipedia. In 2003, having identified an opportunity in the fuel retail market, Otedola secured the finance to set up Zenon Petroleum and Gas Ltd, a petroleum products marketing and distribution company.

As owner and chairman of Zenon, in 2004 he invested N15 billion in downstream infrastructure development and acquired storage depots at Ibafon, Apapa as well as four cargo vessels, amounting to a combined total storage capacity of 147,000 metric tonnes. The same year he acquired a fleet of 100 DAF fuel-tanker trucks for N1.4 billion.

By 2005, Zenon controlled a major share of the Nigerian diesel market, supplying fuel to most of the major manufacturers in the country including Dangote Group, Cadbury, Coca-Cola, Nigerian Breweries, MTN, Unilever, Nestle and Guinness.

In March 2007, it was announced that ten banks had approved a syndicated loan of US$1.5 billion (N193.5 billion) to Zenon as working capital to build the largest premium motor spirit storage facility in Africa. Later that year Zenon acquired a 28.7 per cent stake in African Petroleum, one of Nigeria’s largest fuel marketers. Zenon also invested across the financial sector, becoming the largest shareholder in a number of Nigerian banks including Zenith Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA). As well as diesel, Zenon also became an important player in the kerosene market.

In 2012, Zenon was among a number of companies named in a report into an alleged fuel subsidy scam. According to the report Zenon owed the government $1.4 million. It was further reported that Farouk Lawan, the Nigerian legislator who compiled the report, had apparently been filmed collecting $500,000 of a supposed total sum of $3 million from Femi Otedola to remove Zenon from the list. It subsequently emerged that Otedola had previously reported Lawan’s harassment and demands for bribes to the State Security Services, who had orchestrated a sting operation. Lawan was charged with corruption in February 2013.

In 2007, Otedola was appointed chairman and chief executive of Africa Petroleum through the acquisition of a controlling stake in the business. In December that year he personally acquired a further 29.3 per cent of the company for N40 billion. A merger of this personal holding with Zenon’s brought Otedola’s total stake to 55.3 per cent.

Following Otedola’s entry into the company African Petroleum’s share price rose sharply, increasing the market capitalisation from N36 billion to N217 billion in six months. In 2008, in response to public concerns over the availability and pricing of kerosene, African Petroleum launched an initiative to saturate the market and sell fuel at N50 per litre from more than 500 service stations across Nigeria.

In March 2009, Otedola became the second Nigerian after Aliko Dangote to appear on the Forbes list of dollar-denominated billionaires, with an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion. In October 2009, Otedola announced a move to upgrade African Petroleum’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) storage terminals in Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. Difficult economic conditions caused by the slump in world oil prices and credit squeeze of 2008–09 led African Petroleum to record a loss in 2009.

In December 2010, African Petroleum rebranded, changing its name to Forte Oil PLC. Otedola carried out a restructuring of the business, focusing on technology and improved corporate governance. Forte Oil returned to profit in 2012.

In 2013, as part of the Federal Government’s push to liberalise Nigeria’s ailing power sector, Otedola financed 57% of Forte Oil subsidiary Amperion Ltd, which acquired the 414 MW Geregu Power Plant for $132 million.

Forte’s improved financial position and diversification into power generation resulted in a 1,321 per cent rise in its share price during 2013. The first half of 2014 saw the company’s pre-tax profit more than double year-on-year to 4.19 billion naira ($25.7 million). Revenue growth for the whole year was 33 per cent. In November 2014, Otedola returned to the Forbes rich list having dropped off it following the fall in share price during 2009.

In September 2015 Forte Oil sold 17 per cent of its equity to Swiss commodity trader Mercuria Energy Group, giving Forte access to global commodity markets. The deal was thought to have given Otedola an estimated $200 million. In 2019, Femi Otedola sold Forte Oil Plc and announced plans to change focus from oil to power with his company, Geregu Power Plc.

In 1994, Otedola established CentreForce Ltd, specialising in finance, investments and trading. Otedola is also the owner of Swift Insurance.

Otedola is Chief Executive and President of SeaForce Shipping Company Ltd and was at one point Nigeria’s largest ship owner after extending control over the distribution of diesel products. One of his ships, a flat bottomed bunker vessel with a storage capacity of 16,000 metric tonnes, was the first of its kind in Africa.

In January 2006, Otedola was appointed a non-executive director of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc, a multi-sectoral conglomerate established in 2004 by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo to respond to market opportunities requiring heavy capital investment in Nigeria and across sub-Saharan Africa. He held this post until February 2011.

Otedola has made a number of real estate investments, including a N2.3 billion acquisition in February 2007 by Zenon of Stallion House in Victoria Island in Lagos, from the Federal Government. The following month he was appointed chairman of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja and tasked with driving its expansion and upgrade to a seven star facility. He is the owner of FO Properties Ltd. Otedola has been reported to be a financier of the People’s Democratic Party and is said to have contributed N100 million to President Obasanjo’s re-election expenses in 2003. He has served as a member of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) since 2004, and the same year was appointed to a committee tasked with developing commercial relations with South Africa. In 2011, Femi Otedola was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan to Nigeria’s National Economic Management Team.

In 2020, Forte Oil rebranded to Adrova PLC.

Currently, as at October 2021, he was announced as the single largest shareholder (5.07%) of First bank PLC.

His philanthropic gestures have remained a reference point to other wealthy individuals. He is known to have made several donations to the Michael Otedola University Scholarship Scheme, which was established in 1985 to give underprivileged students in Lagos State access to higher education. In 2005 Zenon donated N200 million to the scheme’s fund. Since its inception the scheme has benefited more than 1,000 students.

In 2005, Otedola made a N300 million personal donation to the completion of the National Ecumenical Centre; Nigeria’s primary place of Christian worship, in Abuja. In 2007 he was among a group of donors who gave N200 million to the State Security Trust Fund in a drive to reduce crime in Lagos State. Later that year he donated N100 million to the Otedola College of Primary Education in Noforija, Epe. In 2008 he donated N80 million to the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Port Harcourt. He also promised and fulfilled his pledge of 25,000 dollars to the Super Eagles in the match against Algeria in the 2019 AFCON.

In September, 2022, Otedola was appointed as a member of the National Peace Committee (NPC), headed by former Head of State, Abdulsalam Abubakar, ahead of the 2023 elections.

It is not an understate to say that Otedola is highly blessed of God with wisdom and entrepreneurial skills to make the desired change in the everchanging business world.

An unrepentant dotting father, husband and family man, Otedola is married to Nana, and has three daughters and one son. They are Tolani, a singer, Florence Ifeoluwa and Elizabeth Temi, and a son, Fewa. Florence Otedola, aka DJ Cuppy, is a Disc Jockey and music producer, as well as a tourism ambassador for Nigeria while Temi is an actress, a style blogger and aspiring designer.

Congratulations sir on this new phase of achievement

Boss Of The Week

Tella Giresse: Accomplished Multi-Dimensional Diplomat, Entrepreneur

Published

1 day ago

April 21, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

A Beninese by origin, serving as a high-profile diplomat for Hungary in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, Mr. Justin Tella Giresse, is highly multi-dimensional, overtly talented and a distinguished entrepreneur par excellence. His trend of experience, impact and developmental strides in the fields of diplomacy as well as business, is highly recommended and sought after among comity of nations and entrepreneurship.

Known for his ability to thoroughly coordinate international relations, especially as concerning nations, Giresse is also an excellent industrialist, whose acumen led the founding of the Benin-registered computer security, private security, defence and software development company, Impact Palmares R&D, established in 2019 as an LLC, and subsequently became an SAS in 2021. He presently heads the organization, and has been heading it for several years.

He is an expert in the security and safety of administrative documents.

He is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Résidences Appartements, with offices in many countries of the world. Giresse is in a short, the darling of African diplomacy and entrepreneurship. His high flying grace in production capacity, and jaw jaw has remained a reference point in world politics and business.

In addition as a multidimensional professional, Giresse was not long ago handed over a letter to assume duties as the new Hungarian Honorary Consul, serving in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. It is worthy of note that the CEO of ANY Security Printing Company, Gábor Zsámboki also participated at the official event of handing over the letter of commission to the distinguished diplomat.

Also present to confirm the topnotch status of Giresse was the Hungarian Ambassador, András Szabó at his introductory visit with Prime Minister of Ivory Coast Amadou Gon Coulibaly. The Ambassador appreciated the close relationship between the two countries while Zsámboki praised Giresse Tella’s activities performed up to now in the field of development of business relations between Hungary and Ivory Coast and expressed his hope that these relations would become even closer in the future through the new consulship.

During his visit in Ivory Coast, Mr. Gábor Zsámboki, CEO met Mr. Claude Isaac DE, Minister of Construction, and also a number of high-ranking state leaders who, in addition to a cordial welcome, showed great interest to several successful Hungarian products and solutions.

Also making his impact felt in the field of entrepreneurship and development of human capacity through industrialisation, Giresse had led a team to the commissioning of partnership his Impact Palmarès and a state-owned printing organisation.

Impact Palmarès R&D SAS, with MINREX, is involved in the construction of biometric visa issuance infrastructure at the international airports in Yaoundé and Douala.

The perfect service Giresse provides allowed for a 10-year contract with the Cameroonian government, including setting up an online portal dedicated to the application, processing and issuance of electronic visas.

In addition, state-of-the-art biometric equipment is also installed in Cameroon’s diplomatic missions and consular posts for printing biometric visas on secure stickers.

A detailed presentation of the event as captured by Palmarès, is represented below:

“At the national printing house, the lines are moving. The modernization initiated in 2023 is reaching a new level. The state organization is about to conclude a partnership agreement with the company Impact Palmarès R&D.

“A delegation led by its chairman and CEO, the Beninese Giresse Tella, was received in audience by the Minister of Communication (Mincom), René Emmanuel Sadi, in the presence of the Director General of the national printing house, Pierre Nolasque Oyono Bika.

“Opportunity for the partner to present its offers, in view of the electoral deadlines that await the country in 2025. Under the supervision of the Mincom, the National Printing Office will play “a major role for 2025. It must be able to equip itself in order to meet the challenges that await it”, will emphasize René Emmanuel Sadi. L.

“Indeed, the National Printing Office needs this new lease of life in view of current and future requests.

“This group proposes to offer us a partnership in terms of technical assistance with a view to the digitalization of the Printing Office. The opportunities are in the direction of strengthening the production tool of the National Printing Office, but also the construction of a security production unit,” will say Pierre Nolasque Oyona Bika.

“According to the DG, the partnership between these two sub-Saharan African countries will help the State to strengthen its sovereignty, protect the identity of citizens, preserve the integrity of businesses and replenish the State coffers.

“On the partner’s side, we are therefore, serene. “We are here to assist the State of Cameroon to explore new revenue niches,” Giresse will assure Tella . There are therefore many construction sites.

“The operator presented the main areas of its support to the Minister. “The most important thing is the modernization of the National Printing Office’s production tool, the strengthening of capacities in terms of materials and human resources, the optimization of the organization and a certain number of investments that aim to rehabilitate, or even build infrastructures that will strengthen its efficiency,” Nassirou will specify.

“Mbow, Project Director at Impact Palmarès.

“Impact Palmarès R&D specializes in areas such as securing, identifying, recording and analyzing data in the context of state security; the security and internal safety of states; securing, electronic archiving and traceability of state documents, among others. It is also this company that had already signed a partnership in 2022 with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the implementation of the e-visa. Impact Palmarès works with the Hungarian company Any Security Printing Company, which ensures the modernization aspect of its projects.

With his rising profile in managerial abilities, His Excellency, Tella Giresse, was on August 2, 2021 CEO of a simplified joint-stock company headquartered in Abidjan, Cocody Riviera GOLF, Rue du Lycée Hôtelier, with a capital of 500,000,000 CFA francs (16,000 shares with a par value of 25,000 CFA francs), and Sêdé Alida Inès Gwladys GNIGLA, his wife, was appointed Managing Director.

Giresse Tella is also the promoter of the company LES MYRIADES in Benin. In Cameroon, with Impact Palmarès R&D SAS, many are waiting to see the perfect and smooth implementation of its contractual commitments.

Beyond his dutiful and painstaking attention to professional endeavours and wholesome details, Giresse is a complete family man, who has mastered the skills of balancing the home front and duty. He loves his family like the gentleman he is, and goes to any length to defend and provide for them.

He is the complete definition and symbol of what any country needs in diplomacy and (industrial) development. His achievements looms large.

ABOUT IMPACT PALMARÈS R&D

Impact Palmarès R&D SAS is a company specializing in the security, identification, recording, and analysis of data and information for national security and internal safety.

Its activities include the security, identification, recording, and analysis of data and information for national security. It is also active in national security and internal safety; research and development; information protection; and signature protection and authentication.

The company Impact Palmarès R&D SAS is also active in the acquisition, rental and sale of all movable and immovable property, the management lease of all businesses and the acquisition of stakes in companies.

Tella Justin Giresse is simply an international personality, with the capability to fix it all; diplomacy or business.

Boss Of The Week

Aliko Dangote: Celebrating An Industrial Giant at 68

Published

1 week 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

2 weeks 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.