Boss Picks

Celebrating an Uncommon Legal Prodigy on His 66th Birthday

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2023

Eric

By Godwin Iyinbor

This is quintessential Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN. Our own very Vintage professor. He has a chain of degrees that is arms length. A trailerload of laurels and awards from across the world.

Our Prof is no doubt a maverick, extra ordinary dancer, singer and performer.
You will think that with all that you know about him in the legal profession, that is all there is to him. You are wrong, dead wrong.
This is where he stands tall and stands out like an Iroko tree in the forest of legal titans; a collosus and giant among his peers. I refer to him as a man of many parts.

Take the learned Silk away from the LEGAL PROFESSION, which is his place of primary assignment from His Creator, and place him in any other field or profession, he will do just fine. He will still excel. This is where he stands head and shoulders above all other legal giants in Nigeria, past or present.

You think he will be like a fish out of water if you take him away from legal practice? No way. Place or plant him in the LITERARY WORLD and you will find out he is a great man of letters, a scribe of extraordinary learning, as he will make a big name for himself in that world, just as he has in the legal profession.

Place or put on him the PRIESTLY ROBE or CASSOCK, and you will be amazed at his deep understanding of the word of God. You will begin to wonder if that is not the Olunagbor of Uzairue’s original calling, and the best platform for him to ply his trade of winning souls for God’s Kingdom.

Place on him the glittering attire of AFRICAN TRADITION, and you will soon discover that the court room gladiator is very much at home as well, and that he will do just fine.

Remove Akpakpa Vighi Vighi of Edoland from these LEGAL, LITERARY, PRIESTLY and TRADITIONAL WORLDS, and place him in the ACADEMIC WORLD, and you will ask yourself, what has this leading human rights activist, pro-democracy and renowned constitutional lawyer been doing in the court room?

Now, plant the cerebral scholar in the WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT, and the question you will ask is, where has this natural born talent been in all our Entertainment years, that he allowed amateurs to take over the arena.

Not many can match the orator’s DANCING AND SINGING skills and the incredible prowess of this sexagenerian on the floor.
He continues to marvel me how he achieves his dance steps, bending down low- very very low- at times on his knees, like a bubbling teenager on the dance floor.
Take multivational speaker and youths mentior into the WORLD of SPORTS,and you will equally find him at home there.
I can attest to this, as he squared up to me and bested me in the game of table tennis, a game where I pride myself a professional. Football? He still plays on the football pitch, 45 minutes aside, during his 35 years old annual AKPAKPA VIGHI VIGHI FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS. He still scores goals in an amazing way and manner that surprise his footballer children marvel at.

In the waters (swimming), Royal High Chief Mike Agbedor Abu Ozekhome, SAN, CON,OFR,FCIARB, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, D.Litt, D.SC, is like a fish at home in his natural habitat.He seamlessly summersaults in waters like a dolphin. Sounds incredible? But, true! That is why like an elephant, it is extremely difficult to describe this Catholic Church Knight of St Mulumba and extraordinary Author, journalist, columnist and historian,who has over 45 books to his credit and still counting. Yes, you heard me right.

Where else do you want to place or plant this philanthropist extraordinaire who has used the platform of the Mike Ozekhome Foundation ( MOF ) to uplift the downtrodden and most vulnerable of the society?

Is it in the medical profession? Yes, he is not a medical doctor, but he fathers some. Not only this, he has over the years discussed medicine and medical-related matters in many of his numerous annual lectures in such a way that will make Hippocrates green with envy from his centuries old grave. Prof. Ozekhome is thus equally at home in that area as in any other.

You will be amazed as to how marvelous he performs in thus special area and would wonder if that is not his natural calling.
Every profession, it appears, is his natural habitat. He is multi-talented, dexterous and versatile.

Just as he defeated that legal maxim, “ex nihilo nihil fit” (meaning, from nothing comes nothing), when from grass, he bulldozed his way to grace, he just keeps excelling every day.

I used the word ‘bulldozed” advisedly, as many will think these qualities of his simply came to him naturally and are therefore innate. Yes,some are. But, many are not. You need to be close to him to see him as he perspires in his practice and several undertakings up to 19 hours daily, to agree with him that success is more of 99% perspiration and only 1% inspiration.
Like he did to that Latin maxim, he has also rendered the idiom, “Jack of all trades and master of non” ineffectual, as he is a master of all trades that he lays his dexterous hands upon.

Perhaps, the only trade, profession or practice that he is not master of, is that which he did not venture into – 419.
Thank God, the Enobakhare of Benin Kingdom, Okaku of South Uneme and Oduevho of Okpella Kingdoms did not venture or put his hands and skills into such negative practices as 419, or else “Hushpuppi” would have been a learner under his feet and rever him as master.

In all that he does, the Ohamadike 1 of Obibi Ochasi, Okporokpo 1 of Oleh Kingdom and Ikemba 1 of Isiukwuato, has an eye for the minutest details and will not let go, unless he is certain it is perfect. He is guided by that biblical injunction on diligence, as contained in Prov. 22:29 – “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”.

Indeed, for his diligence today, Prof. Mike Ozekhome SAN, the Asebigwe and Oliha of Weppa Wanno Kingdom stands before Kings and not mean men. And like a child, who has washed his hands clean, he eats with Elders.

A man in the mould of the Ba’Loro of Igando, the Agbamofin of Ijaniki Kingdom and Aare Maiyegun Bamofin of Ido Osun, Osun State, Mike Ozekhome SAN, comes once in a lifetime. And he is the one for our generation.

And for all these, you think I have said it all about the Onwa na ti loha of FCT? No way.

The script about Royal High Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, is still being written. It is a work in progress. An unfinished enterprise.
For all that he has achieved and for his impactful sojourn on earth, the Adenomo of Auchi Kingdom, Iyase of Okekpe Kingdom, Oghiakhiniamie of Ekeperi Kingdom and Ukinovha of Emailand never forgets the source of his existence – his Creator – and he never leaves anyone in doubt about it. His Creator in turn, never lets him down, or forgets him. He carries him in his mighty wings, showering his boundless grace upon him.

May God continue to use you to serve Him and work for mankind. AMEN!

We keep celebrating you sir!

Godwin Iyinbor Esq is the Deputy Head of Chambers (Admin) Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers

Boss Picks

The Incredible World of Capt. Segun Sotomi @45

Published

6 days ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

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!

Boss Picks

Meet Muhammad Ashfaq Hussain, CEO at Profound Realtors

Published

6 days ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It takes hard work to work harder. It takes achievement to attract more achievements. And so, at Profound Realtors, hard work and achievements have remained the other of the day, creating leverage for more affordable housings clients in and out of Dubai, and unleashing comfort and peace of mind never experienced anywhere else.

The success of Profound Realtors, the credit it has enjoyed across the world, and the goodies it still have in store for as many that are making up their minds to transact concluding businesses of homes and lands with the company, is attributed to a dedicated team of workers, led by the ever trustworthy Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Ashfaq Hussain, a seasoned real estate personal with experience spanning years.

Mr Hussain is a handful when it comes to service delivery, customer satisfaction and accountability. His human face to every transaction has placed Profound on the great map of trust, honesty, affordability, reliability and comfort.

One just need to purchase from Profound to prove the grace of service delivery.

Ashfaq Hussain is further presented as a colossus in putting smiles on the faces of clients and every other person he comes in contact with in the entrepreneurial journey.

His biodata is presented as follows:

With over 20 years of experience in Dubai’s dynamic real estate market, Mr. Ashfaq Hussain is a seasoned professional who has witnessed the evolution of the industry from its early leasing days to the launch of freehold properties in 2004. Hailing from a humble background in Pakistan, Ashfaq moved to Dubai with a dream and a determination to succeed—and through hard work and unwavering dedication, he has turned that dream into reality.

Ashfaq’s expertise and passion for real estate have earned him a reputation as one of Dubai’s most trusted realtors. His exceptional track record includes brokering high-value transactions of villas and luxury mansions on the iconic Palm Jumeirah, catering to investors and celebrities from around the globe.

Currently, Ashfaq manages one of the largest celebrity property portfolios in Dubai, and his name is synonymous with excellence in the industry. He is well-regarded by leading developers such as Emaar, Nakheel, Damac, and Dubai Properties.

As the founder of Profound Realtors, Ashfaq now leads a team of experienced real estate professionals, providing top-notch services in luxury property sales, leasing, and investment consultancy. His deep knowledge of the market and dedication to client success continue to make him a respected figure in Dubai’s real estate landscape.

Profound is the name when it comes to affordable houses in Dubai.

Boss Picks

Ghana’s Inna Mariam Patty Called to the Bar of England & Wales with Distinction

Published

2 weeks ago

November 27, 2025

Eric

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.