Boss Of The Week
My Love for Nigeria, Dr. Adenuga and Peace of Mind – Kojo Williams
Published
5 months agoon
By
Eric
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria, as a country, is blessed. It is the merging point of intellectualism, professionalism and distinct achievements. As citizens, Nigerians have represented themselves to the best of their abilities, and by world standards.
Among celebrated Nigerians, who have stood tall for the country, and for themselves in character, delivery and achievements is a one time Chairman of the Nigerian Football Association, now Nigerian Football Federation, Mr. Anthony Adesegun Kojo Williams, a seasoned international sports administrator and consultant.
In his chat with this medium, Mr. Williams, who described himself as highly organised, went down a long lane of memories and events to expose the juicy intricacies of his stewardship in both the public and private sectors, the things that make him thick, his downtime as well as deferrals and the source of the peace and joy the pervade his current existence. 
Excerpts;
Good morning, sir, my name is Eric
Good morning, Eric. Nice meeting you. Have we met before?
No, never met. I only know you as my former NFA chairman by name and picture.
Okay
So, sir, let’s get to meet you briefly, just a little background.
A little background that speaks for itself. Where do I start?
Start from the beginning
Well, when you say from the beginning, where do I start from the beginning?
There’s always a beginning. In the beginning, God created. In the beginning, you were created.
Do I have to start talking about schools and all that? It’s all out there for you to see. So I’m not going to start talking about all that now.
It’s in the public domain that you have a royal background, so to speak. So, I don’t know if you want to talk about it. Are you of royal breed?
Yes, I am, from both my mother’s and father’s linage. But I don’t really hold on to it. I don’t talk much about it. I’ve tried to carve my own niche divorced from my royal background. It doesn’t have to be part of my story, so to speak. It’s good to have it though. I’m proud of it, but it shouldn’t be a point of understanding for me. It’s just there. No connection as far as my trajectory is concerned. I was and still busy creating my own future.
What was it like reintegrating into private practice after your stint as NFA Chairman since somehow you dedicated your whole being to serving the nation?
While I was serving, I was also doing my business. There was no way I could have thrown my business away while running the Nigerian Football Association. That was just one of the many things I was doing. So my business has always been there.
So what was or is the udea behind your Football Excellence Academy? Who are the beneficiaries?
The idea was to give the youths a sense of belonging and professionalism in what they do, especially in the game of football or athletics. So that was why the Football College of Excellence was established. It is a place one could get educated and also get to play, understand the techniques and the tactics of modern football, and athletics. So that was why the Football College of Excellence was set up.
And then what I did was to make sure we had the best of teachers to work with the students from a very early age, so that it becomes part of them. And then, it’s important to note that not every kid will become a professional footballer at the end of the day. I0t’s equally the same structure as a good secondary school. So one can go out there and become anything else of his choice. You could be a manager, you could be a scientist, or any other profession, but the subject would have gone through the rudiments of the game itself. So that’s what the College of Excellence is.
How long has it been running?
The College of Excellence has been running for many years. It has also been set up in other places like Rivers. Again, I did a lot of consultancy jobs for different states, and then for FIFA, for CAF, the Confederation of African Football, and for some other countries. It’s a brand that I sold.
And then there are some other countries where I was able to put it in place, and in a proper perspective, and we were able to work with it.
Like which countries
In some countries like Burkina Faso, Senegal and Ghana as well as some other places. We’re still working on some, actually. And of course, in Rivers State.
The essence of actually knowing the timeline is to ascertain the products the Football Academy has produced.
Funnily enough, I’m not into sales of players. But you do have many of my products out there, that are playing worldwide. I don’t like mentioning names.

They’re all over the world. Some are in Spain. Some of them have walked up to me at some time to tell me that they came from the college projects. I don’t manage them. I just set up the system.
So the school has actually been very productive
It is productive. But I always know that to get the top, and become a top star player takes time. It’s a process. And then the affiliation with club sides also plays a major role as to how to get there, and get fixed into the top league level. Some of them are there, all over the world. Somewhere in America and other places
As at today, what’s the relationship between you and CAF and FIFA whom you consulted for in the past?
Very cordial. I still work with them. I still consult with them. You see, once you’re in the football family, you don’t just leave. You’re part of it. So, I’ve been in it for the last 28 years. I’m part of the CAF and FIFA families. I still work with them. You don’t just go out of the family. You’re part of the show. So, it’s a continuous exercise.
What could you say was your achievement during the Kojo Williams era as NFA Chairman?
My era as chairman was very short. It wasn’t even up to a year. I didn’t have high achievements, but what I still remember was I put my foot down, and made my point. And I ensured I did things in the proper manner. And that was why I had issues. And I don’t like going back to all those things. I’ve moved on. But maybe in the future, when I write a book, I can talk more about that.
I’m not the type of person who points fingers or starts saying, “Oh this person and this and that and that”, and mentions names. I’ve moved on. But unfortunately, they’re the losers. They’re the ones that lost out in the whole process.
I remember one particular aspect. At the point I left, I had spoken with the oil majors. Mr. Gaius Obaseki, who was the group MD of NNPC then, and I had a wonderful relationship. And he had gotten the oil majors—he wanted to get all the oil majors—to put up a national football centre. And we were going to raise $100 million. He had gone ahead to work on it. And I remember the day he got to know I have been removed, he told me “Anthony, you know something, finished. No more.” So they lost out.

And he didn’t tell you why?
Because they got rid of me. So he just said no. He’s not going to work with them. Because I initiated it.
Since the initiator was no longer there, there’s nothing to contribute. So they were the losers. And so many other things. And it’s still haunting them today, but it’s alright. The period was full of politics.
Was that politics?
What else can we call it? Everything in Nigeria is politics, isn’t it? I think it was just witch-hunt and envy. People call you arrogant if you tell them the truth. They call you names if you actually know what you’re doing.
I think a lot of them act like they have complex. And they really are not well grounded. And the bottom line is that they’re greedy. It’s all about themselves. It’s not about developing a game or anything around them. So when you come up with a blueprint, something really positive, they kick against it. But it’s not only about leadership, it’s about the people as well.
Looking at your life in totality, what kind of person can you say you are?
I’m a stickler to professionalism. I’m very thorough, I’m a visionary. I see things in a proper perspective. And there’s one thing about me. Once I come out and say something, work on something, even if you don’t believe, you will find out later that that thing is very key. It is very vital, both spiritually and physically or anything. It’s a gift.
So most of the time, that motivation comes and I put it into practice. But most times, when I start those things, people fight it, they go against it, because they can’t understand where I am coming from. And then later they realize.
It’s part of me. And I’m very outspoken, very principled, and friendly. But I like perfection. This is my environment. I like perfection. I like things done properly.
What is your take concerning the state of the nation today, politically, economically?
I’m not impressed at all. I’ve to say that because I’m a hypocrite. I thought by now, we’d have moved on. I know they’re trying their best, but you have a lot of hiccups. There’s so much insincerity in our ways. I’m not a politician, and I will never be a politician, but a typical Nigerian politician, from what I have seen, is not sincere. I’m not saying all over the world. There are still those who still go out to do the right thing.
But here, majority of them do not truly have the nation at heart. It’s all about them. And there’s one thing in life people always have to realize. When you’re in a position of strength, and you’ve got the power and finances to do things, make it about building people, not oppressing people. It’s about giving back.
The genuine ones give back. They give back to the society. They build the society. But in this society, our politicians are not ready to do that. I don’t see them ever doing it. I don’t see them ever. The majority of them, I’m not saying all of them, 90% of them are pre-deceased.
So that’s basically it. And it saddens my heart. It’s very sad for a great nation like this. We’re not supposed to be in the state where we are. I’m only saying the truth. There’s so much decadence, and still, you know, you have a deep wound, and you’re rubbing that wound, you keep rubbing it, you keep rubbing it and say it’s fine. What happens? It will decay. And that’s what is happening here.

That would make us shift our gaze to the business world and our business tycoons. Would they be able to affect humanity? Or are they affecting humanity? If they are, who among them do you think we can leverage on?
I would take Uncle Mike, for example, a real businessman. A very cultured man, genuinely building a nation. And not only in Nigeria.
When you say Uncle Mike, I’m thinking you mean Dr. Mike Adenuga
Yes, Dr. Mike Adenuga. So when you look at someone like him; he doesn’t talk, but he’s doing a lot. He’s done a lot in society. There’s a globacom system everywhere. Even in football, he has put in so much for the Nigerian Premier League over the years.
And then there are the scholarship programmes from his oil business. He has done extremely well.
The first time I met Uncle Mike; I call him Uncle Mike for my love and respect for him, was in 1980, in Germany. And he told me a lot of things. I remember then; General Wushishi, who was the Chief of Army Staff, was also there. My father was there too.
Adenuga is a man with functional power to build people. He is a visionary, and doesn’t talk much, but gets things done for the society. He’s given a lot back, a whole lot. That’s somebody I look up to. I have a lot of respect for his depth of intelligence, very astute. He’s one person who’s hardly seen talks.
He reminds me of my father; they have a lot of similarities. My dad was a very quiet person. He didn’t say much. Uncle Mike has that class, as well, and style. You don’t see him around. And he talks so much about my father whenever I see him. He holds him in high regard. That’s one man I have that is high up there and has given so much back, not only to Nigeria, but to Africa. Adenuga is phenomenal.
So, looking at the example of Dr. Mike Adenuga, what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs; those that are already up there, and those coming up?
It’s just about about having an open heart for society; give back. See, we’re not going to take all these wealth away when we die. Nobody takes it away. The thing about life is we hold everything, but the day we die, even the life we love so much, we can’t take it with us.
So, it’s best to make sacrifices for the society; to educate and give people hope. It’s a privilege when you’re up there, and it’s God that gives you that. Of course, you’ve worked hard. But there are still people who work hard as well, but who never get anything. Those fishermen who go out at 3 am to catch fish and all that. They work hard. Bricklayers work hard too.
But there are some people that God has given, yes, they have also built themselves up. But I believe when you’re given all those things, you’re supposed to help and reach out, not be greedy. If you do that, it goes a long way, not just for you, but for generations to come.
You have spoken so much about Dr. Adenuga. So, what qualities have you picked from him?
Okay, I’ll tell you one for a start because I have read so much about him. I have learntnthe act of giving back in my own level. I’ve learnt philanthropy.
Are you a philanthropist?
Much as I don’t like talking about what I do, the answer is emphatic yes. Sometimes you have to talk about it though. I do let people see it for themselves. I don’t have to blow my trumpet. Sometimes when you are alone, you talk about it.
If you have that heart of love, if you love yourself, then you give out. It’s people that don’t love themselves who don’t give. When you truly love yourself, honestly, when you genuinely love yourself and appreciate what God has done for you, then you give to others.
It’s people who don’t love themselves that don’t have that heart of philanthropy, that heart of love. God is love anyway. Whether we like it or not, you can’t but love. If God is not love, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here. We wouldn’t breathe. We wouldn’t have any soul. That’s it.

And like I said, it’s all for a time. But, you know, after a while, we’re just going to drop it and go. So the legacy that you leave by giving out, reaching out is very key. It’s very, very key.
I would exactly want to know the scope of your CSR, that’s Corporate Social Responsibility
For me, Corporate Social Responsibility should be for those that own or run multinational firms like Uncle Mike. I don’t have that. But I have my social responsibility.
Number one, it starts with my environment to my local government, and it goes to my state as well, and to other parts of the country. Not only the country, but all the parts of the world.
And like I said, I don’t like saying much about what I do as regards philanthropy.
Except you are going to take me to where you have done it so that I can see for myself?
Yeah, you can come and see for yourself, that’s not a problem.
So, for the benefit of the interview, could you just mention one or two.
I don’t have to shout out, I don’t have to keep talking or noise it, but people can tell. Sure. I don’t have to blow my horn.
One of the things I’ve discovered about you is that you appear demure, with splendid fashion sense, and nobody can accurately tell your age because you consistently look younger. What is the secret of your good looks?
I thank God for my youthful appearance. Honestly speaking, it’s just God’s grace. I’m not saying other people don’t have the grace, but it’s just the peace. And then being very cautious health-wise. I’ve always been an athlete from school and I’ve kept that, you know. I’ve kept a lifestyle of making sure I exercise, but exercise is not everything though.
Peace of mind is very key. You can exercise, you can eat well, you can do all that. But if you’re not settled in your mind, if you don’t have contentment in life, then you will have friction within your heart. And that affects you. You have to have contentment and peace, where you seek the peace of God and stop chasing shadows or trying to be like other people.
Let everybody be themselves. Be yourself and be who you are. You don’t start competing with other people. Everybody is wherever God has made them. So be yourself and be happy. Contentment and peace are very, very key.
Are there other keys? Your Home? Your business? Do they in any way contribute to the peace you have?
Yes, everything. It goes back to contentment. You’re happy and you’re not chasing shadows. You’re not looking at what other people have. You’ve got to be contended with what you have, and be happy.
And then another thing that gives you peace is when you resort to philanthropy, when you can do things for people. It gives joy. When somebody is happy because of you. When you make people happy, when you genuinely make people happy, you can go into your room and feel that joy.
You’re well-read, and well-traveled…
…How did you know I’m well-read? Well, let shed a little light into my fashion sense as you earlier asked. Yes, it’s natural. I like fashion. I like good things. My own comes naturally. My parents were like that, my grandfather had it. It comes naturally, and runs in the family.
But fashion, peace of mind are things that are passionate and natural. Things that make me happy. I advise people to always be happy, find peace and create time to laugh. When you laugh, you create that laughter for others, and joy within yourself. It goes a long way.
And what was it like growing up?
My growing up was striking in a way. I grew up with my maternal grandmother, who runs a Cherubim and Seraphim church. It is fundamental to understand that my father was of the Catholic faith however. Then I use to see things and I would tell people. That explains why I was taken to stay with my maternal grandmother. Her church was at the Bar Beach. People usually gather, and I would tell them things, and it would all come to pass.
So, I was separated. I was treated differently from everybody. What happened was that, because I could see and I would tell things, and they happen, people were careful of me, and kind of avoided me. And it still happens.
You maintained that gift till date?
Yes. It’s not until you start making noise. It’s innate. It’s just a gift.
Some would have opened a church with the gift, but it wasn’t your calling
If you have a gift, you have a calling, it doesn’t mean you should go and open a church, and start calling yourself names.
Most of those guys are not called. The called ones are very special. And you don’t have to open a church and make so much noise to know you’re called. But where God wants you to work, where God wants you to do something, he will get you there to do it. The ones he wants you to help, he will get you there to help them. The ones he wants you to put words in, he will get you to do it. Those he wants you to perfect healings in their life, he will get you to work, that’s God for you, but not the fake ones, not in a fake manner, but in the originality of God Himself in Christ, in the Holy Spirit, when the Holy Spirit dwells in you.
You don’t force it, it comes naturally. It’s a force, it’s a power that comes naturally.
So back to your being well-read and well-traveled. There are two in one question actually. So on the basis of being well-read, kindly tell us your highest level of education? What’s your peak? Masters?
Masters
Which of the schools, sir?
Hamburg University.
Is that where you had your undergraduate degree as well?
Yes.
Meaning you had all your education out of Nigeria apart from the early days?
Apart from early education, yes. But not in Lagos, but in Ibadan. It will surprise you to know that I started boarding school at the age of 7 in the Western Region of Nigeria. They always had to take me from Lagos to boarding school in Ibadan.
Boarding school in primary school? Was your father a professional educationist?
No, my dad was a Marine Engineer. What happened then was that my dad always had to do a lot of business. He always had to travel, and mom was not there.
So my father played the role of a mom and dad. He was a fantastic father. I’d never seen a father like that. He gave us the best of everything. But because he always had to do a lot of travel, he had to put us in a boarding school. But every fortnight he’ll come, spend a weekend with us, then he’ll go back.
So what school could boast of boarding facilities for children then?
Omolewa Nursery and Primary School in Ibadan. Those were top schools then. In the 60s, yeah. They were there. Top schools. Very good, better than what you have today. It’s a matter of facility and moral upbringing. I think it was better then.
Of course, we also had the aunties, the older girls looking after us. But I was very mature. I was a very bold kid, very confident. So I always had my way. I didn’t wait for anyone to teach me what to do. I was very independent.
So, how did those days of early learning, early intelligence affect your growing up? How did they also affect your adulthood today?
When you say early learning, it has helped me a lot. And those things i mentioned, those schools I went to, fashioned my future. It made me understand Nigeria better than a lot of people around me. Even my mates and colleagues, who grew up at home, who had mommies and daddies, I had a better understanding and better exposure than them.
I know life better than them because they fell into a lot of crisis later. But I was like, I was a tough kid. Not nasty, but very bold, very confident kid.
You were able to defend yourself?
No, I started at seven, six plus. I was six plus when I started. And the thing was that in boarding schools, I was always with the seniors. I was the only junior who could sit among seniors. I was the only one who could sit among seniors. They always wanted me around because I would tell them things. And I loved that. So I was always in their midst. I was the only junior who could sit in their midst.
That’s great. So, Hamburg, finally crystallized and cemented your intelligence and made you who you are today. At what age did you return to Nigeria?
1981, after my first degree
How did you zero in on your first career after you return to Nigeria?
First, I worked with my dad in his company. He had a factory that specializes in the manufacture of fire extinguishers among other gadgets. He had a company, two offices, and his headquarters was in Hamburg, Germany. And then we have a factory here, and I was managing it with expatriates.
Meaning you had a degree in Business Administration?
Yes of course, at Masters level. I studied Mechanical/Marine Engineering at bachelor’s level.
So, I worked with my father. And then later, I decided to go solo, partly because it was time, and partly because we always had clashes.
What was it like when you made your first one million?
I can’t even remember. No, maybe because of the way I was brought up. I was aleeady exposed. A little silver spoon here and there. I was always calm and I always had my friends around; the ones I like hanging out. With time, I came to realize that you always have to be more private, more and more discreet.
Sometimes, the first money made is always just spent. It’s much later one realizes that it should’ve been spent more judicious. But really, and honestly speaking, I was always myself. There was nothing to prove.
However, one can’t deny that feeling of being on top of the world, knowing you have the spending power. But it’s not a show-off thing though. It even makes you more humble. Anyway, people say I’m arrogant, but it’s okay.
You know Nigeria, when you’re outspoken, they call you arrogant.
They say geography, and by extension, travelling is part of learning and I believe it’s also part of your own intelligence.
Before you even talk about Geography, I must let you know that I was the best student in my time. Our Geography then was very advanced. Even more advanced than what they have in the universities. And we had this teacher, I remember Mr. Shideke, he knew North America like the back of his hands, and History as well.
I know North America better than Americans from just studying Geography. Apart from traveling, which I did, wherever I go, it’s like, I’ve been here before.
Now, how has travelling itself helped you as a person?
Yes, travelling has given me so much exposure, and schooling abroad is a better perspective. Now, one of the problems we have here is that many of our people abroad don’t mix with the people that matter; the exposed ones. They prefer mixing with their peers, and so gain nothing new to bring back home.
I was the only black kid where I was. So I had to mix. I had no choice but to integrate, and understand them.
And it was a balanced class of the ones that take decisions, the policy makers, and the industrialists. So you have a firsthand understanding of how things work there. It’s not anybody telling you, and that makes it so creative.
How many countries have you traveled to?
I can’t count them.
Really? Across the continent? So which of the continents have you not been to? Australia?
I’ve not been to Australia, yes.
Now, which of the countries combined scenery, aesthetics, beauty, and connectivity for you?
Brazil. Brazil is very interesting. It’s beautiful. South America is equally beautiful, but Brazil has that connectivity and even food, everything about that. And then the beauty, the women, everything about that.
What about Spain?
I like Spain but you know, the Spanish are a little bit boring. They’re a bit clannish, funny and enclosed. They’re not spread.
The Germans are very friendly, if you get to know them very well. People think they’re racist, but no. When a German accepts you as a friend, you have gained a friend. They’re more loyal and more straightforward than the British. The Brits are a bit like us here.
There was a time, sometimes I spent like two weeks in Madrid. I go there alone and spend two weeks. I have friends there. That’s what I mean by world travel. I have friends there. I have friends all over the place, that I went to school with.
So, which of the countries, or city are you longing to travel to?
Slovenia, to see a little bit of there again. I went there when I was younger. But I want to go again.
But really, I’ve been to all those countries. But sometimes, you just feel like your spirit just wants to spend like a few days there again.
How do you relax? Are you a football fan?
Of course, I’m football fan. Remember I’m a football administrator. But if you mean a club fan, I’m not. Maybe, when I was younger. But now, you see, my main club, any day, that I love, is the Stationery Stores Football Club of Lagos of those days. When I was a kid, that was my team. That was the team I used to sneek out watch.
But when you talk about things like foreign teams— I call them foreign teams —no. I just like good football. I’m not crazy about it. I’m not a fan of any team. I just want to watch good football. No team is going to give me a heart attack or high blood pressure. Play good football and you will forget everything else. Very neutral.
I might have a soft spot for one or two teams, but I will not mention their names. I just want to watch good football.
And of course, I support my national team. I’m very proud of them.
After the Italy–Nigeria game in 1994, I was at the stadium — we played in Boston. Do you know, after that game, I couldn’t go out of my hotel room for three days
We have not improved when it comes to football — national side. It’s not about just having individuals; you must have a proper synergy, type of football you play. And it starts from the lower cadre, where you have different zones and some trainers and coaches to work with them. But we have not been able to do that yet. I pray we do that someday.
And how do you relax?
I listen to good music, I read, I go to the gym, I do my weights. I’ve done weights this morning. I did my walk — I did two hours. I’ve done 11.6 kilometers this morning. That’s 15,281 steps. That’s quite something.
What food brings smiles on your face?
I’m not a food person though I like a lot of vegetables and fruits. I like organic stuff, natural. But honestly speaking, I like Amala too.
Earlier, you spoke passionately about the Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga. Are there probably a few more things you want to say about him? It appears he is a mentor to you.
Yes, thanks for asking again; he’s a mentor. He’s a great mentor. You know, Uncle Mike is not just a businessman. He’s a builder of destiny. And it’s not just about a success story — he’s more of a divine masterpiece in motion. That’s who he is.
Aside from his humble beginnings, he’s towered, you know — he’s towering great. He is a very, very unassuming person. A clean, extremely intelligent, and very discreet man. Talking to him, you could tell that all those things are not on the wings of luck. It’s what he has always had. It’s not about the stroke of luck or whether it’s divine — it’s something God has given him.
Because when I spoke with him on one or two occasions, you could see he had that vision. He’s visionary. He’s very disciplined, so you have to give that to him. And very astute too. A strong man.
So when you look at the organizations he built — like Globacom, on the continent, and then the ones he partners with, or Conoil, and then the banking system — he did all those things quietly, with discipline, he built them.
For him to delve into communications, then, you have to give it to him. It’s a lot of power and strength. The courage — you know, he’s a man who charges out. So that’s why I call him the Bull. You know, it’s not about the size, but that unstoppable drive. He charges forward with courage.
He has humility. He’s calm. He’s not loud. He’s got that grace around him — that kingly thing in him, clothed in modesty. He doesn’t talk much, he doesn’t shout, but he gets things done.
The man builds empires. You have to really give him that. He has that grace. Very graceful man. Very powerful.
So I talked about meeting him in Hamburg when he spoke with me then. And that was where I really knew where he was coming from. And I said, you know, that thing is still lingering in him. And then he was pretty young. Yes. So you can imagine him now — he’s towered around the world.
I give that to him, yes. And I see that, and I admire that in him.
You could tell he has a great mind. That was when I really knew that man, because he told me a few things, asked what I was studying, and he advised me on one or two things. And that was great, and that really helped. Yes.
He’s always spoken fondly about my dad. He likes my dad a lot. He talks about him fondly when he sees me. Even when my dad had passed on, my dad also told me about him once.
My dad once told me a story of when they were together on the flight. My dad was downgraded from first class to business class because the flight was full. But Uncle Mike relinquished his first class seat for my dad, resisting my dad’s refusal.
My dad told me years ago. Uncle Mike may not remember about it. So that tells you the kind of person he is.
So that’s the kind of person I’m telling you about. That humility and respect.
He also invested a lot in football — Premier League, Globacom League, the CAF Awards — you know, and that really… I give kudos to him. A lot of respect. I give him that — a lot of respect.
Supporting African football, taking African football from the local pitch to the next level. He’s still supporting traditional ceremonies across tribes. Yeah. He’s a man of many colours, and very vast.
I pay a lot of respect to him. He’s done a lot, and I look up to him.
He’s a very quiet, very civilized man. He doesn’t talk much. He doesn’t appear much — that’s how my dad was too. You don’t see my dad around. He was very quiet. Once he comes into Nigeria, he’ll do what he has to do, and he leaves — even when he was Chairman, National Sports Commission.
I should say congratulations to you for having a kind of father whom people talk about so passionately.
I thank God.
Thank you Mr. Kojo, you have really been very, very helpful.
Thank you, and God bless
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Boss Of The Week
Why I Want to Be President – Romuald Wadagni
Published
6 days agoon
April 9, 2026By
Eric
By Eric Elezuo
Romuald Wadagni is not new to Benin politics, neither is he new to administration, especially in the area of financial reorientation, recovery and development. He has professionally steered the Finance and Economy ministry of his country for 10 uniterrupted years after serving as a finance guru with top finance films including the renowned Deloitte. Wadagni is an enigma, and of course Benin’s choice to be president come April 12.
Below is a text delivered by the frontline presidential candidate for the forthcoming Benin Republic Presidential election, Romuald Wadagni on his stewardship, and the expections for the average Benoise:

Over the past few years, our country has achieved what many thought was impossible. With vision and courage, we have proven that when a people decide to take charge of their own destiny, nothing can stand in their way.
The progress we have made and the efforts contributed by all now give us the means to deploy a new complementary development approach that will eradicate extreme poverty and ensure that prosperity reaches every household. This is the challenge we must take on together.

Tomorrow, every Beninese, every young person, wherever they may be, must be able to find an opportunity within reach. Our ambition involves establishing regional development hubs, giving a more prominent role to the private sector, and fully harnessing technology. The goal is clear: to create wealth for all and improve living conditions across the entire country.
This program is the logical continuation of what we have started, and the beginning of what I propose we accomplish together: to build an even greater Benin—the Benin of our dreams.
Romuald Wadagni
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Boss Of The Week
Evangelist Ebenezer Obey: Celebrating a Music Maestro at 84
Published
1 week agoon
April 4, 2026By
Eric
At 84, most professionals have retired to a quiet country life, living off their savings and investments or on other individuals, but not the ebullient music icon, philanthropist and accomplished teacher of God’s word, simply identified as Evangelist Ebenezer Obey.
Till date, Obey, who called himself Chief Commander in the early days of his musical adventure, still performs at shows and events; his voice still melodious and sonorous, serenading every individual within the radius of his performance. He had been an icon, and has remained an icon.
True to his words, the Evangelist marked this year’s birthday as he had always done; celebrating with God’s people, and winning souls for Christ through crusades.
This year, the music legend celebrated his 84th birthday with a two-day crusade in Abeokuta, Ogun State
The crusade themed: “Thy Kingdom Come” was organised in collaboration with the Riye Council of Knights of Methodist Church Nigeria, Egba Diocese, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The well-attended crusades held on March 25 and 26, and featured several notable gospel artistes, such as Esther Igbekele, Joseph Adelakun aka Ayewa and Adegbemi Adewale, among others.
Evangelist Obey capped the crusade with his amazing music prowess at the Freeman Methodist Cathedral Auditorium in Abeokuta with a praise celebration
Esther Igbekele, a gospel artiste, described the event as great and wonderful programme while also thanking the celebrant for the honour of ministering.
Beyond dishing out the word through the crusade, Evangelist Obey, who is now a Professor of Music at Olabisi Onabanjo University, held a charity outreach for the less privileged in the community, noting that giving to the less privileged was his own way of showing gratitude to God for lifting him from obscurity to global stardom in the music industry.
With the crusades done and dusted, the godly Evangelist chose a low key birthday on d-day as it fell on Good Friday; a day that symbolizes the climax of the Passion of the Chriat.
He expressed hope and prayed that God would grant him the grace to see his 85th which he said would be well celebrated
Obey was born on 3 April 1942 to an Egba–Yoruba ethnic background family. Obey, whose real names are Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Fabiyi, was born in Idogo, Ogun State, Nigeria of Egba-Yoruba ethnic background. He is of the Owu subgroup of the Egba.
Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. Obey’s musical strengths lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions. As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excel in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry. It will be worthy of note to also say that Chief Commander just as he is fondly called by his fans, has played alongside popular gospel music veteran, Pastor Kunle Ajayi during his 30 years on stage concert in Lagos.
Hale, hearty and overtly cheerful, Obey is already making plans for his 85th birthday, saying it would be well celebrated.
Obey is one of the few Nigerians, who had projected themselves in the positive light, remaining a beacon of hope to the teeming youthful generation, who have discovered no element of guile in his 84 years sojourn on the surface of the earth.
From all of us at The Boos, we wish the grand performer of generous 84th birthday, and many more years of transparent living for the benefit of the society.
Happy birthday sir!
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Boss Of The Week
Nola Adetola: Raising the Lagos Skyline with Oyster Towers
Published
2 weeks agoon
March 29, 2026By
Eric
By Eric Elezuo
With over 1000 housing units providing for shelter-seeking Nigerians, in just nine years, the influence and humanity embedded in the organizational structure of Veritasi Homes cannot be overemphasized.
Led by its indefatigable and energetic Chairman, Nola Adetola, Veritasi Homes has proved beyond reasonable doubt that its mission of providing affordable luxurious accommodation has come to stay.



The firm, in conjunction with Cooplag, brought the mandate to the fore one more time on Thursday, when under the watch of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and many other distinguished Nigerians including the Chairman of Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, conducted the Groundbreaking ceremony for a highrise edifice, right in the heart of the prestigious Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, called OYSTER TOWERS.
This development is coming less than six months after the Nola Adetola-led team began the construction of another high rise apartment, Allied Towers, in the high profile Ikoyi Island. A testament of how desirous he is about bridging the housing deficit in Nigeria.



The entrepreneur, in his speech, noted that his efforts are geared towards continuous provision of luxurious, but affordable accommodation for the Nigerian public, as a real estate giant, in rewarding partnership with Cooplag, under leadership of Francis Adeoye.
In his speech, the Chief Executive Officer of Veritasi Homes, Mr. Nola Adetola, noted that the project is a bold new chapter in the Lagos’ skyline, and will provide competitive and a whole new approach to luxurious living, especially with its location in the Eko Atlantic City axis.



“Today, as we break ground on Oyster Towers, we are declaring possibility and our determination to do something meaningful with it. Together with COOPLAG, we open yet another chapter in Lagos’ skyline, in Nigeria’s housing story, and in Veritasi’s journey,” he said.
Recalling the journey, the trajectory, and the achievements of the Veritasi brand, Nola informed that “Nine years ago, when we began this journey, we looked at Nigeria’s real estate market and asked: Can we do better? That question gave birth to Veritasi Homes. And today, we are doing it.”



Also speaking, the President of COOPLAG, Francis Adeoye, also underscored the significance of the project and the vision behind it.
“Today, we are not just breaking ground, we are breaking barriers. We are laying the foundation for a future where cooperative strength meets architectural excellence, where innovation meets legacy, and where our members and stakeholders can aspire to live in spaces that reflect their values, ambitions, and achievements,” he said.
Adding, Adeoye intoned that “This is the realisation of a shared dream, a dream to redefine urban living and empower our members. For over three decades, COOPLAG has stood as a beacon of cooperative strength, financial empowerment, and community development.”
Expressing his belief in the abilities of the two organizations, Governor Sanwo-Olu confirmed his trust in their efforts, noting that he has been in working relationship with the team, especially Cooplag.
He informed that having been involved in the groundbreaking ceremony, he would nonetheless be involved in every step of the way, until the project comes to conclusion.
Speaker after speaker, everyone agreed that the partnership is one of the best things to happen to the real estate sector, and would give vent the housing revolution the organisations are dedicated to.
The two organizations later put pen to paper to officially seal an agreement that was meant to materialize via the erection of beauty, style, architectural intelligence, elegance and housing space in the highbrow Ikoyi Island.
With the speeches and paperwork concluded, the guests moved outside, where the traditional ritual of scooping the earth over itself was held, signifying the commencement of the task of bringing the Oyster Towers project to reality within the next coming months.
Veritasi Homes and Cooplag are tested and trusted organisations in the housing and homes sector of the Nigerian economy.
The Impressive World of Indefatigable Investor, Adetola Nola

By Eric Elezuo
Here’s the story of a man, who read his way out of poverty. A man, who is known by a dictum not common to ordinary mortals; the dictum of perfection. It is no wonder that he is credited with the saying, “I am a perfectionist, and I take nothing short of excellence”.
His name is Adetola Nola. He is the Chief Executive Officer at Veritasi Homes and Properties, A.R.N Farms and Commodities Limited, which he founded and signed off to build one of the largest rice milling plants in West Africa; Asteric Asset Management, and Baraka Energy Lithium Processing Limited. Nola’s image looms large, and he still has years before his 40th birthday.
Nola is a typical example of the ‘real’ Nigerian youths, who are steadily proving that the not too young to run mantra is not just about politics, but spreads across every facet of human endeavour, chiefly among which is entrepreneurship.
It is therefore, not a surprise that before the age of 30, the star brained thinker, determined achiever and never-say-never entrepreneur, who has conquered the world of real estate, agriculture, mining and asset management giant, is already ruling their worlds, giving back to humanity and creating leverages that are already making the world a much more better place as well as pave the way for upcoming youths to bring their dreams to reality.
Nola is a standard measure for administrative competence, and the that fact anyone can achieve greatness if they set their minds to it.
Born 1990, Adetola Nola, is unarguably an excellence-driven and innovative real estate entrepreneur with positive energy and experience instrumental in redefining success in the Nigerian real estate industry. He does not only boast of these energies, but steadfastly put them to work and has reinvented a whole new strata of home management, estate development and all round provision of affordable housing for every class of humanity, Nigerians more especially.
A well-read intellectual, Nola is a Bachelor of Engineering degree holder in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He has not left anything to chance as regards improvement educationally as he has just concluded an MBA (Masters in Business Administration) degree at the Metropolitan School of Business & Management, London.
His strong leaning on education and in continuous learning have created in him a need not to rest on his oars, prompting him to attend many capacity development courses, including Strategic Management & Leadership courses at the London Metropolitan University, Finance and Management Courses at the London School of Business & Finance; and numerous seminars locally and internationally. Little wonder he tells anyone he cares to listen that “I read my way out of poverty”.

Ever since he ventured into entrepreneurship, Adetola Nola has not looked back; he has not allowed himself to be weighed down by the vicissitudes surrounding business establishment and grooming, and has consequently, raked in extraordinary achievements under the age of 30, prompting the magnanimous Forbes to recognise him among the Forbes Africa Under 30 Class of 2019, when he was 29.
Reacting to his selection, Nola noted that “It is an honour to be part of this list that features so many great people. Forbes has done a great job compiling and ensuring the credibility of this list since inception, and it is a leading resource for entrepreneurs, like myself.”
The CEO is an epitome of impressive leadership, corporate management skills, and rich top management experience. His expertise, knowledge and experience span sales, marketing, real estate investment, property finance, real estate advisory, management, leadership development among a long list of business and entrepreneur oriented endeavours.
From a mere start up, Nola kick-started his real estate career. He began as a real estate sales consultant with Grenadine Homes, where he recorded a plethora of successes in closing property deals. Every pie he puts his hands is on becomes a done deal. His ingenuity won him a trip to Dubai while at Grenadine. He reported that once, he sold shoes so well to a client that the client felt he could sell real estate, and there arose his interest in real estate.
In 2017, after facilitating projects for other real estate companies, he founded his own company, Veritasi with just one staff – his secretary. But his style of leadership, rooted in eye for details and profits, the company recorded over N2 billion in revenue in less than two years of operation. In his modesty, he attributed the feat to the company’s vision of solving the housing problems of middle-income earners in Nigeria.
From the proverbial mustard seed, the company has grown to boast of over 12,000 real estate consultants, 1300 Veritasi Realtors and over a score full-time staff, today. This is a magnificent leap by all standard.
Nola has remained undaunted in his pursuit of the golden fleece or the green pastures even as he encountered untold entrepreneurial hassles. It has been reported that the man, who today has a Midas touch, has failed severally in business, but his sight on the ultimate goal, kept him going. And today he is a success story. A point of reference, and a veritable instrument with a passion to see and help other businesses grow.
“All the other businesses were learning grounds for us. They failed, but they taught me a lot of things. Because when I started Veritasi, I understood business dynamics and a lot of other things. I am trying to resurrect one or two,” he said.
The entrepreneur’s experience in growing businesses from the scratch to fruition is predicated upon his ability to have either founded or co-founded five other companies, including Noah and Nola Incorporated, Pineapples Luxury Retail Store and Couture 89 amongst others. He is also the current Founder/Chief Strategist Officer of Nola Travels. It is worthy of note that Nola founded this particular business with the sole aim of helping unemployed graduates. That explains how kindhearted he is, and can always be!
Walking in the footsteps of great African entrepreneurs like Tony Elumelu, Nola has a wholesome ambition of raising at least 200 successful African entrepreneurs who will, in turn, create employment and the circle continues. He has, as a matter of fact, been training batches of at least forty realtors and entrepreneurs on business and financial intelligence in his office every Thursday since November 2018. He also helps friends and family members to analyse their businesses, just as he assists the same friends and family members to see to the fruition of their businesses.
In all, Nola has analysed over 40 businesses, and still counting, for close friends and family members in the same way he has helped in restructuring about 20 of these businesses free of charge.
His corporate social responsibility has grown in leaps and bounds, affecting lives and giving hope to as many that he has come in contact with. He is presently championing the emergence of smarter communities with green energy in Nigeria while developing and providing properties that are timely in delivery, cost-effective, energy efficient, and durable. He is also a strategic investor with investments in the automobile industry, fashion and agriculture. His catalogue of palliatives for the good of his people has remained green even as he is still a very young man.
Nola is a thoroughbred inspirational speaker as well as a resource person in many affairs of life. While impacting his community, he has acted as a resource person at many learning and discourse sessions. He has also spoken in many local and international conferences including University of Mazda, Abu Dhabi and Property Investment & Homebuyers Show, London and others.
In his quest to further affect humanity, he has partnered with a number of NGOs with the aim of eradicating poverty and establishing a positive legacy. His belief in entrepreneurship has given him leverage to solve the challenge of unemployment and poverty in Africa. He has therefore, created platforms where people can work and learn to build companies of their own.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
Nola is not new to awards considering his humongous achievements. He has to his credit multiple local and international awards among which are Most Enterprising Student from Obafemi Awolowo University; Most Innovative Staff from Grenadine Homes; Best Intern in Operations from NNPC; Young Real Estate CEO Speaker from Property Investment Show, London and Fastest Growing Entreprenuer from Grapevine Real Estate.
Nola is a force to reckon with, and had started from the earliest of stages to create the accolades that follows him today, even at his youthful age.
THE PRESTIGIOUS CAMBERWALL ESTATE, LEKKI
Recently, Nola’s company unveiled an ambitious site and services scheme in Lekki, called Camberwall Estate. This magnanimous project is coming just after the Star City Garden in Ibeju-Lekki was first released. The estate consists of service plots.
A must buy and home to every lover of affordable luxury, Camberwall, a homely estate, which is located along Eleko Beach and opposite Amen Estate in Ibeju-Lekki Council, is a few minutes drive to Lagos Business School, and proposed airport. There is no doubt that it is an investor’s delight.
Speaking about the estate, Nola said it is a residential haven designed to provide affordable experience in a conducive and serene environment. He added that the estate is designed to accommodate modern state of the art facilities like interlocked road, clinic and security beautiful landscape, drainages, street lights, and estate club houses.
That is not all, it comprises a central designed architectural piece of accommodation, which provides residents with an ideal believe of tranquility and modern convenience. As part of his innovations, he is replicating noiseless and smart homes in Nigeria.
Nola does not only have a Midas touch in business, he is a stickler to excellence, decorum and the best of services. Little wonder he rolled out the drums to celebrate staff and clients as the year 2021 wound down in a most elaborate end of year party. He is by all means the class of technocrats capable of turning the economic fortunes of the nation, Nigeria around, and needs to be giving a chance.
A typical Epicurus son, Nola is a lover of good things including splendid food, neatly and smartly tailored apparels and worthy vacations to ease the stress and rejuvenate the mind.
Welcome to the impressive world of the indefatigable investor, Adetola Nola!
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