QUIET IJEBU-REMO BILLIONAIRE KUNLE SONAME BEHIND BET9JA GETTING SET TO PACK AIR PEACE TO ONE SIDE.

Kunle & Kemi Soname

... with the Governor of Ogun State

Those who know the Bet9ja generalissimo confidently acclaims to all who cares to know that, their man is one of the wealthiest men this country has produced in a while. They are even well ready to stake their reputation on it that, he might even be far richer than many of those we have also acclaimed over the years as filthy rich people. For these set of believers, Kunle Soname is actually one of the real men of timber and caliber. And for them, what has also continually baffled them, is his sense of responsibility, his humility and his extreme down to earth and accommodating nature. Not for him, shoulders held unnecessary high like a kite, but such humility instead, that should be well applauded and awarded at the same time.

The 50+ year old gentleman par excellence by the name Kunle Soname is the boss, founder and CEO of the unbelievably massive Bet9ja firm, the current Nigeria primus inter pares right now in the lottery /betting game. To try to evaluate how big Bet9ja is, unconfirmed gist says that the brand must have supported 'Big Brother Nigeria House', the soar away successful Nigeria reality series, especially this most recent Pepperdem series with about between N750 to a billion Naira (N1billion). If that's actually the true fact, then it is actually staggering to say the least.

Just imagine what a billion Naira would do in the education of many of the less privileged Nigerian kids that are struggling for lack of funds! If the brand could, truly release such an amazing amount for BBN, then try to think of how colossal it must be in terms of worth and also, how stupendously wealthy the owner must then be too!

To further buttress the point on how big this big boy actually is, he actually bought a few years ago, a 2nd division football club in Portugal! That's one story we have actually confirmed. Kunle Soname owns a 70% stake in Feirense or in full, 'Clube Desportivo Feirense'. A club with some heritage, having being founded in 1918, March 18 of that year, to be more precise. Checking on the football club's website, you would see Kunle Soname's name emblazoned their
as football club's chairman. He is also said to be the chief promoter of Remo Stars FC of Ogun State.
To let you all even get to know this man far more. It has been said that he has gotten his aviation license to own an airline company too, the name of which is ValueJet. From the underground gist about this emerging airline giant brand in the making, it is said that they have even acquired at least 7 brand new aircraft or better still airplanes and that God willing, it should launch into full fledged operation between now and the 1st quarter of 2020. ValueJet are in fact, the chief sponsor of the upcoming 50km Ultra race championship set to hold on December 7, 2019 in Remo and environs of Ogun State.

Mr. Soname the sports lover is also a philanthropist extraordinaire, who doesn't play with all and anything that concerns Remo, where he hails from. There's so much he is said to have done and is still doing for Remo, that the town is actually grateful to him for. Like the great elder colossus, in the person of Baba Ijebu, Sir Kessington Adebutu who is on another level of his very own as a philanthropist, both are Ijebus from the Remo axis and both are giants in the same type of business, lottery/betting too.

Kunle Soname, was actually the former Executive Chairman of Ikosi/Isheri LCDA for a good 8 years, from 2003 till 2011. His brand, Bet9ja at a time in 2017 supported the National Football League with N200 million Naira.

The quiet achiever has been married now for several years to his delightsome wife, Kemi Soname, a reserved but quite likable personality and they have a gorgeous but highly intelligent daughter Erioluwa, that they both dote on.

If it's with the same passion with which Bet9ja was built is how the focus would also be on ValueJet, then expect that brand also to become an household name too in just a short while. Just imagine that Bet9ja just only clocked 6 years old on September 10, 2019. And in that 6 years it has risen to be the number one betting brand bar none in Nigeria, employing hundreds and thousands of the people. Bet9ja actually has the highest stake of N40m Naira in the country.

By all standards the graduate of Political Science from the Lagos State University (LASU), who had his Secondary education at the famous Federal Government College, Lagos has done very well for himself. 

PDP'S OLUSEYI MAKINDE SLAMDUNKS APC'S BAYO ADELABU BY A VERY WIDE MARGIN

OLUSEYI MAKINDE, Governor Elect, Oyo State

If you try once, twice, thrice and the fourth time, the last time, 4th here can just be your lucky day, so it seems for the PDP Governor Elect in Oyo State in the person of the 51 year old Engineer and Philanthropist per excellence, Mr. OLUSEYI MAKINDE, who incidentally is a Christmas day boy having being born on December 25, 1967. He would be 52 by the end of the year.

Even if anyone wants to ascribe his comprehensive victory to luck, we would like to tell all those in that school of thought that far be it, this is one sweet victory that was won via hardwork, discipline, dedication, perseverance and self belief. It is one victory that was a long time coming. What this victory just attests to is that, whatever good you lay your hands upon to do, remain consistent in it, irrespective of whether you are seen and acknowledged for it, the time that the good would speak and begin to yield result and good tidings would come some day. God is never mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that also shall he reap!!

Seyi Makinde is not a flash in the pan at all and that's why his victory also is sweet, because it is one that's well garnished, well cooked, therefore it is now well served. All over the large expanse Oyo State his hand of goodwill has touched so many lives in their thousands for many years till date. He didn't just start a year ago or even 5 years ago, but for a longwhile now, the plight of those who does not really have, has been uppermost in his heart and he has never shied away from doing it. Even on the eve of the elections itself, the Mogajis attested to that as they gave him their full support. To have the support of the Mogajis (family heads), is like having the tacit support of the Olubadan-in-council. Imagine again that the highly respected Alaafin of Oyo even prayed for his success, before the election. Doesn't that say much?

Apart from his love for charity, the humble man is also a brilliant man to the boot. A graduate of electrical engineering from the famous University of Lagos, who upon graduation served at Shell Petroleum, one of the biggest oil and gas multinationals in Nigeria and from serving there, he was retained as a pupil engineer. It was at Shell and some other companies that he cut his teeth for 5 year, showing his brilliance and becoming a Field Engineer/Field Manager before resigning to set up his own company at the age of 29 in 1997. If that's not preparation for future leadership position, then we don't know what else one needs.

For more than 2 decades now, he has honed his skill, pushing through in the kind of terrain that can break the back of the most hardworking and the strongest. In the adjoining years he added other professional certificates too, he even went to one of the most prestigious schools in the world in America, that's talking about the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA better known by its initials MIT.

For one to better understand the man's doggedness, he had twice vied for Senatorial positions over the years and on both occasions 2007 & 2011) he lost. But he was never perturbed as he still believed that is time would come. Just like the Nigerian President, PMB who had tried till the 4th time before the good came his way. Jettisoning his ambition to become a lawmaker (Senator), he tried for the Governorship of Oyo State for the first in 2015, though he had a great chance, but he was robbed of the opportunity to represent his party the PDP then by the same party, so in protest he dumped the party and stood for the Governorship on the platform of the SDP, though he did his best he still lost. Again though he was disappointed by the outcome  he wasn't still totally deflated.

This time around, his party the PDP knowing they had done him bad went abegging. They understood the fact they needed to close ranks, so fences were mended and he again tried for the primaries and this time again won and he was allowed finally to represent the PDP for the Gubernatorial election in 2019 and now the rest is history.

Truth be told one of Seyi Makinde's strength is his love for his people and the people too have now reciprocated back in kind. Here was someone who without ever been in Government before at any level had cared so much for the welfare of hos people. There are the countless number of Oyo state indigenes under his sponsorship. He is not seen as being high up there, with his nose held high up, unapproachable. Not the type that does things for people as a favour. He has been there done that and we repeat again not a flash in the pan, who only came into his people's consciousness a year or 2 ago and only because he needed the people to become something.

One of the things that also endeared Seyi Makinde to his people and that led to the massive support he has gotten is also his legendary humility, a far cry from the arrogance of the head of the outgoing Government of the ruling party. That arrogance also might have pushed many of the people away from the APC, to support a man that is seen as a man of the people.

So at the election on Saturday, March 9, 2019 across the whole of Oyo State, the citizens spoke with their votes, which was the only power they could wield. Not only did they vote massively for the PDP Gubernatorial candidate Seyi Makinde, they also voted massively for the PDP state house of assembly candidates too, thereby sweeping the elections showing they wanted a totally new style and party at the helm.

At the end of the day, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde of the People's Democratic Party PDP, polled a total of 515,621 votes to massacre the APC candidate, who got a total vote of 357,982 winning by a margin of 157,639 votes. So having polled the majority of the votes and having satisfied the requirements as stated by the electoral laws, Mr. Oluseyi Makinde was declared the winner and the Governor elect of Oyo State 2019. The humble son of a teacher turned accountant, who rose by the dint of hardwork, discipline and dedication to his position today in life, would by the grace of the Almighty God, run the affairs of the pacesetter state for the next 4 years. Oyo State is in for 4 exciting new years ahead.

He deserves our accolades and we gladly from the bottom of our heart give it to him by saying "take a well deserved BOW".

With this victory now, the likes of former Governor Christopher Alao Akala, outgoing Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi have all totally lost their political relevance, what a shame!!!! 

RENOWNED DELTA STATE BUSINESSMAN/HOTELIER CHIEF DR. SONNY IWEDIKE ODOGWU HAS PASSED ON!!!!

He was a colossus in the hospitality sector of Nigeria and a well respected industrialist too. He also invested very much in real estate, insurance sector and manufacturing.

The Ide-Ahaba of Asaba, one of the most respected titles in Asaba, passed on last night, Monday, November 5, 2018 surrounded by loved ones.

Since he is a titled chief of his domain, his demise must first be reported to the Asagba-in-council first, before his death would now be announced officially.

He died aged 87, having being born on March 20, 1931. He established the SIO Group of Companies, a conglomerate that is into properties, hospitality, shipping, banking & finance, Oil & Gas, Commodities, Tourism & other sundry investments. He used to own the defunct Post Express Newspapers. He also owns the Grand Hotel Asaba, probably the biggest and the best hotel in that part of Nigeria. His SIO Properties is reputed to own one of the largest portfolio of properties in Nigeria, even Africa going as a far as Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. He is even reputed to own properties in Manhattan, New York, USA. 

Apart from his traditional titles/honour, he holds the national honours of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic and Member of the Order of the Federal Republic.

Apart from his extensive investments and vast pocket, one major thing he is well known for is that he is a philanthropist par excellence. A renowned philanthropist at that who is super well recognized all over Africa for his charity. He would be greatly missed.

A PRETTY, VERY WELL DESERVED CONGRATULATIONS TO FUNKE ADESIYAN AS SHE WINS THE APC TICKET FOR THE OYO HOUSE

She's probably one of the hardest working businesswoman/thespian we know. Ever ready to take advantage of any good business opportunities that comes her way, while still excelling as a role interpreter (thespian) too. Apart from her foray in business, farming, food processing, properties etc, she is also a noted Philanthropist who doesn't joke about it at all. Now she has added also politician to the mix.

One of her mantra for living is actually that nothing is ever impossible. She's of the opinion that if you put your mind to anything, you can achieve it and to show she puts her money where her mouth is, she recently contested for the ticket of the APC in her domain in IBADAN, Ibadan South East in Oyo State to be more precise.

And to God be the glory, the recently returned beautiful and well packaged sojourner to the holy land of Mecca and Medina actually won the ticket by defeating her rival contender by a very wide margin at that. 207 votes to 32 votes. And the resulthhas been ratified and by that she would be flying the APC flag come the next election and God willing she would add/affix the tag of Honourable member of the OYHA to her name soon after that election. Which would be another feather on her illustrous cap.

Congratulations Funke!!!  

YOUNG HANDSOME CHIMA ANYASO SLAMDUNKS INCUMBENT HON. NNENNA ELENDU UKEJE TO WIN PDP FLAG IN BENDE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY IN ABIA STATE

Chima Anyaso & Hon. Nnnenna Elendu Ukeje 

Hon. Nnnenna Elendu Ukeje 

His community in Bende Federal Constituency had been clamoring for him to come out all of these years to represent them politically for a while now and he had stylishly declined claiming not to be ready. But finally this season, after being asked again he decided the time had come to pitch in and heed the call of his people who love him to the state of worship!!!

Reason for the near cult like followership is not far-fetched at all, it's because the young man from quite an early age had identified with his people, long before politics came into it, no year passes without him doing one major thing or the other for his beloved community. Chima Anyaso in his 30s is from Igbere in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

You cannot enter that town without you immediately feeling the weight of the young, handsome and quite successful businessman, who apart from running a thriving business that's into oil and gas, hospitality and more, he is also an award winning and extraordinary philanthropist par excellence!!!

Mention the Anyaso name and it immediately rings a massive and magical bell. One of the schools in the area, probably the best school in the area, was founded by the young man and sponsored by him. Imagine funding the education of more than a hundred kids, whose parents do not pay a 'single kobo' to attend the school. There's nothing of note in the town that his hand has not touched before, Is it the biggest church in the community or what? Even his country home which is also one way the Ibos identify with their own, is a statement in class. A very beautiful and massive bungalow, that's very well laid out on a very large expanse of land with all the amenities needed in full supply. It is a place of convergence when Chima is home, which is quite often.

Apart from the fact that on his own alone he is well recognized and well followed, he is even a godson of the most powerful and probably most influential politician from his home base, in the person of 'Sir Orji Uzor Kalu'. though both are not now in the same party, as Sir Orji is now a member of the APC. Not only that alone, Chima is also married to one of the favorite daughters of South East political juggernaut, Senator Arthur NZERIBE. When he got married in the East a few years back, it was a carnival of a sort that many prominent people attended.

So when he finally decided to yield and follow the dictate of his community to represent them, those who knew him, immediately conceded that come what may, he was going to win any election whatsoever he enters into, that's because many things were already speaking for his goodwill. The 1st step towards his main goal to win the House of Representatives election into the House, was for him to test his popularity and might against another very popular and widely supported incumbent, in the person of Hon. Nnenna Elendu UKEJE, who was geared to go for a 4th term, having been 1st elected to represent her people in 2007, then got re-elected in 2011 and 2015, she had wanted to go again in 2019.

A total of 161 delegates had taken part in the election out of which Chima Anyaso polled 82 votes that's exactly 50% of the votes, he was closely followed by the outgoing incumbent who polled 70 votes about 49% of the total votes. After the whole exercise was concluded, the loser was magnanimous in defeat, congratulating Chima and restating her commitment to her party, the PDP, stating that the election was free and fair and that Chima won truly. She further thanked the people for their support over the years.

Whoever from the other parties, be it APC, APGA and the likes that would vie for the post with Chima Anyaso, would have to be at their very best or else Chima might just win the election by as much as a landslide for he has thr live and support of the people overwhelmingly!!!

ANOTHER GARLAND ADDED TO HIS CAP AS OTUNBA YEMI SAHEED LAWAL BECOMES OLORI ADINNI OF LAGOS

Who the cap fits let him or her wear it is the time seasoned or better still, time honoured adage of the sages and that's the perfect saying that can be used to describe this great man of timber and caliber, known to most by his unique initials 'YSL', but better known to all and sundry as 'Otunba Yemi Saheed Lawal', a very well respected and renowned property developer and estate owner in Lagos, Nigeria.

Come the month of September, on the the 16th of that month to be more precise, the man who has his signature stamped all over the Oniru Estate, who some have even acclaimed as the biggest property owner in that Estate, after the famous Oniru family themselves, would be installed as the "Oloro ADINNI" of the entire Lagos. The unique title, speaks about an exemplary personality, who by all standard is one to reckon with, who uses his wherewithal, resources and wealth to promote Islam, both locally and otherwise.

The philanthropist per excellence, who is also a renowned humanitarian & a devout moslem and family man has been found to be the one worthy enough, to carry the title and be installed as a top rank moslem leader in the state of excellence-Lagos. According to our findings, if Otunba Lawal hasn't built a mosque for the growth of Islam, he has donated atleast 3 humongous ones built solely by him to promote his religion, not to talk of the countless number of people that he has either sponsored or supported to go on the hajj, which is one of the compulsory task, in fact one of the pillars of Islam that a moslem must sure to partake of in his/her lifetime.

So the Bobagunwa of Isaga-Orile in Egbado area of Ogun State, who is also the Bobasuwa of Iperu Akesan in Remo area, also of Ogun state and the Ochuido of Amunike, a title given to him for his philanthropic effort by 13 communities in Enugu state is going to host family members, friends and associates to what would most definitely be a swell gathering on the day of his installation. 

IS SHINA ABIOLA PELLER ALREADY AN HONOURABLE MEMBER OF THE HOUSE?

Honourable SHINA ABIOLA PELLER ? 

Young, handsome, successful, wealthy, sociable and highly connected, those are a few of the adjectives that perfectly describes the incomparable SHINA PELLER, the chairman and MD/CEO of Aquila Group of Companies, under which is probably West Africa's most successful nite club/lounge to date-Club Quilox.

The socialite and businessman par excellence, who apart from his successful entertainment company via which he has conquered the fun scene, who also owns his own oil and gas firm and is now getting set to also conquer the tupsy-turvy world of politics, is getting set to sweep all off their feet come 2019 as he wants to represent his party APC at the Federal House of Representative in his domain comprising of Iseyin (where he is a high powered, honourable Chief of his village), Itesiwaju, Kajola and Iwajowa all in Oyo State.

With the groundswell of support that has followed his declaration a few days back, the ultimate philanthropist might be coasting home to victory already whenever the time comes for people of those areas mentioned need to come out for elections.

It is very obvious with how things have panned out that the young, smart dude may have always had the political plans since which he kept to his heart, but has only just come out now at what he sees as the best time to do so. For those who might not know where the confidence that has pushed him to declare for politics came from, Shina is an unofficial political son of the great Asiwaju of the universe, in the person of the great Jagaban Borgu, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

For those with the right understanding, they have come to know now that a stamp of approval of any kind from the Asiwaju, a thorough bred political juggernaut from the South West part of Nigeria whose tentacles has spread across Nigeria is likened, to an express endorsement from the great strategist. Not only has Shina gotten the support of the SW political godfather, the successful businessman, is also very well recognised at home, where he hails from, having the ears of his king, the royal father of Iseyin, the Aseyin of Iseyin, His Royal Majesty, Oba Dr AbdulGaniyu Adekunle Salaudeen and other members of the Royal council. Not just that alone, long before now, his homestead and environs have always enjoyed the very visible warm embrace of his philanthropy on many levels.

Shina 42, probably the most recognised of the kids of the great magician known popularly as the late Prof. PELLER has always put his money where his mouth is, not just in the village, but even those around him in Lagos know him to be a shrewd but jolly good friend too who is ever ready to extend a helping hand to those in need. The likes of K1 the ultimate and many others cannot just stop praising the young man's name to high heavens.

So would the great 'Olowo Idan' (the dude with the magic touch) as he is known or called by many who know him already on his way to the House? That's most likely a resounding YES!!! 

FOLASHADE OKOYA- ANOTHER FEATHER ADDED AS SHE'S RECOGNISED AS A BUSINESS/STYLE ICON...

Sade's outfit t CityPeople award

Come this weekend, Sunday March 25, 2018 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the very delectably gorgeous mother of 4 and dashing wife of multimillionaire businessnan behind the Eleganza Fame, Chief Razak Akanni Okoya, in the person of Chief Dr. Mrs. Folashade Okoya, would have the honour of receiving the Nigerian Women Achievers Award 2018, as their "Business/Style Icon & Philanthropist of the year 2018.

The 40 plus lady who is a director at her husband's brand has really grown in the past few, but exciting years, learning each step of the way and has gradually come into her own, gradually creeping towards that iconic status, one day at a time. Truth be told, her husband's unflinching love, attention and support and most especially deep pocket has helped in no small way to help towards her growing status. On her own side, she has helped in no more small way to bring sanity and more profit to their family business.

Some other award recipients set to be celebrated that same night are the likes of politician and daughter of the great Esama of Benin, who is a good friend of the Liberian President, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion,  controversial designer and ex-beauty queen Maryam Elisha, actress Empress Njamah, jack of many trade and seeming master of them all, the CEO of Tiannah:s Place Empire, Toyin Lawani, super learned actress and entrepreneur Chika Ike and very many others. The evening is obviously going to be mad LIT!!!!

Omosede Igbinedion

More after the break.

BOKO HARAM KID VICTIM ALI RETURNS WITH BOUNCE ON HIS LEGS AFTER SUCCESSFUL OPERATION

The young kid, Little Ali Ahmadu whose life and future had seemingly been devastated by the dastardly Boko Haram sect by an attack that had consigned him to the wheel chair awaiting a life of most probably begging or as a destitute (cripple), is now back in the country after his very successful operation in Dubai which lasted all of 3 months that has restored spring to his feet and bounce to his gait.

The young dude whose legs have been restored back to normal was in high spirit and was all smiles as he was shown to the media bouncing on his legs. He said he was fine and would love to become a policeman so as to help others and save them from harm.

With him back hale and hearty, ready to face the future head long, the foundation that helped to get him back on his feet has also promised to fund his education too. In furtherance of their philanthropic gesture to Ali, the foundation has also announced a scholarship that would take care of the little boy's education from the primary up to the tertiary institution.

THE WORLD AT HIS FEET. MAVERICK IGHO SANOMI SALUTED BY CHAMP ANTHONY JOSHUA AS HE CLOCKS 42

Show me that man that the gods are smiling on and I will show you that man, who has made a success out of nearly all opportunities that has come his way.

IGHO C. SANOMI II, the young Turk who has taken giant steps that those much older and seemingly more experienced couldn't dare take, is one of such that the gods have smiled on very lavishly at that. The young philanthropist par excellence was 42 just yesterday, May 17, 2017 and not wanting to go ostantacious like many would have done, he had a quiet celebration. But those who matter around the world and who know the worth of the young and exceedingly liquid and hardworking man, didn't allow the day just go like that, like an avalanche, the good will and good wishes poured and poured in, in torrents.  It was a flood like storm of greetings, with​ many praying for longlife and good health and more giant strides in his many endeavours.

One out of the severals who thought of salute and wish him very well, was none other than the pride of the moment, the most celebrated boxer on earth presently, the soon to become the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, the young, the handsome, the strong, the resilient, the one and only Anthony Joshua.

More after the break. Please click on read more below.