A
non-profit organisation, Business Leadership Awareness Group (BLAG) has
concluded arrangements to honour three successful entrepreneurs for
their invaluable contributions to humanity.
Former
Golden Eagles’ captain and ex-international footballer, Kanu Nwankwo,
Oil & Gas mogul, Walter Wagbatsoma and philanthropist, Sade Okoya
will be honoured for their “heart of gold” contributions at a colourful
event scheduled to hold towards the end of the year in Lagos.
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| SHADE OKOYA |
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| KANU NWANKWO |
Speaking
on the forthcoming event, the Executive Director of BLAG, Ossy Otegba,
disclosed that the non-profit organisation is currently working on a
yearbook that will promote these outstanding individuals so that they
can be encouraged to do more for humanity.
Popularly known as Papilo,
Kanu Nwankwo came from a humble background but rose to fame with
remarkable exploits in football and business. Today, he owns a chain of
businesses with diverse interests in oil, property, hospitality and
photography.
The
Owerri, Imo State-born businessman is regarded as one Nigerian with a
heart of gold because of his immense contributions to the society.
Through his many charitable works, it was no surprise that Nwankwo was a
made a UNICEF’s ambassador for two consecutive years.
A
few years ago, the former soccer star encountered a life threatening
heart ailment but miraculously got healed after surgical operations in
the United States as well as prayers from family, friends and fans all
over the world. Immediately he got healed, Kanu returned to active
football and used his fame to help assist numerous others also battling
with heart ailment. He supported many charity organizations including
Heart of Gold Hospice and later launched the Kanu Nwankwo Heart
Foundation - a non-profit organisation that raised millions of Naira for
children with heart related diseases. With the help of Kanu Nwankwo,
many have been treated both at home and abroad and are now living
healthier, better life.
Walter
Wagbatsoma has made a name for himself as one of Nigeria’s most
successful businessmen in the energy sector. He is the co-founder of
Ontaro Oil & Gas, a pan African oil and gas company that is notable
for its delivery on assured promises. Walter’s track
record as a professional in the banking and energy sectors speaks
volumes. His selfless contributions to humanity also endeared him to
many within and outside the country.
Humble and cheerful, Walter
Wagbatsoma, who hails from Delta State, previously worked with the
audit department of Shell Petroleum Development Company in the 1990s.
Walter later moved to Zenith Bank, Ecobank, FSB
International and Trade Bank where he displayed his leadership and
entrepreneurial skills to the satisfaction of his co-workers. Every one who knows Wagbatsoma would always testify to the fact that he is a goal getter and certainly not surprised when Walter won the Leventis Group’s account for Zenith Bank several years ago.
After
a stint at Trade Bank where he helped establish the energy subsidiary,
walter Wagbatsoma later moved into the oil and gas sector. His wealth
of experience and customer loyalty helped him get to the front burner of
the energy sector within a short period of time. He made an
overwhelming success of his energy business but never forgot to invest
back into the lives of the less privileged in the society. Fondly
described as a “man with a heart of gold”, Wagbatsoma also used his
influence to resolve conflicts in the Niger Delta. Some of his
philanthropic deeds include contributions towards eradicating malaria
and HIV/AIDS in African countries. One of Walter's establishments,
Canaan Logistics also donates about 80 per cent of its annual profit to
charitable organizations working with children.
An
Accounting graduate of University of Lagos, Walter Wagbatsoma also
earned his Masters degree in Business Administration in the same
institution. Walter is happily married to Otsaye and blessed with two
lovely children.
Sade
Okoya, wife of top industrialist, Chief Akanni Rasak Okoya, is one of
the nation’s most glamorous women and socialite per excellence. Tall and
elegant, the graduate of Sociology from University of Lagos knows how
to get everyone’s attention with her fab attires. However, Sade is not
just a smart woman with a pretty face, she is one woman that has a heart
of gold for the less privileged. With the support of her husband who is
the chairman of Eleganza Group and RAO Property, she annually awards
scholarships to 40 less privileged students studying in various
institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.
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