WELCOME TO BILLIONAIRE'S ROW IN IKOYI- WHERE NOT LESS THAN 5 SUPER DUPER RICH P HAVE THEIR PALATIAL ABODES

Dr Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu Ojiebesi

Folorunsho Alakija

Chief James Ibori

Nestoil HQ

Many years back a well known, very well recognised, super stylish man of God by name "Pastor Kris Okotie of the Household of God Church", who is specially blessed with the gift of the garb, rephrased a popular saying thus "Birds of identical plummage, congregate in the same vicinity", that time honoured statement is very apt in describing what we are focusing on here today.

Truly and truly, only soul mates connects and stay in the same area, minions always find their levels, like they say water has levels.

Ikoyi Crescent in Lagos, is one of those roads or streets that tries to help define very well, the apt statement above. At the beginning part is Victor Gbolade Osibodu's Vigeo HQ, while at the end of the same road that also houses the residence of the US Consular General, is the humongous 5 star hotel still under construction and owned by another super rich man, in the person of the Ide Ahaba himself, Chief Sonny Odogwu.

Years back in the late 80s till for a long while the street played home to one of Nigeria's great industrialists, in the person of the Chief Razak Akanni Okoya of the Eleganza Industries Fame. That spread of high-rise buildings, which had the gracious money man's suite too, used to be a beehive of activities then, as it hosted many wondrous parties, where the who-is-who of that time used to gather. That was until Chief Okoya relocated to his Olorunisola palatial home along the Lekki-Ajah Expressway.

Not too far from Chief Okoya then were the houses of whoever became the then Chief Justice of Nigeria and then the Vice-President or Chief of General Staff in the military government then. Ikoyi Crescent has always had its history as a major part of the very valued old Ikoyi.

There is what just saying you live at the old Ikoyi end conjures in the mind of the initiates, it immediately says you are part of old money and old money means part of the establishment, those who make things go tick and tock.

Now fast forward to the recent times, that stretch still retains some of the ambience of the old, but it has now been transported to a much higher realm now. Though it is still the rich that abodes here, they cannot just be described in that too familiar term. Those here now are not just men and also woman of timber and caliber, but these are people of extraordinary and strathospherical means, in other words "Billionaires". Hence the reason why that stretch of road has been recoined Billionaire's Row.

Imagine that one of the 2 wealthiest black women (African) on earth lives on this row! And that's none other than Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija of Famfa Oil fame. Mrs Alakija very recently showed the world in London, that she's a certified, Forbes rated billionaire unparalleled with that humongous wedding of her son which held the land of the queen mesmerised. London has always known the African and Nigerian rich and the wealthy, but they had never felt the power of such wealth, the way Mrs. Alakija razzled-dazzled everyone earlier this year on all counts. Madam and her family are residence on the Billionaire's row.

Right opposite Mrs. Billionaire is the humongous and superlative edifice of none other than, Dr. Billionaire himself by name Dr. Ernest Nnaemeka Azudialu Ojiebesi, the intimidating Lion of Okija, who is the Osuofia (pathfinder, clearer of bush) of Okija In Ihiala LGA of Anambra State and who is the owner of Nestoil.

More after the break. Please click on read more

FRIENDS, FAMILY MEMBERS, ASSOCIATES ET ALL CELEBRATES JAMES ONANEFE IBORI'S BIRTHDAY IN ABSENTIA WITH POMP!

BIRTHDAY BOY

IBORI'S DAUGHTERS

 

BIRTHDAY CAKE

The incarcerated former Governor of Delta State, in the person of Chief James O. Ibori, whose cousin is the present Governor of the oil rich state and most probably the richest state in Nigeria, is still very relevant in the scheme of things in Nigeria, especially in his state-Delta.

Though the former Governor is still a guest of Her Majesty the Queen of England, in one of her jails for sundry criminal offenses, his birthday a few days ago August 4, 2013 to be precise was celebrated in his home town Oghara, Delta State by his friends,family members,admirers and associates & many others with plenty of pomp.

It was a large gathering of many very important personalities and their followers from the Delta region, who all came out in large numbers, to show solidarity with and celebrate a man who has meant so much to them either in jail or outside of it. It was also a way to show how still very relevant the former Governor is.

Chief James O. Ibori, the very influential PDP Stalwart before he ran away from the country to Dubai from where he was extradited to the UK to face the court for running afoul of the law and was subsequently jailed, was a very influential power-broker in Nigeria (the well renowned CNN DESCRIBED HIM AS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL POLITICIANS in Nigeria in recent times), who was well celebrated with many titles while he was in ruling in Delta State; he would adding a new title to his many other titles- that of an ex-convict, by the time he comes out of jail in some months time.

If this birthday celebration is a pointer to what we should expect when he would be released, then we must expect a mother of all party, to celebrate the 'warrior who has gone to the battle field and conquered, winning a gloriously great victory.

The 3 days birthday celebration train began with a thanksgiving service at the First Baptist Church, Ogharefe, where the Pastor of the Church- Pastor Godswill charged those who attended to emulate the former Governor!

Hear the ' Man of God' What is that aspect of Ibori's personality that could attract such a mammoth crowd, which filled the church and overflowed outside, he had asked before answering his own question thus: ''It is a given that Ibori is a huge success. You have come to Oghara today because Ibori is  a man who after climbing high in the social, political and economic ladders of Nigeria, did not seize and throw away the ladders in the way that most Nigerian big men usually do; he made the ladders available for others to climb up too.

The 3 days birthday celebration of 'his grace', Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who clocked 55 years at the weekend- being born on August 4, 1958, would end today, Tuesday, August 6, 2013 with a topflight novelty football match in his honour set for the Ogbara Township Stadium.

All hail the birthday boy. Long may you live!!! You are a Lion par excellence!

MORE PICTURES OF THE CELEBRATION AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW

DR WALE BABALAKIN'S DILEMMA- THE SAGA CONTINUES

Just like they had threatened to do, the EFCC has gone ahead to file charges against Dr Wale Babalakin and 4 others for allegedly helping to  launder about 3.4 Billion Naira for the disgraced former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who is currently in jail in London, through Mauritius. 

The whopping amount was earmarked for the purchase of a Challenger aircraft. Those charged with the brilliant lawyer are Alex Okoh, Dr Babalakin's company Bi-Courtney Ltd, Stabilini Visinoni Ltd, another company where Dr Babalakin is a director and Renix Nigeria Ltd. 

In all 27 count charges were filed against the 5, at the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja Division. Their arraignment in court would be coming up later.  According to report, there is the risk of a 5 years jail term for the accused if convicted of the offense.

DR.WALE BABALAKIN'S DILEMMA

First the Federal Government tore his Bi-Coutney Consortium contracts to shreds. The company had been awarded the concession of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway since 2009. That's about 4 years ago, but apparently since nothing whatsoever had been done prior to the termination of the concession, the Federal Government had to move in for the good of all. 

Now after that unfinished business, with both sides threatening to meet in court to iron out issues etc. Same concession was immediately awarded to Julius Berger and R.C. C. Nigeria Limited, who are to commence work immediately. While the dusts on that contract imbroglio is yet to settle, Dr. Wale Babalakin, is having to fight another battle on another front. This time around, with the EFCC(Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) over a 2 Billion loot said to belong to the now disgraced ex-Governor of Delta State, James Onanefe Ibori.

Though, the lawyer and very influential businessman is said to have declared his innocence, we hear that the EFCC might be arranging to file charges against him, since they suspect that the said money was supposedly laundered through one of his companies. 

While some are of the feeling that the allegations should be investigated very well and the necessary things to be done. Some are of the feeling that Dr. Wale Babalakin might have fallen out with some people and this might be the reason(s) he is facing his present dilemma.  

DR WALE BABALAKIN