Nigerian-Million-Makers (Chief Dele Momodu)

DELE MOMODU

More than 85 percent of all millionaire entrepreneurs never went to higher institution or never finished.  What makes it possible for people who might seem ordinary to achieve great things? It is passion. Nothing can take the place of passion in their lives.  I am particularly surprised how we under rate the power of passion.

One man who is so passionate about what he does is Chief Ayobamidele Ojutelegan Momodu, a renowned Ghana-based journalist and the publisher of Ovation International, a monthly celebrity magazine.  Born May 16, 1960 in Ihieube Sabogida-Ora in Edo-State, Dele Momodu attended L.A. Primary School, Ifewara; Ohu Orogbo High School; St. John’s Grammar School; and then University of Ife, Ile-Ife, where he studied Yoruba. He lectured at Oyo State College of Arts and Science, OSCAS, Ile-Ife, where he taught Yoruba and English literature and later worked as a hotel manager at Motel Royale in Ile-Ife.

He started his journalism career when he took up a job at the defunct Premier newspaper, owned by Akin Omoboriowo, former Deputy Governor of old Ondo State.  He later joined Weekend Concord a weekend tabloid as a Literary Editor from where he rose to become the News Editor. Bob Dee as he is fondly called left the Weekend Concord to join Classique magazine in1990. In 1993 he became the public Relations Consultant to M.K.O Abiola’s (Hope 93) Presidential Campaign Team.

He later became a bread distributor with Wonder Bakery, an outfit owned by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. That was the beginning of his relationship with the late industrialist which culminated to his joining Abiola’s political organization. It was here he got his first baptism of fire when he was arrested and detained by the police at Alagbon over his role in the struggle for the actualization of the annulled June12, 1993 Presidential election. When he was released the fear for his life drove him into self exile in London.

He was returning from Abeokuta to Lagos, sometime in 1995 when he met his wife, Mobolaji on the way, and she told him not to go home as four hefty men had earlier paid a visit to their house warning him to disappear, because the Late Nigerian ruler, Gen. Sani Abacha was making plans to incarcerate him.  On July 26, he disguised as a farmer and escaped through the bush into Cotonou, Benin Republic and from there to Ghana and finally to the United Kingdom.  He was later joined by his wife and son and they were accommodated by a friend, Gbenga Olunloyo.

His desire was to publish an African magazine for Africans and to create a forum where the real picture of Africa would be represented to the world. Ovation’s main focus, which is still its core value today, is the celebration of Africa.  That was why when the first edition rolled out of the press in 1996, it had Egyptian billionaire and owner of Harrods, Mohammed Al-Fayed on the cover.  Taken after the red-on-white cover as Britain’s Hella! The publication became an instant toast not only in Africa but across the globe.

With a monthly circulation of around 100,000, the magazine in 2003 launched Ovation Afrique in Accra, which is geared towards unifying the continent and helping propagate the ideals of its founding fathers. Though forced to flee the shores of our great country by Gen.  Sani Abacha in 1995, yet Abacha’s children’s weddings and parties grace the pages of the magazine, which is today the only bi-lingual in its category, publishing every story in English and French languages.

Dele Momodu who has as his hobby modeling, socializing, writing and traveling has invested millions of dollars, in Ghana and in December of 2006 introduced a new brand in the Ovation group of companies that now include Ovation Protocol, Ovation Television.  African Star Communication, publishers of Star newspaper and of course House of Ovation Restaurant.  He has won several awards and recognition for his leadership roles.

Nigerian-million-Makers (Jimoh Ibrahim)

 JIMOH  IBRAHIM

Success has nothing to do with sex. It has to do with your desire to succeed, the determination to excel and the ability to dream. For if it has to do with where we are coming from or age, then someone like Jimoh Ibrahim, in his early forties, wouldn’t have been considered today on Nigerian-Million-Makers. Born in 1967 to the family of Alhaji Yakubu and Omofemiwa Jimoh in Igbotako in Okitipupa, Ondo State, a descendant of Idogun Tibogi Family in Osooro Ikale Kingdom. He had his early education at Community Grammar School, Igbotako and from there to Federal school of Arts and Science, Ondo. It was at this school that he became a Christian. He proceeded to study Law at Lagos State University and later changed to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in Osun State, for a degree in international Law and Master in Public Administration. He also obtained a Masters degree in Economics and International Tax at Harvard University.

          As a kid, he dreamt of being famous, to become a successful person, to become one of the celebrated people in the world, to become renowned among his colleagues and to become someone that will contribute meaningfully to mankind. It was reported that he loved living big right from when he was in the village. Then whenever he makes money from petty contracts he would buy milk and beverages and after drinking them he would use the empty tins to decorate his room.

          He worked as a consultant to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on tax reforms in Croatia and Estonia. He was also part of the Harvard team that went to Bangladesh to build the tax reforms. With seven lawyers in his Law and Justice Chambers, he practiced Law for six years, appearing in various courts from the magistrate to the Supreme Court. He authored Indigenous Government in Nigeria Governance in Nigeria and published two volumes on Mohammed Bello.

          He was a special Adviser to the Military Administrator of Bayelsa state, a member of the exclusive Federation Account Allocation Committee and was Chairman of FAAC News, the first monthly magazine that published the activities of that Committee. He was executive Secretary, African Center for Policy Studies; to various bodies and multilateral institutions; and presently Chairman Global Fleet Companies and Group Managing Director, NICON Group.

          It’s on record that as a youngster he got petty contracts and used some of his father’s bricklaying material to execute them. He started making millions in his mid 20s. In fact he made his first million during his youth service period. Then he discovered that the Local Governments did not have a law of their own, but the state and the Federal Government in the country and that fetched him N3.6million. that same years, he organized about 14workshops for top public functionaries at all tiers of government and by the time he was finishing youth service, he had about N70 million in his account.

          It all started when he acquired a swampy land at the Victorian Garden City (VGC) gate with the money he made from which he later transformed into an ultra-modern filling station with two expensive banking halls. Barrister Jimoh, who used to sleep four hours a day when he started, was the one who brought the concept of bringing in banking halls into oil marketing. Though the initial budget for developing the property was N21 million, two banks paid a rent of over N40 million which was too much to build  the station, the surplus was invested in real estate. After the VGC outlet, he opened another station at Ilupeju bypass which is likely to be the biggest outlet in the country. When it was finished, three banks wanted it at the same time. In less than a month the VGC and Ilupeju Stations built the Shomolu station and a bank paid the rent on it. Within a few years he was able to acquire hundred of filling station and has vowed never to stop until he gets to one thousand. He currently imports petroleum and has a bug storage depot in Apapa.

          Today, he has ventured into several businesses and all of them are doing very well.  They include hospitality industry, telecommunication, banking, real estate, block making, carpentry, industrial dry cleaning, roofing tiles, insurance etc.  His 70 per cent (N46 billion) equity stake in National Insurance Commission of Nigeria (NICON) during the privatization period is still the talk of the town.  He also staked a claim in the purchase and control of Executive Airlines Services (EAS), an airline operator which was changed to Nicon Airways.  The Nicon Group now has eleven subsidiaries.  Nicon Properties; Nicon Energy; Nicon Academy; Nicon Trustee; Nicon Insurance, Nicon Investment; Nicon PFA, Nicon Hotels; Nicon Sao Tome; Nicon Airways and Nicon United Kingdom.

          Barrister Ibrahim who some section of the media calls the Mystery Investor but who considers himself as an average person has special endowments like foundation that provides scholarship for thousands of indigent students annually.  He has invested more $2 billion in the Nigerian economy.  He is so passionate about creating employment for Nigerian youths and turning them out as future entrepreneurs.  This is the reason why he in conjunction with City People magazine organizes motivational talks for the Nigerian youths.  His life is ruled by passion to turn business situations around. In many instances, he has picked up ailing enterprises and created wealth out of them, which is the reason President John Kuffour of Ghana sent a delegation to him to extend his business empire to Ghana.

Positive Side:

          He believed he can succeed, irrespective of his background, sex or education. One may not need a lot of money as start up capital, Barrister Ibrahim started his seminar business by writing letters and distributing them through Liaison Offices in Victoria Island which carry letters to the States free of charge.  What matters is the idea.

          Also, he never joke with his integrity.  Today, banks are ready to grant Barrister Jimoh and any of his companies billion of naira worth of facility because he has never defaulted in the previous ones.

Nigerian-million-maker of the day (Professor Dora Akunyili)

PROFESSOR DORA AKUNYILI

           Once there is clarity of vision, a demonstrable sincerity of purpose and leadership by personal example, the people follow. This is exactly what “Nigeraian-Million-Makers”  is all about. X-raying the life and times of those who have gone ahead of us and are willing to provide qualitative leadership to the younger generation. This is what Professor (Mrs) Dora Nkem Akunyili has done by her exemplary qualities and leadership roles.

          Born in Markudi on the 14^th of July, 1954 into the family of Chief and Mrs. Paul Young Edemobi who bails from Nanka in Anambra State, Prof. Akunyili married in Agulu, also in Anambra state of Nigeria. She was educated at St. Paatrick’s primary school, Isuofia, Anambra state in 1966 and Queen of the Roseary Secondary School, Nsukka. Her performance in both primary and secondary school earned her Eastern Nigeria Government Post Primary Scholarship and the Federal Government of Nigeria Undergraduate scholarship. She earned B. Pham (Hons.) in 1978 from university of Nigeria, Nsukka. She was a post Doctorate Fellow of University of London and a Fellow of the west African Post Graduate college of Pharmacists.

          Dora first displayed her character in public office in 1997 when she was working for the PTF. She was said to have been given 17,000 pounds for a surgical operation in London, but on further medical investigation it was found that her aliment did not require surgery anymore. By this time, 5,000 pounds had been spent. She simply returned 12, 000 Pounds to the PTF. This single act brought her to be attention 12,000 Pounds to the PTF. This single act brought her to the attention of the PTF authorities in Abuja through Professor chimere Ikoku, former Vice Chancelor of UNN who was on the PTF board. It’s a belief in several quarters that this act of transparency more than any other thing recommended her strongly for the post of NAFDAC Director-General.

          Within four years, Prof. Akunyili (who has authored a book,) presented several papers and written several articles) recorded remarkable successes in reducing fake drugs prevalence in Nigeria from 41 percent to 16 percent, as of 2006, thus saving the lives of thousand of Nigerians. Owing to the efforts of her agency, Nigeria received cheering reports of decline in death rate and kidney failure. The agency achieved 100 percent universal salt iodization, thus making the country the first in Africa to be credited with achieving such feat.

          At a time that the country was rated the second most corrupt nation in the world, she was in the news as having received an award for integrity and transparency from the same organization that detected the colossal case of graft in the country, Transparency International. There is no doubt that the doggedness and determination of Akunyili to stamp out fake drugs in the country has endeared her to many Nigerians who see her as one of the best to have been appointed by the Obasanjo administration.

          Prof. Akunyili, believes Nigeria has the potentials of becoming a great nation if it could eradicate corruption; imbibe the fighting spirit of the Japanese, the determination of the Germans, the attitude of the Chinese and patriotism of Americans. Her contributions which have led to the destruction of counterfeit and substandard products valued for about $ 120milliom, has made it possible for about 12 companies belonging to the health sub-sector, to be listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), as doing well. The companies are not giving their shareholder sleepless nights any longer as the regulatory environment for their operation continues to improve. Her name alone attracted favor for the needy.

Prof. Akunyili got an award from Silver Bird Communication Nigeraia in 2005 at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Prof. Akunyilis who has led Nigeria out of the nightmare of being a haven for fake and adulterated drugs is perhaps the most decorated Nigerian alive. The New York-based Times magazine recognized her as one of the “heroes of our time” she has been honored with over 390 awards since 1999, for her performance. She was named the first African winner of the famous International Pharmaceutical Federation (IPF) Medal award.

          In February 2006, one hundred and sixty top regulation chief executives of various countries converged in Rome, Italy, to establish the International Medical Products Anti-Counterfeiting Taskforce (IMPACT). The formation was later ratified at the International Conference of Drugs Regulating Authorities (ICDRA), at Seoul, South Korea in April of the same year. On Wednesday, November 15, 2006, Prof. Akunyili, whose hobby includes reading and writing was elected as vice chairman of the body in Von, Germany came closely on the heels of organization. The election in Germany came closely on the heels of her re-election as chairman of West African Drug Regulatory Authorities Network (WADRAN) during an International Conference Held in March, 2006 in Abuja.

          Some Nigerian women also brainstormed, strategized and resolved to adopt professor Akunyili as their presidential flag bearer close to the April 2007 general elections in Nigeria. Though she didn’t contest, but it was an indication of the level of confidence and trust by the public particularly women.

Dora Akunyili is now the Minister of Information and Communication after her meritorious service as the boss of Nigeria Food And Drug Administration (NAFDAC) a tough job where she recorded an unparralled excellence.

She made indelible mark, either seen or unseen in the lives of millions of Nigerians.

Her Positive Side include:

Making honesty a habit no matter the condition or the environment she found herself.

 A sense of purpose in everything she was doing.

Courage in safeguarding the health of the nation, despite resistance from syndicates profiting from fake drugs business. On December, 26, 2003, gunshots were fired at the NAFDAC boss at her country home, Agulu. The assassination attempt failed, but it made her even more credible in the eyes of the public.

She also exibited absolute commitment and care to mankind. Remember a good name is better than silver and gold.

Nigerian-Million-Maker (Isaac Durojaiye)

          ISAAC DUROJAIYE

"Shit business is serious business" -Isaac Durojaiye, Founder DMT Toilets, Nigeria. 

Isaac Durojaiye, or Otunba Gadaffi as some have chosen to refer to him, is a Nigerian in the business of shit. Okay, sorry, he is an Environmental Sanitation Entrepreneur- better? But whatever names or synonyms you’d rather use to describe what he does, he really doesn’t care! All he smells is "money and not the Shit" since his business started in 1992.

Walking on the street of Okeke Okonkwo close to the Hausa settlement in Abakaliki, a town formerly in Anambra state which now became the Ebonyi state capital around 10pm was a man called Isaac Durojaiye. This is a man who evacuates human waste with buckets on his head and broom dangling in his hands. He was on another routine call to the area.

So was the life and living condition of young Isaac in the late seventies. He was very young, poor Nigerian, but very determined to make something out of life. He was born and brought up in a neighborhood with a very big compound of one room apartment each (popularly called face-me-I face–you in Nigeria local parlance.) People who do the kind of job he was doing were regarded as failure and relegated to the background in Nigeria.

Isacc   Durojaye was born in Lagos and had his Elementary Education there. He also attended Ipetu – Ijasha grammar school Ipetu – Ijasha, osun state Nigeria, Accra polytechnic Ghana and Eastern College of Technology in United Kingdom where he studied Graphic Design and Business Administration.

He did all kinds of jobs to survive during his study in England including working with American Express Card and U. K. security division as a credit and fraud investigator.

He took a tough decision to return to Nigeria to contribute meaningfully to the development of his father’s land. Surviving them became more difficult for him to the point of selling his car stereo to feed and later thinking it was a wrong decision he took to return to Nigeria. Thank God for the encouragement he got from Danladi Bako who knew his potentials and urged him to stay back.

He got a job as the chief security officer of late Chief M. K. O. Abiola. This opened a new chapter in his life and the entrepreneurial industry in Nigeria. The tuning point came during Kola Abiola’s (M. K. O. Abiola’s son) wedding. He noted as the chief security officer that only two toilet were available for over 10,000 guest expected at the occasion. He was mandated to look for a mobile toilet company when he brought this to the attention of the planning committee. He couldn’t see any, because there was none in existence in Nigeria

He quickly thought of construction one, and with three shipping container, he constructed 18 toilets, and this worked well. Years later he decided to put tires on his invention and the first wagon mobile toilet was in business.

However, for four years, the wagon toilet was displayed but there was no single order until 1996 when somebody hired the wagon toilet. And ever since then, it has been a different story. In 1999, on a trip abroad for an Interpol conference, he saw some plastic mobile toilets, took interest and later imported 40 of them. It later became difficult to keep importing. This made him look inward and from 2002 till dates DMT Mobile Toilets, his corporate outfit has been able to manufacture thousands of mobile toilets equipments of international standard.

Many of these toilets were purchased in foreign countries while the rest are used in Nigeria. The first mobile toilet was constructed with N90, 000 and today he has invested well over N100, million without owing any individual or bank. They have become official toilets in some Nigerian states with over 19 branch offices in Nigeria including Lagos and Abuja as the strongest points, as well as 7 other branches in the West Africa sub-region. About 300 DMT mobile toilets were used by the Government of Nigeria during the 8^th All African games COJA , in Abuja in 2003 and during the Common Wealth Heads of Government meeting CHOGOM hosted by Nigeria in December 2003. It is gradually being appreciated in major events organized by individual, corporate bodies and government.

His vision is to make available a functional toilet facility within three electricity poles, an idea he got from Dr Sullam of Indian who has about 1.5 million toilets scattered all over Indian providing job for about 4.5 million people.

DMT is also looking into processing human waste into fertilizer; and other things by acquiring ten-acres of plots of land in Ogun state Nigeria for its manufacturing plant. He has received many national awards

He gets Inspiration from the works of Bishop David Oyedepo, Mike Murdock, Dr D.K Olukoya, Robert Schuller, Aliko Gangote, Razaq Okaya and other role models.

-He had to sacrifice personal comfort and enjoyment in the beginning of his business.

-He started small, patiently and painstakingly built DMT to a reputable standard. And now he has become one of the outstanding and successful millionaires in Nigeria.

Nigerian-Million-Makers (Pastor Bimbo Odukoya)

PASTOR(MRS) BIMBO ODUKOYA            

She was third in a  row of three girls, born on the 12^th of September 1960 to the family of Mr and Mrs Oladipupo Willains of Abeokuta, Ogun state Nigeria. Pastor Abimbola Rosemary Odukoya the co-pastor of the fountain of Life church and the president of single and married ministry had her primary education at St. Mary’s private school Lagos, the holy child college, Lagos, had her ‘A’ level at Federal Government College Ijanikin Lagos where she gave her life to Christ in 1978. she also attended University of Ibadan Nigeria where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Archeology.

After graduation she worked as a curator in the cultural arts department of the National Arts Theatre during her National Youth Service scheme where she was retained as a permanent staff in the centre for black Arts and culture (CBAAC)she worked there for seven years.

She met her husband Pastor Taiwo Odukoya in 1979 courted with him for five years and got married, as a virgin in 1984. She became a full time pastor in 1992.

Pastor Bimbo learnt to priorities her roles as a wife, and minister, running a light schedule. A prolific writer, author, columnist in various National and international newspapers and Magazines, such as Thisday, Sunday Independent, leadership, city people and lifestyle Magazine (UK) amongst many other, she was a national and international speaker, one of the most sought-after at home and abroad, the theme of her message remained: a call to sexual purity and fidelity.

What importantly made her an icon among single and married Christians in many parts of Nigeria is her single and married ministry started in 1993 as an outreach of the fountain of life church with the vision to build the home and thus the nation and to equip the saints for life and ministry. The ministries was to nutured singles on the Christian principles of building a happy home and motivate married couples to uphold the sanctity of marriages as prescribed by God.

She was the producer and host of an international television ministry tagged single and married and also the chairperson of Discovery for women, a ministry dedicated to challenging, motivating and empowering women in their various roles as wives, mothers and leaders.

Pastor Bim as she was fondly called was know to be a generous giver. She gave buses for missionary use, donated to several charity organizations at Koma Hills and others.

She may have gone to glory since December 10, 2005 in the Sosoliso air crash in Port-Harcourt Nigeria, but her legacy still lives on. She touched her generation that not only people of diverse denominations and callings came to register their condolences, but Muslims sending  delegations to the church. Her sermons/Video clips has been committed to the continued airing of single and married programs on 16 television stations, with international viewers in Ghana, Canada and the U.K. as part of the mandate of Pastor Bimbo Odukoya Foundation (PBOF)