Goldie

Golden girl passes away, Adieu

Nigeria's sex symbol

Cossy

INTERVIEW WITH BARISTER JIMOH IBRAHIM

 

 Jimoh Ibrahim

Prominent businessman, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, is 46 today. The NICON and Global Fleet's Group Managing Director is also fast becoming a media mogul with the establishment of some newspapers. He shares his life and times with Yemi Adebowale as he rolls out the drums to celebrate.
How do you feel at 46?
I feel good. But to be honest, I have noticed some grey hair. I guess, due to hard work. I have been battling with the grey hair through constant removal. But by and large, I feel great and healthy at 46; praise and thanks to God.
At just 46, with a huge conglomerate, would you say that you are fulfilled?
Fulfillment is from God not of man. I have not completed my assignment. I am still on it. I am still on my mission to create more jobs for Nigerians and to improve on the economy of this country. I will continue doing these. However, I am satisfied with what I have done so far. I will continue until I get to a stage when I can no longer continue. Then, I will resign like the Pope did.
I guess that means you are on until age 85, because Pope Benedict XVI is 85?
When, I don't know; it depends on what God wants.
At such a young age, what is the secret of this your business success?
It is mainly due to the grace of God. After the grace of God, it is the intellectual capacity of the individual. The difference between a man that is rich and a man that is poor is knowledge. Also, the difference between a man that is a success and a man that is suffering is knowledge. If the man that is a failure gets the knowledge that will change him, he will rise from failure to success. You must demonstrate high level of intellectual capacity to solve problems. That is key. You must know how to get water from a rock. You must read widely. The success stories of all our companies are based on one case study or the other. You read books to know these. Mirror and Newswatch newspapers are based on the study of New York Times. Our Premier University, Sao Tome is based on the Harvard standard. I believe that by the time I retire, I will get somebody to come and continue from where I will stop.
There are stories about how you struggled to get education. What were the challenges like, while growing up in Igbotako, Ondo State?
I am a village boy and growing then in the village was interesting. Like every other kid, I enjoyed the village life. We would go to the river to swim and fetch water for domestic use. We would return home to eat in a common plate, while some of my seniors will use their dirty teeth to share our pomo meat. We sleep on a common mat. My story is very simple. I went to St. John's School, Igbotako; and then to Community Grammar School, also in Igbotako. Thereafter, I attended Federal School of Arts and Science, Ondo and then to the University of Ife where I read Law. I also attended Harvard University. Nothing has changed. My village still remains my village. I go there virtually every weekend. I still maintain some aspects of my village life. I still eat my good old village foods. I don't joke with my local black soup prepared with no oil. I dress like a village man. The only thing is that we are confronted every day with new ways of doing things in the city.
As a fresh graduate, did you work for anybody? How did the success story start?
Right from secondary school, I was very determined to be a success in business. My classmates in secondary school can testify to this. I never worked for anybody after the NYSC programme. The only thing I did was attachment at late Gani Fawehinmi's Chamber for a month during the law school programme. After NYSC, I started organizing seminars and lectures in Lagos, mainly for local government officials on the then new local government autonomy. As a youth corper, I built a house in my village. I built four houses in Lagos while doing my NYSC programme. I built a four-storey house in Ikotun-Egbe, Lagos as a corper. Under one year as a corper, I built six houses. So, you can see my drive.
You made huge money as a corper, doing what?
By delivering lectures and organizing seminars all over the country. I also held series of workshops, taking advantage of Babangida's local government autonomy. I collaborated with so many institutions, including the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria. It was very profitable. Some of the LG chairman that attended my seminars are now big men in the society. People like elder Wole Oyelese, who went all the way to become a minister. Over six of other also later became ministers.
How did you make your billions of naira?
You don't make a billion at a time. We also take loans in billion from banks. I don't work with the aim of making billions. I just keep doing my job and if there is big money available in the accounts, we just keep re-investing the money. You must also note that investments are not made in my name. It is in the names of the companies in the group. I just go on with my job. We have had cause to borrow billions and return billions to the banks. A billion naira is a figure as far as we are concerned. I don't really see what is so special about it. Money is simply an instrument to work with. If I show you my personal account now, you might not find any serious money in it. I operate by whatever money I can get from the companies in the group. The investments are there and the profit will come later. The profit is what I can spend for my retirement. Not keeping billions in my account.
In terms of assets, you are obviously sitting on billions of naira
O yes.
How big is your conglomerate now?
We are slowing down now. The only reason we are doing this is because human resources have been disappointing of recent. So, we are no longer doing new investments. We are consolidating on existing investments. However, I will soon resume new investments. Investments create jobs. I am always happy when I see the number of people that get paid at the end of the month. It impresses me a lot. This is what I am always out to do. I love creating jobs. Some of the companies we bought were passed on to us. We also need to pass it on to the next generation. It should not die with us. It is a pity that our environment has now influenced human resources and we are unable to get the kind of human resources we want.
What is your staff strength like now?
We have over 21,000 people working in our group within and outside Nigeria. NICON Insurance has over 1,200 workers. We have workers in Nigeria-Re; we have eight hotels with thousands of workers. Global Fleet has over 200 gas stations, with workers. We have banks in Ghana and Sao Tome; newspapers in Nigeria, University in Sao Tome, NICON Insurance in Sao Tome, all with thousands of workers. National Mirror and Newswatch combined, employ about 800 workers. As Newswatch newspapers go daily, more people will be employed. We are all over. We have a diversified portfolio which creates jobs for so many people. We are at a level now, where we now have so many foreigners working for us. We have Americans, UAE, Britons and so many Africans working for us.
How challenging has it been running all these companies?
It is about what I enjoy doing. Running 16 companies is like running four terms as a Senator. Some politicians are doing their fourth term in the National Assembly and they are not complaining. It is entrepreneurship that is in me. I always want to do more. I like to see troubled companies rescued. I like to see more jobs saved and new jobs created. We are still employing more. The bulk of our income is used for salaries. It is okay by me.
We hardly hear your name when it comes to charity. Have you been eating your billions of naira alone?
I don't know the billions you are talking about. But the point is that we don't make noise when we help people. I can't help somebody and then, go and put it in the newspapers. When we help institutions, like what we did for the University of Ife, we can put that in newspapers. We built a Post-graduate hall in Ife worth about N100 million recently. When helping individuals, I don't talk about these.
Where are you hoping to be with all these companies by age 50?
By 50, I definitely would have retired and somebody else will be running these companies. One of the CEOs within will definitely take over. I will start that process next year. Then, I will start short-listing for the new GMD that will take over. After handling the succession plan, I will retire to Igbotako to see how I can help the people of Ondo State. I am also thinking about retiring to the university to share my experience.
Are you thinking about going public with your companies?
We are thinking about that. If we go public, obviously we will make a lot of money selling the shares but what about the dividends to investors? We need to stabilize the companies very well and make them profitable first before going public. We are in a recession now which will probably not end till 2022. So, why should we now go and put a company in the market. When we are sure of the outlook, then, we will put the companies in the market. We want to be an ultimate investor. The investor is that man that ran his company and then put it on the market for others to benefit. I am praying very hard to see one of these companies in the market before I retire.
At 46, what is your message, first to your critics and then to your fans?
To my critics, well they have been very nice to me. Although, atimes, they go hare wire. They have helped me so much. I have almost finished reading the Bible and I am now heavily loaded with a lot of spiritual words from the Bible; not as a pastor. The Bible has helped me to realize the weapons I need to fight my battles.
People have a right to criticize me. But I get worried when a person running a barbing salon or a firm with ten staff, starts to suggest how to run a conglomerate. It is laughable. Somebody who does not know how a company is managed will be writing in the newspapers on how we should run our companies. It is ridiculous. He will be talking to a person with a balance sheet running into several billions of naira. It looks stupid. Some people will say 'I don't like how he closed Air Nigeria.' Do you want me to kill people? We noticed that our workers were disloyal and we had to take action. If I decide to continue running, and the plane crashes, it will bring a lot of pains to many people. So, we have been very careful about it. Nigerians should thank me that I did not kill anybody while running Air Nigeria. We have not said that we will not run the airline again. We have only taken it for surgery.
To my critics, how I wish they are well informed about me. But I must thank critics and I encourage them to continue. Some people will say that I took over a company to sell the assets. I often wonder where they get such information. If a company has that much assets, then it won't be sold. Some people really don't have correct information about our businesses.
For my fans, we are in the journey together. Obviously, we are doing it together. The support we get from them has been a big source of inspiration.

Are we safe with Energy Drinks?

Lagos — Power Horse, Red Bull, Burn, Rush, Throttle, Spark and Monster. These are some of the energy drinks that have taken over the Nigerian markets. They came in different packages and sizes and they are regarded as energy-giving drinks, capable of re-invigorating people, after the day's job. But beyond these claims, lies a shocking discovery-that virtually all energy drinks contain high caffeine than Coffee itself. One therefore wonders why the high patronage for a brand that is capable of threatening human life. Today, the percentage of the patronage in advanced countries are far less than in Nigeria as the drinks is gradually taking over the Nigerian market, though, many of going extinct due to the global recession.
A recent report released by some foreign experts revealed that some of the drinks, if not all, contain high caffeine, which is not too good for human health. Perhaps, this may have informed the recent decisions of many foreign schools to ban students from taking high-energy drinks because of their negative impacts on human behaviours.

BOVI, THE FISH- Nigerian Comedy: Girls trying to be a player

The Great God

The God of the Good times,
Is the God of the bad times
When things go wrong,
He will make them right
God of the day
Is still God of the Night
Therefore,
We must be strong
Though we wean
We must win
We must not faint
Because if we faint
We cannot obtain the promise
An the light will shine
With Glory, Holy and wonderful treasures
Be strong

Yemi Olakitan

Being Physically Challenged has not hindered my Artistry—Wale Balogun

Being Physically Challenged has not hindered my Artistry—Wale Balogun

By Yemi Olakitan

Balogun Mufutau Adewale is a physically challenged and versatile Nigerian artist. Adewale was not born with any form of disability. It began while he was growing up at the age of three. In this revealing interview with Yemi Olakitan, he explained how it happened and how he has been able to carve a niche for himself in the world of arts despite his challenges.

·   How did you discover your talents?

As a young man, my initial ambition was to become a Medical Doctor despite the fact that my talent as an artist was noticeable at a very early age. I was very lucky because I met someone who advised me to study Visual arts instead of Medicine.  He said, God has given me a talent that fits my condition since I am physically challenged, if I were a Medical Doctor, how would I handle the demands of the profession. It may even be very challenging to secure employment after school if I had studied Medicine.  It was a God sent advice and I took it. Art is something that I have been able to practice without much hindrance since I can do it with my hands and I can do it sitting down. I would not say that it has been easy but God has been very faithful.

·   ·     How did you come about your disability?

My condition started long ago when I was younger. According to my parents I was not born with any form of disability. A time came when I became ill and I had to be taken to the hospital for medical treatment. I was three yeas old at the time. A Nurse gave me an injection during the course of my treatment. The injection paralyzed my legs. My parents did not notice in time and by the time, my parents noticed the reason why I could not rise and walk, it was too late. The doctors could only save one of my legs. The other one could not come back to normal. Only one was fully healed. From the beginning, I knew that there was art in me. I could draw. I drew my mother at the age of four. I used to draw for fun because I liked it a lot. I used to use my sisters’ lipsticks to paint whatever I drew. Those were my watercolors. It was natural for me to do Art.

·   ·     How were you able to cope with the situation?

There are different types of handicapped people. There are those who were born mentally handicapped and it affected their productivity. There are those who were not born with any form of mental disability and yet they are still handicapped in their minds. I was not born with my disability nor am I affected mentally or psychologically. I know that as long as I have a sound mind, I could achieve anything I want to achieve in life. When I was younger my parents wanted to send me to school for the handicapped. I refused because my mind is not affected by my disability. There are many things that able-bodied people cannot do that I can do. By the grace of          God, It has not stopped anything good in my life.  Sometimes, it could be a plus, for example, I am a public speaker, if I stand before people to talk, before I say anything, my appearance alone will challenge them. This is why I am always working with my hands so I am always improving. 

      When I was younger I never saw my self as handicapped. I played around like any normal kid and I had fun just like them. I crawled for the first six years while playing with my younger ones. While my younger brother was six, he was enrolled in a Primary school and I was eight, at the time so I asked them what about me?  They wanted to send me to a school for the handicapped but I refused. I insisted that I had a normal life to live so I needed to attend a normal school just like any regular kid and they had to agree.

      One day, someone organized a party on our streets and everyone was going so I said to myself that why should I be crawling when everyone is walking so I went to the backyard and got myself a burnt wood from the traditional stove (adogon) I used that as crutches and helped myself to the party.  When my parents saw that attempt to walk, they decided to get me actual crutches.  The major challenge is that people never stop treating you as a second class and some even go out of their way to put you down. I was waiting by the bus stop one day when someone offered me alms. I had to educate him that I was not a beggar. There are disable people who are not disturbed by their situation and people constantly try to refer them to it. If you have physical disability and you do not have mental disability, you are fine because you can achieve whatever you set your mind to achieve if you work hard enough and with faith in God.

·   ·     Why do you choose to work with beads?

People love new things; new creativity and I want my work to stand out. I don’t want to do what everybody is doing. I choose to use beads in my paintings because of its durability. If it gets dirty, you can cleanse it easily. I want to inspire other artistes and make an impact in other peoples’ lives.  If for example, you want to encourage or advice an handicapped person it may not sink well but if you are in the same condition with him as I am and he sees that you are doing what he feels he cannot do, he will listen.  You see, a man may have a bad leg or a bad hand but the worst scenario is to have a bad head, which is terrible. There are different types of handicapped people and everyone is falling into one category or the other. You can be financially handicapped. You can be mentally handicapped. One can be spiritually handicapped. Everyone has one; even President Jonathan is facing its own handicap from Boko Haram.  I define my handicap as handy and Cap. The evidence that one is living is because of challenges. There are people who cannot feel hunger or pain because they are dead but we are alive. There is nobody without challenges, it may differ.  I always found very creative ways to live normally and to do my work. All I have to do is sit and think about it.  My wife came home, one day and discovered that I have hung all my art works on the walls of our living room and she was surprised that I could do it by myself.  She asked who helped me? Actually, I just sat down and think of the various ways by which I should hang the art works and I was able to do it. By the way, my wife has been a great inspiration to me. There is a lot of hard work in art. I sit for hours in order to produce an art piece and many times my back aches. The reward is in seen people appreciate your work.  I participate in group exhibitions a lot. I am also planning a solo exhibition soon.

·   What are your words of advice to those in similar situation?

My advice is this: Challenges are an evidence to prove that you have a great future and you are going somewhere great. There is no gain without pain. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.  My dream in life is to be ahead of the so-called able bodied. I am grateful to God. He has been there for me.

·   You are happily married; you have a family and a thriving career

To the Glory of God, even my four-year-old kid adjusts to the situation. He will even go and bring my crutches for me when I needed them. God has not allowed it to be a problem that we cannot surmount.

·   Can you mention some of the people who have influenced you?

One of them is Dr. Davide.H.Dale He developed his own style and he helped me to develop mine.  Mr. Dale is highly influential in my evolution as an artiste. I would say he contributed a lot. There are several other people who have influenced and helped me in my career as an artist. When an artist is willing there are positive people who will support him in Nigeria even a physically challenged artist.

·   Thank you very much

You are welcome