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THE NATION, SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2013
•Elumelu
•Jim Ovia
•Okoloko
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•Alakija
•Adelakun According to Conklin & de Decker, the Bell 430, a top-of-the-line executive model of helicopter, consumes approximately $200,000 worth of fuel a year, $338,000 in maintenance costs, $216,000 in crew salaries and $150,000 in hanger and insurance costs. Time pieces Wealthy Nigerians have not shot Nigeria’s name to a prominent position on the world map only on the basis of private jets and helicopters, they have also done so with their passion for exotic wristwatches. The averagely rich man in Nigeria seems to place a literal premium on the saying that time is money. While the average man considers the wristwatch as nothing more than an item for checking the time, the wealthy see it as a bodily accessory deserving millions of naira or dollars. Often crafted like a piece of art, with utmost meticulousness, high precision and expertise, the finished product is believed to worth every cent that is spent to acquire it. Such time pieces include the Quadruple Tourbillion; the Quantieme, which is reputed for its unique designs and exceptionally technical precision; the Constantine, which is personalised as requested by the client and the Hublot with its latest watch called Big Bang, designed and developed in alliance with the diamond setting workshop, Bunter SA. Tunde Folawiyo, Gbolade Osibodu, Scott Tommey, pop star Olu Maintain, Ayiri Emami, Chief Bode Akindele and
Alhaji Rasak Akanni Okoya and Madam Folorunsho Alakija, are some Nigerians who have one or more of these in their collections. Automobiles The increasing taste of the wealthy for private jets does not mean that exotic cars have been eliminated from their lists of toys. Indeed, few acquisitions ignite more passion from the rich than automobiles do. Hence, wealthy Nigerians invest a lot of money in the latest editions of cars from the world’s most renowned auto makers. They drive some of the fastest and most exotic cars on the roads. From the Ghost to Phantom models, the Rolls Royce abounds in the garages of the rich across the land. For instance, one of such can be found in the garage of Nigerian business mogul, Otunba Michael Subomi Balogun, the epitome of style whose lifestyle is the dream of many up and coming Nigerians. There are others like Hajia Bola Shagaya, Femi Otedola, Leo Stan Ekeh, Tony Ezenna and Bash Ayiri Emami. Oba Abiodun Oniru owns a $350,000 worth of Phantom. Prince Bolu-Akingbade owns two of the expensive brands of car while Chief Gabriel Igbinedion also acquired an N83 million worth of Phantom last year. The Bentley is another expensive brand of car you would find in the garages of the super-rich in Nigeria. They range from the Continental, GT and Coupe to Flying Spur, Porche and Mulsanne. Auto dealer, Victor Adegbenro Adelakun is one of the privileged Nigerians who own a N30 million worth of Bentley Flying Spur. There are others like former Nigerian
•Shagaya
ambassador to Ghana, Musiliu Obanikoro; Super Eagles star, John Mikel Obi and and Lagos-based socialite, Charles Ahize; not forgetting Oba Fredrick Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo's custom-built 2014 Bentley. Another expensive brand of car owned by the rich is the Aston Martin. It has certain features that are not found in other kinds of cars, as every part of it is designed for optimal performance. Nigerian pop star, Dapo Oyebanjo, popularly known as D'banj, drives the Vintage model of it. Ferraris, Bugatti, Porsche, Maybachs, Lamborghini, Maserati are some of the other expensive brands of car you will find in the garages of some rich Nigerians. Yacht Super-rich people are known to make different turfs the playground for their fancy ‘toys’. The ocean is not an exception as the yacht, an extraordinary item owned only by billionaires, is used here. It provides a different dimension to their extraordinary lifestyles. Those who own the luxury sea vessel are at the uppermost rung the wealth ladder. It is a symbol of opulence and glamour. The yacht is an item designed with no expenses spared. Billionaire oil magnate, Femi Otedola’s yacht named Nana, is an example. It was said to have cost more than $28 million. And he is not the only Nigerian shelling out the millions for this. Aliko Dangote, the richest man in Africa by Forbes’ reckoning, also recently spent about $23 million to acquire a yacht named Mariya. Reputable banker and businessman, Jim Ovia, is another wealthy Nigerian yacht owner.
Super-rich people are known to make different turfs the playground for their fancy ‘toys’. The ocean is not an exception. The yacht is an extraordinary item owned only by billionaires. It provides a different dimension to their extraordinary lifestyles. Those who own the luxury sea vessel are a unique class of the wealthy. It is a symbol of opulence and glamour
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