THISDAY, THE SUNDAY NEWSPAPER Ëž ͰͲ Ëœ Ͱ͎ͯ͡
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HIGHLIFE
Onyeama: Presumption of Innocence Or Presumption of Guilt? Not so long ago, Air Peace CEO, Allen Onyeama was hailed by Nigerians far and wide as a hero. He was the knight in shining aromour who came to the aid of a multitude in need, rather than a damsel in distress. Recall that as recently as September, Onyeama was a lone beacon of hope for Nigerians who yearned to abandon the heat of South Africa following xenophobic attacks in that country. Onyeama, in an unadulterated expression of patriotism and concern for his compatriots, put his airplanes at great personal cost to the service of his countrymen. For this he was hailed by all and sundry, his name shouted to the rooftops as an example to be emulated. Many in official circles and the top echelon of society grabbed any opportunity to be associated with him. Fast forward a few weeks and alas, the tune is different. Onyeama, was, two days ago, indicted by the United States Department of Justice for fraud and money laundering. The DoJ said in a statement on Friday that Onyema moved more than $20 million from Nigeria through United States bank accounts in a scheme involving false documents based on the purchase of
airplanes. Air Peace international airline’s Chief of Administration and Finance, Ejiroghene Eghagha,was also charged “with bank fraud and committing aggravated identity theft in connection with the scheme.� There is a caveat though: the statement by doJ said; “Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.� This seems to be the part lost on the many Nigerians who took to social media to condemn one who they were quick to hail not so long Onyeama ago. The online mob has swiftly turned on Onyeama, quick to pronounce him suggesting it was a PR stunt because he guilty without as much as digesting the was aware of the coming storm. His travails should serve as a warning details of the charges. to many who prance about, drunk and Onyeama’s case is an indication of how fickle many in Nigerian society giddy from the adulation of the people. are. Already some have scoffed at Today you’re a hero, tomorrow you that famously noble gesture of his, could be zero.
End of an Era: Access Bank Chairman Belo-Olusoga Steps Down
Belo-Olusoga
Times change and are changing. The beauty of the seasons is not only that they divulge the secrets of hidden natural cycles, or rattle old Mother Change from her bristling needlework, but that they announce new beauties, new blades of grass, new aches and new passions. Once in a while, they also announce new leadership, and camel-loads of ideas, old and new. And it is a new day in Access Bank as Madame Mosunmola Belo-
Olusoga stepped down as the bank’s chairman. There aren’t that many notable characters around in the first place whose propensity for continued success and accomplishment elicit equal measures of envy and admiration. And yet, Madame Mosun has ascended the heights of the financial pyramid as a dowager of industry and panache. Having thoroughly convinced the economic community that rumbling voices and balding gentlemen do not a hierarch make, it is evidently time to slow the roll and relax from the banking jungle. Thankfully, not all success stories are rife with maltreating, spiteful and scheming story casts. Sometimes boorish beginnings and steady percussions are just the right settings for something truly awesome. And Madame M embodies that awesomeness. A busy bee from all indications, even whilst she was the chairman of Access Bank, Madame M reportedly sat in
full capacity on numerous boards, not excluding Premium Pensions, Action Aid and MTN Foundation. Moreover, she featured as the non-executive director of Assets and Resources Management as well as chairman of ELAN. That should put a durable stop to moonlight stories where the naivetĂŠ of a child surrenders to the wisdom that one only has a pair of buttocks and cannot sit on plural stools. Lady Mosun has had an interesting run. To borrow the words of Walt Whitman, knowing the perfect fitness and equanimity of things, while they discuss she is silent, and go bathe and admire herself. And so whilst this season brings encomiums of her stepping down, chances are that an evolutionary cavalcade is not far behind. Seeing as her retirement from Access Bank chair was neither forced nor accompanied by slanders, but only the end of a stipulated cycle, ears and eyes should remain attentive. This is not the last the financial industry has seen of Madame M.
Bola Tinubu’s Son, Seyi, Celebrates Mom at 60 The Igbo have a name that expresses with simplicity the veneration with which mothers are held in this part of the world. Nneka — mother is supreme. Indeed, the ties of blood that bind mother and child cannot be explained away as merely an accident of biology. It is as mysterious as it is uplifting. Seyi Tinubu, the first son of the godfather of Lagos politics, Bola Tinubu, certainly takes seriously his duty of care to his mother. Bunmi Oshonaike, Seyi’s biological mother, clocked 60 a few days back and Seyi used the opportunity to show her and the world how much he cares for her. Not too many people know that his mother is not Senator Oluremi, Tinubu’s wife but that didn’t stop Seyi from going all out to make his mother’s birthday memorable. Although it was kind of a low-key affair, the few people invited to the occasion still enjoyed a very palatial
experience. Weeks before the D-day, Seyi, his beautiful wife Layla, and his cousin Olumide, had put heads together to plan the event. It held on November 16 at the prestigious Vintage Point Event Centre. Everything was on point as the ageless Bunmi celebrated her sexagenarian age in the company of her loved ones. The highlight of the occasion remained the celebrant who threw off any apparent limitations of age and partied to her heart’s content, accompanied by her sisters. She stepped out in a blush pink beaded gown that fit her curvy body that made everyone ooh and aah in admiration. Contrary to the expectations of many who thought the event would be used to launder Seyi’s image ahead of his rumoured political ambition, it was more of a family affair as most of the attendees
Bunmi Oshonaike
were known to mother or son. The celebrant remained the focus of the event all through with Seyi playing the role of a dutiful and happy son. It was an occasion to savour for the duo who don’t get to see each other too often.
Pillars Of High Society Honours Bisi Olatilo Friday , November 22, 2019 was a memorable day For Bisi Olatilo as he celebrated 20th anniversary of his classiest television programmes, The Bisi Olatilo Show. The event was held at the Balmoral Event Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the talk-of-thetown event which kicked off in the evening and was chaired by the czar of advertising and Chairman of Troyka Holdings, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo. The event was anchored by the duo of Soni Irabor and Jire Kuforiji, the event kick started with the launch of a memoir entitled: “The Art Of High Societyâ€?, unveiling of the Bisi Olatilo Foundation and BISCON Television, fashion show by top-rate designer, Ade Bakare and presentation of awards to some prominent Nigerians who have immensely supported the BOS brand over the years and excelled in their GLIIHUHQW Ă€HOGV RI HQGHDYRXU The award recipients include: Former Presidents Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Dr Goodluck Jonathan, Sir Kesington Adebutu, Dr Mike Adenuga Jnr, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, Hajia Bola Shagaya and Mrs Folorunso Alakija. Others were Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, Obi Nnaemeka Achebe,Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, Ooni Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, King Dandeson Jaja, Chief (Dr) Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Mike Inegebese, High Chief Raymond Alegho Dokpesi, Aare Rasak Okoya, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande,Dr (Mrs.) Ndi Okereke-Onyuike and Sir Emeka Offor. Also honoured were Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Prince Dapo Abiodun, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Chief Nyesom Wike, Mr Udom Emmanuel, Rt Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, Dr Peter Odili, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, Senator Chris Ngige and Mr Donald Duke. The late Chief Diepreye Alamieseigha, former Governor of Bayelsa State and Dr Olusegun Agagu, former Governor of Ondo State were celebrated with post humous awards. The Bisi Olatilo, which currently airs on AIT and Ben TV, London, is one of the must-watch programmes, especially when it comes to high SURĂ€OH HYHQWV DQG VXSHU H[FOXVLYH interviews with A-list celebs. Started 20 years ago, following the exit of the creator, Prince Bisi Olatilo, from Radio Nigeria, the multi-lingual broadcaster has repeatedly upped the game, injecting new ideas and innovations as the years pass by. Born on December 20, 1953, Prince Adebisi Joseph Olatilo, fondly referred to as Nigeria’s numero uno multilingual broadcaster on account of his mastery of the three major Nigerian languages, Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, began his early life in Kano. The polyglot par excellence was enrolled at Kiriji Memorial College, Igbajo where he was a key member of his school’s Literary and Debating Society. This was where he sharpened his oratorical skills and was in awe of broadcasters like Ikenna Ndaguba and Ishola Folorunso.