Royal treatment! Tunde Ayeni hosts Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife

It is often said that he who rides the tides of industry influences the thought of his times. Eventually, he commands the epochs that follow and impresses his name on eternity. Such an individual no doubt sways the applause of listening Senates. If he is cut of the rare stock that Tunde Ayeni, Skye Bank boss hails from, he effortlessly attracts the patronage of leaders of men.

Thus it was hardly surprising that Ayeni earned the good graces of new paramount ruler of Ife Kingdom, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi. In a rare show of amity, the paramount ruler took time off his busy schedule to dine with Ayeni and his family. This is no doubt a rare achievement for Ayeni considering the fact that royalty hardly patronises ordinary human subjects. In another clime, when a King decides to dine with a subject, it’s akin to breaking bread with a scullery maid or royal gardener – but that was hardly the scenario that played out as Ayeni hosted Ooni Ogunwusi in his home.

The paramount ruler of Ile Ife knew he was dining with a man of charisma, an industry titan well attuned to the grandeur of elite sovereigns and leaders of men. As you read, rivals, associates and friends of Ayeni are green with envy over his good fortune. They are aware that only a man of unusual mettle could earn the good graces of a paramount ruler like the Ooni of Ife. But while they envy Ayeni, let them not forget that he did not attain his current height by sudden flight.

The Skye Bank boss was one of few men who made it big during former President Goodluck Jonathan administration. It would be recalled that the very day President Jonathan was sworn-in as President, Ayeni and his bosom friend, Captain Hosa Okunbor were some of the few privileged Nigerians invited to the Villa to celebrate with the new first family. Since then, Ayeni entrenched himself deeper into the relationship.