…Why his party attracted the crème of Nigeria’s high society 
Some days back, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the chairman of Odu’a Investment Company, treated family, friends, and colleagues to a fabulous time at the ballroom of the prestigious Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, to celebrate the 60th birthday of his beautiful wife, Kemi. He pulled all the stops to ensure that all their guests and the ‘birthday girl’ had a ball and a blast.
The birthday ceremony began with a thanksgiving service at The All Souls’ Church, Lekki, Lagos. Among dignitaries at the thanksgiving service were Nigeria’s former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Dapo Abiodun, former Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Pastor Tunde Bakare, Mr Tayo Ayeni, Mr Dapo Okubadejo, Mr Tunde Okunowo, Mr John Momoh and wife, Sola; and Mr Segun Awolowo Jnr.
As the rays of dusk streaked through the Victoria Island skyline, it was evident to all and sundry that the evening would be everything and more that the suave banker-turned-public office holder promised. At the high-octane event, politicians shook hands with corporate players, top bankers embraced top celebrities, former governors and incumbent governors back-slapped cheerily, and everyone wore a happy smile as they wined and dined.
The champagne cocktail proceeded smoothly and very calmly as it was proficiently convened with commendable civility and grace. Adorned in the most exquisite finery, the exclusive guests strolled into the waiting arms of very pretty ushers who led them in courteously. Every guest was given royalty treatment as they were treated to the choicest brands of champagne and cognac.
Asides from the assorted liquor, the guests were also treated to delicious finger foods and dessert that sufficiently wetted their palates and sated them. Teetotallers settled for carefully-selected fruit juices and soft drinks but did not miss out on the wholesome entertainment as a soulful medley of classic and contemporary music wafted from well-appointed woofers causing them to sway, shuffle, and waltz as much as the music moved them, and transported them to euphoric cusps.
The Shuga Band, buoyed by the ecstatic response of guests to their music, upped the tempo, leaving everyone swooning for the greater part of the event. Originally billed to be a four-hour soiree, the gig extended far into the night, and despite the fact that the next day was a Tuesday, many were willing to go on forever.
Those who know the Ashirus, especially Abimbola, were not surprised that the Monday evening party attracted the crème of Nigeria’s business and political elites, who converged to celebrate Kemi, a successful lawyer, and wife of their dependable associate. At 60, the glitter and gloss of bullion blocks pale to the radiance of Kemi who effortlessly surpasses the shimmer and allure of overstated praise. She epitomises merit and affluence with indescribable allure. She’s got a heart of gold too.
Indeed, it was a great party and an undeniable testament to Ashiru’s worth as a true man of the people. An accomplished banker and astute politician with sterling private and public service records, the brilliant technocrat, who was once dubbed ‘the discreet saviour of Ogun State economy’, has proved his mettle as having vast knowledge in resuscitating a dying system. This much he demonstrated with his stint as a two-time Commissioner for Commerce and Industry (2011-2018) during the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun.
Under his stewardship, the Ogun business environment developed beyond imagination with an astronomical increase in its Internally Generated Revenue. Also, over 300 companies established their presence in Ogun State with a cumulative investment profile of about N691.77 billion as of 2014, which placed Ogun State in the first position in Nigeria, according to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.
Under Ashiru, 75% of Manufacturing Foreign Direct Investment into the country between 2011 and 2016 came into Ogun State. Also, during his tenure, the World Bank Group, in its Doing Business in Nigeria 2014 Report, ranked Ogun State as one of the top five in terms of ease of doing business against the 36th position in its 2010 report. He also facilitated the creation of a One-Stop-Shop Investment Center (OSSIC) to assist potential investors.
Ashiru was appointed in June 2022 as chairman of the board of Odua’ Investment Limited, a conglomerate with substantial investment in real estate, printing and publishing, equipment leasing, food and beverages, agriculture & agribusiness, construction and manufacturing, hospitality, financial services, and oil & gas. The company has also identified other key sectors such as energy, logistics, health care, and ICT/Digital Telecommunications for potential focus to enable the achievement of its strategic objectives.
