Images from A trail of Choices
Images of Anonymcustom jerseys air jordan 1 nike air jordan mid best soccer jerseys yeezy shoes under 1000 cheap basketball jerseys bouncing putty egg asu football jersey full lace wigs custom maple leafs jersey yeezy boost 350 adidas yeezy boost 350 v2 dazzling blue air max 270 women crown skinless skin condoms air jordan 4 retro military blackous Nipples
Today at the Nigeria Exchange Group NGX, we received the United Kingdom Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs The Rt. Hon James Cleverly MP and the British High Commissioner, Dr. Richard Montgomery, where we discussed two levels with His Excellency.
First, at the Country level, we asked thyeezy boost 350 jordan air force 1 custom youth hockey jerseys 49ers jersey kansas city chiefs crocs full lace human hair wigs custom football jerseys penn state jersey nike air max 97 custom nhl hockey jerseys jordan proto max 720 nfl gear houston texans shoes adidas yeezy boost 350 turtle dove 49ers jerseyat the Stock Exchange will be interested in hearing the various ways the British government is partnering with Nigeria on sustainable development, trade and investment, security and other areas of mutual interest. Also to hear his perspectives on how those ties can be strengthened and the private sector’s role in these.
Secondly, as an Exchange we also wish to discuss various ways that we can learn and benefit from the status of the United Kingdom and the City of London in particular as a global financial hub. We look forward to the facilitation by the High Commission of collaborations with institutions such as the London Stock Exchange Group in areas such as product development, technology, data solutions, sustainability initiatives, compliance and risk management. Where we believe we can leverage on the experience of our colleagues in the United Kingdom financial services industry to achieve our vision of being the most sustainable, most efficient and most attractive African Stock Exchange for local and global investors.
Lastly, at the Trading Floor I stated that the Securities Dealers on the trading systems are part of a community of over three thousand highly trained and versatile professionals that deals in millions/billions for local and foreign retail and wholesale clients. Also that we are as an exchange exploring linkages with other exchanges across West Africa and hope in the near future extend such partnerships across the continent and globally.
In conclusion I said, we may be small in the global financial markets but we have very large ambitions and we look forward to visits like this to enable us achieve those goals in good time. Thank you.
The visit saw him intcheap jordans air jordan 4 retro military black nfl jerseys cheap adamandeve toys nike air max 90 futura cheap yeezys sweet vibrations vibrating male stroker ja marr chase youth jersey adidas yeezy shoes air jordan 1 low flyease air max 270 women dallas cowboys slippers mens adamandeve toys philadelphia eagles crocs black friday wig saleeracting with the staff and getting really enlightened on the role of the CSCS in the capital market
Really impressive and eye-opening was his summary if the visit
I have a weakness. Once I love, I love, and I love Jallo Waziri. Do you blame me?. In the last 29 years, Jallo has crisscrossed the capital market, throwing out sterling performances across all sectors of the broad market spectrum
I met Jallo at BGL. He was my first institutional client, and it was my handsome then Group Head, Chibundu Edozie, who said, ” Go to Kakawa and meair nike sneakers jordan 4 cheap nike air force jordan air max 95 sale custom sublimated hockey jerseys cheap yeezy shoes black friday wig sale custom paintball jerseys velvet rose personal water based lubricant max white shoes custom dallas stars jersey max white shoes uberlube luxury lubricant cheap yeezy shoes human lace front wigset Jallo he has a mandate for you
He was tall and light skinned. With sweet beady eyes that looked at you with warmth when he smiled, he didn’t look too perturbed and took his job with unusual calm.
We hit it off very quickly and that relationship has grown to one that has my dying respect for him and him having a continous growing amazement at my transformation from a super successful stockbroker to a super- I cannot say madman.
The capital market, to me, is a very critical engine of economic growth. It is both the barometer for the measurement of economic health and also a strong engine of growth.
This is why its integrity and sanctity must be at all times strengthened.
It is for this reason that I shout. I really shout o at the continuous malfeasance that seems to pervade the entire community.
From the yellow faced cowardice of operators, who would rather hide under black blankets and huddle like pitiable orphans sharing stories of corruption and jaundiced ethical movements to regulators who seem to have lost the bite, to billionaire journey men who have turned the markets to a Las Vegas playground making the whole experience have the taste of expired castor oil in the mouths of starry eyed investors
It is under this cascading and harried environment that I discovered Jallo Waziri, the MD, at the biggest and most influential Central Securities Depository – the CSCS
Edgar, you must come to the house for Sallah. I say my lord why I no go come. I carry my big head to his Ikoyi house and run into the Nigerian economy
Legendary Bank MDs, Strong Capital Market operators, International Telecomss magnates, big government people, and prominent members of the regulatory environment where present.
Only me and my brother Dipo Soetan come be like normal people.
Ike Chioke, the brilliant investment banker, walks in and immediately strikes up a conversation with Oscar Onyeama, the super brilliant GMD at the NGX
I struck up a conversation with someone I thought was Kennedy Uzoaka and realized after 30 minutes of continuous dialogue that ‘this no be Kennedy na, Kennedy no too fine like this na’
So I went to Jallo,’ abeg who be that man that I have been talking to since’ that na Nnamdi Okonkwo GMD of FBN Holdings- shame catch me, I run into toilet to hide
Such is Jallo’s huge networking strength, that very strong and influential members of the community run towards him with the confidence that he is a man of capacity and integrity
So when he invited me to the CSCS, I did not hesitate. Edgar, just even come and see what we do here. Come so you would better understand our role in the evolving market so that all this your shouting will be a little bit more strategic.
The CSCS has been in the news of recent. The SEC has asked the NGX to sell down on its stake to a regulatory comfortable position while also approving a huge buy-in by its rival NGX.
You know how I have been railing on FMDQ recently cos of its unnecessary advantage as a result of the CBN major stake, which leaves its chairmanship position with a CBN Deputy Governor at all times.
Anyways, that is how I accepted the invite with a small confusion. Jallo wetin make I wear and he said oh boy wear anything, na u.
The building for me comes with a lot of memories. As a young trader, I traversed that building, losing money for clients who still loved me despite that.
The CSCS portion of the building was like an oasis of elegance in a harried building that had lost its imposing elegance.
The furnishing and interior designs were minimalist and essentially classy with a retro look that allowed for collaborative exchanges amongst its staff.
I stormed the huge board room where a strategy meeting was just ending. They had quickly rushed the food, and all stood there like mischievous children caught with their hands in the pot of soup.
I took one of the five sweets remaining as my brother, the sweet gentle giant Yinka Shonekan, introduced me to the rest of the team who were actually wondering what this bohemian with earings was doing in their boardroom
A quick tour of the three floors commenced with Jallo showing me what I would want to describe as the single most thoughtful office space in the markets.
I have entered a lot of offices, including the magnificent spaces that my brother, Wole Abegunde of Meristem, had dropped but none compared to the share elegance of its functionality and beauty of its spaces.
Jallos office itself was a journey into a minimalist paradise. Opening into a beautiful mini lounge and an exquisite meeting room for at least six.
Where next after CSCS? He smiles and looks at me, ‘ Edgar, good question. I am just starting my second term, so we see where it will take us.
FMDQ, are you afraid? He looks at me again with a confident smile – offcourse – not. They have just bought in, and we will have to have a sit down at some point. That has not happened yet but will definitely happen
Your relationship with Oscar. He is my friend and brother. There is mutual respect, and we both want the same things- market growth.
The CSCS- we have built a system that now attracts over N8b in daily trading volumes and value. We have digitalised the whole operations and ‘disappeared the queues’
Everything is in the clouds, and that is why during covid, we did as if nothing was happening
The staffing strategy was deliberate and took years- he says. We took our time in identifying the right complement in human capacity and ring- fenced them with training and a brilliant work space that allows for seamless interaction, driving a powerful collaborative enterprise
By this time, I was hungry and had to leave. Jallo missed it. He didn’t offer me afang, and he will suffer for it.
I stood up and he said,’Let’s take another tour’. Tour ke. Me that I needed to go look for something to eat…
We ended up on one of the floors and met a very happy crop of tech people. They looked older than the normal variant but just as talented if not more.
Thier job was to secure wealth and this is why Jallo’s CSCS didn’t joke with Cyber Security.
They sponsor an annual conference on the matter before lekki based ‘people’ come attack.
You could see that Jallo was one of the boys as you didn’t notice the usual “eye service” jump that announces the presence of the Oga.
The atmosphere and community were apparent, and you could see that Jallo really understood the vision of the founders and his role in it
As we stood outside, waiting for his motorcade and me looking for my rickety car and driver, the irony of the whole Nigerian economic system hits and hits very hard
We stare at the old and very rusty CBN offices. They look very dirty and disused with staff carrying forlorn faces coming out of the death trap that looks like it could fall any day…
And I turn to see the old but well kept buikding of the NGX and the neon sign announcing stock prices and market news, I could not help but shake my head at the confusing and contrasting signal that was playing out…
I hugged Jallo, and he rushed to his next meeting, and he said, ‘ Edgar and I say, Jallo, no worry, I no go yab you, person dey make mistake. How you no go give me Afang for your office. No worry, you be my paddy, I no go yab that your long nose.
Jallo is a man of history and also a man of the moment. I am watching him very closely. We need this man.
Thanks
Nb – the Duke will be writing a new weekly colunm – N12 , on the capital market and the economy for influential Nairametrics starting next week . Keep a date.
Duke of Shomolu
So I got a call yday. It was a private number, and the voice said, ‘ You don’t know me, but I know you’.
I said ok… but I don’t air nike sneakers jordan 4 cheap nike air force jordan air max 95 sale custom sublimated hockey jerseys cheap yeezy shoes black friday wig sale custom paintball jerseys velvet rose personal water based lubricant max white shoes custom dallas stars jersey max white shoes uberlube luxury lubricant cheap yeezy shoes human lace front wigs take calls from private numbers, and he said ohhh calm down.””” By the time I am finished, you will be happy you took the call.
I said. Okkk. Talk to me. He started with a cowardly retort. ‘ I saw you at the AGM, and I am wondering why you suddenly went quiet’
I said, ‘ I don’t understand,’ and he continued. The place is a mess. Oscar should have been dealt with, but he was given a soft landing
Oscar is the GMD of NGX, the holding company, and I said, “Why would you have wanted his humiliation
He bought CSCS shares at a premium. Over 40% and the regulators have asked to sell down, and this would put the NGX in trouble.
At this juncture, I was no longer comfortable and I said,’ can you at least tell me your name and he repeated that I should leave his name out as he didn’t want to lose his job.
He offered to send me documents that would make me scream, and at the right time, he would reveal himself to me and engage better.
He didn’t want me to keep quiet again and that I should be shouting until the market stabilized.
Now this is the problem of the market. It is filled with yellow liverered denizens who would rather cower in cupboards like rodents instead of standing tall and fighting for its integrity.
Now, this person would rather stay behind and push me to the front with information that can not be verified instead of using his experience and market savvy to work for its growth.
After his ramble, I gave him three reasons why I had gone ‘quiet’.
First, a new board had just been inaugurated, and it only just made sense that we give them the opportunity to work
Secondly, the new Board was peopled by people that I have had very long standing professional relationships with spanning over 20years and as such could and would vouch not only for their integrity but also for their capacity to reform the markets
Thirdly, I would be a fool to jump up and start firing daggers at people simply because I was being promted by a faceless eunuch who didn’t even have the courage to reveal his identity.
As if God was listening, that evening, the new Board announced an Interim Dividend pay out to its shareholders, the very first ever since the demutualization of the Bourse.
Instantly, the market went on fire. Pple were screaming, and in fact, this heralded a new dawn
I immediately placed a call to the New Chairman- Alhaji Kwairanga and congratulated him and he assured me of his intentions of not only sorting out the CSCS wahala but also ensuring that probity and accountability returned to the Exchange.
He also informed me that various committees had been set up to look into very strategic areas in a bid to push expansive robust reforms.
If you know Alhaji Kwairanga, you will better understand why I have gone ‘quiet’.
A boardroom titan who has garnered immense experience sitting on such triple A Boards like Lafarge and Jaiz Bank, amongst others.
He brings to the NGX an unequaled depth and clarity of purpose garnered from over 20 years of sterling service as a Frontline operator.
My ‘silence’ has also been compounded by the inclusion of next level leadership as personified by my two brothers- Mohammed Garuba, whose Cardinal Stone Group remains one of the most influential market players in recent times.
I have sang Nonso Okpala’s credentials to high heavens. Do you expect less, from one of the most brilliant young guns who have built his VFD Group from an idea into a major indigenous conglomerate with interest spanning – capital market, Finance, Media amongst others.
The NGX is breathing a sigh of relief as a result of its being led by the single most vibrant leadership at the board level since its inception
If you now add the management led by fire brain Temi Popoola and supported by heavy weight Tony Ibeziakor, you would join me in my silence.
We must understand that the NGX is operating in an opaque operating environment coupled with regulatory partiality which has given platforms like the FMDQ an upper hand hence its seeming lethargy to growth which in itself has impaired its ability to reward its shareholders and provide birth rite leadership.
However, with the strong set off from the marks, Alhaji Kwairanga and his team have sent a very strong signal that they are ready and are also able to reposition the NGX as a major and pivotal engine for economic growth
So my faceless brother, I will ask you to join me in silence as we all put in serious efforts in supporting this team as they embark on this tedious but very exciting journey.
Welldone Alhaji, you have my total support.
It’s that simple
Duke of Shomolu
I have known demola forever. He just got appointed SSA to the president, and he is my brother.
You see, neunice hair wigs jordan proto max 720 yeezy sneakers dallas cowboys slippers mens yeezy boost 350 v2 black velvet rose personal water based lubricant custom youth basketball uniforms iowa state football jersey max white shoes custom triathlon jersey nike air max 270 women’s sale max white shoes best human hair wigs online penn state jersey nike air jordan midtworking and relations management is the very key strategy to unlock opportunities in business and in life at these very tough times.
Last night, I got a call from a premier investment banking outfit. They have a huge transaction and want to leverage on my network to sell.
A day earlier, my big brother and one of the biggest real estate players in the land on launching his 24 floor hotel suites reaches out and wants me to pull in people who can invest and be the MC at the event.
I have just come back from Abuja, where I had a meeting with a Director of Jaiz Bank who incidentally is the new chairman of NGX
Networking and relationship management, for me, is key. Today, I am selling Anonymous-nipples to individuals on my database cos I won’t try corporates cos of the mischievous intent of the play
So, Demola’s party was another opportunity to deepen relationships and build new ones.
For me, I was glad I was invited cos this would pull in mainstream players within the Lagos State structure and the ruling APC cos of Demolas stature and that of his wife
Titi Oshodi is a strategic player within the Lagos State structure. She has worked very closely with and within the government circles since the inception of this particular administration.
She is a PR and Comminciations expert and has brought this to bare with her Boseko initiative which saw her arrowheading an independent push of political aides towards throwing out an inclusive but independent communications startegy for the electoral pull.
She is my sister. She is Dare’s younger sister. Dare is married to my sister Ijeoma, and she is sisters to the very popular actress Daramola.
So I walked into the hall, not recognizing a lot of people. You know yoruba people and their Owambe. Everybody was wearing aso ebi or is it aso oke and the place was looking very dandy.
I walked to the front to hug demola, who had just flown in from Abuja. He is happy to see me and quips – you don abuse my oga again this morning, and I replied, “I never start, when fuel reach N1,000. I go release him nude.”
We laughed and hugged again. Then I took my seat and low and behold it was Otunba Morakinyo trying to hide behind his beards.
Still looking very handsome and edible, I hugged him and said,’ otunba, where u day all these while o. Otunba is a major oil and gas player. He is also into real estate and technology.
He is influential but prefers to be quiet. So I won’t talk a lot about him, but know that Otunba with his reach can open doors that heaven may really not want to open for u
Across me, I saw gboye and his beautiful wife. Gboye is an operative. A social one. It was thru him and okupe that I met serial investor and international businessman Femi Tejuoso.
Gboyes wife is a world-class educationist who is showing significant skills with young people at the very influential Supreme Education school in Magodo
Then, to my right was Obuks Ibru of the Ibru dynasty and sister of the massively talented Elvina Ibru.
Olorogun Oscar Ibru, one of the most influential of yhem, all walked in, and I ran to him. Once, I had some time with him when the great Mudi built a round about in Ughelli, and we went to commission it.
I decided to walk the room and came upon the Chairman of Odua Investmnets group the suoer brilliant Bimbo Ashiru. I dodged him cos he had just sent in something for my new play, and we had had a long conversation about Nigeria.
In fact, fmr Minister Aganga had mentioned him in a new book he was launching in Abuja this week.
Then I saw Otunba Femi Pedro, fmr Deputy Governor of Lagos State and my big egbon. His contributions to discussions on our whats app groups remain strategic and very educative.
The First Lady was sitted elegantly, and I decided not to carry my wahala to go and disturb her, so I left and went straight to Dr Gaj, who is the Perm SEC Ministry of Environment.
He is my friend and brother. He looked so handsome and regal in his agbada, and I grabbed it and said,’ What are you guys doing with fuel prices?
The intellectual that he is, he took his time despite the noise of the juju band on stage to explain some things to me. I didn’t agree but hugged him and moved towards Tunde Yusuf
Tunde is one of those underground people who are so well connected within the Lagos circles that you can not believe.
Tunde, I am interested in the Arts and Cuture ministry, I mentioned. He said obviously, but there is no vacancy, and I said ohh noo not for me, but for a theatrical expert who would bring a lot of advancement in the space.
He smiled at me and said I’ll revert, but it’s too late.”” I love him . He was my junior in secondary school and had once paid for radio slots on Radio Lagos for me during one of my plays.
It was time to go, and I made for the door only to stumble on the Efcc guy who arrested me, and we shouted and hugged.
I had turned him from a predator to a friend. He laughed and said I will handcuff you fugitive and I say I will release your nude and we laughed, and he said, “See your fried Ajisafe
Lekan Ajisafe is a top 5 insurance broker in the country. He has helped define the space with his unique outlook to the industry
I shook his hands and hugged him. I was supposed to play a role during his mothers remeberance, but that didn’t pan out, but we remained friends.
Will go eat in his office one of these days
As I walked away, I began to ask myself what I had achieved in this particular party.
I have strengthened my relationship with key people within the Lagos Superstructure. Strengthening
The network and giving me a closer access to His Excellency
To rehash, the best places to build, maintain, and enhance your network are social gatherings. Be deliberate about them and don’t just attend all cos u want to build a network
Also, remember the etiquette at such gatherings . I will discuss that in a later briadcast.
For now, make I go bath go work.
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
We are now in a position that we truly deserve. When someone wakes up in the morning and guns for the presidency on a major platform of seeking reward for 30 years of political brinksmanship, this is what we get.
The arrogant cry of emilokan was premised on the fact that it was his turn and really not on any above board vision for robust leadership, hence the custom baseball uniforms college football jerseys oregon football jerseys custom stitched nfl jersey wmns air max 270 custom triathlon jersey johnny manziel jersey adidas yeezy boost 350 v2 mono ice kansas state football jerseys yeezy boost 350 v2 hyperspace nike air max 270 women’s nike air max 270 women’s black friday wig sale justin jefferson jersey wigs for salebullying we saw to the presidency
Today, the economy is on a free fall, and we are witnessing the worse 90 days of any government in Nigeria.
Fuel is now N617, Dollar now N800- gaining N100 in one week and inflation crossing the 22% mark throwing in unprecedented food inflation, job loss and general economic chaos.
What Baba emilokan has just done was to take a big stick, limp to the honeycomb, and in one swipe, hit it and release the bees who are in anger stinging us
What did we even expect when the electioneering campaign was fought over Chicago, an allegation of drugs, pedigree, ethinc rights to the presidency, and all that instead of major issues.
Releasing very aggressive spokesmen with the mannerisms of diseased bulldogs, main issues were hardly discussed or queried.
The few times we dared to challenge his economic capacity, all we heard was- I manufactured Lagos, gave them agbado, employ 50m youths in the army, and I will not release my plans now and all sort
The removal of fuel subsidy in my minds eye was just a lame attempt to ride on a policy they thought was popular and rife.
I remember writing an article against it when it happened, and I was shouted down. I had said it should be phased. Nobody takes such an action in one fell swoop.
It should have been gradually removed. 20% the first six months, the price goes up, you shock it with meaningful palliative and macroeconomic reforms
After 6 months, you remove it again and continue with that circle.
Now, we have rushed to remove the thing without any concomitant form of defense against raging market forces and see where we are.
The supply side of the economy has not been touched by the agbado enthusiasts in the government.
How do we shore up forex inflow to defend the Naira and stabilize the prices, especially in an import dependent country as this.
Instead, we are seeing a guguru attempt at palliatives- N8k per poor household. Thank fully this is being reviewed. Pls what can N8k buy. In some places, it can not even buy condoms
So a bag of rice is over N40k now. You save Tinubus 8k for how many months to get it, and by the time u are there, the price jumps up again
The price of a bag of millet which used to be used for animal feeds but which Nigerians in the North are eating is now N60,000
I think Mr Tinibu should immediately put on his thinking cap and do the following very quickly.
Bring back 20% subsidy to hold down fuel prices at these current states for at least 6 months. This is to allow for stability and a little bit of planning
Move to shore up our crude revenues. We are now producing about 900,000 barrles down from the 1.3m at the height of the militant problem in that region.
We have an opec quota of about 2m. If we can hit 1.5m, the pressure on the dollar will ease a little bit
The army, Navy, DSS shd be deployed into the Niger delta. This is the new theatre of war. It is not all these Tompolo movies we are watching. We need a space age military engagement complete with satellites and drones to protect the installations and curb oil theft.
If we can not do it, let’s go beg the international community.
Cut very drastically the cost of governance. Akpabio being reported to have said that Civil sevrnats would soon have salary increase is funny.
They shd be rationalized and streamlined. Throw in technology and give them soft landings to go into entrepreneurship instead of sitting down there and pushing dirty files and engaging in all sort of crap
The N70b furniture allowance, as reported, shows the “madness” going on.
The cost of democracy should be cut by over 50% . Drop the aides from 40 to 5 and minsiters by 20%
Cut drastically foreign trips by the president except very strategic. This is a major drain on the economy.
Fiscal federalism shd be entrenched immediately. Let every state start taking care of themselves with the principle of comparative advantage being the vogue
This administration started very strongly in its first weeks and started unraveling very quickly with its reaction to the economy and with the names being bandied to be in the cabinet.
My investigations shows that if we are not careful, we may hit N1,000 per litre by September when existing contracts for fuel importation entered into by PPMC expires and at that time we would be looking at major economic upheavals
What this administration will not want is to have general unrest on the back of these prices during the period the presidential elections tribunal is giving their judgment.
No country allows for total deregulation of these things. You can not float an already weakend Naira and raise your hands in the air and say,’ I am not there.
Did we honestly think that the arrest of Emefiele would suddenly bring sanity to the markets?
Tinubu, I think, just sees this whole thing like one big campaign carnival where u negotiate me, cajole, and entice people into a position.
You can not do this when u have tied your markets to international markets. The templates can not be manipulated. You must come to the table with value.
The question now is , how do we immediately shore up the supply side of the economy, how do we defend the Naira in order to tame galloping inflation and how do we hold down fuel prices which are central to economic growth
The answers to these questions are very easy if only there is enough political will and a clear understanding of the issues at the level of presidential authority.
We need credible and precise engagement and not this hullabaloo that we are seeing o.
Kai
Duke of Shomolu
He will now say I shd nyeezy shoes for sale air jordan 1 retro high og air jordan 1 low flyease jordan max aura 4 nike air force jordan unice hair wigs yeezy boost 350 nike air max 90 custom maple leafs jersey adidas yeezy boost 350 v2 mono ice custom baseball jerseys air max 270 women custom paintball jerseys iowa state football jersey iowa state football jerseyot have written this o, but Kate Henshaw has blown his cover on her Instagram page where millions have been told by the bewitching beauty that it is his birthday
So I hide under her beautiful blossom to do my own abeg. That is how Asue will be saying, Duke. I don’t want u to be writing about me, and he will be missing an opportunity at immortality.
Me I don’t write about anyhow people o. People have been begging me to write about them, but I don’t use to answer, and now Asue will be vexed if I write about him.
Well, that is how he snuck into the hall during Emir Sanusi with his extremely beautiful wife and nobody noticed.
I started calling on-stage people that gave me N50k to thank them and a whole Chairman of Sterling Bank that was a major sponsor and a man who also gave me personal money was sitting down there and I was there fooling myself.
After the show, I saw him and his sweet wife walking away toward their car, and I ran straight and fell on the ground, begging
You know how you beg when you have been caught on top of a housemaid, that is how I beg o.
Asue laughed and said not to worry and invited me for coffee.
See, I have known Asue long before he knew me. I had made him my friend long before he even knew I existed.
In those heady days at BGL, when the Tinapa transaction was brewing, all the suits will come to our VI office, and they will be doing face like they want to build the great pyramid of Egypt.
People will be greeting them as they go up and down, and they will not be answering us. They will be coming from KPMG, and STB all sort- party to the offer.
Me, I will be saying what is wrong with these ones: a person will be greeting them, and they will be doing faces like monkeys.
It’s only Asue that will come in laughing and playing. He will greet everybody, crack a joke, and speak pidgin.
I used to like him o. I will ask who is this black man. They will say na Asue. Na Itua brother – that time Redeemed Church never drive am and he never popular and I will say abeg who be Itua
Asue will bound down the stairs from Albert’s office, greet us all and yab some people, jump into his car with his nice brown shoes and drive off
The remaining people who can not even speak better English like Asue will come down and put their noses in the air and be doing like – we are investment bankers, we no dey greet omoshe.
So 6 years after, I have become Duke of Shomolu and Asue have become what he is today, and I work in my other brother Chike’s office and say, ‘ I dey find the money for Emotan
And he says y not try Asue. Na, my neighbor na bini man. I say Na Bini, man? No, be Ishan. Chike says all na the same. So he gave me his numbers
I called and booked an appointment.
His office be like that one wey dey for the American TV series- Suits. The place fine die.
As I walked in, he looked up and said,’ Edgar, no be that boy wey dey find trouble for Thisday every sunday?
I say na me o. He replied – oh boy, you worry o. I say na school fees. Then he replied, “No dey yab me o.” No mention me o
I say u never win the Nobel, when you win, like them Ambode, I go yab you.
Asue is cerebral. This is stating the obvious as he is regarded as one of the best corporate lawyers in the land.
In fact, when they call Oyebode, they call Asue in the same breath. Corporate Nigeria has benefitted from his skill and guidance, and it is no wonder that up until recently, he was the Chairman of Nigeria’s most innovative bank – Sterling
I don’t understand what exactly just happened at Sterling Bank with the recent restructuring but that is a story for another day.
Today, he is the chairman of the largest brewery in the country and also a co-partner of one of the largest law firms in the country, if not Africa
His work at the NESG was brilliant. It threw him at cross purposes with authority but has been validated with what is happening today.
Asue used to invite me for hours of conversation. I used to live for those days as he would take me thru law, politics, leadership, entertainment, etc
Yes, he is that cerebral. I will just sit down and be listening and be listening and drinking from his fountain, and at the end of the day, he will offer me coffee
I go look laugh say,’ Me? Coffee?
Anyways, we have an outstanding Afang date and will send you guys a picture when we get to it
Happy birthday, my Lord, and May God grant your express wishes so that you will be finally able to afford to buy that afang for me.
Happy birthday, bro
Your man
Duke of Shomolu
I have raised a lot of cheap yeezys air jordan 1 element cheap yeezys air jordan 1 element custom paintball jerseys custom football jerseys custom football jerseys human lace front wigs custom youth nfl jersey intimate toys yeezy shoes women houston texans shoes cheap human hair wigs air jordan 1 air jordan 1 retro high ogmoney for my various plays and am in the market to do another whooping sum on Anonymous nipples and sundry millions for Fajuyi, Etsu Nupe and the annual December plays.
One thing that has come to the fore has been goodwill. Goodwill is the vehicle you place value on and push into the marketplace
Goodwill is the penetration vehicle and the delivery mechanism that you use to extract benefit, while value is the elixir that cooks the benefits that both sides feed on
By this, you will agree that Goodwill is looking like the most important abi?
In my sojourn in this Lagos, I have met a lot of men of Goodwill. But recently, especially in these tough times, Goodwill seems to be speedily eroded
What strengthens Goodwill is integrity, capacity, value, and love for self and society.
With these, people, society, and markets will open for you, and you would be able to build structures that will, in turn, benefit society.
But like I was trying to say earlier, tough times have led to the erosion of the ingredients that make up Goodwill and we are now more often than not seeing men of Goodwill fall in standing with no power to move mountains anymore.
In the last 5 years, I have received recommendations and referrals from former men of Goodwill who have worsened my case rather than helped it
A pure example was when I was looking for money for Emotan, and the man said very clearly to me, ‘ tell the man who sent you, that I said, I will never deal’.
That Goodwill has gone. Another example is the that of an elder statesman who sent me to over 20 people, and I received 80% rejection.
His case was overuse of Goodwill. There was no pacing. The Goodwill don tire pple So it led to disrespect and apathy
But Ken Etete seems to have defied all of this as his Goodwill remains one of the most sterling that I have encountered.
I first met Ken thru Albert Okumagba, who had said” Edgar, we need Ken. Take his number and deliver him’
Ken was a hot shot oil and gas man who had influence and was doing great things in the system.
His nack for society was apparent as he involved himself in empowerment, which brought him towards Albert’s radar, who at this time was trying to bring all Federal Government Colleges together to revamp education
From that first day, Ken and I struck a chord leading to him emerging one of my greatest pillars in my foray into theatre.
Now, I have learned very quickly to tap on his Goodwill and push heavily into areas that I would never have entered.
Thru Ken, I have met and made friends with Uche Orji, the fmr MD of Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Thru Ken I have met super influential Akan Udofia who has adopted me as a brother and who I worked for during his run for the Akwa Ibom Governorship elections and thru Akan I have met Scott Tommey the ebullient and very brilliant businessman who calls me Duke.
Ken also opened me up to Julius Rone, the gas king who is today best positioned to lead our economic renniasance with what he is doing in the gas sector
All I need to do is to call Ken or meet him for lunch and say, “Lord, I dey look for person, and he will immediately take his phone and call and hand it over to me
There is, however, one side in this Goodwill matter o. You never embarrass who is sending you.
You must relate with his contacts with the same level of integrity and respect that your benefactor carried himself so that he will continue to have the confidence to open u up.
In looking for money for Anonymous-nipples, my new mischievous play, it was very clear that the strategy would be built around specific individuals
The strategy has been working as we have crossed the 40% mark in collections and the 60% mark if you add pledges
Then I called my brother B, and he said P is your man. He is the new kid on the block, but call Ken and Ken will open him up
So I had two people I needed from Ken, and I called him, and he said hold and put the first on the call, and I got value
Then he called the second, and instantly, I got an appointment
Went for the appointment and listened carefully to what he said, which prompted this article
Ken sent you. Ken has called, and dt is all I need to know. I will deal. I can never say no to Ken cos he is a good man.
You see,’ he is a good man’ is the key phrase. Not good man say he dey go church or good man say he dey give money but good man cos he has integrity and would not send someone with no Intergrity out there.
As we spoke and he told me about his relationship with Ken, he still ended it with Ken being a good man
Goodwill is all you need even in these tough times..pple must see you the way this person has seen Ken otherwise no matter the amount of money you have, you will not be seen as a good man.
I’m going to have lunch with Ken today to really engage him and dig deeper because I have been inspired to deal with people so that I, too, can be described as a GOOD MAN
Thank you
Duke of Shomolu
I sincerely hope that we arenike air max 270 women’s sale penn state jersey penn state jersey adidas yeezy boost 350 turtle dove human lace front wigs yeezy official oregon football jerseys philadelphia eagles kelly green jersey cheap yeezy shoes luvme human hair wigs air jordan 1 low flyease rose toy adult luvme human hair wigs asu football jersey jordan air force 1 all seeing the rumblings at FBN Holdings. The big boys are playing Russian roulette, and the rest of us are watching.
I want to keep a safe distance from the kiti kata that is happening at FBN Holdings but also refer you to Ijeoma Nwaguogwo’s brilliant essay on the matter
Please rush to the back page of today’s Thisday and read the most brilliant and dispassionate analysis of the Roforofo going on there.
But that episode more than strengthens my resolve to fight for the ethical sanctity of our market and to establish that the fight must go straight to the so-called regulators.
The market has over the years been beset with lax regulations both at the structural level and the human capital levels
We have seen a danming institutional weakness as a result of the above two debilitating reasons.
When the regulatory framework is weak, cowboys take over, and the weak suffer. Today, we are seeing cowboys dancing all around the market, pillaging and plundering at will with investors suffering.
The markets, as a result, are reeling in incestuous weakness with the indexes dancing at rock bottom with no real hope of a substantive resurgence
It is within this context that we are confronted with the monster, that is, FMDQ.
This firm has a leveraged institutional advantage to grow exponentially and now has begun to have expansionist ambitions
Carrying the debt markets almost up to 100%, it has today allegedly blocked out most players from two very lucrative windows – CP and Curreny.
It also wields so many licenses, including the robust equity license, which allows for it to play in that space.
Last week, it was announced that it was about to close a transaction that should see it lock down 2b shares of the premier depository in the market – the CSCS
Now, on the surface, we should clap abi cos there is nothing better than competition, but a quick cursory look will show you the role the CBN is playing in this growth.
Now, at its inception, I do not know what type of coffee they were drinking when CBN took a stake in the firm. Today, that stake stands at 16% or thereabouts, and this allows for the CBN Deputy Governor to sit on its board
Now my people, you knw say we no go school but elementary common sense will tell you that you can not play both sides effectively
It’s either you are a regulator or a player. You can not be both. Otherwise, what you will witness is what is happening with the FMDQ and the markets
Regulation will become compromised, and unfair practices and undeserved advantage will flow towards the favored son
As it is today, it’s looking like the NGX is the poor cousin. Systematically disadvantaged and forced by obtuse regulations to take positions inimical to its growth
Discussions at FMDQ show that they claim to have passed thru one competition board or something, and I wonder how a board would ok a transaction that is clearly driving the institution towards a monopolistic control of the markets.
The market is big enough for as many exchanges as we can have. We have millions of SMEs out there not listed, but nobody is going there. It is the same old tired conglomerates with their low margins and huge turnover that everybody is feasting on
You move with instituional backing to trade CPs of huge conglomerates who in themselves are even struggling but refuse to curry the huge marketing potentials of the real sector as could be gleaned from the many start up who are raising billions offshore
The CBN, as a matter of urgency must either divest from the FMDQ or also take up the same 16% stake in both the NGX and the NASD, failure which it must subject that portion of its operations to regulation by SEC
My people look closely at the market in the last 12 months. Dangote has come, MTN had come, Femi and Tony have had their day, and today, Oba Otudeko is dancing fuji.
Do u honestly believe that this is the time we shd have funny regulation?
The Emefiele era of ‘na me na me’ has gone, and it seriously behooves on the new management at the CBN to correct this anomaly.
This is the one that concerns me, and correcting it by divesting from FMDQ will go a long way in throwing more confidence into the space
Thank you
Duke of Shomolu