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ABUJA BIG BOY, OTUNBA OKE BACK IN STYLE

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8 years ago

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Otunba Kayode Oke needs little or no introduction. Oke, chairman and CEO of Softess Group of Companies, Abuja, is one of the “happening”guys in the capital city. The dashing business mogul who has been scarce in the social circuit lately, has bounced back in style.
The Softess boss, said that he made what he called a “tactical retreat” for some strategic reasons. “It’s true that I haven’t been as visible as before in the political and social circuit, but it’s not out of frustration or disillusionment as alleged by some detractors. I just opted to make a tactical withdrawal of sort, mainly to take my business to another level and do more for my people in terms of philantrophy.”
It was learnt that he is making arrangement to launch a foundation called Otunba Kayode Oke Foundation soon. “The idea behind the foundation is to give back to the society,” he enthused. “To empower the youths, widows and the less privileged in general, so that they would be able to stand on their own feet economically. As you know, I have a passion for charity and helping humanity in general. It is not about politics but about giving back to the society.”
Truly so. Investigations revealed that in recent times, the softess Group boss has been expending his resources in charity as well as expanding his business tentacles across the nation, particularly in Kaduna, Lagos, Port-Harcourt, Calabar and the Federal Capital Territory. In particular, his hotel chain (Softess Hotels and Suites, including the recent branches in Dubai and Accra, Ghana) have been making waves in the hospitality arena lately. This is even as plans are being finalized to open a multi-purpose entertainment complex Abuja.
Explaining his passion for the entertainment arena in general and the hospitality sector in particular, Otunba Oke declared that: “Though I started out as a dealer in stuff like soya bean, oil and the like before venturing into other sectors like real estate, and construction, I have an abiding passion for oil and Gas, and for the hospitality arena in particular and the entertainment industry in general”.
He added: “The hospitality industry, which encompassed tourism, accommodation and the like, occupies a pride of place in our heart here at Softess Group of companies. And that explains why we are devoting extra attention to this area, by upgrading our infrastructure and services alike. Indeed, we want to be the best, not just one of the best, in terms of world class services and state-of-the-art facilities.”
According to him the hospitality industry carters to the family as a whole, and as such, special attention must be accorded this sector. “When, for example, a family is out for relaxation or holiday, they (husband and children) deserve unique services. Even the gentleman or lady on business assignment, when he lodges in a hotel, he expects world class services, and that’s our unique selling point (USP) here at Softess: world class services at affordable rates.”

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EFCC quizzes ex-Women Affairs Minister Pauline Tallen over N2 billion fraud

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3 hours ago

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June 5, 2023

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday quizzed the former Minister of Women Affairs, Pauline Tallen, over alleged fraud.

A source close to the commission said the ex-minister, who arrived at the Abuja zonal command of the commission on invitation at noon, was still being grilled by investigators of the commission till late Friday night.

Though details of the allegations against the ex-minister were sketchy, a source familiar with the case informed that it bordered on alleged corrupt enrichment to N2 billion.

Part of the money was allegedly diverted from the African First Lady Peace Mission Project.

The spokesman of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, could not be reached for confirmation.

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Society

Gov. Makinde Appoints Perm. Secs, Accountant General, Executive Secretaries 

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1 week ago

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May 26, 2023

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Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of Kikelomo Adijat Adegoke as the substantive Accountant General of Oyo State.

 

 

 

The Head of Service, Mrs. Olubunmi Oni mni, made this known in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

 

 

 

Oni said the appointment took effect on Thursday, May 26, 2023.

 

 

 

The Oyo State Governor has also approved the appointment of eleven Permanent Secretaries in the civil service.

 

 

 

The Permanent Secretaries include: Dr. Olabode Ladipo; Dr. Oyewole Tunde Aremu; Abosede Esther Owoeye; Ismail Abass Adebukola Bioku; Folajinmi Daramola Oni; Dolapo Oluremilekun Popoola; Hakeem Toyin Salami; Tajudeen Raji; Paul Amole Okunloye Oyekunle; Bassir Kolawole Kazeem and Taiwo Olafimihan Adewale.

 

 

 

Governor Makinde also appointed two Executive Secretaries. They include Olusola Orobode and Muibat Olaide Lasisi.

 

 

 

The Head of Service said the appointments came as a result of thorough screening and outstanding performance of the affected officers.

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Society

Austin Avuru’s books now available following vacation of court orders.

Published

2 weeks ago

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May 25, 2023

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Austin Avuru’s books are now available for purchase following the vacation of court orders issued by Federal High courts in Abuja and Lagos.

The Abuja court issued the injunction in July 2022 following a motion exparte filed by Tochukwu Peter Tochukwu, Esq but moved by Nsikan Samuel Ekpeyong Esq with motion No. M/9442/2022 dated 26th Day of July 2002 at an an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice SB Belgore.

The injunction was issued days to the scheduled public presentation of the books – My Entrepreneurship Journey and Politics, Economics and the Nigerian Petroleum Industry all by written by Austin Avuru – Founding CEO, Seplat Energy. The third book, Austin Avuru: A Safe Pair of Hands is a biography of the mercurial and methodical oil man written by the duo of Peju Akande and Toni Kan

Avuru had informed his invited guests of the suspension of the event and sale of the books via an e-message personally signed by him: “this event has been suspended by an Abuja High Court Injunction. Our lawyers are at work and, when we are permitted, we shall re-assemble at a later date.”

The retirement party and book presentation event had been scheduled for the 4th of August, 2022 at the Eko Hotels and Suites Victoria Island.

The court order had, among other prayers, restrained “the defendants, their privies, assigns, agents and howsoever described from proceeding to temper with the res – by taking any step geared at releasing or public presentation of the book titled or any other book(s) or any other venue pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”

With the vacation of both injunctions, the reading public and friends of the author can now purchase copies of the books – My Entrepreneurship Journey, A Safe Pair of Hands and Politics, Economics and the Nigerian Petroleum Industry – from leading bookshops like Jazzhole, Terra Kulture, Quintessence, Glendora, Roving Heights, Spine and Label, Patabah etc as well as via amazon.com.

The books provide incisive and unique insights into the Nigerian oil and gas industry with special emphasis on the emergence of indigenous oil and gas players as well as Avuru’s place in the mix as founding partner and pioneer CEO of Seplat Energy Plc, a Nigerian and African success story that is listed both on the Nigeria and London Stock Exchange..

Geologist and publisher, Toyin Akinosho described My Entrepreneurship Journey as “a narrative on how to build, grow and sustain an upstream oil company” and “a masterpiece of economic and business analysis,” while A Safe Pair of Hands has been described as telling “a compelling story of excellence, resilience, doggedness and that unique can-do Nigerian Spirit,” and a “must-read for anyone who believes in potential.”

The third book, Politics, Economics and the Nigerian Petroleum Industry, is made up of 74 essays written and published between 1991 and 2022, in which Austin Avuru, “oil man, corporate mandarin and public intellectual shows by the example of thriving companies he has founded, nurtured and built into successful enterprises that his theories for creating value and building generational and sustainable wealth are more than just talk but well thought-out processes anchored in cleared-eyed analysis. In the book, Avuru provides clear insights that should guide policy and decision making at the highest levels.”

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