Late Antonio Fernandez Remembered One Year After

Like yesterday, it was exactly a year ago on Thursday, September 1, 2015 that death plucked life out of exceptional businessman and Ambassador Plenipotentiary, Chief Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez, after a brief illness in Belgium.

In life, he was a phenomenon; he came, saw and conquered his own world.

As the saying goes ’sweet is the memory of the righteous ‘ .

Spyglass gathered that the late colourful and stylish billionaire was remembered by his children last Thursday in commemoration of his first anniversary. As informed by his first child, Chief (Mrs.) Olateju Phillips, a former Lagos Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, organised a memorial service in honour of her late father at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Catholic Mission Street, Lagos.

The event was witnessed by high-flying and top dignitaries in the country.

A source close to the family also revealed that the family is planning to host a grand reception party in Lagos later this year.

It will be recalled Fernandez when the news of his passing on broke, many, including those who only knew him through the pages of newspapers, were shell-shocked. It was not because the flamboyant businessman didn’t live a fulfilled life or that he didn’t live to old age, but it was because his colourful lifestyle beat a kingly living.

He created his own world and he literally lived it alone. Described as reclusive, he lived big wherever he landed in any part of the world. He had almost incomparable taste for the good things of life.

The Lagos State-born plenipotentiary, whose root was traced to Brazil, had become wealthy very early in life and remained so till he breathed his last. He had imposing mansions all over the world and owned a number of private jets and yacht too.

He is survived by nine children – Olateju Phillips, Olugbemisola Fernandez, Tony Fernandez, Akintokunbo Fernandez, Titilayo Unzicker, Adekoyejo Fernandez, Oyinkansola Fernandez, Atinuke Fernadez and Abimbola Fernandez.