Three Scores and One for African Giant, Femi Otedola

A conscience that is alive, a calm head, and a heart that is sensitive – this is Femi Otedola in brief. Many people can only see the Geregu Power PLC chairman in wealth and manufacturing smart investment choices. But at 61, the man is more than his business mastery and money.

November 2023 is coming across as a bright month. Otedola’s birthday made it brighter. As is the case every November 4, well-meaning people from all over the world shared some of the accomplishments of the businessman and philanthropist, inspiring others to follow in his footsteps if granted the opportunity.

For any other individual, people might be excited that old age is consistently knocking at the door. But not for Otedola, whose ageing is celebrated by people because it is accompanied by increased wisdom and compassion.

Otedola is a very interesting man. Many similarly wealthy people are either self-effacing as they donate all that they have to the less privileged, or they are wasteful and mindful of every penny. Otedola has an entire corner to himself, knowing how to spend on himself without losing his sensitivity towards the needs of others.

Didn’t he hire a yacht that cost around three million pounds to celebrate his birthday last year? But has that stopped him from meeting the needs of the poor and others around him? No. To this man whose brain churns out super profitable business ideas every minute, money is a tool to be used effectively.

This year, again, Otedola will be celebrated for the genius he is. At 61, he has achieved heights only dreamed of by many of his forebears. But he is paving the way for many others to follow in Africa and beyond.