By Sheriff Mahmud Ismail & Dauda Musa Bangura in Lagos, Nigeria.

Last night, Wednesday November 2nd, Sierra Leone’s former president Ernest Bai Koroma was treated to a fantastically memorable dinner in celebration of his 71st Birthday. The night to be remembered was hosted by Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu, a highly established young Nigerian billionaire business entrepreneur, at his tech-laden luxurious The Delborough Lagos hotel, on Lagos’s iconic Victoria Island.

It was an event choreographed to entertain, but more so to honour a man of towering leadership pedigree. Coming from a business background, President Koroma led his nation from the ashes of war to one of the five most peaceful countries in Africa. This, and his unprecedented roads, energy, water, and health infrastructure development endeavours, etched President Koroma’s legacy on the minds of the vast majority of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. But it is not just the people of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma’s post war- reconstruction efforts were recognised by the United Nations as a storehouse of lessons of how a country can emerge from war to peace and national cohesion.

But out of the plethora of his distinguished peers, how did a man who recently turned 40 became the host of the birthday of a 71-year-old former President? Well, those who have keenly followed Koroma’s Presidency, regard him as a champion and companion of young people. It was President Koroma who first took the affirmative action of preparing the Sierra Leonean youth for political and business leadership in his country. In addition to awarding lucrative contracts to young business entrepreneurs, he appointed many young people to cabinet and as heads of departments and agencies. 

In his own case, the Chairman of Stanel Group / founder and owner of The Delborough Lagos -Dr. Stanley Uzochukwu has made a name for himself as a notable Nigerian business mogul, successful entrepreneur, and passionate philanthropist. His Stanel Group is a thriving multinational conglomerate with interest in the oil and gas, agribusiness, hospitality, and the Fast-moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Overtime, the Stanel Group has established many subsidiaries, thereby providing thousands of employment opportunities to many Nigerians. Viz:- Stanel Laundry, Stanel Bakery, Stanel Farmers Market, Stanel Car Clinic, Stanel Fuel Station, Stanel Multipurpose Hall, and the most recent addition Stanel Mart. Stanel Group also bought the Chicken Republic franchise in Awka, Anambra State.

The choice to host the septuagenarian was therefore, by all indications, an easy one for a man who relishes the growth of young people. As President Koroma puts it:  “The future belongs to the youth only when they are given their rightful place in the present.”

And so, on this deeply memorable night, Stanley pulled off a spectacular gathering of a carefully selected class of business moguls to celebrate a patriarch and a leader of unputdownable reputation.

Among the distinguished attendees were Chief. Sir Olu Okeowo – Sir Clement Oluwatumininu Okeowo is an illustrious Nigerian and one of the country’s silent billionaires. Founder of Gibraltar Construction Nigeria Limited and indeed, there is more to him than meets the eye – philanthropic initiatives that he has championed.

 Senator Daisy Danjuma, is noted as the third richest Nigerian woman- Danjuma is the co-founder of Afenmai Austeniti Limited, an oil and gas exploration company. She is also known for her philanthropic work, particularly in the areas of education and healthcare.

Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika – a lawyer, the sixth most powerful women in Oil & Gas in the world, and one of the richest women in Africa. Catherine Uju Ifejika currently serves as the chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited and Brittania-U Ghana Limited; as well as two domestic oil companies for upstream exploration and production.

 Mr. John Obayuwana, Founder and Managing Director of Polo Luxury Group. Polo Luxury Group is the holding company of the leading luxury goods companies in West Africa. It is the foremost luxury goods retailer in Nigeria that specialises in high-end watches/timepieces, writing instruments, and accessories including Rolex, Cartier, Bregeut, Piaget, Hublot, Roger Dubuis,Franck Muller, Longines, Montblanc, Chopard.

Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, a Nigerian Businessman involved in haulage and logistics, manufacturing, marketing and real estate in Nigeria, Cameroun, Dubai, and across the globe. He is the Founder/Chairman of Orient Global Groups, Director of Prosperis Holdings Ltd, CEO/President of Ultimus Holdings which consists of Ultimus Construction.

Rt. Hon. Ossai Osanebi, was Deputy Senate President and governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress. At age 31, he was first elected as a state lawmaker in 2011, reelected in 2015 and 2019 respectively. 

Mr. Osita Onumonu, MD/CEO Mercury, Oil & Gas Ltd another of the silent billionaires in Nigeria 

Also present was Mr. Sam Kargbo, a distinguished Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who flew from Abuja to mark the auspicious occasion.

It was refreshing that these highly accomplished business tycoons graced the occasion of President Koroma’s 71st birthday amid the pump of exquisite music from a distinguished live ban, curated by a group of carefully selected Nigerian gospel, rock and pop stars. 

They chatted, ate, drank, laughed, and danced as if it was an event of national proportions. The fanfare came to a crescendo when the typically introvert celebrant took to the dance floor. I’ve never seen President so joyful, happy, and comfortable as he was last night – he thoroughly enjoyed himself. An amazing sight to behold and one that would be remembered for a long time.