Article Written:
By Aderemi Bamgbose
Some 55 years ago, exactly Feb. 24, 1967, a star was born far away In Igbotako town, in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State to the a big family of Alhaji Yakubu Jimoh and his wife, Omofemiwa Jimoh.
The young lad who was blessed with divine wisdom, knowledge and understanding started schooling at Igbotako and finished his secondary school at Igbotako Community Grammar School.
One might imagine what the young man was thinking as an undergraduate, but it was clear to him even at that age that he did not have to wait till he left school to make money as used his fathers’ bricklaying materials to execute some small scale contracts which he secured.
He proceeded to bag his Law degree and then, Masters in Public Administration (MPA) at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife now Osun State.
In furtherance, the youngstar picked an early interest in making money out of his knowledge, even as an undergraduate.
He first observed that only the federal and state governments had laws, and so proposed organising law seminars across local governments in Nigeria, to teach them how to make their own laws.
Simple as this might have seemed, he made quite some money from it and also made some money from organising workshops for top government officials.
He headed for Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA for a combined Master of Laws and International Taxation (LLM/IT).
He also earned an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree at the University of Cambridge Judge Business School and a Master of Science in Programme Management at the Business School, University of Oxford.
He attended various executive education programmes including the University of Cambridge Advanced Leadership Programme (ALP), University of Oxford Negotiation Programme, University of Oxford, Advanced Leadership and Management programme, Harvard Business School Senior Executive Leadership Program for the Middle East and the University of Cambridge programme on How to Lead Successful Projects.He also attended the guest category of the annual meeting of the World Bank/IMF.
The great icon always had his eyes prowling in search of opportunities, When it came to his notice that the Federal Government was having challenges recovering its withholding tax from multinational oil companies, he sent in a proposal on how he could help recover the funds.
He executed the proposal to the letter, recovering billions of naira for the government and earning himself a fortune as well.
In his capacity as a tax professional, he also worked with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and was a part of the Harvard team that backed the tax reforms in Bangladesh.
As a full-fledged businessman, he carve a nitche for himself in key business outfits across several sectors and uses the Global Fleet Group, where he sits as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), as the umbrella company for his investments. Global Fleet is now a diversified conglomerate with presence in several countries.
He started out the Global Fleet Oil and Gas in 2004 as a petroleum marketing company. The company did not focus on setting up fuel stations, but instead set out to buy out other fuel stations.
Within a year, they bought about 150 stations and started averaging about $1 million daily in oil and gas sales. Since then, the company has acquired more fuel stations.
The business mogul founded Energy Commercial Bank, Accra, Ghana in 2009 and it is considered an arm of the Energy Group, one of the largest Africa conglomerates with diversified interest in banking and financial investment.
The Group also acquired 100% of the Oceanic Bank (STP) in June 2011, changing its name to Energy Bank Sao Tome & Principe (STP) and making it another arm of the Energy Group and a subsidiary of the Global Fleet Group.
Air Nigeria was established in 2010 as Virgin Nigeria, with him as a major shareholder. He is also the Group Managing Director of NICON Insurance and one of its subsidiaries, Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation in Lagos state.
He ventured into the hospitality industry, he acquired the former Le Meridian Hotels in 2003 and changed its name to NICON Luxury Hotel.
He also put his finger in the media and become the owner of Global Media Mirror, publishers of the National Mirror, and acquired 51% of Newswatch Communication Limited to give him a substantial stake in Nigeria’s media industry.
The business tycoon served as the Chairman of the board of the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in Nigeria, from April 2009 to December 2012.
In 2011, he was also appointed the Honorary Consul of Sao Tome and Principe to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
His contribution to human development and philanthropic quest earned him one of the highest chieftaincy title in his town The Araba of Ikaleland.
His contributions to educational development in the country earned him honorary doctorate degrees from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State; Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso, Oyo State and the Ondo State University.
His superlative strides in businesses and contribution to the vast development of Nigeria also eaned him the prestigious honour of the Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR), and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR) by late President Umaru Musa Y’adua and former President, Goodluck Jonathan.
The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the latest interest of the Havard trained businessman and billionaire who took interst in education by founding Univwrsity of Fortune in his Igbotako town which was laid on several thousands of hectactes of land with over 134 gigantic buildings which be duly commissioned by December 2022.
Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim am sure rings a bell and indeed an household name in Nigeria-Africa landscape
Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim has a humble begining, he has been there and he knows exactly where the shoe pinches.
Chief Jimoh Ibrahim did not become a billionaire overnight but has toiled day and night to ensure his mission, vision, dedication, concentration and focus carve a niche for him to be ranked in the hierarchy of billionaires, movers and shakers locally, nationally and internationally…..
…….Let him wear it.
The cap fits Dr Jimoh Ibrahim, let him wear it.
Ondo South Delegates,…… vote Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim for Senate!!!
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Ondo South Senatorial District
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