By Goke Ilesanmi
Just as I said in a previous birthday tribute, one of the months I eagerly look forward to is the month of September, the ninth month that coincidentally has nine letters. My anticipation about this month is not just because it marks the beginning of the EMBER months. Neither is it because it is the month that variedly symbolises delivery of good things, fulfilment of expectations and freedom from the pangs of discomfort or pains, etc.
I especially have emotional attachment to the month because of a special date there, that is, September 16, the date of birth of a special human being known as OTUNBA ODEYEYIWA KAZEEM OLAYEMI. Otunba Odeyeyiwa is a rare philanthropist, visionary business leader, astute corporate executive and encyclopedic professional Accountant on a special divine assignment on earth here.
This rare Humanitarian is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of REPTON GROUP, a GROUP that has several profitable subsidiaries such as Kazab Heritage, Success Link, Defrost Ventures Limited, Ibile Motors and Continental Vision. Repton Group is mainly into distribution, logistics, farming, construction and general trading.
With the passionate philanthropic drive and massive societal impacts of this highly cerebral entrepreneur, it is not an exaggeration to say he is running the business GROUP on behalf of humanity as a Representative. Maybe that is why he has christened the conglomerate REPTON GROUP because REP is the first syllable or the first three letters of the name of the GROUP.
Otunba’s passion for the betterment of humanity is counterbalanced by his strong commitment to business success, which is commendably reinforced by her highly industrious global queen, Yeye Otunba (Alhaja) Odeyeyiwa Adesola Mutiat, a Director at Repton Group. This strategic and visionary businesswoman has built a thriving business empire as a major distributor of Coca-Cola and Seven Up beverages in the South West.
It is therefore not surprising that Kazab Heritage, the Group’s trading arm for cement business
achieved the milestone of becoming the 2023 NATIONAL LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR of Dangote Cement in Nigeria after having come second consistently for three years. The Group had also earlier emerged as the NATIONAL LARGEST DISTRIBUTOR of Lafarge Cement in Nigeria in 2020 and 2017.
It is noteworthy that I still stand by what I said during the golden jubilee celebration of this High Chief and “Babalaje” (i.e. Successful Business Man) of Itori Egba Land, Ogun State. The special attributes of this Otunba Bobagunwa of Modakeke, Osun State and “Baba Adinni” of Ewekoro Central Mosque underscore the fact that his own philanthropy is a calling or better still, divine assignment here on earth because it is beyond passion as explained by his zodiac sign of Virgo.
Futurescope Astrology, an international organisation that specialises in the interpretation of zodiac (sun) signs and dates with associated attributes says, “For people born on September 16, the zodiac sign is Virgo. Virgos are usually helpful, they are the first to offer themselves to do favours and they are very modest people. They are hardworking, honest and reliable.”
Futurescope Astrology then summarises the natural attributes of Virgos as “hardworking, helpful, patient, reliable, analytical, intelligent, honest, modest, observant and organised”. Anyone that relates with Otunba will totally agree with Futurescope Astrology on the accuracy of its interpretation regarding these special trademarks of Virgos that constitute their Unique Selling Points. These excellent natural attributes also explain Otunba’s outstanding success in paid employment at Lafarge Wapco Plc, Kimberly-Clark Nigeria, A.G. Leventis (Nigeria), etc.
These Virgo attributes, especially hardwork and intelligence, naturally offer explanation about Otunba’s great thirst for multiplicity of quality academic and professional qualifications. For instance, apart from being a holder of an MBA degree from the Business School of the Netherlands and another MBA degree in General Management from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, this encyclopedic corporate pacesetter is also a Certified Information System Auditor.
Otunba is a multiple Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria; Nigerian Institute of Management; Nigerian Institute of Marketing and Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria. He is equally a Full Member of the Institute of Directors, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Prestigious Lagos Business School, Nigeria and London Business School where he attended the Advanced Management Programme in Innovation through Design Thinking in April 2023.
What’s more, Otunba is a member of Island Club, Lagos Country Club, Ikoyi Club, Ikeja Golf Club and Abeokuta Sports Club. He is also a member of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, Business Club of Ikeja and Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry as regards Business Advocacy groups.
Otunba, as you celebrate your birthday today Sir, we at Gokmar Communication Consulting want to use this medium to wish you Happy Birthday and thank him for your relentless support over years. We pray that you celebrate many more fruitful years in the service to humanity Sir. Congratulations Sir.
Goke Ilesanmi, Guest Speaker at the University of the West of Scotland’s Sixth International Conference https://twitter.com/CAREED_UWS/status/1486702966241431553?t=_LwgiSHkIp8c3yMdmH-YIw&s=08 is the CEO, Gokmar Communication Consulting, Publisher, www.gokeilesanmi.com.ng, International Platinum Columnist, Biographer and Professional Public Speaker.