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| Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, OFR, CFR. The Nigerian billionaire who talks like Donald Trump |
The last 2 weeks have been quite
interesting for followers of Nigeria’s political drama as issues in the
recently concluded Ondo State (South West Nigeria) gubernatorial election caused
room for many political pundits to laugh their jaws weak. The platform of
laughter came from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when two of her
political elements in the persons of Turn-Around Expert and Harvard University
trained Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim of
the Senator Ali Modu Sherif faction
of the party and former Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice, Barrister Eyitayo Jegede of
the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of
the party engaged in a legal imbroglio that saw Jimoh Ibrahim being declared the authentic candidate of the party
in a October 15 judgment delivered by one Justice
Okon Abang of Abuja Federal High
Court before an Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments nullified Abang’s declaration four days to the
election thereby leaving Jegede as
the real authentic candidate of PDP. Since the drama broke out, Jimoh Ibrahim who is largely seen as a
man full of majestic pride has suffered several scanty remarks from political
friends and foes both at the highest and lowest echelon of the society. One of
such ridicule came from a former Minister of Aviation, Barrister Femi Fani Kayode who described the self acclaimed oil
baron and CFR as a cultist who sleeps inside coffins to oil his riches.
However, Jimoh Ibrahim who is
equally synonymous with pride gave it back to Fani Kayode in the twitter war which lasted twenty four hours
during the Ondo election.
interesting for followers of Nigeria’s political drama as issues in the
recently concluded Ondo State (South West Nigeria) gubernatorial election caused
room for many political pundits to laugh their jaws weak. The platform of
laughter came from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when two of her
political elements in the persons of Turn-Around Expert and Harvard University
trained Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim of
the Senator Ali Modu Sherif faction
of the party and former Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for
Justice, Barrister Eyitayo Jegede of
the Senator Ahmed Makarfi faction of
the party engaged in a legal imbroglio that saw Jimoh Ibrahim being declared the authentic candidate of the party
in a October 15 judgment delivered by one Justice
Okon Abang of Abuja Federal High
Court before an Appeal Court and Supreme Court judgments nullified Abang’s declaration four days to the
election thereby leaving Jegede as
the real authentic candidate of PDP. Since the drama broke out, Jimoh Ibrahim who is largely seen as a
man full of majestic pride has suffered several scanty remarks from political
friends and foes both at the highest and lowest echelon of the society. One of
such ridicule came from a former Minister of Aviation, Barrister Femi Fani Kayode who described the self acclaimed oil
baron and CFR as a cultist who sleeps inside coffins to oil his riches.
However, Jimoh Ibrahim who is
equally synonymous with pride gave it back to Fani Kayode in the twitter war which lasted twenty four hours
during the Ondo election.
Asabeafrika in a detailed research, conducted this afternoon, brings you 25 boastful
statements that has been made in various magazines and newspaper interviews by
the Igbotako, Ondo state born
business-politician. Enjoy the excerpts.
statements that has been made in various magazines and newspaper interviews by
the Igbotako, Ondo state born
business-politician. Enjoy the excerpts.
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| Jimoh Ibrahim….Loves to revive Dead Companies to his own self serving benefits |
On his passion to revive dead
companies…
companies…
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“For me to invest (in any business)
the business must be dead or critically dying. If it is just showing some
signs, I will not buy it, but if it is dead, then it requires surgical
operations. That is where I have my own gift”
the business must be dead or critically dying. If it is just showing some
signs, I will not buy it, but if it is dead, then it requires surgical
operations. That is where I have my own gift”
On his ability to turn around
business ventures
business ventures
“If you look at some of the companies
we have bought, you would observe that I can turn around a dead company to
life. If you look at Newswatch (Magazine) it is now a 129-page document…Now,
embassies, United Nations and International firms in Nigeria subscribe for the
magazine”
we have bought, you would observe that I can turn around a dead company to
life. If you look at Newswatch (Magazine) it is now a 129-page document…Now,
embassies, United Nations and International firms in Nigeria subscribe for the
magazine”
On how he bought NICON LUXURY Hotel,
Abuja
Abuja
“Speaking of NICON luxury Hotel in
Abuja, people have forgotten that there used to be snakes and big Pythons
inside that hotel…The Snake situation was so bad that there was a
Presidential directive that no official presidency function should take place
in NICON Luxury Hotel. I paid $60 million Dollars and some people wanted the
Hotel from us claiming it is their fore-fathers’ possession”
Abuja, people have forgotten that there used to be snakes and big Pythons
inside that hotel…The Snake situation was so bad that there was a
Presidential directive that no official presidency function should take place
in NICON Luxury Hotel. I paid $60 million Dollars and some people wanted the
Hotel from us claiming it is their fore-fathers’ possession”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim….Shares Neighborhood with Bill Gate but hardly pays his staff? |
On his status as a landlord on
London’s richest street
London’s richest street
“That is my personal house on the
Bishop’s Avenue. If you go to the internet, check Jimoh Ibrahim’s house in
London. Bishop Avenue is a significant street in London and I have neighbors
like Bill Gate, a Russian jeans maker and a sheikh”
Bishop’s Avenue. If you go to the internet, check Jimoh Ibrahim’s house in
London. Bishop Avenue is a significant street in London and I have neighbors
like Bill Gate, a Russian jeans maker and a sheikh”
On his Energy Oil advert on CNN
“I have a global vision that is why
we are on Cable News Network (CNN) at the moment. Anytime I see my company on
CNN, I see Rolex, Nokia at the same time. When did we start? Was it not ten
years ago? What is so bad about it?”
we are on Cable News Network (CNN) at the moment. Anytime I see my company on
CNN, I see Rolex, Nokia at the same time. When did we start? Was it not ten
years ago? What is so bad about it?”
On his offshore businesses
“People that have not established
businesses outside Nigerian soil are not entrepreneurs, they are local entrepreneurs.
If you know that your business can be successful, take it to London, Sao Tome
and Dubai where you have to comply with all the rules and regulations”
businesses outside Nigerian soil are not entrepreneurs, they are local entrepreneurs.
If you know that your business can be successful, take it to London, Sao Tome
and Dubai where you have to comply with all the rules and regulations”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim’s Private jet with the white men now serving him |
On why he bought a Private jet
“People talk about having private
jets and see it as a crime. That is madness! Now, you take off from here to Sao
Tome, fly one and a half hours you move from Sao Tome to Ghana and you know
there is no direct flight. From Ghana to Dubai, from Dubai you cross to London
from London you are back to Nigeria”
jets and see it as a crime. That is madness! Now, you take off from here to Sao
Tome, fly one and a half hours you move from Sao Tome to Ghana and you know
there is no direct flight. From Ghana to Dubai, from Dubai you cross to London
from London you are back to Nigeria”
On why his Energy Petrol Stations are
empty
empty
“Of course, we have 200 petrol
stations and we have depots all over. We sell petrol”
stations and we have depots all over. We sell petrol”
On why he invested in the media
“We have changed Newswatch, we are
doing a good job with Mirror (Newspaper) and I know we are going to have other
media investments”
doing a good job with Mirror (Newspaper) and I know we are going to have other
media investments”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim….Claims all his monies belongs to him, not Obasanjo or Abacha |
On allegations that he fronts for
influential politicians
influential politicians
“If you ask me to front for you, I
will chop the money because I cannot front for you and give you the money. If I
am fronting for you, I have my private jet; I have my own house in the Bishop’s
Avenue. You that is the owner of the money, where is your own (London House
& Private jet)?”
will chop the money because I cannot front for you and give you the money. If I
am fronting for you, I have my private jet; I have my own house in the Bishop’s
Avenue. You that is the owner of the money, where is your own (London House
& Private jet)?”
On his Leadership Philosophy
“I am a level 5 leader, a servant
leader who has seen it all. One who has graduated from a boss to a leader; at
that leadership level, you become a servant”
leader who has seen it all. One who has graduated from a boss to a leader; at
that leadership level, you become a servant”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim….Believes God hates illiterates and loves Graduates |
On why God hates illiterate People…
“If you go to school and you are a
University graduate, you will be my friend forever. I will always like you and
have respected for you because I know that even if you are poor now, you will
definitely make it. God has respect for the graduates than the illiterates. God
loves graduates and hate illiterates”
University graduate, you will be my friend forever. I will always like you and
have respected for you because I know that even if you are poor now, you will
definitely make it. God has respect for the graduates than the illiterates. God
loves graduates and hate illiterates”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim stepping down from his private jet |
On a new Federal Government policy on
Private jet parking…
Private jet parking…
“There is no opinion, it does not
concern me. My jet is America registered. If you do not want me to park it in
Nigeria, I will go and park it in London or Ghana”
concern me. My jet is America registered. If you do not want me to park it in
Nigeria, I will go and park it in London or Ghana”
On why Nigeria needs more private jet
owners
owners
“Do you know that the number of
private jets in Ghana now is almost getting to the number of private jets in
Nigeria? When they are supposed to be praying that their children buy (more)
private jets, they are criticizing jets owners, it is strange to me”
private jets in Ghana now is almost getting to the number of private jets in
Nigeria? When they are supposed to be praying that their children buy (more)
private jets, they are criticizing jets owners, it is strange to me”
On his status as an alumnus of
Obafemi Awolowo University
Obafemi Awolowo University
“I cannot be coming from OAU and you
are coming from one OSU or LASU. You keep quite when I am talking. In fact, I
had to run away from LASU and move to Ife (OAU) because some people did not
allow me to rest in the village”
are coming from one OSU or LASU. You keep quite when I am talking. In fact, I
had to run away from LASU and move to Ife (OAU) because some people did not
allow me to rest in the village”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim… the Politician who used his Newspaper to pay tributes to Jesus Christ Our Lord |
On slave trade & Jimoh Ibrahim
trade…
trade…
“You know we used to be slaves to the
British, and our fore fathers were serving them, now they serve me. When I sit
down in the plane and an American man is flying me, I take it with all humility
and I see it as the handwork of God”
British, and our fore fathers were serving them, now they serve me. When I sit
down in the plane and an American man is flying me, I take it with all humility
and I see it as the handwork of God”
On ambition to lead youths and become
Ondo governor
Ondo governor
“My own story will be nothing when we
see the story of these youths in ten years time. The country belongs to these
youths. Of course, I would have been Governor of Ondo”
see the story of these youths in ten years time. The country belongs to these
youths. Of course, I would have been Governor of Ondo”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim…The only man whom Governor Mimiko of Ondo can rush into his house and ask for food |
On his friendship with Governor
Mimiko
Mimiko
“I don’t know why Mimiko is afraid of
me. He is my friend. Mimiko is very close to me and my wife. As we speak, he
can walk into my house and ask for food”
me. He is my friend. Mimiko is very close to me and my wife. As we speak, he
can walk into my house and ask for food”
On his relationship with Gov.
Mimiko’s wife
Mimiko’s wife
“I was on an International Flight
when I saw his (Governor Segun Mimiko’s) wife and daughter five months ago. We
flew on the same flight. I bought gifts for her and her daughter. I flew first
class, they were in business class. I went to check them twice, in the plane,
to ensure that they were comfortable. After the flight, Mimiko’s wife and the
daughter called to thank me”
when I saw his (Governor Segun Mimiko’s) wife and daughter five months ago. We
flew on the same flight. I bought gifts for her and her daughter. I flew first
class, they were in business class. I went to check them twice, in the plane,
to ensure that they were comfortable. After the flight, Mimiko’s wife and the
daughter called to thank me”
On his guber war with Governor Mimiko
“I am not desperate to be governor.
It’s not a do-or-die affair for me. I am not like Mimiko who does not have
anything to fall back on. I have my job. If he knows he is a good medical
doctor, why can’t he go and develop a hospital?”
It’s not a do-or-die affair for me. I am not like Mimiko who does not have
anything to fall back on. I have my job. If he knows he is a good medical
doctor, why can’t he go and develop a hospital?”
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| Jimoh Ibrahim….The most popular politician in Igbotako. Loved and admired by his people? |
On his popularity rating in his
village
village
“How can you say that I am not
popular in Igbotako? Anybody can
allege but it is not true. When they don’t have anything against you, they will
start bringing baseless allegation”
popular in Igbotako? Anybody can
allege but it is not true. When they don’t have anything against you, they will
start bringing baseless allegation”
On his business investment in Ondo
State
State
“I am thinking of industrializing
Ondo. Let (Governor Olusegun) Mimiko tell us how many industries he has built
in Ondo. He had only a three bed room flat where he ran a hospital before he
became the Governor. Can you compare that to the investments that I have in
Ondo state?”
Ondo. Let (Governor Olusegun) Mimiko tell us how many industries he has built
in Ondo. He had only a three bed room flat where he ran a hospital before he
became the Governor. Can you compare that to the investments that I have in
Ondo state?”
On the chances of PDP in winning Ondo
election
election
“Jegede (PDP candidate in the
November 26 Ondo election) is my manager. He can keep amassing votes; he is
only working for me. As far as I am concerned I am the authentic candidate. By
the time the election is over, I will gladly take my mandate from him”
November 26 Ondo election) is my manager. He can keep amassing votes; he is
only working for me. As far as I am concerned I am the authentic candidate. By
the time the election is over, I will gladly take my mandate from him”
On his willingness to make his rival
Jegede his deputy in the Nov 26th election
Jegede his deputy in the Nov 26th election
“If Mimiko had come to me and said I
should accept Jegede to be my deputy, I would have accepted. Deputy Governor is
not too small for him. Jegede was a commissioner. Jegede too would have
accepted to be deputy”
should accept Jegede to be my deputy, I would have accepted. Deputy Governor is
not too small for him. Jegede was a commissioner. Jegede too would have
accepted to be deputy”
On why he suspected that Gov. Mimiko
kidnapped his mother
kidnapped his mother
“Mimiko called me 3 days after my
mother was kidnapped. I asked him why he was calling me after 3 days. I told him
that my mother used to cook for him when he was campaigning. My father was
Mimiko’s campaign manager”
mother was kidnapped. I asked him why he was calling me after 3 days. I told him
that my mother used to cook for him when he was campaigning. My father was
Mimiko’s campaign manager”
On how he aims to fund his election
“I am not doing any fundraiser. I
don’t want that. I have my own innovative ways of doing it, I don’t need cash”
don’t want that. I have my own innovative ways of doing it, I don’t need cash”
On how his CFR makes him bigger than
Mimiko’s CON
Mimiko’s CON
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| Jimoh Ibrahim…Chased reptiles out of Nicon Luxury Hotel before turning the hotel into something else… |
“I was honored as Commander of the
Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR). Mimiko is a Commander of the
Niger (CON). I am his senior in terms of this honor. So, he cannot be rude to
me and should respect me”
Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR). Mimiko is a Commander of the
Niger (CON). I am his senior in terms of this honor. So, he cannot be rude to
me and should respect me”
