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| Fernandez inside Private Jet |
The
passing away of Ambassador Plenipotentiary Chief Oladeinde Fernandez on Tuesday
September 1st, 2015 did not come as a big surprise to many who are
close to the family and who knew his various health challenges in the last
couple of years. He had been in and out of aliments which ordinarily would have
taken his life but for God indeed,
watchers believed it was only a matter of time before the inevitable would
happen.
passing away of Ambassador Plenipotentiary Chief Oladeinde Fernandez on Tuesday
September 1st, 2015 did not come as a big surprise to many who are
close to the family and who knew his various health challenges in the last
couple of years. He had been in and out of aliments which ordinarily would have
taken his life but for God indeed,
watchers believed it was only a matter of time before the inevitable would
happen.
For the father of 9, who
holds the traditional title of Garsan
Fulanin Kano, which means the
defender of the Fulanis’ (Given to him by late Emir Ado Bayero) life was meant to be lived
to the fullest. And he did lived life to the tilt. He is on record for paying
the highest alimony in British
history to one of his former wives, Princess
Aduke Olufunmilayo Fernandez. Today, your soar away Africa’s number 1
Celebrity Encounter blog Asabeafrika brings you 9 shocking things you don’t
know about the late BARON OF DUDLEY. Find a quite moment with your favorite
drink and snacks as you enjoy the shocking side of Deinde Fernandez.
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| Ajinijini Ogun, Oladeiinde Fernandez |
His
Influence on Kano Society
Influence on Kano Society
Unknown to many, his closeness to the late Emir
of kano as well as his attributes that earned him the title
Garsan Fulanin Kano meant that he was one of the senior title chiefs
who held regular meetings with the late Emir at any time. He was the only
non-indigene who had that kind of privilege. His contributions to the Kano
Emirate during the short time he spent in Kano have continued to be
a reference point. Despite his immense wealth, Fernandez was seriously
averse to publicity. He shields away from it as much as possible. He once told
a reporter
that they were over a million people who were of his age outside there, with no
homes and so if he is lucky to have a roof over his head that was no excuse to
flaunt it despite his wealth. Also, he had his fears. Some of this arose over who
were very close to him and why they were so close. These fears perhaps
explained why he relocated from Nigeria and went back to Europe even
after he had attempted to resettle back home.
of kano as well as his attributes that earned him the title
Garsan Fulanin Kano meant that he was one of the senior title chiefs
who held regular meetings with the late Emir at any time. He was the only
non-indigene who had that kind of privilege. His contributions to the Kano
Emirate during the short time he spent in Kano have continued to be
a reference point. Despite his immense wealth, Fernandez was seriously
averse to publicity. He shields away from it as much as possible. He once told
a reporter
that they were over a million people who were of his age outside there, with no
homes and so if he is lucky to have a roof over his head that was no excuse to
flaunt it despite his wealth. Also, he had his fears. Some of this arose over who
were very close to him and why they were so close. These fears perhaps
explained why he relocated from Nigeria and went back to Europe even
after he had attempted to resettle back home.
“For
instance, during a discussion with some guests some years back, one of the
guests mentioned Morocco as his
birthplace. At that point Fernandez
reminiscenced how he had not visited his Moroccan home for over 20 years and wondered what was
happening there”.
His
“Snooping” Work habit
“Snooping” Work habit
Fernandez had
a habit that was not common. He gets to the office around one in the afternoon
when he is early and at times as late as 4.00pm and may not leave until about
3.00am the next morning
a habit that was not common. He gets to the office around one in the afternoon
when he is early and at times as late as 4.00pm and may not leave until about
3.00am the next morning
He preferred working in
the late evening to the early hours of the morning before dawn.
the late evening to the early hours of the morning before dawn.
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| Fernandez’s Yemoja Yatch |
His
Biggest Economic Loss & the Unpublished Biography
Biggest Economic Loss & the Unpublished Biography
The Baron of Dudley suffered losses running
into billions of Naira in the stock market crash that took place about six years
ago as a major investor in many blue chip companies in Nigeria especially the
banks. One thing he cherished was his relationship with some African leaders, dead or alive. he never
boasted about it but if there was need for him to show you how close to them he
was against the writing of his biography because according to him, he found a
way to separate his love for his wives and ex-wives from what he had for all
his children.
into billions of Naira in the stock market crash that took place about six years
ago as a major investor in many blue chip companies in Nigeria especially the
banks. One thing he cherished was his relationship with some African leaders, dead or alive. he never
boasted about it but if there was need for him to show you how close to them he
was against the writing of his biography because according to him, he found a
way to separate his love for his wives and ex-wives from what he had for all
his children.
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| Yemoja’s Family Room laced with African Artifacts & Beautiful |
How
he gave sons aero planes as birthday gifts
he gave sons aero planes as birthday gifts
He loved his children
with passion. His first 2 sons once told this reporter in interviews
published in City People years back that they learnt how to fly and had
planes as their fourteenth birthday presents. He never looked down on any of
his children’s dreams but encouraged them. No wonder one of his daughters is
into pop music. He was one of the major bakers of the Buhari presidency and he
was believed to have contributed immensely to the president’s acceptance by
some black caucuses in some western countries by putting in a word for him as a
changed man and a democrat.
with passion. His first 2 sons once told this reporter in interviews
published in City People years back that they learnt how to fly and had
planes as their fourteenth birthday presents. He never looked down on any of
his children’s dreams but encouraged them. No wonder one of his daughters is
into pop music. He was one of the major bakers of the Buhari presidency and he
was believed to have contributed immensely to the president’s acceptance by
some black caucuses in some western countries by putting in a word for him as a
changed man and a democrat.
“Fernandez said one of his reasons why his top
aides were Caucasians was because
over the years, he realized that they had problem accepting him and his wealth
status. Based on this, what he did was to ensure that his aides were always
around him when he attended top functions where there were Caucasians”.
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| The Yemoja @ Full Speed |
His
bickering with OBJ
bickering with OBJ
He was being expected
in Nigeria
this September
for meetings with the president over issues relating to
his mining prospects which he abandoned during the Obasanjo years after he
had labeled the former President as unserious. Sometimes
around 2006, Obasanjo invited Fernandez
and his wife Halima to the Presidential villa. They
thought it was like the normal state dinners they attended abroad where major
issues relating to business and economy would be discussed in a formal but
cordial atmosphere. They were wrong; Obasanjo had just finished playing
squash that day.
in Nigeria
this September
for meetings with the president over issues relating to
his mining prospects which he abandoned during the Obasanjo years after he
had labeled the former President as unserious. Sometimes
around 2006, Obasanjo invited Fernandez
and his wife Halima to the Presidential villa. They
thought it was like the normal state dinners they attended abroad where major
issues relating to business and economy would be discussed in a formal but
cordial atmosphere. They were wrong; Obasanjo had just finished playing
squash that day.
He attended the dinner
in his track suit while his guests came for the event in the best money could
buy attires and formally dressed and with briefs on what they wanted the
government to do to encourage investments in the economy. Fernandez left
disappointed. He hardly had a good regard for Nigerian government. His
experience with them at various levels said it all. He spent hundred of
millions of Naira bringing in
specialists who prepared feasibility reports and investments templates on
aspect of the Nigerian economy he felt
like investing in only for Obasanjo to ‘dismiss every thing
with a wave of hand claiming to know it all’. He never forgot the former President
for that. Then, there was also his attempt to reposition the Lagos
State water situation.
in his track suit while his guests came for the event in the best money could
buy attires and formally dressed and with briefs on what they wanted the
government to do to encourage investments in the economy. Fernandez left
disappointed. He hardly had a good regard for Nigerian government. His
experience with them at various levels said it all. He spent hundred of
millions of Naira bringing in
specialists who prepared feasibility reports and investments templates on
aspect of the Nigerian economy he felt
like investing in only for Obasanjo to ‘dismiss every thing
with a wave of hand claiming to know it all’. He never forgot the former President
for that. Then, there was also his attempt to reposition the Lagos
State water situation.
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| The Ambassador Plenipotentiary with his good friend ex-US President George Bush Senior |
Why
his deal with ex-Gov. Tinubu didn’t fly
his deal with ex-Gov. Tinubu didn’t fly
According to the late Billionaire,
he discussed with former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu over his
interest in repositioning the water situation in Lagos State so that at
least this would no longer be a major challenge to the state Government. He
claimed that before Tinubu got elected, he was very keen about the idea and they
even arranged for the Consultant he brought who did mapping of the state for
portable water even for areas that were yet to be developed but once the former
Governor
was sworn in and took over the reigns of government, the situation changed.
Tinubu
did not keep his own side of the bargain. The late Fernandez was very
close to the former FCT Minister and incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el Rufia. His
earliest contacts in the Obasanjo Government were facilitated
by the former FCT minister and it is widely believed that Nasir El-Rufai also facilitated his
contact with President Muhammadu Buhari.
he discussed with former Lagos Governor, Bola Tinubu over his
interest in repositioning the water situation in Lagos State so that at
least this would no longer be a major challenge to the state Government. He
claimed that before Tinubu got elected, he was very keen about the idea and they
even arranged for the Consultant he brought who did mapping of the state for
portable water even for areas that were yet to be developed but once the former
Governor
was sworn in and took over the reigns of government, the situation changed.
Tinubu
did not keep his own side of the bargain. The late Fernandez was very
close to the former FCT Minister and incumbent Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el Rufia. His
earliest contacts in the Obasanjo Government were facilitated
by the former FCT minister and it is widely believed that Nasir El-Rufai also facilitated his
contact with President Muhammadu Buhari.
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| The Ambassador Plenipotentiary with ex-UN Secretary General Kofi Anan with the former Prime Minister of Mozambique |
How
his Kano Dream died with Ado Bayero
his Kano Dream died with Ado Bayero
But for traditions, the
late Billionaire
would have preferred the son of his equally late friend, the former Emir,
Ado Bayero to succeed his father. He had built a strong bond with the
late Emir’s
son and to him, it was quite a big disappointment that he was not chosen to
succeed his father.
late Billionaire
would have preferred the son of his equally late friend, the former Emir,
Ado Bayero to succeed his father. He had built a strong bond with the
late Emir’s
son and to him, it was quite a big disappointment that he was not chosen to
succeed his father.
Why
he kept Caucasian aides
he kept Caucasian aides
Despite living over
sixty years with Caucasians, Ambassador Deinde Fernandez had reservations about
some of them. According to him, they don’t have any regard for blacks. Fernandez
said one of his reasons why his top aides were Caucasians was because
over the years, he realized that they had problem accepting him and his wealth
status. Based on this, what he did was to ensure that his aides were always
around him when he attended top functions where there were Caucasians. He never
compromised on that because according to him, they almost always looked down upon
him until they knew him well.
sixty years with Caucasians, Ambassador Deinde Fernandez had reservations about
some of them. According to him, they don’t have any regard for blacks. Fernandez
said one of his reasons why his top aides were Caucasians was because
over the years, he realized that they had problem accepting him and his wealth
status. Based on this, what he did was to ensure that his aides were always
around him when he attended top functions where there were Caucasians. He never
compromised on that because according to him, they almost always looked down upon
him until they knew him well.
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| Fernandez’s House on New York Island |
Why
he abandoned some of his properties around the world
he abandoned some of his properties around the world
Because of the nature
of his lifestyle, the late billionaire had homes scattered all over the world.
Curiously, there were many he never visited for years. For instance, during a
discussion with some guests some years back, one of the guests mentioned Morocco as his birthplace. At that
point Fernandez reminiscenced how he
had not visited his Moroccan home for over 20
years and wondered what was happening there.
of his lifestyle, the late billionaire had homes scattered all over the world.
Curiously, there were many he never visited for years. For instance, during a
discussion with some guests some years back, one of the guests mentioned Morocco as his birthplace. At that
point Fernandez reminiscenced how he
had not visited his Moroccan home for over 20
years and wondered what was happening there.
City people reliably
gathered that there were homes he never visited like that for many years or
maybe he would spend only a couple
of weeks in three years. Take the Kano Mansion for instance, he left
the place for over five years now and has not been there since. His Chateau
in France is also believed to suffer the same fate as he spent the
last couple of years around Belgium and the Americans. Born in 1929 to
the famous Olumegbon family of Isale Eko Lagos, Deinde Fernandez carved
a niche for himself in business and diplomacy as he amassed wealth while also
using the wealth to build contacts in the diplomatic circles and making friends
with the high and mighty. Not less than 10 African leaders were his closest
associates. Among them were the late Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Late President
Omar Bongo of Gabon, late President
Gnassingbe
Eyadema of Togo and King
Hassan of Morocco.
gathered that there were homes he never visited like that for many years or
maybe he would spend only a couple
of weeks in three years. Take the Kano Mansion for instance, he left
the place for over five years now and has not been there since. His Chateau
in France is also believed to suffer the same fate as he spent the
last couple of years around Belgium and the Americans. Born in 1929 to
the famous Olumegbon family of Isale Eko Lagos, Deinde Fernandez carved
a niche for himself in business and diplomacy as he amassed wealth while also
using the wealth to build contacts in the diplomatic circles and making friends
with the high and mighty. Not less than 10 African leaders were his closest
associates. Among them were the late Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire, Late President
Omar Bongo of Gabon, late President
Gnassingbe
Eyadema of Togo and King
Hassan of Morocco.
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| Fernandez’s Avenue; An Insignia |
Apart from these, he
was also very close to President George Bush Senior as well
as President Jimmy Carter both of the United
States of America.
was also very close to President George Bush Senior as well
as President Jimmy Carter both of the United
States of America.
For long he was a major
lobbyist and influence on the African American Congressional Caucus.
He died in a Brussels private hospital on Tuesday September 1st after
suffering from some blood related aliments for over three years. The aliment
had seen him move in and out of hospitals over the same period. One of the
biggest projects he had ongoing was his Kano building which was to gulp over
five billion but which he abandoned as a result of security issues in the city.
lobbyist and influence on the African American Congressional Caucus.
He died in a Brussels private hospital on Tuesday September 1st after
suffering from some blood related aliments for over three years. The aliment
had seen him move in and out of hospitals over the same period. One of the
biggest projects he had ongoing was his Kano building which was to gulp over
five billion but which he abandoned as a result of security issues in the city.
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| Fernandez; A white man ferries visitors from the helipad to house |
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| Fernandez with Mobutu |
(Culled from City People Magazine)
