Abiodun Muritala Dabiri means various things to completely different folks and so, is thought by a number of names relying on who is asking. In his days as a financial institution government at Magnum Belief and Sterling banks, he was often called “Mr Dabs”. On the golf course, he’s known as “Chairman” or “Bió” whereas typically he’s known as “Oga Sir” and naturally ‘Biodun.’
No matter many who know him name him, you can not assist however attest to the truth that he is an ideal gentleman— quiet, unassuming, agency, powerful when the necessity arises, extremely related and, to a big extent, avoids the limelight even when it’s virtually not possible to take action.
A chartered accountant, consummate funding banker, capital market operator and industrialist (Woodline Industries Restricted) he has gone by way of the mills and has featured considerably on Nigeria’s monetary panorama.
From the acquisition of majority shares and take-over of Magnum Belief Financial institution together with his brother, Tunde, within the mid 90’s to overseeing a few of his personal corporations, Capital Consortium Restricted, Safety Swaps Restricted, Radix Capital Companions to his present function as Chairman of the Lagos Free Commerce Zone Lekki, he has excelled. His function on the Free Commerce Zone has been vital and impactful with the opening of the Zone to worldwide commerce.
Operators on the Zone will testify to the super worth Chairman has introduced in from infrastructure to providers and even to group relations. Apparently, only a few of his associates even find out about this Chairmanship place and plenty of solely discover out once they see him within the media with the president or governors when features in regards to the Zone are held.
One factor that can not be denied is that Dabiri has constructed up quite a few males from boys. Many of those males are right now in very strategic senior government positions across the nation and it’s unimaginable the unfold and the attain for individuals who know. From the manufacturing industries, banking, insurance coverage to authorities and the general public sector, the goodwill he instructions is gigantic.
He’s simply a type of males that, on any given day, if he as a lot as mentions a necessity, he would simply have 20 folks falling over each other, providing and fortunately prepared to assist out purely as a chance to present again to him for his help previously.
For our apply, Ubosi Eleh & Co, a agency of Property Surveyors & Valuers, it’s unlikely that our historical past could be utterly written with out Biodun Dabiri taking a piece of the pages.
Our first contact with Dabiri dates again to 1991, when my companion Emeka and I began apply. One in all our main channels of promoting was the then rising Guardian newspapers Property part printed each Monday.
On this explicit Monday, we had marketed, amongst others, a Lekki Section 1 plot of land belonging to an aged shopper of ours. Asking worth was N600,000. This was some huge cash then. One of many enquiries was from a banker who recognized himself as Biodun Dabiri with the then NAL Service provider Financial institution Restricted. We had by no means met, by no means heard of him.
He had additionally by no means heard about us or the agency both and was cautious about coping with us. However, after a lot negotiations and bodily conferences, he closed the acquisition at N570,000.
The story might have ended there and all of us might have gone our separate methods but it surely was really solely the start. We stayed in contact and thereafter grew a friendship and relationship spanning shut to 3 and a half a long time right now.
From that cellphone name in our early days and the truth that we maintained that relationship, we had entry to his household and so a lot of his associates within the monetary and different sectors.
These associates who have been then primarily younger managers, senior managers, government administrators and so forth finally turned financial institution house owners and CEOs, and usually individuals who managed and influenced the fortunes of the Nigerian enterprise world.
Until date and with many of those shoppers properly into their 70’s and 80’s, we nonetheless preserve these relationships and do enterprise with all of them. All due to one cellphone name that was answered and adopted by way of 35 years in the past. In reality, one in all Chairman’s favorite phrases of knowledge is, “we solely know the small from the start, we by no means understand how huge the top will probably be.”
Determine that out.
About 2 a long time in the past as Captain of the Ikeja Golf Membership, I satisfied him to take up golf and there started his sojourn with one of the addictive however irritating video games on the planet. He’s a full convert now. Today, he hardly travels wherever native or worldwide with out the golf golf equipment in tow. It’s unlikely that you may seat with him for quarter-hour with out golf creeping into the dialog.
Biodun and his spouse, Fidelimma, are our shut household associates even right down to our kids. They’ve acted as mentors who my spouse and I’ve, on many events, run to when confronted with some powerful life selections. The completely different views they provide are at all times refreshing.
Chairman, as you rejoice 70, our prayer is that God who has introduced you this far will proceed to maintain, bless, defend and favour you. Not simply you, but additionally your whole household and all that you just maintain pricey. Amen.
Joyful Birthday.
.Ubosi, an property surveyor and valuer, is Principal Associate at Ubosi Eleh & Co
