By Steve Omolale
He is a man with a suave demeanour. He is jovial, meticulous, firm, family-centric, compassionate, philanthropic, brilliant, strategic and highly disciplined, among other qualities.
These and many more are what defined the personality of Otunba Oluseyi Oduntan (OON), former Chairman, Wemaboard Group, who turned 71 today.
I had missed his 70th birthday last year when he rolled out the drums and blew the trumpets with friends and family members to celebrate the special grace of God in his life. So, this tribute is unique in a way.
Oduntan is a man of many parts. As an astute manager of resources, both human and materials, he has pioneered, grown and managed many companies from nowhere to somewhere. As a philanthropist and community leader, which earned him the chieftaincy title of Otunba Osigade of Ijebuland, Otunba, as we fondly call him, has contributed immeasurably to the development of his home town in Ogun State. As a committed family man, he has raised very successful children in many fields. And as an industrialist, his many companies that are doing fantastically well have provided jobs for thousands of Nigerians and are contributing to the country’s economic growth.
We first met almost two decades ago in the course of my professional duty at the defunct Nigerian Compass newspapers. While I was the pioneer Assistant Editor (Features), later Deputy Editor (Daily) and acting Weekend Editor at various times, Oduntan was the Executive Vice Chairman, saddled with the responsibility of growing the business part of the group.
I got closer to him when I wanted to interview his brother-in-law and billionaire businessman Dr. Oba Otudeko for my features page. Oduntan obliged me Otudeko’s phone contact without hesitation. After making several phone calls to the businessman for the interview appointment, he eventually agreed to a date. On the said date, Oduntan, our then Daily Editor, the late Mr. Bayo Oguntimehin, myself and two advert executives met Otudeko at his Ikoyi home where the interview took place. It was a no holds barred interview laced with a lot of jokes and laughter. It was a win for me as a journalist. It was also the beginning of my personal relationship with Dr. Otudeko.
However, despite his exalted position, Otunba never underated any employee, no matter his or her level in the organisation. The door of his office was always open for anybody to walk in and discuss with him. Even when he was out of his office, you could easily approach him on the corridor, or at the car park, or anywhere else within the premises. He would first listen to you and address whatever the issue was. And then, in his usual jovial manner, he would throw some jokes at you to crack your ribs. He was actually jokingly calling me “Stevii” instead of Steve. Although, we all came determined to take the Nigerian Compass to a different level, unfortunately, circumstances beyond our control did not allow this dream to come to fruition.
However, and since then, his philanthropic nature to all who know him has not waned till today. Many people he has touched and still touches their lives can testify to this. His aura has not diminished with age either. Instead, it keeps increasing.
Personally, Otunba’s philanthropy has impacted this writer’s family positively years after the Nigerian Compass ceased to exist. Not once, not twice, but multiple times.
For instance, at a time when we were searching for a foundation to assist in settling some urgent expenses for one of our children in school, and I contacted him to connect us with the foundation run by Otudeko who had travelled out of the country then and whose contact I had lost, he said there was no need contacting any foundation and just sent more than what we required to settle the expenses within a few minutes. In fact, the speed with which he did this was really pleasantly astonishing and almost unbelievable.
Oduntan would not only send in excess of what is needed, as he does always when it comes to education and other important matters, he would also send prayers and soul-lifting words like a good father that he is.
Indeed, he does not hesitate to spend his hard-earned resources on anything education and other worthy causes.
Although he, unfortunately, lost his lovely and delectable wife and pillar of support some time ago, this has, however, not diminished his faith in Almighty God, who gives and takes as He wishes.
Oduntan, a chartered marketer and Fellow of the United Kingdom Institute, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Studies and a post-graduate Diploma in Marketing. A very successful and meticulous businessman with a wealth of experience in diverse business fields, he is the Executive Chairman of Lanrope Group, a highly diversified group of companies. Besides, as a boardroom guru, he has either served, or he is serving as the chairman or director in several successful companies, including Honeywell Group where he served as the managing director for 15 years.
Today, in the Lanrope Group are: Seyi Oduntan Farms Limited; Teritek Services Limited; Unidal Facts Ventures Limited; Je T’aime Limited; Andrew Wallace Consulting Limited and Beckwood Homes and Property Limited, among several others.
Oduntan is a recipient of the national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) for his contributions to the development of the country.
He is also a member of the prestigious Ikoyi Club 1938 and Ikeja Country Club, as well as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club International.
As you mark your 71st birthday, all I wish you is good health and a sound mind to navigate the rest of your years in the land of the living.
Happy birthday Sir!
