I cannot even remember when I got the invite as I get a lot these days
But my man Daniel who keeps my schedule dutifully sent me a reminder last night
So immediately my session with DigiBrand ended, I rushed to the gents and changed into a more comfortable outfit and charged at the Muson Centre venue of the party
It was billed as a retirement party for Ken by Royal Exchange the 100-year-old insurance behemoth
Ken Odogwu is of a very distinguished pedigree as his father Chief Odogwu was a well-respected businessman whose impact remains quite endemic in the Nigerian business climate.
I finally met Ken last year when my egbon Chike Ogeah gave me access
I met him at the exclusive Capital Club where we discussed almost every business issue in Nigeria
He then supported my play – Asaba emerging as the biggest donor
The Shell Hall venue of the Party was resplendent, and as I walked in, it was Musa Gowon that I first saw
Musa is the son of the former Head of State, Yakubu Gowon, and nd my junior in Secondary School. Great guy.
Then Idu the brilliant MD of Royal Exchange came to hug me. As she held me, I whispered into her ear – sister give me this sponsorship na
I have been disturbing her to support Dora and she has been dodging with a smile
So I left her and went straight to Chidi Agbapu who used to be a director at Fidelity Bank – not sure if he is still there
He was sitting with my sister the Company Secretary of Rex Insurance who now happened to be the book reviewer of the night, who was on stage doing her thing
Then I went to the power table where Ogbueshi Chike Ogeah was sitting.
Edgar, I’m not happy with you-it was about a critical essay I had done on Asaba and I apologised and hugged him
Ken was resplendant on white agbada and white shoes to match.
You know, the Asaba people with white. I hugged him and drove home to take a picture with me
His very beautiful wife joined us and dutifully mentioned to him that, ‘Chike is upset with Duke’
Then I ran into my brother Banwo of Banwo & Ighodalo fame
He has not bought a ticket in a bit and I charged – oga buy ticket o and he says, ‘I don’t see am and I go buy’
Then I saw my long-time no-see friend o Tilewa. Tilewa is one of the most brilliant economists in this country and I had approached him to come and chair a wealth management franchise that I was looking at forming but he dodged
Then I saw my new friend – Ebelechukwu Nwachukwu who is MD of Brilliant Rex Insurance, a firm with a loose affiliation with Royal Exchange Plc
Rex Insurance is Nigeria’s best-kept secret as its approach towards the various classes of underwriting remains boundary-pushing
Ebelechukwu was on stage and I made it a point to go hug her but by the time, I toured the hall she had left for a broker’s meeting, I heard.
No worries, she is speaking at Dora and I think you should all come and see the Play so you can see her smile
Then I settled on a table that had my brother Ohimai and his beautiful Tina and opposite me was the great Chief Henry Okolo and his lovely wife
Then my big senior colleague, Ike Chioke came for a hug. Much respect for him.
Then Chief Obasanjo entered and the Hall scattered for a bit. I went to greet him and then scampered out of the Hall
What next for Ken Odogwu, I don’t know and it’s not as if he would be carrying CV all over the place cos he is sorted and very well so
Congrats my big brother
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: March 20, 2026
