I’ve always been a brilliant networker. The main ingredients for a good networker are goodwill, integrity and very importantly genuine interested in people’s well-being
Over the years, I’ve built a rich network of friends so when the idea for the Coffee table book came, I decided to leverage my network to pull out 50 of the most cerebral Nigerians to be part of this landmark project
Prof. Koyinsola Ajayi, SAN , is a monumental figure in the Nigerian legal space. Fronting a 100-year-old law firm established by his father, put him at the core of legal engagements in this country.
I had reached out to him through a London-based friend when I wanted him to speak at my Succession planning event. Unfortunately, he could not make it but we kept in communication.
He also failed to appear at my London Investment session and the third time, I circled and grabbed him to do the forward and be the lead think tank on the Project
The Olu of Warri was delivered by power nominee Julius Rone . Julius had arranged my meeting with the Olu when I was doing a play on his grandfather. So all I just did was tap Julius again and pronto the well-respected Olu delivered the directional essay on the book
Pastor Itua Ighodalo is my egbon in every sense of the word. It was Chike Ogeah who first brought me to him some 10 years ago and since then I’ve built a brilliant relationship with him and his brother Asue
Seyi Akinwunmi was brought on board by Pastor Ituah. Seyi is sports royalty and he delivered
Same Ituah Ighodalo brought Dr Tandoh who was a medical doctor to the Super Eagles and his father was also a fmr Chairman of NFA
Itua who is now looking like the man of the match also delivered Babatunde Fashola SAN whose essay on governance was obviously very brilliant
Bukola Olapade is my friend and brother. He is the head of the National Sports Commission. We met at a TV recording organised by Bosede Ogan who is also a contributor
Dr Fasoranti is my brother, O. Fmr ED at Zenith, he is one of the most brilliant voices in Nigerian Finance. Met him chasing sponsorship at Zenith Bank
Mohammed Garuba the brilliant stockbroker once interviewed me for a job and failed me. But since then we have built a solid relationship that I am sure, he regrets failing me.
Wale Adedeji is my new friend and brother. We met through Olayinka and ever since we have been working together on his Datamellon journey. He is Nigeria’s leading expert on AI
Otunba Ashiru is a man of many parts. He was friends with my in-law, Tina Mowete and called me up one day years after – Edgar, I didn’t know Tina was your in-law.
Otunba has been everywhere in my life for the past five years. Supported Awo, Ekiti International Theatre Festival and the Coffee book and he would be hosting the international masterclass coming up this October
Prof Ahmed Yerima, I met through co-contributor Bikiya Graham Douglas. Prof and I have delivered some of Nigeria’s most important plays – Aremu, Sardauna and Enir Sanusi. We just delivered the tragic but super brilliant Asaba last dec
Prof Julie Okoh is one of the six theatre producers who are delivering stellar performances for us this year.
I met her through the brilliant Dr Adenuga of Kware State University
Dr Ogboro-Okor and I were on the Soni Irabor group and she reached out when she was contesting for the Governorship of Edo State.
A super brilliant medical doctor equally married to brainy and influential Dr Ogboro-Okor. She writes humorous satire for Maddtimes
Magnus Onyibe is arguably the most prolific essayist in Nigeria. He churns out almost daily powerful essays on the economy, business, leadership and finance
He is is married to Hellen who was a colleague at Habib Bank
Robert Mbonu , I had met forever. He was a client at BGL and when he later became an ED at Heritage Bank he also interviewed me and failed me
We are working together on an Art Exchange that should redefine the space
Tonye Cole , I walked up to at an event in Lagos . Before that, I was a huge fan following his work at Sahara very closely. He is a friend and a true brother
AIG Abang is a fan. He suddenly reached out to say he has been reading my column very religiously and from there we built a very strong bond that I used to scare police men on patrol. His essay on security is a must-read
Dr Nwabuoku is my Harvard-trained physician. Presently leading the team at Upscale Evercare, Dr Nwabuoku is simply amazing
Bala Liman was introduced to me when we started the Alvin Report. He is a former Senior Adviser to the President on Economic matters
As expected his contribution was dynamite, and he followed that up with a brilliant review of the book which has been designed as an insertion into the book
Bosede Ogan is a brilliant pro feminist activist. I met the Harvard-trained scholar at the Ekiti State Government house and since then it has been a relationship based on mutual respect
Obi Asika I met through his younger cousin. Despite his never-ending feud with my brother and partner, Olisa Adibua, Obi respects me and never misses the opportunity to lecture me on the entertainment industry. I simply think he is the most influential brain in that space
Prof Kila , I met on the set of Arise TV. We have not seen each other in a bit but Prof is Nigeria’s expert on strategy
Lami Tumaka I met through Azuka Ogunjiuba when she was heading communications at NIMASA. A strong voice in PR and a super brilliant contributor
Dakuku Peterside is almost as prolific as Magnus Onyibe whose body of works should be archived. A co-columnist at Thisday, the former DG at NIMASA and House of Rep member, Dakuku delivered on the Book
Nonny Ugboma a recent PhD, I met while she was ES at MTN Foundation and since then she has been a comrade at arms in very powerful projects
Fifeloma Dawodu used to come see my plays but stopped all of a sudden. I bear no grudge as I tapped her to contribute an essay on the book and she did brilliantly well
Lanre Olusola is a brother of over 15 years standing. I have watched him grow into a man of sure consequence on the National stage
Rear Admiral Akpan, I met in Eket. He was introduced to me by Udeme Ufot when I was chasing funding for a play in Akwa Ibom. A brilliant military strategist whose brain power is still being used by both local and international military circles
Dele Momodu is my egbon ooo. I have been a fan for over 30 years so getting him to contribute was a major milestone for me
*Uncle SoniIrabor* is one of those people that you just realise that you should know. We worked together on Emotan and I have appeared on his show several times. Great mind
Pai Gamde is Kai’s sister. Pai is a brilliant human capital. An expert whose services are in high demand in the system
Femi Oladehin is a brilliant investment banker and pastor. Was my oga at BGL who once vied for elective office. You should read his contribution
Atedo Peterside , I met during my play on Emir Sanusi. He has since watched other plays and didn’t hesitate to contribute on Power. Iconic figure
Steve Babaeko , I just wrote one day to come and speak at an event I had organised. Since then we have kept in contact and he has been quite excited abt this project. His essay was madddddd
Godwin Dudu-Orumen, I met through Ope. Oga has been a staple in Nigeria’s sports firmament and his essay displayed his uncanny understanding of the space
Dr Akin-Olugbade I met through my column. We shared numbers and since then, we have been engaging. A super brilliant technocrat
Onari Duke is my mummy everybody knows our relationship and I used to go eat Afang at hers
Guobadia I have not met but got his recommendations and gave him a call and he heeded. Great guy
Dr Ebose is turning heads in the Insurance industry. He recently published a bestseller which had four statesmen endorse
Dr Victor Oladokun I met on the Sunny Irabor group. Huge respect for him
Eniola Bello is the MD at Thisday newspapers. A very brilliant writer and one i reserve very huge respect for
Edi Lawani I have known forever. From the early days at Jazzville to the present day. We even spoke last night sef
Bikiya G Douglas is the one that one can say brought me into mainstream theatre and since then theatre has not been the same, I tell u
Patrick Okorodudu is a shareholder in our firm and a very influential educator based in the US. A professor who remains very passionate about Nigeria
Nneoma wrote a brilliant satirical piece that amazed me, I quickly asked her to contribute. Her contribution added spice
I needed an Islamic view after getting the Christian view and I was linked to the Stockbroker and President of NASFAT Dr Ayodeji Abdulwahid AbdulRauf FCS
Tolu Fagbure a brilliant thespian and Theatre Arts academician did a wonderful piece on traditional religion
Festus Adebayos the very influential columnist was approached by me simply because I am a huge fan
Kayode Adeleke is my brother in the neck of a revolution in manufacturing. I’ve known him forever
Udo Okonjo is a sister, I simply called her up and she answered beautifully
Aloba is a senior colleague and friend of over 30years
These people have mapped out power and influence coding it and dropping a rowdy map towards leveraging charismatic power in national development
The book is almost ready
Thanks
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: March 20, 2026
