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Banks deployed beautiful ladies to woo me for deposits – Otedola

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Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has revealed how banks once deployed “bewitching ladies” to secure his deposits and loans when his business empire was flourishing.

Otedola made the disclosure in his forthcoming memoir, ‘Making It Big: Lessons from a Life in Business,’ published by FO Books and scheduled for release on August 18, 2025.

In excerpts from the book seen by TheCable, the oil magnate detailed how a series of financial crises including the global crash in crude oil prices and the devaluation of the naira left his businesses deeply indebted and under immense pressure.

“All told, I lost more than US$480 million to the plunge in oil prices, US$258 million through the devaluation of the naira, US$320 million because of accruing interest, and another US$160 million when the stocks crashed.

“It was devastating, like a terrible nightmare, but a nightmare would have been better: day would break, and I would wake up. There was no waking up from this,” Otedola wrote.

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He recounted how drastically his fortunes changed, saying, “One moment, I was the darling of the banks, who did everything in the world to court me, do business with me, give me loans, take deposits from me.

“They would send bewitching ladies to make their offers more convincing, and now I was waking up to the sight of hefty, barrel-chested men standing menacingly in front of my gate, waiting for the moment I’d step out of my compound.”

Otedola broke into the Nigerian mega business scene with Zenon Petroleum which grew from selling diesel in drums to owning the largest share of the local market.

He also acquired African Petroleum in the downstream market and rebranded it to Forte Oil Plc, at a time one of the highest performing in the stock market.

However, a diesel shipment he ordered in 2008 when crude oil was $147/barrel did not arrive until the price had crashed to $40, plunging him into massive debt.

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As a result of falling forex inflow, the naira was also devalued from N120/dollar to N167 in 2009 presenting Otedola with a double problem which include low diesel price and high dollar liability.

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‘I apologise for my mistake’ — Sisi Alagbo Eniola Fagbemi breaks silence on leaked sex video

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Eniola Fagbemi, popular social media personality, better known as Sisi Alagbo, has apologised for the leaked threesome sex tape involving her, husband (Adesola Hakeem), and another woman.

Sisi Alagbo, popular on social media for selling herbal concoction, has received knocks from Nigerians who have condemned her for the video.

Speaking following the rains of condemnations that have trailed the video, Fagbemi revealed the struggles she’s going through, adding that she has been unable to sleep for days and that even sleeping medications had not worked for her since the video broke out on the internet.

Taking to her verified Facebook account, the internet sensation wrote, “I own my mistakes, and I apologize with all sincerity for the video circulating online. I am deeply sorry to everyone who felt disappointed in me.

“This is a great phase for me, and I pray for God’s forgiveness and my fans’ forgiveness, please let’s move on past this because this media is where I get little support to feed, pls don’t condemn me or castigate me am already passing through a lot,

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‘I can’t eat or sleep for days, even sleeping meds aren’t working for me anymore, I am deeply sorry, everyone. Please forgive me, I don’t want to injure myself, it’s only the little strength I have.”

Fagbemi broke into the internet after showcasing her craft and promoting her grandmother’s business to the world, including China and Qatar.

She again became a social media sensation after a heart-warming encounter with Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen in Morocco, at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the short video she shared online, she respectfully knelt to greet the football star, and the video quickly went viral, sparking widespread reactions and conversations across social platforms.

Responding to critics who questioned her action at the time, she wrote, “You are dragging me because I knelt down to greet Osimhen. I did not know that being respectful is now a crime. Osimhen is wealthier and more famous than me. Do you even know how elites and influential people all over the world are eager to meet him? For Osimhen to come down to my level — me, an ordinary agbo hawker from the trenches — I need to give him maximum respect.

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“Just the video I posted, I already know what I have gained from it. People from Ibadan have told me that all the agbo in my store have been sold out. Everyone in Morocco is rushing to taste the agbo I brought. If I see Osimhen again, I will kneel down to greet him as a proper Yoruba girl that I am. I am a beautiful story.”

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SPECIAL TRIBUTE: Celebrating a rare icon, master strategist, and a true Professor of practical politics.

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At 90, Otunba Bushura Adedeji Alebiosu – “Bush of Africa” stands as a living testament to wisdom, resilience, and enduring influence.

His life has been a remarkable journey of service, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to community development and political excellence at the grassroots.

Otunba Alebiosu’s legacy is written not just in years, but in lives touched, leaders raised, and structures built. A bridge between generations, his voice has shaped conversations, guided decisions, and inspired countless individuals to embrace purposeful leadership.

Today, we celebrate not just longevity, but impact. Not just age, but relevance. Not just a man, but an institution.

May your wisdom continue to illuminate paths, and may your legacy remain evergreen.

Happy 90th Birthday, Bush of Africa

E-signed:

Oloye Salami Oluwaseun
Managing Director/CEO
Crosserlough Development Company

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Zaynab Otiti Obanor: The Queen with Uncommon Milk of Kindness Celebrates Birthday with the Needy

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In a world where birthdays are often marked by glittering parties and exclusive guest lists, Zaynab Otiti Obanor chose a different path—one paved with compassion, empathy and an uncommon milk of human kindness.

For Zaynab, philanthropy is not a seasonal obligation or a public relations gesture; it is a way of life. True to her enduring spirit of generosity, she marked her birthday not with chandeliers and champagne, but with open arms and a giving heart—celebrating with the needy, the forgotten and the vulnerable.

From distributing food items and essential supplies to sharing warm embraces and reassuring words, she turned what could have been a private celebration into a communal blessing. For many beneficiaries, her presence was more precious than the gifts she brought. She did not merely give; she connected. She listened. She cared.

Those who know her say this is vintage Zaynab—graceful yet grounded, elegant yet empathetic. A woman who understands that true royalty is not defined by status but by service. In her quiet but impactful way, she continues to demonstrate that the greatest wealth one can possess is a generous spirit.

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Her philosophy has always been clear: to change the world, we must first change our attitude toward giving. And on her special day, she once again proved that kindness, when shared, multiplies.

As she adds another year, Zaynab Otiti Obanor stands tall—not just as a celebrated figure, but as a beacon of hope. A queen, indeed, whose crown shines brightest in the lives she touches.

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