Founder and chief executive of Havilah Group Akogun Olanrewaju Adesuyi hosted friends, associates, political leaders, traditional rulers, and relatives among others on Saturday, July 20 at his 70th birthday in Lagos.
The celebration began with a thanksgiving service at Our Saviour’s Church, TBS while the reception was held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja.
The hall was beautifully decorated with large images of the celebrant, both recent and throwback pictures, his wife Foluke, children and grandchildren.
Zenith Bank Plc honoured the celebrant with the presence of its managing director and chief executive officer Adaora Umeoji. The bank also presented a giant cake designed with its colours.
A biography of Adesuyi Who Dares Wins written by journalist Dotun Adekambi was also launched at the event.
Among those who graced the occasion were the minister of state for defence, Bello Matawalle; Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele; Elegushi of Ikateland, Oba Saheed Elegushi; Oniru of Iruland, Oba Abdulwasiu Lawal; businessman, Olu Okeowo; and vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Professor Folasade Ogunsola.
Adesuyi is blessed with five children, including Brig. General Tayo Adesuyi, Engr. Bankole Adesuyi, Adewunmi Adesuyi as well as a set of twins, now women, and many grandchildren.
Adesuyi spent 22 years of his working career at the Oxford University Press before founding Havilah Group. In the past three decades, the company has become a major player in Nigeria’s public and private sectors. Despite its humble beginnings in 1995, Havilah Group has expanded into library development, archiving, digitisation, power solutions, IT infrastructure, and software. It is also a leading provider of library development in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
Recently, he earned an MBA from Roehampton University, UK. He is a member of several professional bodies including Fellow, British Society of Commerce, Member, Nigerian Institute of Management, and Chartered Librarian, (CILIP UK).
