Billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, has sent a special birthday message to ThisDay chairman, Nduka Obaigbena, whom he said he has known for 36 years.
In a video uploaded to Instagram on Friday, Mr Otedola congratulated the publisher who clocked 60 on July 14.
“Nduka Obaigbena I’ve known for 36 years,” Otedola began.
Going down the history of their friendship, the energy merchant said he printed the front cover of ThisWeek, the magazine Mr Obaigbena published before he founded ThisDay in 1995.
The production was done while Otedola worked with Impact Press, owned by his late father and former governor of Lagos State, Michael Otedola.
“His vision, self-belief and tenacity was (sic) clear from his youth. That is why I am not surprised that he’s built over the years a massive publishing empire. Nduka is a jolly good fellow. A man for all seasons and occasions with a magnetic personality,” Otedola said.
He ended his message with a prayer for God’s blessings, good health, peace and joy.
Popularly known in the Nigerian media circle as “The Duke”, Obaigbena, who was hospitalised for three months recently, spared little to celebrate turning 60.
With congratulatory messages coming from President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors, captains of industry, the media and other sectors, the flamboyant publisher had a thanksgiving service at The Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on the day he clocked 60.
A special banquet was held the next day at Eko Hotel and Suites with performances by American R&B sensation, Toni Braxton, and Nigerian stars, Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, among others.
