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Hakeem Ogunniran: Sixty But Not Rusty
The unpredictable nature of this side of eternity is a valid excuse for routine gratitude for any mortal still in custody of their breath. In a world where vibrant lamps are hastily blown out and death rates no higher than a penny, the gift of life should not be an underrated treasure. Not many people are able to dodge the arrows of death for six decades and counting. Those who have this rare privilege have every reason to celebrate.
It is on this premise that the sexagenarian, Hakeem Ogunniran, convened friends, families and well-wishers at Foursquare Gospel Church National Headquarters, 62/66 Akinwunmi Street, Yaba, Lagos, for his 60th birthday thanksgiving in a breathtaking ceremony.
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The birthday thanksgiving ceremony was highlighted by a rundown of the celebrant’s life and service to humanity in a documentary featuring testimonies from his wife, Mrs. Iyabo Oguniran, mentees and other beneficiaries of his goodwill, all of whom showered encomiums on the celebrant, describing him as a selfless man and a man of integrity.
The celebrant, Hakeem Ogunniran
The ceremony was further accentuated by a medley of other religious and social activities including, prayers, scriptural readings, spiritual songs, gospel music, wining and dining along with dashes of humor cum entertainment by renown Lepacious Bose (Bose Ogunboye) who was the compere of the occasion.
In an interview with Eko Hot Blog, the celebrant expressed his unreserved gratitude to God who has spared his life these past 60 years and has been at the centre of everything he can point to as an accomplishment. The UACN boss urged everyone to acknowledge God in all their undertakings and have an insatiable hunger for him.
Dignitaries and prominent personalities graced the occasion, including the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, the coordinator of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Kalejaye and the Secretary of Foursquare Gospel Church, Reverend Yomi.
At 60, Mr. Ogunniran can be described as a prolific achiever with a plethora of accomplishments to his name. Apart from being the UPDC MD, the 60-year-old is the Chairman of the board at Lagos Building Investment Company Plc. He is also the Founder/CEO, Eximia Realty Company Ltd.
A lawyer, a chartered secretary and a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators,Mr. Ogunniran holds LL.B, LL.M and MBA degrees from the University of Lagos. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985 and was formerly a Law lecturer at the University of Lagos. He joined UAC Nigeria Plc as the Manager, Legal Services in 1995 and was later appointed as Western Area Manager and Marketing Manager of GBO/MDS Division of UACN. He was the Divisional Managing, Director of MDS Logistics Division of UACN and a past president and chairman of Council of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria.
A former Fulbright Scholar at Yale School, he has attended various senior management and leadership programmes at Ashridge Management College, UK, Cranfield University, Harvard Business School and London Business School. Mr Ogunniran was appointed as the Managing Director of UPDC in January 2010 and is currently Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Director, Member of Risk & Governance Committee and Member of Finance & Projects Committee.
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He is also a recipient of many indigenous and international awards, including the Kwame Nkrumah Award for Corporate Governance Excellence and 3INVESTONLINE Man Of The Year.
The 60-year-old property developer is widely regarded as a visionary, entrepreneurial and highly qualified senior executive with broad knowledge and experience in strategy formulation and implementation, customer development/management, logistics and supply chain management, negotiation and contract administration, project management, wholesale distribution, marketing, merchandising, change management, managing strategic alliances and general corporate administration.
Happy Diamond Jubilee to a Man Who Wears Many Hats!
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