Friday 14th May, 2021, Aquila Group boss Shina Peller clocked 45 in style. He is the honourable representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency in the Nigeria’s House of Representatives. But rather making the celebration a total jamboree, Lead Generation Initiative, a non governmental organisation, where Shina Peller is the Founder and Chairman, Board of Trustees, decided to mack the birthday with a symposium entitled, “National Security & Peace”. In which some top personalities and stakeholders participated. The decision to honour Shina Peller with a symposium on his 45th birthday, according to Lead Generation Initiative, was as a result the current security situation in Nigeria. The symposium/dinner party held at the prestigious International Conference Centre (ICC) of the University of Ibadan. It was a gathering of who is who in business, social, political and entertainment sectors. City People’s Correspondent, ‘Dare Adeniran was at the epoch event and brought to you highlights of what went down at the party. Enjoy it.
THE EVENTS GENERALLY
As expected of Shina Peller’s status, the party drawed many top celebrities from different parts of the country and beyond. But as many as the guets were, the party was devoid of rancor and miscreants. It was a well package and well planned party. A strictly by invitation affair. There was tight security and COVID-19 protocols were duly observed. Another major point of the arrangement at the party, was the decoration. It was elaborate. It was a mix of White and Gold, which perfectly matched the chiavari chairs. Not to talk of the red carpet corner with the celebrant’s pictures everywhere and the beautiful ushers in checkered short skirts with pantyhose and White shirts. It was lovely. Food (both local and continental), finger foods, drinks of kinds were also made available abundantly. The duo of Ushbebe and Kenny Blaq were the MCs of the events. While the popular Lagos-based live band, Sugar Band, as well as another highlife sensation, Wale Zion entertained guests with good music.
WHY THE SYMPOSIUM?
To many, Hon. Shina Peller’s 45th birthday celebration should have been a mega party. He has all it takes to stage one; he is a successful businessman, politician and a well connected man in the Nigeria’s entertainment world. But he felt there should be more, especially now that the value of human life in the country is threatened. Hence the decision to organise a public discourse roundtable to provide sustainable solutions to the complex security challenges facing Nigeria. The symposium theme is, “National Security and Peace: Role of Government, Citizens and Institutions”.
PARTICIPANTS AT THE SYMPOSIUM
Quite good number of top personalities took part in the public roundtable discourse. The list were drawn from security experts, community leaders, politicians, traditional rulers, as well as citizens. Some of participants at the symposium include Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert, the Keynote Speaker; a retired AIG, Chief Tunji Alapinni; Prof. Temisaren Ebijuwa of General Studied Department, Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomosho and a whole lot of others. TV & Radio personality and the founder of the Beat 99.9 FM, Olisa Adibua moderated the public discourse session. The spiritual father of the, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo also called in through zoom for his own contribution. A popular Muslim cleric, Sheikh (Dr) Sulaiman Faruq Onikijipa offered special prayers for the celebrant, his family, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.
WHAT DR KAYODE FAYEMI SAID
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the executive governor of Ekiti State and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was the Chairman of the event. Fayemi commended Hon. Shina Peller’s Lead Generation Initiative programs and for making the Nigerian youths proud. He therefore called on youths to be involved in politics rather than being Twitter revolutionaries. Declaring the symposium open, Fayemi said, “Our youths should not just be Twitter revolutionaries. “They have to get themselves involved in politics, so that they can contribute positively to their societies. “Youths should stand up and talk, they should join politics. They should join politics to be involved in decision making.”
THE OTHER SIDE OF SHINA PELLER MANY DON’T KNOW
While Shina Peller’s C.V is everywhere, everybody knows that he is the son of the late iconic Iseyin-born magician, Professor Peller. It is also an open secret that he is a Federal honourable and owner of the popular Quilox Lounge/Night Club in Lagos. What many people don’t know about this stylish honourable is, his philanthropic side. Shina Peller believes so much in youths empowerment. That is what his Lead Generation Initiative is all about. Not only that, he has also invested so much in the community building. He is the friend of widows and the old ones. All these he has been doing long before becoming a honourable. Shina Peller, born on 14th May, 1976, holds a bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. He is the Chairman, Aquila Group of Companies. His other business interest cuts across Properties, Oil & Gas, Entertainment, Hospitality and Logistics. He is the Chairman/CEO Aquila Building Projects Limited, Aquila Oil & Gas Limited, Aquila Global Resources Limited, Aquila Records, Zalalem BDC, Six Restaurant and Quilox Bar and Nightclub. Due to his commitment and selfless services to his immediate environment and the society at large, Shina Peller has won several honours and awards. He is the Ayedero of Yoruba Land, the Akinrogun of Epe Land, Mayegun of Igbobi-Sabe and Aare Gbobaniyi of Iseyin. He has to his credit the Democracy Heroes Award, the Peace Builder Award for Excellence in Community Development by Peace Achievers International Award, Distinguished Personality Award by Jet Age Nation Builders in Ethiopia. Also, for his philanthropic gesture and deep commitment to the progress of journalism, the Oyo state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists honoured him with Pillar of Support and Most Media Friendly Reps Member award.
ABOUT LADY PELLER’S AGELESS LOOKS
Alhaja Silifat Adeboyin Abeo, popularly known as Lady Peller, is Hon. Shina Peller’s mother. At 74, Lady Peller remains as beautiful as ever. She was sighted at the party looking glamorous with joy written all over her face. She has every reason to be happy, all her children are all successful and doing wonderfully well in their various chosen careers.
MEET SHINA PELLER’S WIFE, AYOBOLA
Like the popular saying that behind a successful man, there is a woman. Behind Shina Peller is not just a woman, but a resourceful, virtuous and intelligent woman. She is also beautiful. Mrs. Ayobola Abiola Peller, like her husband, is a compassionate woman. She is the Executive Director, Lead Generation Initiative. She is a Big 4 trained Chartered Accountant, Finance Director and Senior Audit Manager with over 20 years of experience in the Finance sector. Having worked at PricewaterhoyseCoopers, KPMG, Deloitte, EY and Grant Thornton. Holding supervisory roles at their London offices. She is a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, in 1998. She obtained a Graduate Merit Scholarship Award to study for Master’s degree at the prestigious London School of Economics in 2002.
BETWEEN MRS AJIMOBI & BAYO SHITTU
Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, wife of the immediate past governor of Oyo State, Late Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi, was the mother of the day at the symposium. In her remarks, she described Hon. Shina Peller as a chinning example of youths ambassador worthy of emulation. She said the honourable is one of those carrying on with her husband’s lagecy. Ajimobi, she said, encouraged and promoted youths participation in politics. She however threw shades at the former Communication Minister, Adebayo Shittu. While Mrs. Ajimobi was recognising some dignitaries at the event, she mentioned Barr. Shittu but openly accused him of not greeting her. “You should have greeted me at least,” Mrs Ajimobi said. Adebayo Shittu, interestingly, hit back at Mrs Ajimobi while she was leaving the hall and had to pass through his table. Saying, “I am your husband’s brother, you should have come here to greet me”. It wasn’t surprising, however, to those who know the everly ready Florence Ajimobi, as she replied Shittu that, “Iyawo egbon eni, egbon eni ni”. Barr. Bayo Shittu and Senator Abiola Ajimobi were political enemies. Though they belonged to the same political party, they were never on the same page.
THE ROYAL PRESENCE
Hon. Shina Peller could best be described as a bridge builder. He cuts across the old and youngs one, both in politics and on social scene. He is very close to the royal fathers too. Little wonders there was an array of traditional rulers and chiefs at the symposium/dinner party. The traditional rulers at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji; Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulraseed Akanbi; Aseyin of Iseyin and Onjo of Okeho, Oba Rafiu Osuolale Mustapha Adeitan II.
ROLL CALL
Former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala; former Governor of Ogun State Senator Ibikunke Amosun, ably represented by Hon. Adekunle Akinlade; Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Barrister Adebayo Shittu; Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, wife of the immediate past Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi; former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin; Hon. Musliudeen Olaide Akinremi; Hon. Akin Alabi; Hon. Dibu Ojerinde; former member of House of Representatives, Saheed Akinade-Fijabi; Hon. Shina Alabi; Alhaji Akinade Fijabi; former CBN Deputy Governor and the Oyo APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 election, Chief Bayo Adelabu, and several others who are too numerous to mention.
– Dare Adeniran
