October 20, (THEWILL) – In this feature piece, Ivory Ukonu spotlights a few of Nigeria’s power couples and how they have set a new standard for aspiring couples, showcasing the immense benefits of a solid partnership in marriage and how they managed to ascend to the big leagues
Razaq And Shade Okoya
Shade Okoya’s dream was to be a businesswoman able to stand on her own in matters of money. Her marriage to Chief Razaq Okoya, the founder and chairman of Eleganza Group of Companies, one of the biggest homegrown conglomerates in Nigeria with a workforce of over 2000 people, paved an expressway for her to attain her dreams and a great opportunity to unleash the innate hardworking drive that longed for practical expression in the world of business.
As his youngest wife, she runs the conglomerate and is responsible for some of its rebranding efforts such as the creation of Eleganza Industrial City which is intended to increase operating capacity to meet the growing demands for its products and services. She is the managing director and chief executive officer of this new creation and has the responsibility for the day-to-day running of the company. She sits on the board of Eleganza Group and RAO Investment Property Company Limited, the group’s large investments in real estate. She is also in charge of Eleganza Fashion Products Limited and Eleganza Cruise & Travels Limited, the latter two, new creations under the conglomerate which has over six factories and produces a wide range of goods that are household names in Nigeria and neighbouring African markets.
Shade brings in her expertise in repositioning the company and shaping a new direction for the business. Chief Rasaq and Sade constitute one power couple that impacts the length and breadth of Nigeria’s economy, creating jobs and changing lives.
Benedict And Ella Peters
Benedict Peters is the CEO of Aiteo Group, the largest indigenous crude oil producer in Nigeria by output. He is also the founder of Bravura Holdings, a company with significant mining interests across Africa.
A successful businessman and an innovative entrepreneur, Benedict is also a huge philanthropist and is the largest single corporate sponsor of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) in all of the NFF’s history.
Besides giving to several charitable causes, Benedict is also a critical thinker as well and under his leadership, Aiteo and Bravura have grown to become renowned and valuable companies in Africa. His associates say he has been able to achieve these numerous milestones through hard work, his strong christian faith and the support of his wife, Ella who has stood firmly by his side at all times. Benedict considers her his strong pillar of strength.
Based in the United States of America, Ella clearly dwarfs her peers in womanliness, valour and character. She is a jewelry designer, and her jewelry brand is called Jovadi. She is also the author of an international cookbook, ‘Guaranteed Delicious,’ inspired by her many years of travelling around the world.
Darey And Deola Art Alade
No doubt, Dare and Deola Art Alade have secured their place as one of Nigeria’s power couples.
Deola found fame in the hugely popular interior design industry, while her husband Darey’s launch into international limelight began with his excellent performance as a contestant on Project Fame Africa in 2004 and going on to become one of Nigeria’s leading RnB singers. The couple have gone ahead to fuse the success of their individual careers to both run one of Nigeria’s creative agencies, Livespot360 group.
Darey and Deola are happy they work together because according to Darey, Deola has an eagle eye which is required in their line of business for one to see as far, wide as he can’t possibly see which helps to balance things out. In addition, they complement each other.
The couple who will be celebrating their 18th wedding anniversary next month have two children who they are obviously grooming for the limelight going by how often they showcase them on their social media pages. Despite their age difference, the couple have remained steadfast and committed to their union and family.
Pastor Paul And Ifeanyi Adefarasin
Pastor Paul Adefarasin and his wife, a former beauty queen, Ifeanyi Adefarasin are one of the leading power couples in Nigeria on account of how influential they are and based on their huge followership. They both run House on The Rock church in Lagos Nigeria with Pastor Paul as the head pastor and Pastor Ifeanyi playing a supporting role as they administer leadership roles in the church’s branches in Abuja and outside the shores of the country.
Pastor Ifeanyi, a former banker also runs a women’s empowerment programme via her Women to Women ministry which is committed to social reformation, education, provision of healthcare and relief materials to the under privileged. She is also a mentor and coach known for her clear and practical message of hope and empowerment. She tailors her style of ministry to transcend gender barriers and bring healing to many.
Under his ministry, Pastor Paul equally runs Rock Foundation, a charity-based organisation committed to social reformation and relief work for ex-convicts, drug addicts and the less privileged. Pastor Paul was led to set up their foundation following his conversion from drug addiction.
Pastor Enoch And Folu Adeboye
Pastor Enoh Adejare Adeboye fondly referred to as Daddy GO, an acronym for General Overseer, is one of Africa’s biggest and most revered clergymen. He runs the biggest church on the continent of Africa, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG with branches in about 198 nations of the world including more than 15,000,000 worshipers in Nigeria alone.
The RCCG also has an educational arm, The Redeemers University and a philanthropic arm through which the church disburses its milk of kindness. Together with his wife, Pastor Folu whom he refers to as the most consistent and resourceful woman he has ever met, they run RCCG.
While Pastor Adeboye’s job has remained consistent, preaching the message of salvation, his wife Pastor Foluke has helped her husband transform RCCG to the phenomenal height it has reached today.
Through thick and thin, they have both endured the most torrid moments of their evangelical careers and today, they are probably the most adored and followed African couple on the planet.
Clement And Victoria Haastrup
Prince Clement Haastrup, a former deputy governor of Osun State, is the founder and chairman of ENL Consortium Limited. He set up the company in 2002 primarily to put in place utility management expertise to serve a need in the power sector. He has so far attained great strides in port and container terminal development with the deployment of new equipment that permit a hitch free operation at the terminal.
His wife, Victoria on the other hand is the vice chairman of ENL Consortium Ltd, the brand they founded together and have built together to an enviable height. She brings into play the natural trait of the women in building the family to build the business.
Victoria believes that women have a special grace that men do not have. Clement affirms that truly her aura turns things around, paving the way for securing one big contract after the other and eventually the port. The management of the port terminals is practically in the hands of Victoria.
Clement concedes that she is the best hand in management, the directing mind of the business, not only in the port but in all the operations of the consortium. The unity of purpose of this power couple is visibly at work at ENL Consortium’s port terminal operation – Clement breaking new grounds and Victoria breaking the bulk to deliver stunning results in quality service delivery.
Eme And Ngozi Ekeoma
Businessman and philanthropist, Elder Eme Ekeoma is the chairman of Nepal Oil and Gas renamed Nepal Energy Limited.
Despite being the founder, it is his wife, Barrister Ngozi Ekeoma that is at the forefront of running the firm as its group managing director. She oversees Nepal’s management activities and has since led the repositioning of the company towards becoming a reference point for operators in Nigeria’s downstream sector.
Despite marrying her husband when she was 16 years old, she refused to allow her age or the huge age difference between her and her husband to deter her from aiming for the skies. She got educated and quickly joined her husband in the company and today, her husband couldn’t be prouder with what she has achieved with the company via his guidance.
Davido And Chioma Adeleke
Tuesday, June 25, 2024 opened a new chapter in the love story of award-winning pop star, David Adeleke more popularly known as Davido, and his wife, Chioma nee Rowland. It was the day they both officially became one in the eyes of the public. The day further solidified Chioma’s status as a ‘joint partner’ in Davido’s music business.
Although she holds no official position in his Davido Music Worldwide, DMW company, it goes without saying that Chioma is an integral part of the decision-making process of her husband’s music empire.
Except it is a matter of exigency, Chioma can always be found by Davido’s side when he travels the world to entertain his audiences scattered across the globe or sign multi million mega deals.
Tony And Awele Elumelu
While banker, investor and philanthropist, Tony Onyemaechi Elumelu is the chairman of United Bank for Africa, Transcorp Plc as well as HEIRS Holdings, a family-owned investment company, his wife Dr. Awele is the Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited, Nigeria’s leading health insurance provider, and Avon Medical Practice, a growing network of full-service clinics and medical centres.
In addition, she is a private sector champion for immunisation in Africa by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. She is also a founding director of Heirs Holdings, a family-owned investment company and a co-founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Heirs Holdings, committed to empowering entrepreneurs across Africa.
They are widely considered one of Nigeria’s and even Africa’s power couples because of their work in empowering African entrepreneurs. They aim to create a million jobs in a decade by focusing on funding for startups and entrepreneurs and contribute $10 billion in revenue to the African economy by the end of their 10-year programme.
The current number of beneficiaries stands at 7,520 across all 54 African countries. Dr. Awele equally serves as the Chairperson of Heirs Insurance Brokers, the brokerage arm of Heirs Insurance Group, a subsidiary of Heirs Holdings.
Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko
Politician and philanthropist, Ned Nwoko, a senator representing Delta North senatorial district in the Nigerian Senate and his youngest wife, Nollywood actress are one of Nigeria’s power couples.
Despite their huge age difference and the fact that she isn’t only Ned’s wife, their romantic Chemistry appears to defy gravity. They never pass on any chance to openly profess their love for each other. Regina claims she agreed to marry Ned out of love and not for money. She also admitted that she always referred to him as her kid.
Although both are successful in their individual endeavours, they are also supportive of each other’s careers. While Ned fully funds all of Regina’s movie projects, Regina in turn finds time to support her husband as the social secretary of the senator’s wives association of Nigeria.
