Chief Yusuf Amuda Lawal (a.k.a Obelawo) belonged to the second generation of Nigeria’s richest men, after the likes of Candido Da Rocha, Louis Odumegwu Ojukwu, and Alhassan Dantata. Obelawo became one of the richest men, if not the richest, in the old Western Region and the entire Ivory Coast.
The Ejigbo-born business man made his billions from the construction industry. He was based in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, where he was the country’s construction giant. His influence cut across the entire West Africa subregion, as he was the friend of many African leaders of their days. This factor must have necessitated the call from General Yakubu Gowon on him to return home to help build his country too.
The call paid off. Obelawo was the first Nigerian to have a private plastic industry known as LOPIN (Lawal Obelawo Plastic Industry, Nigeria) located in Osogbo along Ikirun Road. He was also a frontrunner in wood and sawmill business in the country. These are aside his exploits in the field of building and construction.
Like many rich men of his days were wont to do, the arrival of Babalaje Ejigbo – Chief Yusuf Amuda Lawal – into his hometown of Ejigbo, Osun State, never went unnoticed. He had a Citroen car, with registration number WOC 1, with a customized horn. When pressed, the horn would seem to sound his name.
Video shows Chief Obelawo and government dignitaries, led by the Osun State Governor, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, during the nonagenarian’s 94th birthday celebration on Monday.
Photo shows another archival automobile in Chief Obelawo’s ancient garage; a Mercedes Benz. It must be the “Messi” Baba Legba said Obelawo bought in place of lower autos just like his father bought a Stallion in place of a lower rated horse. ????
Igbati Esin mbe ni oke-merindinlogun
Won ni ki Baba Yusufu wa r’Esin
Baba Amuda o lowun o tii r’Esin
Esin wa fo fere o d’ogoji-oke
Baba o wa diwo r’oja o ra Ibaka
Eyin o mope omo jo Baba e ni o
Amuda wa dagba tan o
Yusufu wa fi Messi ropo Esin o…
While wishing Papa many more years in sound health and happiness, I thank our dear Itafa Olayemi Olaboye, for the materials and the wake-up call. God bless you, brother.
The background music was culled from the track the legendary Yusufu Olatunji (Baba Legba) dedicated to the billionaire in 1972, when Obelawo was 42 years old.
