The man, Prince Buruji Kashamu Prince Buruji Kashamu is a man of many parts. Ordinarily, given his modest achievements in the business world, social cum political arena, especially in recent times, he needs little or no introduction. But for those who may not know, he is the Chairman/Chief Executive of Kasmal Group of Companies, an indigenous conglomerate with interests in hospitality, property, oil and gas, automobile and investment services. He is also the Chairman of the Group Kasmal SAL in Republic of Benin. On the political front, although he prefers to be called a member of the PDP in Ogun State, the media often describe him as a chieftain of the party. At other times, they say he is the financier of the party in the state. Yet, others say his tentacles spread beyond his home state, what with his appointment as Chairman, Organisation and Mobilisation Committee of the PDP in the zone. To his political associates, he is their emancipator and a fighter for justice. Still, others call him “Authority” – in reference to his many victories against political opponents. No doubt, as a man of many parts, he means different things to different people. He is like the proverbial elephant. Some say he is controversial. Others say he is generous. Yet, some say he is genial and humble, yet firm; industrious and courageous. He is frank, almost to a fault, they would say. But for those who have worked closely with him over the years, he is not just a boss but a leader, a true father and family man. He is down-to-earth. You would wonder when you see him throw banters and crack jokes with his aides, reeling in laughter. For him, like the Scottish philosopher Thomas Carlyle said, “A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men”. Prince Kashamu started his business life as a teenager and realizing his great flare for business, he took courses in Business Studies at Pitman College in the United Kingdom to prepare himself for the enormous task of business management and actualization. He later enrolled for an Executive Diploma in English Language at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba, where he bagged a Diploma in English. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Humanities by the prestigious Cambridge Graduate University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. It is equally worthy to mention that Prince Kashamu is also a philanthropist of note. It could be safely said that his philanthropic gestures smoothened his recent foray into politics. Those who know him say giving is his second nature. In 2009, he floated the Omoilu Foundation, a non- profit organisation he set up to empower the needy and give hope to the hopeless. Little wonder when a friend asked him why he gives without hesitation, he says “the only thing I do not want to do is to disappoint my God. Let me also confess that the more I empower people, the more God empowers me.” Some have likened Prince Kashamu to the late businessman cum politician, Chief MKO Abiola. Not in terms of the financial war chest, colour and reach but his courage, charm and generosity. They say not since Abiola left the political scene have they seen any individual take the stage by storm in a most audacious and dramatic manner. Not many gave him a chance when he happened on the political scene in Ogun State. His detractors launched a campaign of calumny to cast aspersion on his person. They sought to haunt with some of the trials he had had in his eventful life. This is in spite of his exoneration by the courts. But like a focused trader who does not mind the noise in the market place, Prince Kashamu has remained undeterred. Prince Kashamu is imbued with an uncommon native intelligence and a sharp memory. A clear-headed and highly calculating individual, Prince Kashamu’s foray into politics began in 2009 when former Governor Gbenga Daniel and other chieftains of the PDP in Ogun State invited him to help mediate in the intra-party crisis that nearly engulfed the government and party in the state. Realising that no nation or people can be greater than the lev [truncated by WhatsApp]
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 20:30:46 +0000
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