Contrary to how friends who used to flock her house and company deserted her during her trial and travails years ago, many from far and wide decided t
Contrary to how friends who used to flock her house and company deserted her during her trial and travails years ago, many from far and wide decided to honour Dr Mrs Cecilia Ibru (OFR) when she threw a party yesterday to mark her 79th birthday.
The occasion was marked at the Muson Centre Lagos with the launch of her autobiographies Cecilia and another, Oceanic Odyssey.
Dignitaries that graced the ceremony include, the governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government; the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; the Managing Director of UBA, Oliver Alawuba; Senator Ede Dafinone; Hon. Francis Waive; Chief Ade Ojo, Chairman of Elizade Motors; Charles Mekwunye, SAN; Dr. Nduka Buno and a host of others.
The event was chaired by the publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Prince Sam Amuka-Pemu.
Since her ouster from the defunct Oceanic bank where she was the Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Cecilia who was once referred to as the ‘first lady’ of Nigeria’s banking industry, commanding the respect of other bank CEOs and being the toast of high-octane party scenes, has been retooling and reinventing herself by taking on new challenges. She currently spends her time and energy in the education sector now running the Michael and Cecilia Ibru University located in Delta State.
Recall that Cecilia Ibru was sentenced in 2010 to six months in prison for fraud and ordered to hand over $1.2 billion in cash and assets after she pleaded guilty to three of 25 counts of fraud and mismanagement. Over 100 of her properties located in Dubai, United States and Nigeria were also confiscated. Cecilia suffered a fate she wouldn’t have wished on her enemies.
