Nigerian businessman, philanthropist, Chairman, Geregu power plant, and former chairman of Forte Oil Plc, Femi Otedola, turns 60 in a bit, and, in unusual style, he has decided to opt for a quiet but luxurious birthday celebration with his immediate family members.
To mark the occasion, Femi Otedola opted to celebrate his birthday aboard the luxury private yacht known as Christian O.
Reports have it that Otedola splashed a whopping €3 million to hire the luxury yacht and this will be home for the next three weeks for him and his family. The yacht costs a staggering €750, 000 per week and comes complete with every amenity you can think of.
A video making the rounds on social media shows him exchanging pleasantries while taking a tour of the yacht. Joining him on the cruise and in the spirit of the 60th birthday celebration are his wife and children.
All You Need To Know About The Christian Onassis, The Super Yacht
The 99.13 meters long yacht is estimated to cost around $750,000 per week, plus additional tax and handling charges, bringing the total cost of rent to approximately $3 million. Otedola also bought a charterer for the right to use the yacht for the period of his birthday.
The super yacht is the largest in the world, belonging to Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate who amassed the world’s largest privately owned shipping fleet. He was also one of the world’s richest and most famous men. Otedola has idolised Aristotle since he was 13, and what better way to mark such a milestone than on the yacht owned by the man he has looked up to since he was a young boy.
The Christina O super yacht was owned by Aristotle Onassis, but was later willed to Christian Onassis, his daughter and heir, which she reluctantly agreed to own. On the death of Aristotle Onassis in 1975, his daughter donated the vessel to the Greek government to be used as the presidential yacht. But it was later put up for sale at $16 million in 1990.
The Christina O vessel has a master suite, eighteen passenger staterooms, and numerous indoor and outdoor living areas, all connected by the spiral staircase. The aft main deck has an outdoor pool with a minotaur-themed mosaic floor that rises at the push of a button to become a dance floor.
Femi Otedola’s Growing Up Years
Femi Otedola was born in Ibadan, Oyo State, to the former Lagos State governor, the late Michael Otedola, and Mrs. Doja, a businesswoman. though he’s a native of Epe local government area of Lagos State.
He attended the University of Lagos staff secondary school, and later proceeded to the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile ife Osun State, where he acquired his bachelor’s degree in 1985.
At the early stage of his career, he worked in the marketing department of the family’s printing company.
Founding Zenon Petroleum Company
Founded the Zenon Petroleum Company in 1999, a company responsible for the marketing, storage, and procurement of petroleum products in Nigeria. It controlled 90% of the diesel supply in Nigeria for 9 years.
His stake in African Petroleum in 2008 was worth $1.2 billion, and he became the second man to be named by Forbes magazine in the list of annual rankings of billionaires in the world. Otedola became the youngest billionaire to be on the Forbes list at 46 years old.
Femi is also the president of SeaForce Shipping Company Limited. He also has interests in several other industries, and one of these is the banking sector. He’s a major shareholder in United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Zenith Bank.
He remains one of the most powerful and influential personalities not just in Nigeria but in all of Africa.
Giving Back…
Aside from the business and expensive lifestyle of the billionaire and business mogul, he has been able to give back to society by donating and promoting the welfare of the people who are in need of it through his foundation. In November 2019, Otedola, through his daughter’s foundation, donated the sum of 5 billion naira to the ‘Save the Children Fund’, to support the various intervention programmes for vulnerable children in the south eastern part of the country.
“In my life, in my journey, I have taken the risk, I have done the chase, I have enjoyed the thrill, I have achieved success and recognition. What’s next?. You give it back. A lot of people think when they die they’ll take their money with them. We’ll see,” Otedola said.
Lots of people who have benefited from his foundation and donation include but not limited to Late Reggae superstar Majek Fashek, former super eagles coach and player, Christian Chukwu and many others.
