As days turn to hours before May 29th, many of Nigeria’s wealthiest men, especially those in the 40 to 65 age bracket, can’t wait for that day to come. No, they are not celebrating the second year anniversary of the spasmodic Muhammadu Buhari administration; far from it.
May 29th is more symbolic to this rich class than that. It is the birthday of debonair Dapo Abiodun, managing director of Heyden Oil and Gas. It has long been established that Dapo knows how to throw a party; and those who were at his birthday soiree last year are still talking about it gleefully. Nothing ever runs out of supply; not even the extremely rare Armand de Brignac Brut Gold ‘Dynastie’ collection of champagne favoured by his billionaire friends.
This year, the Ogun State born businessman cum politician has scheduled Sunday, May 28, for the birthday party and to officially declare open his new venture, an exclusive lounge called 12 Temple. Located in a serene part of Ikoyi, 12 Temple, sources say would operate a strict members-only door policy to allow an element of discretion and to avoid the raucousness associated with the jetset and hip crowd.
Primed to be a serious networking epicentre, 12 Temple is not for clients competing for the biggest drinks bill with the table next to them – like kids in a sandpit competing to build the biggest castle. It is going to be a regular pit stop for decision makers, private jet-flying businessmen and aristocrats wanting a whirligig of an evening in a cool, chic place. Trust Dapo, he has brought his cosmopolitan taste to bear on the new lounge.