“There are people who make things happen; there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened.”
Despite being decades old, the above quote from Jim Lovell, an American Astronaut, naval aviator, and one of the only three men to make it to the moon twice, still holds its relevance in the life of Sir (Chief) Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu, till date.
For instance, when the Iperu Remo-born entrepreneur, as a young man, decided to opt out of a more ‘comfortable’ and ‘secure’ career job, as a Regional Overseer, at Claffin Chemical Ltd, a pharmaceutical company, whose Andrew Liver Salt still remains a household name till date, to start a pool betting company, Face–to–Face-Million Dollar, little did he know that he was on his way to becoming one of those individuals destined to make things happen.
Though the Young Adebutu was simply spurred by the desire to be his own boss, and leave the employment of the expatriates, who were the dominant faces at the pharm company, then, but that single step was to later impact many lives and change the face of pool betting in Nigeria, forever.
Born without the proverbial ‘silver spoon’, the Chairman of Premier Lotto, popularly known as Baba Jebu was, through dint of hard work, determined to succeed.
Interestingly, when many continue to see and describe him as a self-made man, because of his exploits in the field of business, over the past few decades, Sir Kessington is always quick to ascribe whatever he must have achieved to divine favour.
“It is the Lord's doing because I wouldn't say I am the most hardworking person around. So, I situate what you term as status at the altar of providence,” the Premier Lotto boss had said, when asked how he managed to acquire so much wealth, and succeed in a business that had seen many goes under.
But one thing is obvious. Besides having his palm kernel cracked for him by some ‘benevolent spirits’, Baba Jebu had always known what he wanted, and how to go for it, right from the cradle. For instance, he knew right from while he was growing up that the key to success, for any individual, remains education. And, even though he never went to any higher institution, or business school, he remains a voracious reader. He is even quick to tell anybody that cares to listen that its encounter with the popular motivational book, ‘How to Be Your Own Boss’, actually changed his life for the better, since it gave him the confidence to take that big leap into the business ocean.
“It made me discover very early that if you want to be successful in life, you have to be your own boss. When you work for somebody, one day you will quit the job either through retirement or sack. But, in any work you do for yourself, even when you quit, you live it behind for your children,” he had said.
Besides being a highly successful entrepreneur, with a finger in almost every business pie, another major attribute of his is his philanthropy. He is an uncommon ‘giver’, who has done a lot for humanity, especially in the area of health and education.
According to him, what has kept him going is bringing smiles to the faces of his fellow beings, especially the underprivileged. As a result, he continues to help solve health challenges of people, while providing support for brilliant, but indigent students, thereby enabling them to acquire quality education.
Perhaps one evidence that these gestures are not going unnoticed is the array of recognitions, in terms of chieftaincy titles and awards the Iperu Remo-born businessman had been conferred with, over the years, across the length and breadth of the country.
Since having his first chieftaincy title, the Baba Laje of Lagos, bestowed on him by late Oba Adeyinka Oyekan, in 1976, other awards had not only ‘rained, but poured’. For instance, other chieftaincy titles the highly-successful business man had acquired over the years, include : Asoju Oba of Lagos, Balogun of Remoland, Baba Oba of Iperu Remo, Bobaselu of Ondo Kingdom and now the Odole of the Source, the most prestigious and revered title in Yorubaland bestowed on him by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, to mention a few. He runs a foundation called Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Foundation ( KAAF), a foundation used for numerous charity causes.
In this interview with Adekunle Oladini and Akinrolabu Akinduro, this man of many parts speaks on the significance of life, the history behind his story, his act of philanthropy, and popular lotto business "Baba Ijebu, among other personal issues. Excerpts:
Sir, you are a man of many parts, viewed from different perspectives by the public. Who exactly is Chief Kessington Adebutu?
I wouldn't consider it appropriate for one to give a testimony on himself. But as a matter of courtesy to you, I would like to simply say that I am a Nigerian of Iperu paternity in Ogun State; someone who earns legitimately; God- fearing, with respect to everyone whose path crosses mine.
What is the significance of your 86th year birthday to you?
Every birthday and indeed everyday nay-every second of human life is important and a boon from the Giver of life. In effect, every birthday, just like every day, is a bonus thus special.
The year you clocked 85, you were unable to celebrate as expected, because of the Covid-19 rules. Considering your status as a socialite of note, how did you feel about this development?
What is most important is life. It is when we have life that we will remember to celebrate. Therefore, if because of pandemic or any act of God, one's outward life is limited, one should by all means still continue to appreciate God for the gift of life. This is for the fact that not everyone is so lucky, and, as the saying goes: Dum spiro Spero. In other words, when there is life there is hope.
As you were not born with a silver spoon, how did you manage to get to this enviable status?
It is the Lord's doing because I wouldn't say I am the most hardworking person around. So, I situate what you term as status at the altar of providence, perhaps spartan discipline, and tenacity of purpose, coupled with honesty in a manner of ensuring whoever one deals or transacts business with will want to come again and again.
Before getting to this enviable status, you might have encountered some challenges. Can you mention some of these challenges and how you were able to surmount them?
You had rightly observed in your previous question that I wasn't born with silver spoon. But, like anyone else with humble background, I have had my fair share of life's vicissitudes, but God has been too good to me.
What informed your decision to come up with "Baba Ijebu" lotto idea, which appears to be the most patronised lotto scheme in Nigeria today?
Life itself is a risk and whoever is not prepared or willing to take risk in this world can't go far. The lotto idea is one of the risks or adventures that I have taken in life that has the blessing of the Lord. All glory and thanks to Him.
It appears your notable hobby is giving, as you are known as a great philanthropist. What informed your decision in the act of philanthropy ?
The act of giving was borne out of the consciousness of the Lord's faithfulness, and a quick answer to your question is to ask oneself as to what is special about an individual who feeds well, ditto his household, who meets his obligations to the society and in spite of that, he still has a little extra in his pouch yet, millions out there can barely afford one good meal a day? When one ponders over this, it will dawn on the fellow that what differentiates him from the downtrodden is nothing but the Lord's grace. With such awareness, giving out to the needy is a way of appreciating the Master Giver- The Supreme Lord.
You are a man of many chieftaincy titles. Considering the number of titles you have gotten, one can say that, you are someone who has a penchant for chieftaincy titles. Why do you like taking chieftaincy titles ?
I would consider this a most presumptuous assumption. Nonetheless, it depends on your perception of what chieftaincy title is. Primarily, chieftaincy title just like the national honour is an acknowledgement of one's contributions to the society. By the same token, it is an invitation to do more for the society. Once you are recognized in the society as someone who has the inclination to give out, everyone will be offering you one chieftaincy or honour or the other and if one refuses, such is adorned with the gab of haughtiness.
For sometimes now, it is observed that, you have mellowed down on your personal involvement in your business activities. Does it mean you have retired from active business life?
Firstly, I have to thank God for giving me good and capable children that have the capacity of running my business seamlessly. With such grace, it is deemed as preposterous to work, work and work right into the grace. This will be very unfortunate because indispensability is a living word that exists only in the dictionary.
No one is really indispensable in this world because this world had always been there before we arrived unto it, the world is there running now while we are in it. When we depart it, the world will still go on and wouldn't miss a fraction of its heartbeat. With such awareness, one must learn to let go, I think.
At almost 90, any regret?
Regret is effeminate. Why should we regret anything if we believe in an omniscient God who is behind all manifestations irrespective of our perception of events? Regret depicts lack of faith in God, Who hasn't created the world and lost the control of it. It is indeed true what is written in the scripture that no leaves withers and neither a flower blossoms without the Lord's concurrence. If we believe this reality, why should we regret or fret over anything? Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven was the admonition of Christ. No regrets please.
How would you describe your fulfilment? In other words, how fulfilled are you?
I am fulfilled in the Lord's faithfulness and am fulfilled as the Lord Himself willed it to be.
If you have the opportunity of turning back the hands of time, what would you like to do differently now?
If one truly believes in God, one wouldn't want to do anything differently, and if anything at all, it is to devote more time to the worship of His Creator, right from one's cradle.
What are your guiding principles?
My guiding principles are encapsulated in Matthew 22 vs 36 - 40 and it is to continue to love the Lord my God with all my body, heart, mind and soul, coupled with loving my neighbours as myself.
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