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Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos (78269 Views)
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MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by mohince(m): 6:31pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
The day was the 15 th of March, 1990. Nigeria was to play host to some of the most important personalities on earth. Guess who? Diana, the Princess of Wales was in town, with her husband, Prince Charles on a state visit. Princess Diana charmed everyone with her magical aura. At the lepers’ colony, she almost made many shed tears as she held the hands of lepers, stroking their hands and looking at where they lost their fingers. The military president, General Ibrahim Babangida was ecstatic and wanted to ensure that the guests got the finest treatment possible. Thus, the Nigerian government made spectacular arrangements to make them comfortable. The search was on for a befitting place for them to stay. BIRTH AND EARLY DAYS Born into the Mai Deribe family, Alhaji Ahmed Mai Deribe’s father was one of the prominent long-distance traders of colonial Borno. MAKING MONEY Although Mai Deribe’s name is etched in the minds of many Nigerians as one of the few lucky and controversial owners of crude oil wells in Nigeria, he also had his hands in some other pies: -Mai Deribe established the Dalaram Soft Drinks Factory, the first of its type in northeastern Nigeria and it was commissioned by President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari in 1982 alongside the Deribe Hotel. The factory had the capacity for one million bottles per day. -Mai Deribe also established the first (said to still be the only) five-star hotel in northeastern Nigeria, the Deribe Hotel. -Mai Deribe was a major shareholder in the Preussag Drilling Company. Today, the state governments of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kano, Gombe and Bauchi are making use of the services of this company to access their aquifers and other underground water basins. MAI DERIBE THE PHILANTHROPIST Mai Deribe was known and is still revered by the people of Borno for his charitable activities while alive. He pumped money into various ends, and these include: -Construction of the Deribe Central Mosque, Old Maiduguri, Jere Local Government, Borno. It was commissioned by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. -In the early 1980s, Mai Deribe upon returning from overseas (most probably the US or the UK) came with gifts of ultramodern gadgets and equipment for the staff of NTA Maiduguri. NTA is the Nigerian Television Authority. The gadgets were so advanced that it took the staff two years to master it, even after inviting their seniors from NTA Channel 2, Victoria Island, Lagos. -On the 1 st of January, 1987, Mai Deribe gave a sum of N5million naira to the Maiduguri Central Mosque on behalf of his family and that of his brother, late Alhaji Kuli Deribe. -His neighbours were the people of Fezzan and Old Maiduguri, and they also benefitted from his largesse, he sent money and food to them, one bag of millet per family every month of Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting. -Construction of the Bulumkutu Central Mosque, Borno, the Aminu Deribe Mosque, the Doggon Masalanchi in the Fezzan Ward of Maiduguri, Deribe Hotel Mosque, School Mosque, Government College, Maiduguri and Fillin Polo Mosque, Airport Mosque. This is in addition to 27 smaller mosques all across the country. In total, he erected 78 mosques. -Deribe Arabic and Islamic Schools. -For 44 years, Mai Deribe sponsored people to the hajj, the Muslim holy pilgrimage in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Atimes, he would ferry the pilgrims in his own Gulfstream private jet. -Deribe Hospital along Bulumkutu Road. It was commissioned by Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, the-then Chief of General Staff, the second-in-command to General Babangida. -Construction of the Baga Road Central Market and Shopping Complex. -In the mid-1980s, Alhaji Mai Deribe dropped the sum of $ 1million for oil prospectors looking for crude oil deposits in the Gajiganna and Kukawa areas of Bornu State. Some geophysicists believe that there is a considerable quantity of oil in the Nigerian part of the Chad Basin and that is quite feasible as the Chadians have already started drilling oil in their own part of the basin. In a recent NTA programme hosted by the suave Cyril Stober, Governor Kashim Shettima said the Federal Government of Nigeria is the one stalling progress on the exploration of crude oil in the Chad Basin. -Mai Deribe’s company, Preussag Drilling Company, built and donated more than 60 boreholes in rural districts across Borno and Yobe State. -Mai Deribe sponsored numerous indigent students from Borno State to study abroad, giving them scholarships to England where some of them stayed at his palatial residence in Gloucester, London. -Mai Deribe was regarded as a patriarch for the people of Borno State and that explains why his people ran into his open arms at various occasions. During the devastating flood disaster in September 1994, thousands of displaced residents camped at his house where they were catered to. Although he was not in the country when the flood happened, he sent a sum of one million naira (about $ 375,000) to the Borno State government to assist them with the relief efforts to purchase food items, shelter materials and other accessories for them. A similar scenario would be re-enacted in July 2009 during the unrest in Maiduguri. HIS FABULOUS WEALTH -That Deribe was extremely wealthy is a fact and even more factual is his action of dazzling others with his luxurious wealth. And many other Nigerians remember him more for the trappings of his wealth. In the 1980s, he was one of the very few people on earth who were cruising around in the newly-released Gulfstream G550 private jet. It is believed that he was among the first 12 people to purchase the customized version of this jet in the early 1980s, putting him in the same league with Yoshiaki Tsutsumi of Japan who was the richest man in the world at that time and other billionaires like Khalid Ibn Mahfouz of Saudi Arabia and Robert Edward ‘Ted’ Turner, the owner of CNN. -There is also the Deribe Palace (Gidan Deribe) in Maiduguri, the state capital. Sprawling and vast, the building’s majesty was enough to impress the late Princess Diana and her husband, Prince Charles, King Juan Carlos I of Spain who stayed in the palace for two days in 1986 (the Spanish king was said to have been amazed with such opulence right in the middle of a vast desert) and even a son of an American President (George Bush would later become the US President himself), all of whom were hosted in the gold- marble building which was so exquisite that its commissioning was done by military president, General Ibrahim Babangida. IBB was also a guest at the palace, while another high-profile guest is a retired army general, Muhammad Saad Abubakar, now the Sultan of Sokoto. Many Nigerians were flabbergasted at the majesty of the Deribe Palace when Ovation magazine did a feature on the man and his wealth in early 2000. How much did the palace cost him? Just $100 million. And cleaning his house was said to have cost N5million per month. This is what Dele Momodu, the publisher of Ovation has to say on the Mai Deribe piece, which he said was one of the most memorable for his company: After that, I think the Mai Deribe in Maidugri. I also flew in Colin Ramsey from London to do the photography for us and this is a man who has photographed Imelda Marcos (former First Lady of the Philippines) and all the top stars. When he got to www.naijarchives.com/mai-deribe-famed-billionaire-borno/ 2 Likes 3 Shares
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Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by ibrams(m): 6:33pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
. 1 Like 2 Shares |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by mohince(m): 6:36pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
-Mai Deribe also purchased a special bed, once owned by
the late King Hassan II of Morocco.
-Although many Nigerians are familiar with the Mai Deribe
Palace in Maiduguri, he also built another palace in Dakar,
Senegal.
ROMANCING THE LORDS OF POWER
-THE DAYS OF POLITICS
The late Alhaji Mai Deribe was the Treasurer of the National
Party of Nigeria (Borno State Branch) under the Presidency
of Shehu Shagari in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Using his convoluted political connections and wide-
reaching influence, Mai Deribe prevailed on the Nigerian
Federal Government in the 1980s to site one of the four
international airports in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital.
The contract to build the airport was awarded to him in 1981
after he had also constructed the Brigadier Maimalari
Barracks along Monguno Road, lecture theatres at the
University of Maiduguri (alongside the Ramat Library,
Science and Social Science Complex with the Agricultural
Department Building/AgroVet Building commissioned by
Babangida, see photos below), Maiduguri Main General
Hospital Building near the Post Office, public buildings and
secretariats in Yobe State all as part of contractual
agreements with his companies.
When Yobe State was carved out of Borno State on the 27 th
of August 1991, Mai Deribe prevailed upon his good friend
and military president, General Ibrahim Babangida to shift
the capital city to Damaturu. Babangida also commissioned
the Gidan Deribe in 1991 upon its completion. It was said to
be the most expensive house in Africa.
Alhaji Mai Deribe was one of those who assisted the former
Vice President, Atiku Abubakar to the limelight. In fact, one
of Atiku’s children, Ahmed (a twin, the other boy is named
Shehu, named after Shehu Musa Yar’adua), was named
after Mai Deribe. He rendered immense assistance to Atiku
while he was in the customs and when he also entered
politics. When it was time to swear Atiku in as the Vice
President of Nigeria in 1999, he said that he would not
regard himself as an orphan (he had lost his two parents) as
long as Mai Deribe was present at the swearing-in
ceremony. Aliko Dangote’s uncle, Alhaji Aminu Dantata was
also best friends with the late Mai Deribe.
THE ABACHA CONNECTION
In 1996, the military junta of General Sani Abacha gave
approvals for various crude oil applications. One of the
beneficiaries of the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity was Alhaji
Mai Deribe, the owner of Cavendish Petroleum in control of
the Oil Mining Lease (OML 110). OBE4 and OBE 5 are two
well-known oil wells owned by Cavendish Petroleum.
Estimates indicate that the Mai Deribe family earns more
money in a year than the entire Borno State. While he was
alive, Mai Deribe was actually the richest man in Borno
State. 1 Like 1 Share
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Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by cuteboy2: 6:37pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Oh my world Chai see the luxury. This will make the Queen of England green with envy. This man had oil block since the military era of IBB and has been quietly creaming off the oil dollars long before Nigerians knew the meaning of "marginal block". He has taken great care to hide from public view. 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by cuteboy2: 6:41pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Oh gracious Lord.... Mai Deribe's house dwarfs that of the Sultan of Brunei in sheer splendour. And this guy is from Borno State where Boko Haram has ravaged the place. The people are living in abject poverty. Mai Deribe has never built one single hospital or donated material to the refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in his home state. Chai. OP has just ruined my day. **** SHAME ON NIGERIAN ELITE ***** 7 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by oduastates: 6:45pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
There and there is Niger delta money. Only free and easy money is spent like this. Money made through hard honest work is usually 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by cuteboy2: 6:45pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
cc: OAM4J, Afam4eva, Ikenna351 Moderators: Front page abeg...... |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by mohince(m): 6:47pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
more
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Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by cuteboy2: 6:50pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
mohince: Why is he only sponsoring building of mosque every where and Arabic/Islamic schools? How about normal schools to impart contemporary knowledge and skills How about hospitals How about scholarships Do Mai Deribe's children only attend quranic schools and mosques alone? 5 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by cuteboy2: 6:53pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Choi. Dangote is just like a small boy compared to Mai Deribe. I always say it, that Dangote is not the Richest man in Nigeria or Africa for that matter. Forbes simply does noot have data on everybody. 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by OoduaVanguard: 6:53pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Very influential man while alive. I understand his houses are now national monuments. Read that OBJ once cooled off at his place during one of the bloody coups. 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by mohince(m): 6:58pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Mai Deribe has come under fire by those who have accused
him of being one of the oligarchs of Nigeria. They accuse
him of using his unfettered access to the corridors of power
to promote his business concerns, corner contracts and oil
blocs for himself and make outrageous profits only to
sprinkle crumbs on bedazzled masses who saw him as an
angel sent from the very chambers of heaven. Many,
especially his teeming supporters from his native Borno
State, do not agree with this submission. His critics pointed
out that many of the projects he carried out were based on
contractual agreements, purely business matters which he
profited from, and should not be flaunted as his personal
works or any outstanding works of charity.
HIS DEATH
Death came visiting the grand old Nigerian billionaire while
he was faraway in Saudi Arabia. He died on the 13 th March,
2002 at the age of 78. The next day, his body was prayed
upon at the Al-Masjid al Haram (also called the Grand
Mosque or the Sacred Mosque, the largest mosque on earth)
. Thereafter, he was buried at an unmarked grave next to the
Grand Mosque. Many Muslims believe there is no better
way to die than to have the last breath within the proximity
of the Kaaba as it is believed it is a ticket that facilitates
one’s entry to Paradise.
INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT MAI DERIBE
-The late Mai Deribe’s influence was not limited to Borno
State alone but also to the neighbouring Yobe State. Borno
and Yobe States are the only Kanuri-majority states in
Nigeria. The late General Sani Abacha was from Bornu State
while his Chief Security Officer, Major Hamza al-Mustapha
hails from Yobe State.
-In 2001, there was a dispute involving Dublin-based Tuskar
Resources and Mai Deribe’s Cavendish Petroleum over an
oil field.
-Mai Deribe took his religious injunctions seriously and was
said to not miss any of the Umrah and Hajj (lesser and major
pilgrimage of the Muslims). In the 1970s, the Saudi
government embarked on an expansion of the Holy Mosque
in Mecca and they had to pay off the owners of the
adjoining buildings that had to be demolished in order to
make way for the expansion. Mai Deribe refused any form
of payment for his own house, saying he donated it in God’s
cause since it was for the expansion of the Holy Mosque.
-He was also said to visit his mother while she was alive
three times in a day. The first time was after the morning
prayers, then later at 1pm and then 6pm.
-The late Mai Deribe is one of the most important figures in
the life of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Atiku met
Mai Deribe in 1974 when he accompanied his friend
Mohammed Indimi to Borno State for his wedding. The two
met and the rest is history. Mai Deribe was said to have
treated Atiku like his own son.
-In 1969, there was a legal tussle between Mai Deribe and
Alhaji Usman Ali/Borno Holding Company Limited, another
wealthy Borno businessman. The two later made up.
-One of Mai Deribe’s sons married the daughter of former
presidential aspirant and MKO’s running mate, Alhaji Baba
Gana Kingibe.
-Mai Deribe was also friends with former President
Obasanjo. In her book, Bitter-Sweet: My Life with Obasanjo,
Obasanjo’s former wife, Oluremi wrote: It was not surprising
that Hassan Usman had arranged with Alhaji Mai Deribe to
receive us on our arrival at Maiduguri. We flew in an Air
Force helicopter to Maiduguri and Mai Deribe came to the
airport in a Mercedes Benz car to receive us.
-The furniture for Mai Deribe’s house was done by the
world-renowned Giovanni Monzio Compagnoni (GMC) of
Italy. This interior décor company is known for decorating
the homes of people like the late President Omar Bongo of
Gabon, the late King Fahd of Saudi Arabia, Sultan Qaboos
bin Said of Oman, Sheikh Khalifa Al Nahyan of the United
Arab Emirates and the Central Bank of Kuwait. Actually, Mai
Deribe’s name is listed on their website as one of their most
important customers and you can check it out HERE
LEGACY AND REMEMBRANCE
– Alhaji Mai Deribe Building, Sir Kashim Ibrahim Way, West
End, Maiduguri, Borno is named for him. Same goes for the
Mai Deribe Street in Maiduguri, where his hotel is located.
THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. 1 Like 2 Shares
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Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by ebamma(m): 7:07pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Another beneficiary of our corrupt leaders attitude of robbing Peter to pay Paul, Abacha handing over an oil well in far away niger delta to his cattle rearer kinsman making him rich and powerful at our expense, This is one of the reasons the always want to be the rulers, 5 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by playahata: 7:43pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
I don't find any of the photos stylish at all. No use of colours........Na only one colour dey this world?!!!!!!!!!1 |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by goldfish80(m): 7:52pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
A friend of mine who served in bornu told me about a certain gold marbled house. I didnt understand what he was talking about till this evening I came across this thread. Wow! |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by U235weapongrade: 7:55pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Cavendish Oil.. Also built the Maiduguri International Airport... Dis House dat is usually described like "Guy,that house is made of Gold".. |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Nobody: 8:25pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
I know him... |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by seunmsg(m): 8:48pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
This should be on frontage. No matter the misgivings southerners may have against the northerners, we should still celebrate this exceptional Nigerian who was among the richest people in the world in his time. 2 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by MyMouth(m): 8:48pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Went on a tour of that house,..... Sorry, palace during my service year in Maiduguri. First time I ever stepped into a room constructed with pure gold in my life. People come from all over the country and outside to tour that house. Funny enough, he never moved into that particular palace before he died. Dangote na shoe shiner for the man side oo! 6 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by deskossy(m): 9:48pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
Indimi,mai deribe,dantatas,the sani bellos,danjumas,dangotes,abachas......stupendously rich northern families. ..but majority of their citizens are illiterates and poor! 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Iamoilprince(m): 10:15pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
i lived in his compound when i was in Maiduguri. The man get bar die |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Nobody: 10:37pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
may his soul rest in perfect peace 2 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Pk001(m): 11:29pm On Jul 03, 2015 |
cuteboy2: Mai Deribe is late. He died around 2003 or 2002. 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Imokay: 1:56am On Jul 04, 2015 |
Nonsense waste, go and see what became of the palaces built by Mobutu, Bokassa and others now home to reptiles and rodents. If this wealth hd been invested in factories, farms and industry, Boko Haram would find it hard to get recruits. We still lack a modernizing elite, all we have are rent seekers with little long range reasoning. How many of the Mai Deribe family can comfortably move around in Maiduguri today |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by aminho(m): 3:22am On Jul 04, 2015 |
Maiduguri my home my town I remember when we use to run around the house in the 90s the house has the largest corridor in africa and it's not connected to the national grid no nepa but a power plant |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Ruq: 3:39am On Jul 04, 2015 |
Pictures of that house was in one Ovation's Magazine issue one time, damn! that house, I dey always pray to enter am for my dream. |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Chubhie: 4:17am On Jul 04, 2015 |
Nigeria is a land flowing with miliki and honey just uneven distribution of the commonwealth. That palace should be common room if the wealth of Nigeria is justly spread. I believe PMB will fight corruption to a standstill and recover all our stolen commonwealth and turn Nigeria into UAE in just 4years. |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by infohenry(m): 4:21am On Jul 04, 2015 |
He was busy building mosques and Arabic schools and today the products of his legacy have turn northeast to the theatre of war and series of heartless killings while the likes of Andrew Carnegie and bill gates brought to America an unprecedented industrial revolution. Shame on him and his likes. 2 Likes |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by feedburner(m): 5:42am On Jul 04, 2015 |
in fela voice: he be ITT 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Caseless: 6:47am On Jul 04, 2015 |
In total, he erected 78 God, I pray you take me to that height where I can exceed the achievement of this man. I don't pray to build mosque alone, I want to build churches too(think whatever you like, I don't care) , especially, the Catholic church and Qua Oboe church(now called ECWA) in my hometown. This churches made it possible for us to see Christians as our brothers and sisters, and we grew up with this orientation. Erm, God, I pray to be empowered too so I can feed those that go to various houses of worship to worship you. No one 'worships' well on an empty stomach. 1 Like |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by Caseless: 6:54am On Jul 04, 2015 |
infohenry: Mark my word, I will build 500% of what he built by God's grace. You ducks refuse to see yourselves as being religious and not Godly; and this why we have every problems in our country today, rather you blame everything on religion. |
Re: MAI DERIBE, The Famed Billionaire Of Borno - Photos by aieromon(m): 7:01am On Jul 04, 2015 |
Vanity upon vanity. How did his riches raise the standard of living of his people? A house made of gold in a poverty stricken state? May his soul rest in peace. |
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