Dear Entreprenuer, Has anyone laughed at your ambition? Perhaps, at a uniquely bright but somewhat complex idea that can't be interpreted by the poorly visioned majority?
This season, we'll be inspiring ourselves with the success stories of these Nigerian Role Models and Successful Entrepreneurs in different walks of life.
Ben Murray-Bruce – Silverbird Group
Adenike Ogunlesi – Ruff N Tumble
Ahmed Barma – ABS Merchandising
Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede – Access Bank
Alaba Olukayode – Dr Kay
Aliko Dangote – Dangote Group
Atuyota Akporobomeriere a.k.a. Ali Baba
Ausbeth Ajagu – Betcy Group of Companies
Biodun Shobanjo – Troyka Holdings
Chidi Anyaegbu – Chisco Group
Cosmas Maduka – Coscharis Group of Companies
Emeka Henry – Generation Next
Fayemi – Pyramid Spices
Femi Otedola – Zenon Petroleum
Folu & Bose Ayeni – Tantalizers
Frank Nneji – ABC Transport
Innocent Ujah Idibia – TuFace
Isaac Durojaiye – DMT Mobile Toilets
Jim Ovia – Ex CEO Zenith Bank
Jimoh Ibrahim – Global Fleet, NICON
Kehinde Kamson – Sweet Sensation
Kenny Ogungbe & Dayo Adeneye – Prime Time Entertainment
Larry Izamoje – Brila Sports
Leke Alder – Brand Consultant
Leo Stan Ekeh – Zinox Computers
Lucky Uduikhue – Data-Point Microsystems
Mike Adenuga – Globacom
Nduka Obaigbena – ThisDay
Nsikak Johny – Nisk Motors
Pat Utomi – Entreprenuer & Social Activist
Raymond Dokpesi – Daar Communications, AIT
Razak Okoya – Eleganza Group
Sam Ohuabunwa – Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals
Samuel Adedoyin – Doyin Group
Seye Kehinde – City People
Stella Okoli – Emzor Pharmaceuticals
Stella Ogiemwonyi – Sea Petroleum & Gas
Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase – Success Digest
Taiwo Oluwadare – Banker Turned Consultant
Tony Elumelu – Ex CEO UBA Group
Wale Babalakin – Bi-Courtney
Wale Tinubu – Oando Group
ENJOY...
Ben Murray-Bruce – Silverbird Group
Benedict Murray-Bruce was born on February 18, 1956 in Lagos to an
Ijaw parent Mullighan and Margaret Murray-Bruce from Akassa, Bayelsa
State of Nigeria. He attended the famous Our Lady of Apostles, in Yaba,
Lagos and St Gregory College in Obalende. He studied Marketing and
Business at the University of Southern Carolina.Growing up was not a bed of roses. His father was a public servant who worked with the UAC. Ben whose initial dream was to be a professor of history had the opportunity of working in Domino Stores, a departmental store owned by his father. He however decided to do other things. His venture into show business didn’t enjoy the support of his parents. In his words “One time I was dancing and my father saw me dancing. He said, “If I ever catch you dancing, you’ll never use those legs again.” Though his father hated show business, thinking it was a waste of time, but somehow he managed to cope with a son who was bent on making a living out of the business. Even though he hated the business, he enjoyed the attention he was getting being the father to Ben.
Ben got into show business by accident. He recounts “I was at home one day in Los Angeles, USA, and somebody knocked on my door and I said who do you want? He said, he was looking for somebody and I said you are in the wrong house. We got talking and I said what is your name, he told me. And I said what do you do, he said, ‘I’m a teacher’. He was very friendly and so I asked him in. As we talked, I said, ‘if you are a teacher, who do you teach?’ he said Janet Jackson, and I said who else? He said Todd Bridges, Garry Coleman. And I said you mean you are really a teacher? He said yes. Then he asked what do I do? I said, ‘I’m a student of the University of Southern Carolina.
The man told him he was working on a set at that time and invited him over. That was where he met Redd Fox of the Sandford and Sons’ fame, the Jeffersons and others. He ended up meeting a lot of actors and actresses. One day, his friend proposed “Hey, let’s do a show in Nigeria’ and they did their first show and the rest is history.
Silverbird Productions started in 1980 with a borrowed capital of N20, 000.00; a desk in a small corner of the Domino administrative office, six staff and only two business activities, pageant and programme syndication. Today, with hundreds of staff, the company has turned to a conglomerate – three radio stations, Rhythm 93.7 in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt; Silverbird television; the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria; Silverbird Cinema, Silverbird Entertainment and Silverbird Galleria. Silverbird Cinema, the first and only Cinema multi-plex with five screens, has been a huge success and they are holding talks with some State governments in the country to replicate the Lagos success story.
His entry into the pageantry business came at a time when the Miss Nigeria franchise was beginning to lose its glamour, the interest of Nigerians and its sponsor. His brainchild, Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN) pageant eventually took over the market leadership from the Miss Nigeria, owned and operated by the Daily Times of Nigeria. MBGN produced the likes of Omasan Buwa, Bianca Onoh and Agbani Darego.
Agbani Darego won the Miss World contest and became the first ever Nigerian and African to win the Miss World pageant. Mr. Bruce successfully brought Julia Morley and the whole Miss World show to Nigeria for the 2002 Miss World event slated for Nigeria that year. Religious riots sparks by a newspaper article torpedoed the plan.
Mr. Bruce who is married to Evelyn, an American with two boys and a girl, has served as Executive Director – Black Music Association of America with Quincy Jones, Dick Griffey, Stevie Wonder as well as Executive Director – Coalition for a Free Africa with the late President Samora Machel of Mozambique and the Rev. Jesse Jackson. He was also on the board of National Arts Theatre Management, The Federal Film Censors Board, The Board of the Nigerian Film Corporation, National Film Distribution Company and Nigerian Anti-Piracy Action Committee.
Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce, motivational speaker role mode to Nigerian youths is a director of several companies in Nigeria as well as in France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
great
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