The internet is abuzz with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s mind-blowing prodigality, amid historic hard times, after videos surfaced on line, revealing how the Lagos State chief executive lavished millions of dollars, spending days partying in the Caribbean Island of Grenada in commemoration of the 50th birthday anniversary of Abuja-based businesswoman and socialite, Aisha Achimugu.
Premium Times reported that Mr Sanwo-Olu flew in a private aircraft to the Carribean Island, and took residency in one of the most expensive resorts in the world.
It was said that many officials of his government did not know the governor’s whereabouts for days, with some guessing that he was attending an official engagement in London.
But the newspaper reported that while the Mandilas building burned in Lagos on 21 January and many Lagosians remained overburdened by poverty and insecurity, their governor was reveling at a party at Calivigny Island, an 80-acre private and exquisite location which costs about $132,000 per night.
Those familiar with the event said organisers rented the Island for seven days, amounting to about $924,000 in total, in addition to other charges.
It was said that Mr Sanwo-Olu and other participants alternated between Calivigny Island and Silversand Grenada, an exotic five-year-old seven-star luxury resort located in Grand Anse beach, where some events of the posh celebration were held.
Those familiar with the governor’s itinerary said he left Nigeria on Wednesday, 17 January for Mrs Achimugu’s birthday carnival which began with “a scrumptious welcome breakfast” and “a spectacular dinner with an explosive finish” that day. Other guests had arrived in Grenada on 16 January.
However, Mr Sanwo-Olu joined the party on 18 January, the third day of the festivity. He remained there till 23 January, leaving his state without his leadership for days.
As at the time of filing this report, it remained unclear how the governor funded such extravagant carnival.
The distance from Lagos to Granada is 7,585 kilometres and what many are asking is: why would someone entrusted with the destinies of millions of Lagosians abandon his job and go that distance for a frolic?
Born 22 January, 1974, Aisha Achimugu, founder and managing director of Abuja-based Felak Concept Group, turned 50 on 22 January. The relationship between the socialite and Mr Sanwo-Olu remained unresolved.
Some of those who attended told Premium Times that it was one of the most opulent parties they have ever witnessed or heard about. The celebrant rented the Calivigny Island for one week and reserved rooms for her guests at Silversand Grenada. Several guests were also said to have been flown from Nigeria to the party location by chartered jets.
During the week-long party, Mrs Achimugu, a widow who lost her husband to Coronavirus in 2020, reportedly changed clothes at least 30 times, with each dress said to cost thousands of dollars. Those are in addition to the high-end clothes she used for a photoshoot with a celebrity photographer ahead of her event.
For most of the time, she was reportedly decked in very expensive diamond jewelry, wore designer shoes and carried Hermes crocodile-leather handbags, each said to cost between $50,000 and $80,000. One of the numerous parties took place aboard the Silver Angel, a Yacht sailing on the Caribbean sea under the flag of the United Kingdom.
In addition, a number of local and international A-list musicians and entertainers flew in to perform at the various events. Those who performed include Kenny G (American saxophonist and composer), Waje, Flavour, Adekunle Gold, Asake and Mr Killa (a Grenada musician).
Hypemen, disc jockeys, make-up artists, hair stylists and masters of ceremonies were also flown to the Island and were all paid in thousands of dollars for their services, those close to the organisers said.
David Reeves, who was the official disc jockey for the event, was seen at the end of the party displaying bundles of crisp U.S. Dollars (estimated to be up to $50,000) and saying excitedly, “who wan help you no go stress you”. Some of the musicians were sprayed with dollars as they performed.
Mr Sanwo-Olu ha yet to comment on the scandal as at the time of filing this report.
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