Mike Adenuga, Dangote, make forbes list

Two Nigerians, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and telecoms Magnate, Mike Adenuga emerged as the two richest individuals in the continent in a list released by American business magazine, Forbes. Dangote with a net value of 13.8 billion dollars made the list as the 51st richest man in the world while Adenuga, whose total assets was put at about 2 billion dollars shared the 556th with some businessmen. While Dangote was listed as having made his fortunes from sugar, flour and cement trading, Adenuga was curiously listed as having made his fortune from banking. This is curious because even though Adenuga owns a bank, Equitorial Trust Bank, his major business is in telecommunications. Another telecoms magnate, Carlos Slim Helu, a Mexican and his family are regarded as the richest man in the world with a total net worth of about $74 Billion while Microsoft founder and chief Operating Officer, Bill Gates is second on the list with total assets valued at $56 Billion. Another American, Warren Buffet, whose assets were valued at $50 billion who was fifth last year dislodged Frenchman Bernard Arnault ($41b) from the third position. Arnault came fourth while another American and Oracle founder, Larry Ellison ($39.5b) was a close fifth. In all 32 Americans were in the first 100 list while about 6 Indians also made the cut. The Russian society is definitely benefitting from the adopted democratic political structure as about 14 Russians were also in the first 100. They overtake the Saudis who could only produce 2 solitary members of the elite 100 group. Prominent international figures who made the 100 1 cut include oil magnate and football team owner, Abramovic of Chelsea FC fame with total asset base of $13.4 billion came about three steps behind Nigeria's Dangote at 53rd position. Supermarket tycoon, Christy Watson and family who have always hovered around the first three spots for the past ten years is in distant 10th position with a consolidated asset base of $26.5billion. Four siblings of Christy Walton were also placed at the top echelon of moneybags in the world with Jim, Alice , Robson and another unidentified family member in the group. Nigeria has always led the continent in the list of money bags since 1959 when Dehinde Anthonio Fernandez, was pronounced as the richest black man in the United States by the much respected Ebony magazine.

In 2001, US –based Harry Akande was listed by Forbes as the sixth richest man in the world.Also in 2009, Chief Femi Otedola, an oil magnate made the forbes list.

TTowonubi