Osaro Onaiwu; The King of Networking

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By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo

The last couple of days in Lagos saw a high networth assemblage of the captains of industries and socialites who came out in great numbers in brotherhood and oneness to commiserate with one of their own, the billionaire businessman and philanthropist, Mr. Greg Uanseru, CEO of GCA limited a front running company in the oil and gas service industry.

Greg was bereaved. He lost his darling wife, Ema Nancy. She was a beautiful soul in and out, some people called her an angel. During her lifetime, Ema was a lover of humanity and a friend of the needy. She lived a life of support to all in need around her beyond blood, tribe or colour.

Greg Uanseru’s GRA, Ikeja home became a Mecca for the super rich and high calibre political players who came daily to commiserate with the family.

The climax was the service of songs/ Nights of Tribute at the Prestigious Balmoral Hall inside Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Greg Uanseru confided to an inside source that he was deeply moved by the massive turnout at the service of songs held in honour of his late wife, Mrs. Aniema Nancy Greg-Unaseru.

The Night of Tributes was attended by a large crowd of friends, family, and well-wishers. It was packed with the movers and shakers and Lagos and Abuja ‘big boys.’

The event, which commenced promptly at 5:00 pm, was a celebration of Mrs.
Greg-Unaseru’s life, with a focus on music, which was her passion.

Friends and family gave testimonials of her kind and large heart and her capacity to love and accommodate all around her.

By 7:00 pm, all seats were taken, and the hall was filled to capacity. The three-hour event was truly a night of tribute to late Mrs. Greg-Unaseru, with attendees praising her kindness, generosity, and love for music.

While there were moments of sadness, the overall atmosphere was one of joy and celebration, reflecting the impact Mrs. Greg-Unaseru had on those who knew her.

Greg Uanseru was visibly touched by the outpouring of support and kind words about his late wife.

He expressed his gratitude to friends, family, and well-wishers who have been visiting and standing by him and his family since Mrs. Greg-Unaseru’s passing on January 16th, 2025.

In that quality assemblage that showed up to share the pain and comfort with Greg Uanseru and family were former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki , H.E. Peter Obi, H.E. Dauda Lawal, H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ned Nwoko, Otunba Lai Oriowo, Otunba Alex Onabanjo, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Tony Elumelu, Aig Imokhuede, Tayo Ayeni and Tony Odigie.

Others were Godwin Mekwuye, Osa Osunde, Terry Asemota, Tony Anenih jnr, John Obayuwana, Tony Ezekiel, Capt Mike Williams, Osagie Okunbor, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, Joe Best Okoye and Dr. Aisha Achimugu.

Not left out were Mrs. Nosa Okunbor, Bright And Michael Igbinedion, Kayode Odukoya, Barr. Mofe Atake, Matthew Akhionbare, Lady Golda Osikhena, Sholaye Jeremiah, Dr Tunde Ayeni, Frank Okosun, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Chief Richard Lamai, Chief Timi Alaibe, Asue Ighodalo, Pastor Itua Ighodalo, former governor James Ibori, Lee Ikpea, Julius Rone, H.E. Dapo abiodun, Senator Daisy Danjuma, Ernest Obi Jackson, Senator Sanusi Daggash, Senator Domingo Obende, Ben Okoye, MO Abudu, Mohammed Usman, Rasaq Isa and many others I cannot remember.

The church service was also well attended at the RCCG,Rose of Sharon Parish, GRA ikeja. After her burial friends followed the family back home for refreshments.

Coordinating all this was a man of many parts who knows the value of friendship.

Most of the ground work for putting this grand show to honour Ema Nancy Greg-Unaseru was the work of the man I call the King of Networking, Earl Osaro Onaiwu. He was visible through out ensuring that VIP’s were properly and things proceeded without a hitch.

Osaro Onaiwu is one of those rare breeds who has made it his passion to help make things work, to see solutions where people see problems and to bring together the men and resources for success.

He is the kind of men and women we celebrate in the Best of Nigeria magazine.

In the Nigerian social, economic and political firmament, people drop names, it is an industry.

People live on it, sometimes it opens doors for them, sometimes they are bounced. But there is one man who cultivates friendship, who knows every body.

The key players and actors in both politics and business and who understands the importance and power of doing things properly and in a timely and orderly fashion. That man is Osaro Onaiwu.

I call him the king of networking. As far back as when he was about 19 years old, when most of his age mates where living in the boys quarters of their parents. Osaro Onaiwu has been hobnobbing with politicians and power and as they say in Benin, ‘running things.’

These matters are not discussed on the pages of newspapers or blogs. People have their strengths and how to effectively use them.

While others are fretting around him in search of solutions, you will hear him say,
‘No worry, no be me?’

And always he is spot on. He takes a panoramic view of the problem, assess the key players, their strength and weaknesses and he launches out, spot on. I am sure he surprises himself sometimes.

2A Oduduwa Street, GRA, Ikeja, was very popular in the late 80’s and early 90’s. It was the venue of some of the city’s classiest parties.

Not too much money was spent but every of those parties had a touch of class and glamour and a theme.

Most of the guys who became senators and governors confessed later to Osaro how they attempted to gate crash into his parties but we’re not successful.

Much later, I recall the party Osaro gave to celebrate Stephen Keshi. All the big name and international footballers were present. If you know Ikeja, GRA very well, cars were parked from the venue, on both sides of the road, all the way to NITEL junction. It was that grand.

I also remember his party for Richard Mofe Damijo in the garden of that guest house. It was a wonderful mix of big boys, activists, actors, models and musicians. Everybody came. What trips me about his parties is that most times, planning was less than 48 hours but the place will be overflowing. The celebs came in droves because they knew networking will be at it’s peak, not to be missed.

Ovation Publisher, Dele Momodu was another of those celebrated by Osaro Onaiwu with a big garden party. The night was grand. Big name journalists, musicians, actors and celebs were in attendance. It was a beautiful party with lingering memories.
Enough said as we continue to cherish and mourn a beautiful soul, Mrs Aniema Nancy Greg- Uanseru.