Azibaola Robert
Born (1969-02-13) February 13, 1969
Bayelsa State
NationalityNigerian
EducationRivers State University
Occupation(s)Entrepreneur, Lawyer, human rights and environmental advocate.
Known forEnvironmental advocate
AwardsVanguard Personality of the Year Awards

Azibaola Robert, (born 13 February 1969)[1] is a Nigerian entrepreneur,[2] Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), industrialist, lawyer, human and environmental rights advocate,[3][4] founder of Zeetin Engineering Limited, managing director of Kakatar Group and a receiver of Vanguard Personality award of the year.[5][6] Robert studied law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Portharcourt, (now Rivers State University) and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1995.

Early life and career

Robert, was born on the 13th of February, 1969 in the Otakeme community, Bayelsa, in 1969.[7] He studied law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology before he was called to the Nigerian bar in 1995.[8] In 1999, Robert founded Mangrovetech Limited, a civil engineering company that metamorphosed into Kakatar.[9] In 2018, Azibaola founded Zeetin Engineering to produce high-end technology and heavy-duty equipment to produce the first electrical automobile in Nigeria.[10] Later, the Nigerian Society of Engineers conferred on him a Fellow of the society.[11] In 2021, he initiated a campaign to preserve rainforests and their wildlife in his country.[12] He led the Niger Delta Human and Environmental Rescue Organisation (ND-HERO) to advocate peace and environmental justice in the Niger Delta region. As of 1993, Robert served as the NANS vice president. He is a cousin to Goodluck Jonathan, former president of the federal republic of Nigeria.[13]

Adventure into the Niger-delta forest

Azibaola rescued a Nile Monitor Lizard during his 14 Days Expedition into Deep Forest

Azibaola underwent a 14 days expedition into one of the Niger Delta deep forests, with his team aimed at showcasing the nature documentary, preservation, and impact of climate change on the entity as a result of the adverse environmental practices, by the inhabitants of the region by seeking collaboration with the ecological enthusiasts, government, and mission-aligned organizations. The two hour documentary-film series highlighted the story of his people and living in the creek. The adventure was a journey of 25 kilometers, from human civilization, while the team covered over 400 kilometers to explore the forest.[14][15]

Controversies

In 2016, Robert, and his company, One Plus Holding Limited faced charges from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly receiving $40 million from the Office of the former National Security Adviser [NSA], Col. Sambo Dasuki and converting same for personal use.[16] However, he was later discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court in Abuja.[17][18]

The case began on June 7, 2016 with Robert and his wife being prosecuted and granted bail of N500million, after they pleading not guilty.[19] The prosecution presented ten witnesses and various documents to support their case by January 23, 2017. On March 18, 2018, Robert's counsel filed a no-case submission, resulting in the court dismissing two out of the nine charges against him and excluding his wife from the case.[20]

According to the Nigerian Tribune, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of a Federal High Court in Abuja, delivered the case that the EFCC failed to provide enough evidence for the money laundering charge against him for receiving money from Sambo Mohammed Dasuki without any contract agreement.[21] The case was later transferred to the Nigerian Court of Appeal, where a three-person panel led by Justice Stephen Adah decided that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.[22]

Awards

  • At a ceremony held at the NAF Events Centre, Abuja, to honour Azibaola with the Ecosystem Ambassador of the Year 2022 award by Leadership Scorecard Integrated Media, publishers of Leadership Scorecard magazine.[23]
  • At the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Investiture of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) which held in Abuja, 2023. Azibaola was honored with the Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE).[24]
  • Azibaola Robert won the "VANGUARD'S PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2021: The INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR" by Vanguard newspaper.[25]

References

  1. ↑ Bankole, Idowu (2022-05-20). "[Vanguard Awards] Azibaola Robert: Lawyer with engineer's DNA paves way for Nigeria's dream vehicles". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  2. ↑ "Robert Azibaola: Saving Bayelsa's rainforests". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  3. ↑ Africa, Ventures (2022-07-28). "Environmentalist Azibaola Robert calls for the protection of wildlife and climate change". Ventures Africa. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  4. ↑ "New Year: Azibaola Robert eulogises ex-President Jonathan". Punch Newspapers. 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  5. ↑ Nwafor (2022-02-27). "Vanguard's award means a lot to us as a company- Azibaola Robert, ZEETIN founder". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  6. ↑ "Robert Azibaola - Daily Trust - Latest News in Nigeria and the World". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2023-04-29.
  7. ↑ "Azibaola Robert: from Lawyer to Inventor – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  8. ↑ "Azibaola becomes fellow of Nigeria Society of Engineers". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-01-04. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  9. ↑ Rapheal (2022-06-04). "Robert Azibaola, Chairman, Kakatar Group Limited: Why I want to produce first Nigerian excavator". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  10. ↑ Rapheal (2021-09-06). "Azibaola Robert: From Bar to electric car manufacturing". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  11. ↑ "Why NSE Honoured Azibaola Robert – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  12. ↑ "Impact of non-renewable energy on health and the ecosystem". IPPMedia. Retrieved 19 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Jonathan's Cousin Opens Defence in Alleged $40m Fraud Suit – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  14. ↑ "Robert Azibaola: Saving Bayelsa's rainforests". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2022-06-26. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  15. ↑ "Azibaola Robert's Expedition into Niger Delta Forests – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
  16. ↑ "Azibaola Robert: Arrest, Detention, Trial and Exoneration - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  17. ↑ Yahaya, Halimah (2019-05-27). "Court acquits ex-President Jonathan's cousin of $40 million fraud". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  18. ↑ Daniels, Ajiri (2019-03-28). "Alleged $40m fraud: Azibola, Jonathan's cousin knows fate May 27". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  19. ↑ Ajibola, Akinola (March 29, 2019). "Alleged $40m Fraud: Jonathan's Cousin To Know Fate On May 27". Channels TV.
  20. ↑ "Court acquits ex-President Jonathan's cousin of $40 million fraud". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2023-05-26.
  21. ↑ Online, Tribune (2019-05-27). "Court frees Jonathan's cousin, Azibaola of FG's $40m contract scam charge". Tribune Online. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  22. ↑ "Appeal Court upholds ex-President Jonathan cousin's no-case-submission". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 2023-02-06.
  23. ↑ "Azibaola wins environmental award".
  24. ↑ "Why NSE Honoured Azibaola Robert - THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
  25. ↑ Ukwu, Jerrywright (2022-02-25). "Prominent Nigerian working on producing electric cars honoured in Abuja". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
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