Billionaire businessman Goddy Anabor was one of the most popular socialites in Lagos in the 90s.
Sir Shina Peters and other top musicians sang his praises to high heavens. Today, the man who owned exotic cars such as Rolls Royce, Bentley is now a kabu kabu driver. The Fugar, Edo State born man opened up on his grace to grass story recently. Excerpts…
What happened to Chief Goddy Anabor, how did you find yourself here?
You know God said, when you help, they will help you. I made a lot of money from working with breweries, and different companies before I travelled abroad. I relocated to make money through one Mr. Ben at Top Breweries owned by Chief Lawson know a lot people in country, I’m Nigerian.
I knew one Sogunro who we used to call Agbemo; whenever he travelled to London, I always went him. I knew all his children who were half-castes. That was how I brought Fatai Sogunro who is also known as Chris Sogunro; he was a carpenter and bricklayer in London. I made him. I taught him what I was doing, and he is a big man today; he even used to borrow money from me.
In fact, in Lagos Sheraton Hotel, I spent 86million Naira in hosting people from London for one year and three months. I have the receipts, and you can go and ask them there. Today, things are very rough for me and my family; in fact, I don’t even know what to say anymore. I see my name in all the newspapers, and I don’t know why.
I trained people like Chris Sogunro, Tokunbo Sodunke, Dare Babayemi, Wale Awesu, and many of them like that. I made them what they are, and today, they are Billionaires.
I’m surprised that they see me in this condition; some of them say I’m pushing drugs, but they can’t help me out. I don’t why they are such ingrates. It is only one man called Mike Biggy who lives somewhere in Akowonjo that has helped me. He rented a house for me and really takes care of me.
I wonder why this people decided to treat me this way considering the amount of money I spent on them. There was a time I had N3bn in Equity Bank at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, which I spent on people. Anyway, I thank God for my life. I started colour printing in Nigeria, and I was printing for Thisday Newspaper, Punch, and many others. I also registered a security company which was approved and I had a license. They gave three of us the license. We had Vanni, Gordon and another one. I was even guarding the airport.
You were quite big then; didn’t you invest your money wisely then?
I invested a lot of my money, but because of corruption, mismanagement of the people handling the businesses ran them down. When you have a business, it’s very good to employ people who are reliable and give them some percentage of the investment or profits to get their commitments. That lesson I learnt greatly. I was putting my wife and my family, they ran the business down. My wife, Anthonia was even sharing money with people on purchases and supplies.
My workers were building houses from the money they were making from the companies without letting me know.
How did you meet Anthonia?
I met her at a Police Station when I was having a problem then. She was a Sergeant then, very beautiful woman. She was working with Dan Baba then and she was trying to assist me.
Goddy Anabor
Was she your first wife?
No, my first wife is an Ijebu woman called Toyin, and she is still alive. I used to call her Toyin Tomato; she was always with Kolington, Tayelolu and the likes.
Why did you part with her?
I parted with her because she likes parties a lot.
But you were also going to parties then?
I went to parties, but I could not leave my family and go to parties. She used to leave our little son and go to parties. She had three children for me. My first daughter, Bose, is a Phd holder in London. I have another one who is a doctor, and Tunde who is in America.
Are they aware of your situation?
Yes. They’ve tried.
I knew you had properties on Isaac John and Alabi Crescent in Ikeja, what happened to them?
They took advantage of me because they knew I needed money. I was offered N80m by a man called Basorun A.K for a house of about N300m. He has been in jail for about 10 years now because he was a drug dealer.
What about your Guest House on Joel Ogunnaike, GRA, Ikeja?
I rented it, and I gave it to Shina Eddo, who also rented it from the family that owns it. Shina is a very good person to me.
What happened to your fleet of cars because you had a penchant for them?
I had more than 50 cars like Bentley, Rolls Royce and others. I usually bought cars that were newly manufactured. Household enemies are the problems of my life. God has made me to see that the people I trusted don’t even care about me.
Why do you think everyone neglected you?
It’s corruption, distrust. I gave at least 60 percent of all I had to people. I’m so happy on the street because people like Ade Balogun take care of me.
What about Dare Babs; who was he to you?
He was my driver. I brought him from Abeokuta to Lagos when I was working at the Breweries. We had a problem because of some little money of $5m, which was stolen by one Kenny, though we’ve settled it. He’s a very good person, but I haven’t heard from him for some years now.
What’s your relationship with Oghadiome?
He is my village brother; in fact, my compound brother from Fuga in Edo State. The late Admiral Akhigbe was the governor of Lagos State then; I think he was the one that made Oghadiome to become a deputy to Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State then.
When he became the Chief of Staff to Jonathan, I went to Abuja to look for him. I was thinking he would call me for something important because when his mother died, I was there. Even when they were building the secretariat in Fugar, I was the one that contributed the most and they named a hall there after me: Godwin Anabor Hall. Today, none of them recognises me, and it’s very funny.
Do you think what is happening to you is Karma because you used to ‘obtain’ people then?
In the Bible, God says “if you believe him, he will give you joy. And for those that don’t believe him, he will give them power to acquire, but those who believe in Him will take it from you.” God gave me money; I did not obtain, it just came. If I obtained, they would have arrested me. I’ve never been on trial; or jailed for any offence. I don’t have such a record.
For your information, I know I will come back again; that’s why I’m speaking like this. I will come back again because you’re bound to go up and down seven times and still have the grace. I believe in God.
What is your greatest joy in life?
My joy is that I did not die and give people opportunity to say good things about me when I’m gone. I’m alive to see how people are treating me when I don’t have. In fact, people that I taught how to make money then and who are now rich don’t want to touch me.
Ambassadors of foreign countries used to attend your parties, what was your connection with them?
It’s because I’m honest. If you’re honest, people will come to you.
Tell me about your background, where are you from?
I’m from Fugar, Auchi in Edo state, but I was born in Kano, and grew up in Osogbo.
What about Ade Bendel, I learnt he is your friend?
He is like my brother because he is from Owan in Edo State; I met him in Lagos. I heard that he had some problems and he’s in prison; that’s all I know about him so far.
If you come back again, what lessons have you learnt in life?
I want people to know that the friend you have now is not your best friend; in fact, your household enemy is your family. It’s just you and God, believe me. Always watch your back.
Who is left with you now?
It’s God, and He is working because I’m living and enjoying. I still believe in Philippians 4:13. ‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.’
There was a report that you are now driving cab, is that true?
People are just writing whatever they like. A lot of people want to give me cars and other things. When God has blessed you, he has blessed you. Did you not see my driver, yes, he drives me in a Toyota call Pencil Light, but I’m not the one driving or doing kabukabu with it. I’ve learnt to live with my condition after all; I’m alive to see it all.
What is your greatest prayer to God now?
My prayer can be found in Psalm 1 which says, ‘Blessed is the man who does not walk in the midst of the wicked.’ He says he will bless them and make them like trees planted by the riverside. That’s what I prayed that I became a rich man. Forget about gossips.
How old are you chief?
I’m 55, and I was born on February 19.
Where is Anthonia and your children now?
They’re in London.
Tell me your last word?
My last word is that everybody should watch their back, because there are household enemies.
By E-27 Magazine
