After many years of silence, Goddy Anabor boasts: I’m still a billionaire
By WALE ADENUGA
Goddy Anabor has in the last ten years been a household name, at least in the high society conscious homes. Then, stories about him dominated the tabloids. He has been known to be wealthy and a carefree spender who liven up many society events in and outside Lagos. He moved in convoy befitting of a Governor and many adored him. At a point, there were rumours that Goddy ‘was no more himself.’ Rumour also had it that ‘he needed a psycho-therapy.’ It was even rumoured that ‘he was taken to a hospital for rehabilitation.’ Some said he had ‘sold all his belongings for drugs’ and many more.
On Valentine Day, world famous singer, Michael Jackson’s brother, Marlon was a special guest along with Mayor Gary Lobster from America at a special show organized in his honour in Lagos. Chief Goddy Anabor was at the party with his new wife, a white woman and friends. This reporter was with this Fugar born Chief who later bared his mind on his business, life and other interesting issues. Book your copy in advance as part two is also coming up next week.
What led to the closure of your publication, Heart Magazine?
It was as a combination of many things; the management of the publication was partly responsible, the then governor of the state and many others. There were a lot of bad eggs among the little good ones. I closed it down as a result of greediness and corruption on the part of the management. Setting up Gordon Press cost me over a billion naira but they mismanaged it so I closed it down.
Is there any plan to resuscitate Gordon press or establish a new magazine?
That’s just a matter of time? I will bring it back, a publication that will showcase the beauty of our country. It’s going to be like the ‘Times of London’ and some other notable tabloids in America. I’m coming out with a paper that will tell the truth as it is so that our democracy can grow.
Can you expatiate on what led to separation with your former wife, Josephine?
It has been writing in the Holy Bible that you should love your wife with your whole heart and that your wife takes 60per cent of your life. Whosoever loser that 60per cent loses a great thing out of his life. The only way to get it back is to turn to God and confess your sins. If you fail to get it back, my friend you are on your own. You just have to struggle to get it back.
Is there any issue between you and the woman?
Yes. There is a 19-year-old boy. He is a British citizen by birth. He’s in London studying. He is now a big boy, that’s the only issue we have.
Is he your only child or do you have children from other women?
There was an Ijebu woman that gave birth to 3 children for me. Her name is Toyin Kuburat. She married another man and unfortunately, the man died almost immediately. She had children for different men.
What about the 3 children she had for you? Are you picking their bills and undertaking your responsibilities towards them?
They are all graduates in London. They are lawyers. Yes I am.
Can you shed more light on your relationship then with Ade Bendel?
Ade Bendel is like my town’s man. He is from Owan while I am from Fugar. I don’t think his real name is Ade Bendel, when next you see him, ask and I’m sure he will tell you.
There is also this rumour that you are a gambler. Is it true?
I don’t gamble. I have never; never involved myself in gambling, people say a lot of things about you here and there. Even you, I’m sure your friends say many uncomplimentary things about you. Some say I’m ‘419’ while some say I’m involved in bunkering and many other things. I don’t know anything about gambling.
You came to Marlon Jackson’s show with a white lady; can you please explain? Who is she?
You see I am a big time traveller. I’ve travelled around the whole world. You see, I’m supposed to be called “Ajala the Traveller” based on my movements. I am a gold traveller. I am one of the best travellers in Nigeria. The airlines can tell you much about me. I’ve moved on several occasions to Asia, South America, Europe and other continents. There is one white woman in New York who likes blacks especially, Nigerians. She lives in down town Manhattan; then I stayed in Sheraton Manhattan. She used to come and pick and drive me around.
What’s her name?
Her name is Don Bocar. She is an American. Her mum is from Syria while her father is an American. She took me to Boston and other places where Africans used to eat and drink. She knows them. She loves African music. She got to know that I lost my wife and she flew in to Nigeria September 2007 looking for me but didn’t see me. She flew in again in September 2008 and that was when we met. She told me all her efforts to see me. We resolved to marry each other. Her believe was that she will see me among musicians. She remembered I told her then that I love music, especially praise singers, so when she came, she was looking for me at society spots where musicians were.
The other time we saw the lady with Olu Maintain and so when I saw her beside you I was wondering what is going on?
You see, Olu is my boy. We stay together and I love him. At that time she went to the Nite Shift Coliseum with Olu and many photojournalists took their pictures believing she was Olu’s wife. I knew about it because she told me.
There was this rumour that you are broke and that you’ve sold more than half of your properties. How far is it true sir?
It’s true they wrote different stories that I was taken to a church for rehabilitation. You see, it is an attack on my person and time will tell. There is one guy with a soft sell magazine, who I think is behind all these rumours. They were just writing rubbish about me. They don’t even know anything about me, about my properties or investments. They were just trying to destroy me but let’s wait and see. I expect them to step up their writing and stories, like we have in Europe and United States but the reverse is the case.
Is it true that you are totally broke, as many believe?
I still have billions. I’m living in my house. My house is worth #400,000.000.00 (four hundred million Naira). I still have a hotel worth about #600,000.000.00 (six hundred million Naira). I have a house in Auchi, I have in the United States, and I still have a house in Fugar and many choice places. I’m looking good. My American wife is taking good care of me. I have never been bankrupt until the American Government send a signal to that effect, I’m a billionaire and British government have never said I’m bankrupt either.
Are you a Christian?
Yes. I am a Catholic.
How do you relax?
Then, I used to go out to clubs, parties, throw money around but now I don’t do such again. My new wife has made life easier for me. By seven o’clock in the evening I’m already in my house relaxing. I don’t give myself unnecessary problems any more.
What is the relationship between you and Michael Jackson’s brother, Marlon?
Marlon Jackson has just started tracing his family lineage back to Nigeria. Over there, if they call you Nigger, that means you are from Nigeria. Most of the blacks over there are Niggers. Ours is the most populated nation in Africa so therefore, there is the tendency that most blacks over there are from Nigria. I think after the triumphant entry of President Obama, most blacks are now fast about tracing their origin back to Africa.
Which Nigerian musician, do you like most?
I like all of them. I have special interest in those that knows how to praise sing. I like King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey’s songs among others.
What about Fuji?
I also like Wasiu Ayinde, Sir Shina Peters and a host of others.
Do you go to church, if you do, which one do you attend?
Yes I do, I attend Assumption Church, Falomo, St. Leo’s Church, Ikeja.
Is it true you are into drugs as people say?
I told you earlier that if you lose your wife you lose 60per cent of your life. I was completely devastated. I lost my focus and that was exactly what happened and people started turning it around.
What about the rumour that you and your ex-wife have reconciled?
How can I reconcile with a woman that has children everywhere? No, I can’t reconcile with her, over my dead body.
Did you marry her in the first place?
I never married her. I just got married recently to my American wife. Apart from this, there is no other marriage.
Can you tell us the name of your newly found love?
Don Bocar (a.k.a) Rose. Everybody knows her; she likes moving with musicians. She is my all in all.
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