T he man, Jimoh Ibrahim, is a phenomenon as far as business is concerned in Nigeria. His presence is felt in many sectors of the economy. He is not just there, but fairly in control.
But how has this man of many parts faired on the home front?

Many women who probably would have wished to have him as their husband got a discouraging message recently when the man said he daily wondered how his wife had been able to cope with his very busy life.

Ibrahim's wife, Modupe, who hosted a handful of friends at their white mansion in VCG, was full of smiles as her husband showered encomiums on her. What those who were present did not know was that the woman was savouring an opportunity of a lifetime which her birthday bash provided: The husband was just breezing in and would be graceful enough to give two hours within his tight schedule in honour of a worthy spouse.

He said, “I just came in a moment ago; and in the next two hours, I am off. How many women could tolerate a man like me? She does not see me most of the time because of the nature of my job, and she doesn't complain. That is why we had to send the children away, so that they don't begin to wonder what type of absentee father they have.” Ibrahim said the greatest quality his wife possessed was submissiveness. But behind this trait is enormous power and influence which she wields in the life of her billionaire husband.

“My wife is submissive 100 per cent. I want to tell everybody here that there is nothing like 98 per cent submissiveness, it must be total. There is no question about that. My wife is 100 per cent submissive, and that is why she has been able to take care of my house.” The business mogul, who took charge of activities at the birthday bash in honour of Modupe, told the crowd that few people really knew the power and influence of his wife of over 20 years on him. Ibrahim is one business man who is so passionate about God, and the party revealed that much in him as he actively participated in all the various sessions of praise and worship that took place during the ceremony. Apart from that, his speech was punctuated mostly by praises to God for what he had done in the family.

He told the crowd, “Let me reveal a secret today. Few people realise the influence of my wife in anything I do or decisions I take. I hardly take any decision without informing her. If I had ever fought a battle successfully, it is either my wife supported me fully or she goaded me into it. If I have ever dismissed a staff or retained him, my wife would have had a strong word about the decision.” Some members of the staff of the tycoon who were on hand to felicitate with the wife of their boss appeared to have taken the information seriously and started to regard the woman with some kind of awe. Not a few of them seemed too surprised that such a very easy-going woman could wield such an enormous influence on the husband.

Although, the celebrant did not for once come near the microphone, it was obvious that she is so much spiritually inclined; because much of the birthday bash which took place at the pool side of their beautiful edifice, was dominated by praise worship and prayers.