As a marketing/public relations consultant and a globally recognized image launderer, Chief (Dr.) Robert Brown visited Nigeria several times in the 1970s and 1980s, when he did a lot to package the governments of Shehu Shagari and others.
Those were the years of the Dr. Joseph Wayas, J.S. Tarka and others, who had close working relations with Dr. Brown, such that Brown made friends with many Nigeria personalities.
These contacts and relationships exposed him to knowing the numerous problems facing the country, one of which till today is electricity shortage.
This realization made him decide to take his son, Oba Kabir Shotobi and the king’s advisory council members to visit Duke Energy, which is one of the biggest providers of electricity in North Carolina, USA.
Dr. Brown wanted Oba Shotobi and his team to discuss with the President of Duke Energy the possibility of providing electricity to Ikorodu.
Dr. Brown, who has great influence on several industrial outfits, universities and companies in America, is always given a red carpet reception in any of such places when he visits. Their doors are easily thrown open for him to enter.
Perhaps, not only because of his age but because of his pedigree/influence. Chief Executives Officers come down to welcome him instead of waiting for him to knock at their doors.
Despite the heavy security at Duke Energy, the President of the mighty company came down from his office to welcome Dr. Brown and the monarch at the 15th floor door steps.
With pleasantly, he ushered the entourage to his office.
From that top floor of the President’s office, through the thick glass windows, one could survey a whole wide area of Greensboro and other places in North Carolina.
Soon, the entourage went into discussion as each one contributed opinion. Among Shotobi’s entourage was Hon. Babajimi Benson of the Federal House of Representatives, who is a member of the Energy Committee of the National Assembly.
Everyone who spoke looked for ways Duke Energy could be of help to Ikorodu and to Nigeria. Dr. Brown had explained to the President the identity of the monarch and his special relationship with Ikorodu kingdom.
The Duke Energy boos listened attentively without giving any commitments. When all had given their submissions, the President appreciated the visit and promised to look into the issues and the request and to examine them with his management team for a feedback within some days through Dr. Brown.
After the thirty minutes discussion, the Oba’s entourage was taken to a nearby restaurant for lunch.
Oriwu Sun was in this entourage and brings these beautiful photos.