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Double celebration as chief Solomon ogbonnaya former Ezendigbo president Lagos Branch and chairman Board of trustee Aguene Art foundation, opening his Palacio de massion and celebrating his parents anniversary , father dies at age of 104 in 2004 , while mother passed away in 2013 at age of 93 years,
Chief Solomon Arguene, one of Lagos’ most prominent art sculpture billionaires, is widely known for his influence in sculpture, philanthropy, and luxury living. He is the founder and chairman of the Board of trustee Aguene Art foundation.
specializes in arts and culture Over the decade, he has built a reputation as a leading figure in Nigeria’s art sculpture and culture sector.
EARLY LIFE, BACKGROUND, PHILANTHROPY AND CONTRIBUTIONS!
Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene was born on October 14, 1972 to Mr Aguene Okorie and Mrs
Maria Nworie Aguene hails from Onicha Igbo-Eze Town, Old Ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State.
His family enjoys longevity as the father and mother lived three years above a century and
seven years below a century respectively. This cultural and traditional activist has regard for
Western education but believes more on native intelligence and wisdom, which are vital tools
to navigate life vicissitudes. However, he believes God intervention in life voyage supersedes all
human aptitudes and talents.
Chief Solomon Ogbonna commenced his journey to the world of arts very early by the age of 11
years he had accompanied his father several times to traditional and cultural events, which
influenced his mind and shaped his disposition. Growing up in the midst of titled men,
traditionalists and cultural environmentalists did not prejudice his early education however; he rose up to become a connoisseur of arts. Chief Solomon Ogbonna is a reputable arts collector and
dealer, a cultural and traditional icon who has taken arts to another level through critical and
incisive collections and preservations of ancient works. Chief Solomon Aguene obsessions and
crave for works of arts accounted for his establishment of Aguene Arts Foundation AAF, a Non
governmental organization.
The prime mission of Aguene Arts Foundation is the sustenance of African arts and cultural
heritage, it has produced and collected masterpieces of thousands of ancient and modern works
from different parts of Nigeria and other nations in Africa. It has hosted several arts exhibitions
attended by sundry high profiled individuals, governors, Ministers, foreign envoys, academics.
Chief Solomon’s works of arts have taken him to different parts of the world for exhibitions; he
has sponsored myriad Nigerians to travel various countries for cultural dances, art exhibitions
and auction of arts. He is part of the annual exhibitions of African ancient work of arts in Europe
for some decades now.
He has donated several artworks to prominent individuals who have made landmark
successes in the political space, economic frontier, and social-cultural circle. A Litany of the
recipients of Aguene Arts Foundation master piece bronze art works include General Ibrahim
Babangida, President Robert Mugabe, former President of Zimbabwe, President Olusegun
Obasanjo who through the recommendation of Nigeria Export Promotion honoured Chief
Ogbonna in Tokyo Japan as the youngest art collector in Nigeria, Chief Ebute Ukiwe, the Oni of
Ife Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Oba of Lagos Oba Akiolu, others include Chief Chidi
Anyaegbu Chisco international, Chief Obi Jackson, Chief Femi Otedola, Chief Aliko Dangote,
Chief Chidi Okafor Chikason to mention just a few.
Chief Solomon before he became Ohanaeze Lagos President was a former Vice President
Aka Ikenga Ebonyi. He has changed the narrative in the social cultural organization since his
presidency commenced in 2018. Before his emergence Ohanaeze Lagos was bedeviled with
sundry problems, which invariably made it crawled decades of its existence. He pacified
aggrieved individuals and groups through a reconciliation committee constituted to settle both
internal and external rifts. He placated Chief Leonard Okafor Oba Ojoto, former Interim
President and Dr Femi Ferguson, former factional President. He resolved the 21-year dispute of
the apex Eze stool in Lagos. Chief Ogbonna intervened in the rift among Igbo people in APC on
leadership tussle and reunited the warring parties sorting out their differences.
Chief Solomon as a bridge builder made spirited efforts to douse the tension following the
alleged uncharitable statement against the Igbo credited to Oba Akiolu of Lagos, which deeply
affected the healthy relationship between the Igbo and the Yoruba ahead of 2015 General
Election. In company of two illustrious Igbo personalities, Commodore Ebute Ukiwe and
Ambassador Prof George Obiozor with other stakeholders, Chief Ogbonna in his capacity as
Ohanaeze President Lagos visited Oba Akiola Palace for a rift mending mission. Chief Aguene a
The proactive and percipient leader broke the jinx of the non-existence relationship between the Ohanaeze
Lagos Chapter and Lagos State Government; he has built a solid association with the
government under Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, who has formally recognized Ohanaeze Lagos as
the authentic voice of the Igbo domiciled in Lagos.
Since decades of existence of Ohanaeze Lagos, the social cultural organization never had
operational secretariat, Chief Ogbonna changed the narrative by securing a befitting functional
secretariat tastefully furnished. He created two novel groups, a conclave of King Makers under
the leadership of Ossai Igwe to scrutinize and approve individuals for Eze coronation and Elders
Council headed by Chief Sir Oliver Akubueze, Mmiri Ndi Igbo, and former President Ohanaeze
Lagos to fast track adjudications of contentious glitches, which often precipitate in the social
cultural organization
.
He has brought succour to helpless people in critical conditions. He set up Welfare and
Hospitality Committee to offer assistance to Ohanaeze members and others in urgent
pecuniary challenges because of sicknesses, burial and those who survive or are in one calamity
or the other in Lagos. In 2022, he paid forty members of Ohaneze for medical bills and other
challenges two hundred thousand Naira each. Chief Ogbonna was the first Ohanaeze President
Lagos to empower hundreds of widows with N100,000. He also empowered sundry traditional
rulers, Ndi Ezes and stakeholders in Ohanaeze. Chief Aguene is the first President of Ohanaeze
to donate free transports from Lagos to Southeast to ameliorate the agony of Igbo people
travelling back to their villages to celebrate Christmas.
Chief Ogbonna demonstrated true leadership during the lockdown he distributed sundry
household items under Ohanaeze platform to mitigate the anguish of not only to his Igbo
brothers, but also to other tribes in Lagos. Through his brother, Chief Ebere Ifeanyi Odi
assistance, he distributed 6500 bags of rice under Ohanaeze platform to residents of Abulado
Amuwo Odofin where there was a bomb blast some time ago; the Oba of Abulado got 20 bags.
Chief Solomon was awarded Covid – 19 Best Palliative Distributor in recognition of his sheer
efforts to spread palliatives across my individuals and groups in that trying time.
Chief Aguene is a trailblazer, foremost Ohanaeze Lagos President who appreciates the
impacts of those who ply their trade in the creative and entertainment industry and
understands their influence as brands. He initiated an intercourse with artistes by ensuring
Ohanaeze has working relationships with Actors Guild of Nigeria AGN Lagos State and Igbo
Actors Development Organization. Most top Igbo business personalities, the billionaires never
identified with the Ohanaeze Lagos before the Solomon presidency rather their attraction was towards
Ndigbo Lagos and Aka Ikenga. Chief Aguene changed the story with his contact, connections
and influence. These illustrious Igbo boarded Ohanaeze flight!
Chief Aguene, popularly called Udochia Ndi Igbo brought a paradigm shift in Ohanaeze
Lagos, which had a history characterized with infighting and insubordination due to the
charisma, allurement and inclusiveness that defined his leadership. Chief Ogbonna is a patron
to many organizations and a recipient of more than 200 awards, which accentuate people
recognition and premium on his leadership and achievements. Chief Solomon Ogbonna is
indeed a Doyen of arts and a leader who detests accolades, profiling, and compromise of truth,
but inspired by sacrifices made in services to humanity like notable philanthropists with global
reach. Little wonder, International Association of World Peace Advocate ( A world class
organization with the United Nation ECOSOC Special Consultative Status deems it fit to confer
him with an award as an International Mayor of Peace. This indeed is reflective of his profound achievements.
PALACIO DE SOLOMON OGBONNAYA: A MANSION OF GRANDEUR MAGNIFICENT!
Chief Solomon’s name is closely associated with his iconic residence in . Known as the Palacio de massion magnificent Aguene Solomon, the mansion is regarded as the largest private home in onicha igbo-Eze town , old ohaozara LGA of Ebonyi State the Eastern part of Nigeria and one of the most luxurious in Nigeria.
The edifice sits on 12 acres of land, and Built in a Victorian-style architectural design resembling the Basile Palace in France and foremost banker House in ijebu ode late otunba Michael olasubomi balogun (founder first city monument Bank FCMB.), the mansion is unmatched elegance and grandeur.
FEATURES OF PALACIO DE SOLOMON AGUENE MAGNIFICENT!
Eight Ensuite bed rooms, lawn tennis court, a chapel, a basketball court,an Olympic-size swimming pool
Jacuzzi, cinema room,gymnasium, and king-size dining.
by ojo-isaac olusola Michael.
Founder Efficiency award for Excellence EAE.
www.sbenews.com.ng
www.efficiency.com.ng
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