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Monday 29 October 2012


ISLAND BIG BOY, MUDA ODETUNDE’S OPENS A MULTI-MILLIONAIRA HOTEL

+HOW HE BUILT HIS 1ST HOUSE@AGE 30

On the  7th of Novmber 2012   Lagos island big boy, Mudashiru Olarenwaju odetunde popularly called Muda Shina shook the whole Lagos social circle with a double celebration which was the commissioning of his multi million Naira hotel situated on 12/14 Kukumo street, Ipaja, Alimosho local government and his birthday party. The event which was strictly by invitation was well attended by the movers and shakers on Lagos Island. Popular Yoruba actors, Ronke Oshodi Oke, Tijani Adekola(Muniru) and Ijebu boy anchored  the event perfectly. On the band stand was the Gongo-Aso crooner, 9ice who thrilled the guests perfectly. The cutting of the birthday cake which was structured like the hotel was supervised by the anchors while talented Yoruba actress and comedienne entertained the guests miming different lyrics of the songs of  K1, Pasuma, Ayefele,  this she did as a feeler while the guests awaits King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal popularly called K1 since he was the main artiste billed to perform at the event. K1 who just arrived from the United State of America came straight to the event by to 10pm and went straight to the celebrant to apologize for his lateness. However, he later thrilled the guests (who  had complained about his lateness) with his good music and was sprayed in return. Among those who graced the event includes: Chief Akinsiku of Lagos, Oba Dosunmu and wife, Hon Alao Batola, (Island East local government chairman, Hon Demola, Toyin Akindele, Jimoh Andors, Lanre Agbalaya, Alausa Imoru, Yusuf Ashafa, Ikorodu Kazeem, Alayinde of Ajah, Kazeem Salami(Kazz oil), Samson Eleshin, Muyiwa small of Chicago, Suliat Mallo, Monsurat Adunni Chicago, Simisola Ashake, Shola Oshodi, Seun Powpow, Taofeek Ajadi Lawa, Akeem Rebete, MC Oluomo, Tafa Sego,Kunle Poly, Yomi Youxin, Sulu Authority, Michel Jaga,Wasiu Lamoo to mention a few. 

HIS PROFILE

 Hospitality Guru, Property Developer, Merchant, Entrepreneur,

Philanthropist, Scoialite Founder, Chairman and CEO of Moonshine Hotel Ltd

 

Alhaji Odetunde was born on October 7th 1966 into the humble family of Alhaji Tajudeen Odetunde, a transporter from Abeokuta in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria and Alhaja Muinat Odetunde from Iddo Island of Lagos State.

 

Shina, as he is fondly called, attended Salmonu  Islam-in-Ahmaddiyah Primary School, Simpson, Ebute-Metta and thereafter proceeded to St. Finbbars College, Akoka in Lagos State. Young Shina later
transf erred to Nawarudeen Secondary School, EbuteMetta to complete his secondary education in 1983.


Young Shinas foray into business did not start by accident; it was inspired by his strong desire to succeed in life and need to support his struggling family. Thus at a very early age, Shina (pronounced sha-ina) began to pick and sell crabs (akan oke) in the Makoko area of Lagos. It soon became a viable means of livelihood.

 

Alhaji Mudashiru Olanrewaju Odetunde is widely acknowledged as the Founder and Chairman of Moonshine Group, with thriving interests in hospitality, transport and property. 

 

Larryshine Suites, which opens its doors to customers two weeks ago in Alimosho, Lagos State, is an eloquent culmination of his 14 years experience in the hospitality business; it is his pet project, the crown, jewel in the Group.

 

Not long after that, Shina ventured into the business of buying and selling of rice. At the tender age 19, Shina would travel to Seme Border, Idiroko in Ogun State to buy rice. He would set out in the wee hours of 2 am, and by 6 am he was already back in Lagos with his goods. It was a life steep in discipline and hard work.

 

Always eager to expand his coast, Shina soon added textile materials to his wares. For many years, he grew that line of business but he never stopped eyeing other opportunities.

 

His quest to further expand the scope of his business led him into Transportation. As a beginner, Shina was clever enough to acquire top of the range vehicles suitable for the taxi business in the City of Lagos at that time. His first cars were Datsun Cherry and Toyota 120y brands, which he later augmented with combi “Danfo” bus for mass transit purposes.


Business was good. But young Shina was not the type who would kick off his shoes and rest on his oars. He saw his trade as work in progress; there was always more work to be done to build it into the business of his dream. He wasn’t completely satisfied just waiting to receive the day’s earnings from his drivers. His knack for hard work was such even after his drivers had parked their vehicles at the end of the day’s business, Shina would take any of the cabs and hit the road to earn extra money. It didn’t matter that he had spent a good part of the day selling bags of rice and textiles to his teeming customers.

 

Then, as at now, Alhaji Mudashiru Olanrewaju Odetunde recognized that poverty could only be fought to a standstill by dint of hard work. His business empire assumed a new dimension of growth when he added construction to the portfolio. He built his first house in 1996.

 

Alhaji Odetunde’s venture, into the complex but rewarding business of hospitality was by sheer accident. In 1998, when he was just 32, a friend who visited the country needed a place to stay. That set him thinking:  they might be others with similar needs; if he provided them with a decent accommodation, he would be satisfying a real need. That led Alhaji Odetunde to the development of his first hospitality property at the Alpha Beach, Lekki, Lagos State. He called it Moonshine Hotel.


Two years later, in 2000 to be precise, he acquired another property at Makoko area of Lagos for another branch of Moonshine Hotel.


Six months into the commencement of business at the Makoko property, the young entrepreneur bought another property in Oworonshoki, rebuilt it and turned it into another hotel. This time around, he named it Mudak Hotel.


In 2003, Alhaji Odetunde berthed in Okesuna, right in the heart of Lagos Island, to cater for his teeming customers. In 2004, it was the turn of Obalende people to experience what by now had become a passion for Alhaji Odetunde - the launch of another Moonshine Hotel, Obalende branch.


Not to be left out of the spread of good things of life that often brings development to the environs, the people of Ebute Metta area of Borno-way witnessed the opening of another branch of Moonshine Hotel from the stable of Aihaji Odetunde in 2005.


Not surprisingly, Alhaji Odetundes voyage into the hospitality business has served as an inspiration to some of his friends who have come to choose hotel business as way of life.

 

Larryshine Suites, which is being officially commissioned today, is his seventh hospitality property. This landmark achievement has given Alhaji Odetunde another reason to celebrate — it is also his birthday. Larryshine Suites is the prime and newest property in the portfolio of Alhaji Odetunde; it is a dream come true. Larryshine Suites epitomizes everything in a world class hotel: first class people rendering first class service in first class facilities. It is a home for discerning minds.


It gives guests and visitors once in a lifetime opportunity to embrace the fine things of life. It is a special facility; even the name is special: it deviates from the Moonshine pack to set itself apart. It is in a class of its own, a unique experience.


A good Muslim and a philanthropist per excellence, Aihaji Odetunde is happily married with children. This consistent trailblazer and tested business guru, has remained humble in his dealings with people and in his conduct of business.


It is a credit to Aihaji Odetunde’s business acumen, wealth of experience, perseverance and foresight that he started a small trading enterprise and, within 14 short years, nurtured it into a thriving group of companies with interests in property, hotels and transportation. As at the last count, Moonshine Hotels and Larryshine Suites, under the able leadership of Aihaji Odetunde, has provided employment for no fewer than 123 Nigerians from all walks of life.

 

May Allah continue to bless him abundantly with good health, long life and prosperity, Amen.


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