Antonio Deinde Fernandez
Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez | |
|---|---|
| Born | Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez 12 August 1929 Lagos, Nigeria |
| Died | 1 September 2015 (aged 86) Belgium |
| Other names | Oloye Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez of Dudley |
| Occupation(s) | Businessman, diplomat |
| Years active | 1966–2015 |
| Known for | Nigerian billionaire, Pan-African figure, Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations |
Oloye Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez of Dudley (12 August 1929 – 1 September 2015) was a Nigerian billionaire, influential business leader, and diplomat. He was recognized as a Pan-African figure and served as the Permanent Representative of the Central African Republic to the United Nations. Fernandez ranked among the richest individuals on the African continent.
He possessed several traditional titles, including Apesin Ola of the Egba clan located in Yorubaland. In Scotland, holding the status of a feudal baron, he was entitled to incorporate the territorial designation "of Dudley" into his official name as a mark of courtesy.
Background
Born on 12 August 1929 in Lagos, Nigeria, Fernandez descended from a family with mixed Portuguese-Brazilian and Yoruba ancestry. His father, initially named Yesufu, later adopted the names Camut Akinwale or Kanut Akinwande Fernandez. The family lineage traces back to a Portuguese-Brazilian slave trader who established residence in Lagos during the early 1800s.
Fernandez’s mother, Juliana Durojaiye Fernandez (née Palomeras), hailed from the Olumegbon aristocratic family of Isale-Eko, Lagos. To commemorate this heritage, in 1989 he named his youngest child Darnel Abimbola Olumegbon Fernandez.
His education began at a Catholic primary school near the Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Lagos, followed by attendance at CMS Grammar School in Bariga. He proceeded to St Gregory's College, Lagos for secondary studies but departed after two years to relocate to the United States. While in America, he negotiated a shipping contract involving bauxite exports from Jos, Nigeria, which generated his initial million-dollar income.
Diplomatic career
Fernandez embarked on his diplomatic path in 1966 when appointed Consul for the Republic of Dahomey (present-day Benin Republic). Between 1982 and 1984, he served as an economic advisor to the government of Angola. Subsequently, in 1984, he assumed the role of Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique at the United Nations.
Business interests
As head of Petro Inett, an oil enterprise, Fernandez secured a 50% partnership with South Africa’s Energy Africa Limited in 1996 to obtain exploration rights over a 4,700 km2 offshore area along Angola’s coastline. Additionally, from 1992 to 1995, he acted as Special Adviser on International Economic Affairs to the President of Mozambique.
Personal life
Fernandez fathered nine children and had six wives or long-term partners throughout his life.
His first marriage was to Princess Ibilola Lipede of Egbaland. Their daughter Olateju Phillips held the position of Commissioner for Commerce and Industry in Lagos State. Olateju’s son Derin Phillips (known as DJ Caise) developed a music career and wed Xerona Duke, daughter of Governor Donald Duke, in 2018.
The second wife, Folashade Bankole, was mother to Gbemi and Anthony Fernandez.
His third spouse was Barbara Joyce from the United States; they married in 1961 and had three children together. Their divorce led to a significant Connecticut Supreme Court ruling that dismissed Fernandez’s assertion of diplomatic immunity regarding asset protection.
In 1973, Fernandez wed Princess Abiola Dosunmu, who held the title of fourth Erelu Kuti of Lagos. They had one daughter named Antoinette Oyinkansola Fernandez, a London-based author and candidate for Parliament under the Green Party in 2024. The couple collaborated on various industrial projects within Nigeria. Their marriage lasted fifteen years before ending; in 2007 Fernandez publicly instructed Dosunmu to cease using his surname.
His fifth partner was Sandra Inett Price (also known as Aduke Fernandez), an African-American with whom he had two daughters: Atinuke and Abimbola Fernandez. The family resided across France, New York, and Edinburgh prior to their divorce settlement in 2003 amounting to £1.08 million. Aduke passed away in 2013 after reconciling with Fernandez. Despite his objections, their daughter Abimbola pursued a career in music.
Fernandez’s sixth relationship was with Halima Maude, a former beauty queen from Kano; they wed in 2003 and lived together in Brussels. After his death, she remarried in 2018.
In addition to his Nigerian traditional titles, Fernandez owned the Scottish feudal barony of Dudley, which he acquired for £59,000 and retained until his passing.
Death
Fernandez passed away on 1 September 2015 in Belgium after enduring several months of illness. His burial took place at Ixelles Cemetery in Brussels on 18 September 2015. After his passing, a dispute emerged between his daughter Abimbola and his final partner Halima regarding the inheritance. Halima did not acknowledge Abimbola as a rightful heir, whereas Abimbola challenged Halima's claim and expressed dissatisfaction with the choice of a modest funeral in Belgium rather than the state funeral in Nigeria that Fernandez had desired. This disagreement also spilled over into public online discussions.