Who is Obi Cubana? 20 things you should know about him [PHOTOS]

On Friday, Oba, Anambra State witnessed an unusual lavish display of cash as a popular nightclub owner, Obi Iyiegbu, aka Obi Cubana, buried his mother in grand style.

A long list of celebrities, business people and politicians stormed Anambra in large numbers for the funeral as huge amounts of cash were ‘sprayed’ at the event, in addition to several gifts he had got before the event, including cows, foodstuff and drinks.

Though it was reported on several blogs that the businessman got about 246 cows and one of his associates, Cubana Chief Priest, was said to have given him 46 cows, TopNaija, at the time of this report, could not verify this.

In a list that went viral on social media, Iyiegbu was said to have got over N200m from friends and associates. Though the authenticity of the list which had 198 names on it could not be verified by Saturday PUNCH, the people on it include Mighty Mighty Umuchu (N1m), Ekene New Age (N1m), Sir Makuachukwu Okeifeadigo (N1m), Wale Cubana (N1m) and Igirigi Uli (N500,000).

The nightclub boss also bought a diamond chain and pendant from a popular jeweller, Efobi Stephen, which had his late mother’s face engraved on it. In a post on his Instagram page, Stephen stated that Iyiegbu asked him to make a chain worth $100,000.

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He wrote, “Obi Cubana asked me, ‘I want something special to commemorate my mum. What can my $100k do for me’. I told him, ‘Say no more big brother.’”

The funeral rites started on Thursday, July 15, 2021, with a service of songs and Christian wake, followed by the burial and reception the next day at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Oba Anambra. A thanksgiving service is also scheduled for Sunday, July 18, at the Good Shepherd Anglican Church, also in Oba.

Popular Nigerian musicians Davido and D’banj were also fully on ground.

People who could not attend the event physically also had the opportunity of watching it online, as it was live-streamed on the Internet.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari pictured posing with Obi Cubana at his mother’s burial.

In what seemed like a bid to outdo one another, several guests sprayed Obi Cubana with 200, 500 and 1,000 naira notes. In one of the videos that went viral, two of guests were seen having a playful cash fight as they threw wads of money at each other, while other guests looked on. Veteran actor, Kanayo O. Kanayo also took to social media to show off bundles of N500 notes he planned to spend at the party.

The deceased was eventually interred in a golden casket, said to be worth about N30m. Some of the guests at the event include a member of the House of Representatives and Club Quillox’s proprietor, Shina Peller; pop star, Davido; D’banj, Alex Ekubo, Kenneth Okonkwo (Kcee), Emeka Okonkwo (E-Money), Poco Lee and Ubi Franklin.

Cubana who lost his mother in December 2020 and recently had her immortalised with a pendant and neckpiece worth $100,000, succeeded in announcing his village to the world.

For those who have no prior knowledge of the trending 46-year-old nightlife boss, below are 15 things you may want to know about the currently most talked about socialite in the country.

Who is Obi Cubana?

1. The popular businessman, Obi Cubana was born Obinna Iyiegbu on 12th April 1975 in Anambra and hails from Oba in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

2. Obi Cubana is the fourth child and last son of his parents.

3. He attended Central Primary School where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He obtained his West Africa Secondary School Certificate at Dennis Memorial Grammar School.

4. Obi Cubana graduated from the University of Nigeria Nsukka in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

5. Obi Cubana’s career started in 2006 as he founded a Club called Ibiza Club in Abuja as he sought to satisfy fun seekers.

6. Following the remarkable success he made from Ibiza club, he established Cubana, a hospitality club that provides all-round entertainment and satisfaction in 2009.

Obi Cubana and family

7. Cubana was first established in Owerri, Imo State. Today, it has spread across various states in the country including Lagos, Abia and Enugu.

8. He is chairman of Cubana Group and works with like-minds to aid the further growth of the Cubana Group like Paschal Okechukwu, who is the General Manager of Cubana, Owerri and others.

9. He is currently working on Cubana Dubai and Cubana Real Estate.

10. He is married to Ebele Iyiegbu, aka Lush Eby who is a lawyer by profession and they are blessed with four kids whom are all boys.

Obi Cubana and his lawyer wife Eby

11. The socialite has worn several awards and recognition across the country including “Democracy Heroes Award” 2018 as “Democracy Entrepreneur” of the year, “Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Award” as “Inspiring Personality Award, 2017 and several others.

12. The nightlife boss owns several mansions across the country with couple of exotic cars from Mercedes Benz 4matic S40, 2 Lexus LX, Bentley and others.

One of Obi Cubana’s Hotels

13. Obi Cubana’s net worth is estimated at $500,000,000.

14. The motto of his business is “The World is Yours.”

15. His clubs across the country are worth over $2billion.

16. Obi Cubana started his first club Ibiza Club in Abuja seeking to satisfy fun seekers and nightlife lovers, in 2006.

17. His Cubana group, a hospitality club that provides all-around entertainment satisfaction has spread across various states in the country including Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu.

18. Obi Cubana is married to Ebele Iyiegbu, a Lawyer who is the founder and owner of the KIEK foundation, a non-governmental organization established with the aim of improving the lives of the less privileged children in our society through quality education, healthcare, nutrition, and child’s rights governance.

19. Cubana’s net worth is estimated to be $96 million. This is based on his income, properties, and asset.
20. Obi Cubana has won several awards and recognition across the country, it is expanding its reach across Nigerian borders and also outside Nigeria. Some of the awards Obi Cubana have been won includes;Democracy Heroes Award 2018 as Democracy Entrepreneur of the year.
    The RightVille School special leadership Award, May 2017
    Ghana-Nigeria Achievers Award 2017 as Inspiring Personality Award, 2017
    Northern Nigeria Peace Summit/Award 2017 as Northern Nigeria Peace Builder of the year 2017
    Nigeria Film corporation Entertainment as Icon Award 2017
    Young Entrepreneur of the year 2016