One of Nigerias reclusive Billionaire, Oluwo Antonio Deinde Fernandez is dead, aged 79 years.
Chief Antonio Oladeinde Fernandez (born 1936) is a Nigerian Business magnate, Diplomat and Permanent Representative of Central African Republic to the United Nations. He is one of the richest men in Africa.
Announcing his demise in a tweet at about 9.pm on Tuesday, Nigerian Journalist/Publisher, Dele Momodu, said: “Nigeria, and indeed Africa, has just lost one of its greatest sons; Ambassador Chief Antonio Dehinde Fernandez is gone!”
Chief Fernandez was born in Lagos, South Western Nigeria into the Fernandez family that originated from Brazil and the first European migrant to Lagos State. He has been in diplomacy since 1996.
In 1982, he served as advisor to the Angolan Government on Economic matter. He held this position for two years until his appointment as Deputy Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations in 1984.
He runs an oil company called Petro Inett which obtained a 50% share with South African-based Energy Africa Limited in a deal with the state oil company for exploration rights in a 4,700 km2 area of Angola’s coast in 1996.
In 1992, he was appointed as Special Adviser to the President of Mozambique on International Economic Matters, a position he held for three years.
