It really doesn’t matter to a lot of people how wealthy you are, what sure counts is how you are able to be a blessing to others even with the little you have. Such philanthropic acts are ways Richard Nnadi reaches out to the needy through his Duke of Spades Foundation. “Life is short and we can only really live by helping others…that is what I define as living a fulfilled Life” Nnadi states.
Aside co-owning the impressive Nightclub called Escape, this astute businessman is CEO of DV records, a farmer, writer, poet, about to open a restaurant called Eve which launches before the end of the 2nd quarter in the heart of Victoria Island, he’s a Sociologist… name it, Richard sure has his hands full, mastering all at once. Not to worry, he isn’t a jack of all trade and master of none; he is a Master of all trade and slave to none (as he often says).
Richard might not have been born with the proverbial ‘silver spoon’ but today he has distinctively distinguished himself in everything he has set his hands upon to do. Surely, his foundation in life which was laid for him by his parents had morals and principles scrupulously embedded on it “I was taught by my parents that honesty and a good name was important and that has shaped me into the man I have become today” he says.
On Escape, Richard has this to say “Escape was opened in 2014 after two years of construction. It was setup to create an avenue for fun lovers and hardworking individuals to come together to break free from their worries and the norm in other words as the name implies ‘Escape’.
Escape Nightlife is unique in every way with its purpose built infrastructure which is the first of its kind in Nigeria. It holds a capacity of over 1,000 people. We are also well known for our great music, mind blowing lights and above all our service which has been tagged ‘impeccable’”. Richard confidently articulates.
Now to my main attraction, his philanthropic acts. I am someone who loves children and couldn’t help but admire his efforts at helping children in need not only in Nigeria but other parts of Africa. He does this through his Foundation. Hear him explicate further “My philanthropy under the name Duke Of Spades Foundation is targeted at less privileged kids between the ages 0-5 years old which also extends fully to kids born and living with HIV. I have always had a passion for the less privileged kids who cannot fend for themselves and are brought into this world blind to the hardship and cruelty of the society we live in today.”
“We are currently registered in four countries around Africa and I visited them last year. My foundation is self funded and run solely by me because it’s my passion. We have had individuals and companies offer donations but we always refuse and point them to make all their donations directly to the home I visited that caught their attention and it has really been worth every time and dime” He tells me.
Sharing on a never to be forgotten experience on his philanthropic journey, he says “I remember this beautiful lady I met years ago whose name is Toma and she is one of the most amazing women I have met. She is mentally challenged and uses a wheel chair but she has the most amazing gift which is the ability to paint with her feet and that just blew my mind! That is someone I will never forget.”
Richard is surely an assiduous individual and again, he refers to the timeless and constant intervention of his parents, in this instance, his dad (now I’m ‘jealous’ since I’ve lost my mum and dad…sob! sob!) “My dad always told me that my opportunity to make it or become successful in life passes right by me every day because I will always have something someone else wants… the ability to be in the right place at the right time is not solely placed in the hands of God but also in the hands of man and this entails hard-work, networking and meeting new people every day. I have spent 12 years in the nightlife and entertainment sector and it was never easy… it takes consistency, hard work and a good name to make it in any business” He reveals.
One other fascinating aspect of Nnadi is his love for poetry, an area I also love to express myself freely. I sought to know about this aspect of his life and his latest book which he just launched and he has this to say “Poetry is life, poetry is love, poetry is painting in words… My latest book ‘Words For Caroline’, is about a man’s search for his perfect woman, a woman promised by God to heal and complete him. It started off as a hobby and the feedback was so positive… that is how it turned into a book. It will be up for purchase online and in book stores near you soon”.
Looking at Richard, it’s easy to tell he works out and he looks very fit but guess what? He never looked like this before now “my weight loss was my turning point because it helped with my confidence and is pretty much the genesis of the Duke of Spades” says Nnadi. There is indeed a story behind every glory, don’t you agree?
We all have those unforgettable days or moments don’t we? Well, I sought from Richard what his own was and I haven’t stopped laughing…I remember mine too but I ain’t telling, hear Richard’s own “Mine was the day my dad beat the hell out of me for missing my lesson in primary school and telling my teacher my dad said I had to be somewhere else. When he got to my class and found out I wasn’t there, all hell broke loose and when he caught me later…hmn…I leave the rest to your imagination”
And just incase you are wondering about the reason behind the name ‘Duke Of Spades’, Richard says “it’s just a brand name I created … no story there… lol!”
Signing off on the interview, Richard is grateful for life and family and is hopeful for long life and love and he says to tell you “Consistency is Key… don’t ever stop till you get it done!”
Kemi Ajumobi
