How Mayor of Housing bought N1m book each for 10 strange bedfellows

A strange occurrence was recorded in Port Harcourt on June 12, 2026, at Heliconia Hotel & Suites near the NLNG when a book was bought for N1m each to be sent to Aliko Dangote, Nyesom Wike, Tony Elumelu, and some others.

The book was unveiled and My-ACE China, who is known more as the Mayor of Housing, bought 10 of those books for N1m each. That is not the strange occurrence.

He made a brief speech and asked the author to send the books to 10 important Nigerians. Everyone listened to hear the names. He named them and explained why the book must go to each of those persons: Gov Siminalayi Fubara, Cosmos Maduka, Tara Durotoye, Adeto Peterside, Nyesom Wike, Tosin Eniolorunda (CEO of moniepoint), Aliko Dangote, Folorunsho Alakija, Femi Otedola, and Tony Elemelu.

The book is called ‘Strategic Elevation: The Hidden Architecture of Market Leadership’, the latest works of Brian Rueben. It focuses on transforming challenges into opportunities and articulating how leaders can elevate their minds to achieve market dominance and positioning.

Reuben is indicated as a globally respected strategist, speaker, and author who has written several acclaimed books on business strategy, leadership, and personal development.

Some of his key books include ‘Strategy: Clarity, Choice and Execution in A Broken Business World’ a sharp guide dissecting broken systems and providing strategic frameworks for leaders; The Art Of Strategy: Ideas to guide your thinking about competition & strategy: Explores essential ideas for navigating competition and strategic planning; Code of Greatness: Unveiling the deeper laws of success, which delves into the deeper, foundational principles of achieving lasting success; From Idea to Money: Practical Insight To Help You Win Big With Your Ideas: A practical guide tailored to innovators and entrepreneurs looking to monetize their concepts; Building Stronger States: A Guide to State Level Economic Strategy and Development: Focuses on macroeconomic policy and state-level economic development; and the Chaos and Profit: Strategic Approach to Superior Performance in Uncertain Times, which addresses how organizations can thrive and perform exceptionally despite economic or market unpredictability.

Why he bought the books for these people:

First, he said those who were in the hall that day, that time (some 250 persons), were the worthy ones, saying often, adversities help to cut down number of those who would succeed in a venture.

“The world and the universe is very humorous and can bring diverse challenges for diverse people in diverse ways that makes it so fascinating.

“Those that are not worthy call that word fascination, frustration. If you are not worthy, instead of being fascinated by the challenges, you will be frustrated by them. So I was so happy when it started raining and I knew only those that are champion enough to be fascinated and maybe didn’t expect this number. So, celebrate yourselves.”

China went on: “Those that know me know that I only talk about one dream. The Alessa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City. But Brian has been in town.

“One thing I will tell you about the DBR, Dr. Brian Ruben, is that he’s one of the most patient persons I have ever met. Brian has been very patient with me for four years.

“So knowing Brian, when I eventually attended one of his events, I understood why he wanted me to be there. So he’s one of the most strategic humans in Africa. He is Strategy himself.

“And if you know strategy, you will understand me. So yesterday, he called me in and presented me a very special box. When I opened it, I was privileged to get the first preview copy of the book we’re about to launch right now.

“Those that work with the Mayor of Housing know that the marketing team releases audio every Wednesday. And the person leading that team (I don’t supervise them), they write the copy, the pitch. But on Wednesday, the pitch and the copy was elevated living. Elevated standard and elevated life.”

The Mayor of Housing was excited that such book that is sure to command global rating and impact is dedicated to his name and brand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, since the creation of Adam and Eve until today, nobody has ever dedicated a book to the Mayor of Housing. And for a book this volume, for a book this beautiful, and for a book this elevated, from a person this strategic, to be dedicated to this Mayor of Housing, who am I not to be overwhelmed.”

He started: “Because this book has my name in it, Dr. Brian, I’m giving you an assignment. Do you remember what Fela Durotoye said? Alignment and assignment. You must align with this assignment. He talked about national builders, and I call these people my national builders’ inspirers.

“Some of you might not like them, but they inspire me. And in one sentence, I will say why. So I have 10 people I’ve written down that you give one copy of this book each that I have launched to give to them for N1m each.

“And then you are going to do a list of 10 people in Africa that you know should have this book. I know you have the relationship circle to do that.”

Mayor’s 10 heroes:

“Number one is the governor of River State, because we’re in River State now. We hosted your birthday. So His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“I’m not just giving him this book, but he was the first champion of real PPP for me. PPP is public-private partnership, and it works when it’s PPP.

“When it’s public-political partnership, it doesn’t work. That’s why Rainbow Town (in Trans-Amadi) is not completed. When it’s public-private partnership, it works.

“That’s why a great housing estate (TAF City Estate) was still going on even when the government was on suspension. So that’s why he’s on the list.

“The second is the man I call the most educated illiterate. The most educated illiterate in the world, I know, is Dr. Cosmos Maduka. Those that know me know that he inspires me a lot, and he’s a mentor.

“I’ve never met him, but he’s one mentor I’m so proud of. I can call myself his first son that he does not know. So you give him a book.

“The third is Tara Durotoye. I don’t know her story, but right here, we promised somebody that we are going to love his wife that some of us have not met. So when she comes next Saturday, make sure she gets a copy of this book.

“I started studying wealth like a madman, studying sales like a madman, studying marketing like a madman. I was reading eight hours every day in 2017 because I was jobless and unemployed that year, so my full employment was studying. I wake up, I go to study, I take a break, I go back, I think my employment was studying.

“So when I walked up to the CEO of an event I was serving as Master of Ceremony (MC) some years back, I can sell real estate better than you. And he was shocked. The rest they say is history.

“That’s how I sold myself into Lifetime Hub directorship and even worked up to the shareholding and started the real housing from then.”

The Mayor of Housing ended by mandating the Author and international leadership expert who speaks to at least 25 African heads of state to make a list of worthy African leaders to get the book. Many knew right away that something is cooking in Port Harcourt for Nigeria, for Africa.

Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date

Open In Whatsapp