Earlier this month, I was reading Destiny Magazine on my Samsung Tablet and came across an awesome article about Folorunsho Alakija. The billionaire from Nigeria made quite a stir last year when she was listed as one of the richest black women in the world dethroning Oprah Winfrey. I really enjoyed the article and decided that I wanted to share just a portion with you. Make sure to pick up the May issue of Destiny to read the rest.
1. She loves to cook and shop!
The oil tycoon is every woman. She told the magazine "I love cooking and over the weekend I prepare my husband's favorite meals and our Sunday lunch. I dote on my family specially my four sons and grandchild". Some of her favorite things include shopping at Palms Mall in Lekki, Lagos and buying couture from Harrods in London. Must be nice!
2. Alakija likes to keep us guessing...
She won't confirm her net worth (she's estimated to be worth 3.2 billion), saying that she would rather we focus on her philanthropic work as MD of the Rose of Sharon Foundation. The organization helps widows and orphans by giving them scholarships and business grants. Too whom much is given, much is required right? As of today her foundation has provided scholarships for 962 widows and sent more than 1,300 children to school and later to University.
3. Started from the bottom now we here..
Well not really the bottom, she was born into a wealthy family but the 62 year old didn't rest on her relatives laurels to earn money. She started out doing a secretarial course at Pitmans in Central College London and a few years later she was appointed as the Executive Secretary to the Managing Director. After 20 years of moving through the corporate ranks she was granted an oil bloc license and found her cash show by commencing operations under Famfa Oil. It was divine intervention she says "I was told I'd received approval for a license for an oil bloc. It had been turned down by another company that didn't know what to do with it. It was just meant for them and I believe I got it because I'd answered God's calls to help others less fortunate than I. He was blessing me in turn"
I absolutely loved the article and there are so many other juicy and inspirational tidbits. Hats off to the author Nonyempho Omotola. Make sure you read the rest :)
Thoughts?
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