Author: The Nation

By Oladapo Sofowora

Nola Adetola is a young and upwardly mobile real estate entrepreneur who is headlining the advent of a new team of real estate communities consisting of developers, property consultants, and end-users. Nola’s experience in the real estate marketing and investment sphere brings to the fore an avalanche of credible expertise in that industry and beyond.

The CEO and Founder of Veritasi Homes and Properties Limited, one of the fastest-rising real estate companies in Nigeria, has over the years built credible relationships in Nigeria and abroad with the provision of top-of-the-range real estate solutions cutting across property sales, real estate advisory services, land acquisition, and property development, with a sales record of over N2 billion in less than five years.

Nola Adetola is certainly one of the youngest entrepreneurs in the real estate industry in Nigeria who is building houses worth several billions of Naira and the very humble entrepreneur is just 31 years old. The graduate of Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State is no doubt committed to offering consummate real estate solutions in a bid to deliver luxurious and affordable housing to all Nigerians in Nigeria and the diaspora.

He was also recently decorated as a member of the Forbes 30 under 30.

Nola, whose Camberwell Estate has been adjudged as one of the hot cakes in the real estate sector, is currently working on a 6.5 billion Naira project on Banana Island.

By Oladapo Sofowora

Ravishing beauty, style, poise graceful gait depicts Princess Fifi Ejindu like the fabled Cleopatra though she lacks the chicanery that characterised the personality of the Greek goddess. She is in totality, an earthly rind of humaneness and poise. Little wonder her presence was palpably felt on the social scene after a brief hiatus. She does not blow her own trumpet and it is not because she feels you are not fit to listen to the performance. The stylish rich businesswoman is many things to many people hence her portrayal in a variety of favourable portraits.

The soft-spoken blueblood and Pratt Institute trained architect has a long and rich family history ladened with success such that it becomes impossible for her not to toe the line of her clan. Ejindu’s father was a well-known professor at the University of Ibadan who was also a former Minister at the defunct Eastern region. Her Great grandfather, James Ekpo Bassey, was a powerful and influential monarch during the colonial era in Cobham town Calabar, Cross River State. She is a thoroughbred silver spoon raised from an aristocratic background and fully equipped with western education. Anytime Princess Fifi saunters on the red carpet, she dazzles with her awesome dress sense and top-notch accessories. Nobody beats her to it as she has grown to become her competition. Her finicky nature transcends not just on her fashion sense but also the long list of her executed projects littered across the world. She gets her muse from globetrotting infusing ideas from ancient traditional architectural designs across the world to create her Magical designs.

Although years ago, the Starcrest Group’s boss graced high society circuits with enviable grace and aplomb, many averred that before the pandemic in 2020, she had withdrawn completely into her shell. In effect, Princess Fifi no longer appears in party circuits and celebrity journals. She will remain an enigma in the annals of Nigeria’s high society. Sources said the highly cerebral and well-respected woman is just taking out time for herself, family and attending to her chain business across the world. In a bid to retain the billionaire status, she now works round the clock. “She has been working round the clock shuttling Dubai, America, Germany, and many more before the pandemic started. Mid-March, she returned to the country after spending over 2 months in Dubai relaxing and enjoying private moments with her family. If you see her now she is now looking more relaxed and rejuvenated with her skin glowing like a newborn. She is approaching the age of 60 so she is taking things slow. She is still who she is. A cosmopolitan businesswoman, philanthropist, Style Connoisseur, and caring mother and loving wife. When the pandemic finally leaves, you all will be marveled at how she will resurface with a big bang.”

By Oladapo Sofowora

It was yet another addition to the highly decorated cap of young and enterprising businessman and politician, Honorable Olumide Araoyinbo. Araoyinbo, a former majority leader of the Ondo State House of Assembly, was recently installed as the Basorun Onisowo of Ibadanland. Expectedly, Hon. Araoyinbo’s large base of friends and business colleagues stormed the ancient city of Ibadan and painted the town red leaving trails of sweet stories that will be told for long.

A man of many parts, Akoko-born Araoyinbo is a businessman, humanist, security expert, entrepreneur, investor, community leader, and politician of repute. He is the President of Akoko Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, Industry, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, AKOCCIMA. His foray into the murky waters of politics, he said, was informed by his experience as a child and the determination to liberate the masses and give succor to the poor.

His international business concerns include interest in manufacturing, property development, hospitality and tourism, importation and exporting, security and mining.

Before his latest addition to a long list of traditional titles, Araoyinbo held the traditional titles of Otunba Ogbagba-Agbotewole of Idimu-land, Lagos, Olu-Omo of Irun Akoko, and Otunba-Bobagunwa of Ogbagi-Akoko among several others. As a Parliamentarian, Araoyinbo served as the Chairman of a very strategic House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and other Committees like Vice Chairman of Transport & Utilities, also in the Committees on Sports, Commerce & Industry, Natural Resources, and the Finance & Appropriation.

By Oladapo Sofowora

Seasons pass but billionaire luxury real estate mogul, Oluwasijibomi Ogundele, the M.D and C.E.O of Sujimoto Construction Company, remains grand, like the nurturant guardian whose tenderness and warmth blesses the land. Following the description made by Late American Rapper 2pac Shakur in his poem titled; “The Rose That Grew from Concrete”, Ogundele is a rose that grew from Agege; a suburb part of Lagos. He is indeed a treasured rose who built a multi-billion Naira property empire currently changing the face of luxury real estate in Nigeria. No doubt, Mr. Luxury as he is fondly called has blossomed into a man of affluence, style, class and integrity. He looms large across generations into eternity. The story of his exquisite manhood resonates with a pleasant peal. To his staff, family, friends, beneficiaries and other loved ones, his smiles have been their anchor, his shoulders their rampart of comfort to lean.

Unlike the fabled explorer, Christopher Columbus, who didn’t have a business plan when he discovered America, Sujimoto had a well-thought plan when he founded his luxury real estate dynasty Sujimoto Construction Company over 5 years ago. He proved that he was no rookie in the cut-throat world of business in the country’s real estate sector. When himself into the luxury real estate industry, he came with beyond-the-ordinary ideas, aiming at shattering the stereotype to be the shining light that would redefine the skylines of Nigeria with an audacious architectural masterpiece project that will compete with the rest of the world. Providence granted his heart desires as he was able to prove naysayers wrong with his incredible list of completed and ongoing projects littered across the country. At a point, like the title of Dr. Tai Solarin’s New Year message in 1964; ‘May Your Road Be Rough’; His road was indeed rough. Engaging the spirit of tenacity, not giving up on mediocrity and passion he was able to navigate through the murky waters of business typhoons directed to sink him.

Read Also: ‘How I went from hardwork to owning Sujimoto’

He is a skilled survivalist; for instance, just when many have written him off on the strength of his brush when Nigeria entered recession and his LorenzoBySujimoto project could not continue. He had to refund over 450Million Naira to off-takers. At this point, doubting Thomas’ thought it was the end of his business career. But with the heart of Hercules and the fearlessness of Achilles, he was able to rise above his travails, re-strategize and reconfigured his dreams and gave it another shot. This time around he was able to succeed despite all odds against him. Being a witness to the Sujimoto boss’ exploits is quite inspirational and replete with interesting anecdotes to ambitious young men and women seeking his kind of entrepreneurial success and acclaim.

As the young billionaire luxury property mogul sauntered into Age 40 yesterday the 8th of April, many leaders and entrepreneurs across the world sent their goodwill message to share in his pot full of joy. The Billionaire who learned the rudiment of business from his mother would be entrenching a culture of success and acclaim that has been the inspiration for generations of aspiring entrepreneurs and Nigeria’s nouveau riche. For the Law graduate from Anglia Ruskin University, England, there are many things he has envisaged to have achieved before entering the age of 40. Unlike his peers who are still struggling to find their feet in business, Sujimoto has redefined Banana Island; the wealthiest residential neighborhood in Nigeria with amazing projects like: GiulianoBySujimoto, LucreziaBySujimoto, LeonardoBy Sujimoto all in Banana Island. The S-Hotel Ikoyi and QueenAminaBySujimoto currently taking off in Abuja.

To mark his 40th birthday, sources said; the Motomatics theory originator is not relenting in his oars, most especially until Nigeria finally takes a new look at the European medieval, renaissance and modern luxury designs making it a tourist attraction and a point of reference as the giant of Africa. “Sujimoto is taking his trade out of Nigeria with his newest idea, a 44 storey building Sujimoto tower to be erected on 6,500 Psm land in the corner of Dubai downtown. The 44-floor edifice will conveniently boast of ultra-luxury residences, hotel suites and top-notch retail. Hotel franchise Fourseasons and Bacarrat will likely come on board. Other Luxury retails like Graff Private, Pateck Phillip, Vacheron, Costatine, Vertu and many other ultra-luxury retail brands. Top restaurants like Cipriani, Nusret and many others. The Sujimoto tower will be the first African tower in the middle of Dubai. He will also be the first African to build a tower in the Middle East.”

By Oladapo Sofowora

For Reverend Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi aka Iya Adura, birthdays mean a lot to her.

Sauntering into age 58 is indeed a moment to celebrate and thank her creator for allowing her to witness yet another year on planet earth.

Most especially in a period when many have lost their life due to the deadly global pandemic. For the prayerful woman, being alive in good health is a testament that she is indeed blessed by her creator.

The generous clergywoman and Minister in Charge, Love of Christ Generation Church (C and S), who is known for cheerful giving, was caught off guard in the celebration of her big day on April 3 during the Easter break.

Last Saturday, at a private location in Shiro Landmark beach Lagos, she was surprised by her immediate family, friends, church members as they converged at the location to give her the surprise of her life at the birthday dinner to celebrate her 58th birthday.

The celebrant in her usual smiling and respectful nature arrived at the venue in the company of her husband and close family members fitted in a white gown looking different from the regular prayer attire.

She was looking way younger than her age as she could pass for a 30-year-old woman. Overwhelmed by the love shown to her by those around her she rained prayers on those who organized the surprise party in her honour.