One of Africa's
richest women and chairman of Famfa Oil, Mrs Folorunsho Alakija yesterday
August 27th revealed that she never went to a university, saying one does not
need a university education to make it in life. Mrs Alakija said this while
speaking with students of the University of Lagos during the 2014 UN
International Youths Day in Lagos.
"I come from Ikorodu, Lagos state. I am married to a dashing young lawyer of 70 years of age and we have four grown up gentlemen and grandchildren. It has not been a rag to riches fairytale. It has not been an overnight phenomenon like some cases which you find here and there all over the world. For as long as I can remember, I had always wanted my own business. Hard work...am trying to tell you how I got to where I am if you want those billions. Hard work, diligence, persistence...days where you nearly gave up but I chose not to give up." Continue...
"It
would have been easy to compromise but I chose not to and I stayed focus. I
could have stayed a secretary as my father desired according to his plan for me
but I had bigger aspirations. I dreamt big. God strengthened me and gave me
wisdom. I had a passion and burning desire to succeed. Being a secretary, a
banker, a fashion icon, a cooperate promoter and printer, a real estate owner,
an oil magnate, that I can assure you was no easy feat. Firm belief that what
is worth doing is what doing well or not doing at all. I took charge of my life
with the tools I have shared with you. I chose to become born again at the age
of 40. I chose to make a covenant with God that if he would bless me I would
work for him all the days of my life. I chose to hold on to the cross and look
up to him every step of the way. Today additional accomplishment includes a
wife of almost 40 years, a mother, grandmother, ministry, counseling, outreach,
NGO Rose of Sharon Foundation for widows and Author, writer, author of several
inspirational books. All I say to the glory of God. So I am 63 and I am not yet
done. So what is your excuse? I never went to a University and I am proud to
say so because I don't think I have done too badly. You do not have to have a
University education to be able to make it so count yourselves privileged to
have that education as part of the feather in your cap" she said.
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