'I never went to university' - billionaire Folorunsho Alakija admits
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."
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
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