When
in November 2012, she made Forbes mention as the 24th on Africa’s 40
richest list, it jolted many. With a net worth of $600m, Folorunsho
Alakija was announced Nigeria’s richest woman. If you think this would
make her talk about money or how she made hers, you are wrong.The business mogul is however quick to define wealth in her own words:
“Wealth is beyond money and affluence. It can be classified as a
large amount of something, ranging from experience to talent. It is a
word that quantifies and qualifies anything. For instance, you could say
someone has a wealth of interesting qualities. Many people have said
the same to me because there are so many parts to who I am, who I have
become and who God has created me to be. I am a businesswoman, a fashion
designer and milliner by profession.“The word wealth qualifies and
measures one’s success in achieving set targets and goals, prosperity,
and blessings. Blessings can be in the form of good health, the
education of children and even living to a ripe old age. Therefore, a
wealthy woman is someone who has been able to achieve some, all or even
more than these because grace for wealth is unlimited from our God. He
desires to bless us all on a daily basis. We just need to learn how to
key into it so that we do not limit ourselves,” she says.The executive
vice chairman, Famfa Oil Limited, she founded Supreme Stitches, which
later changed to Rose of Sharon House of Fashion, a fashion label that
catered to upscale clientele.
Speaking further about her relationship with God, she said “I heard
the call of the Lord into Christian ministry many years ago but I was
reluctant to yield to the call.
“I believe that my passion for fashion was hugely responsible as I was definitely enjoying what I was doing for a living, although in hindsight, it was really a fulfilling and successful hobby because I was not dependent on it. The zeal to succeed in whatever I decide to do, drove the business. I don’t design clothes any more except the odd ones I may choose to design when I commission such through another fashion designer.”
“I believe that my passion for fashion was hugely responsible as I was definitely enjoying what I was doing for a living, although in hindsight, it was really a fulfilling and successful hobby because I was not dependent on it. The zeal to succeed in whatever I decide to do, drove the business. I don’t design clothes any more except the odd ones I may choose to design when I commission such through another fashion designer.”
