 |
On Saturday, January 11, 2020, a royal banquet is being set inside his palatial Oluwanisola Estate in Ajah, Lagos. White is the colour theme for the grand birthday reception, billed to start at 8pm. Wife of the billionaire, Chief (Dr) Mrs Folasade Okoya is the chief host.The party will be the biggest talk of the town next weekend, all things considered. The who in who within and outside Nigeria will be gracing the occasion.
Born on 12 January 1940 on Lagos Island, he chose his path early in life. Although he thought about being other things while starting up in life, Okoya was convinced business was the calling for him. He started off as a tailor, worked with his father’s tailoring business, the started his own and from that moved to importing and trading goods from Japan. The rest, is history today as Okoya has remained one of the biggest billionaire industrialist in Nigeria's history. He had his only formal education at Ansar-un-deen Primary School, Oke popo, Lagos. But by grace, he got wisdom to build himself an empire.
Today, under his Chairmanship, the Eleganza Industries produces a wide range of household goods and utensils including cutlery, collieries, food warmers, ice chest, electric fan, cosmetics and ballpoint pen. His factory locations include, Oregun-Ikeja, Isolo, Alaba and Iganmu, the Company now directly employs over five thousand Nigerians and non-Nigerians including those working in his RAO Property Investment Company. Okoya’s Eleganza Group is one of the biggest homegrown conglomerates in Nigeria today, with over six factories, and its products are household names in Nigeria neighbouring African markets.
He has won awards, accolades and honours across the globe for his exploits.
On how he chose his path so early in life, told Punch...
"As a child, I nursed the ambition of becoming a lawyer, being a respected feat among Lagosians then, especially the technocrats and politicians. But the dream was aborted. I took an appraisal of the teaching profession and candidly observed that teachers were poorly paid in those days. They often appeared in torn and tattered clothes. On the other hand, there was the impressive appearance of a local business tycoon who frequently wore flowing agbada (big gowns), colourful caps and shoes. I said to myself that it was easy for me to choose the business life. As a young man, I made up my mind. I did not bother to pursue education as was the vogue in those days."
And today, he has so much to thank God for, having achieved success for so long in life. He said..
"I am very grateful to God for actualising my dream. As a child, I wanted to become an industrialist in life and today, I am a very successful industrialist and businessman. And I have spent 60, out of the almost 80 years I have spent in life, as an industrialist. It is something to be grateful for."
Talking about greatest achievements in life, Aare Okoya confirmed he has achieved all a man could, in life."I have achieved it. I am a good industrialist. I have good industries; I have got many children. All I am praying for is for my good company – Eleganza – to be around forever", thats all he has to say about that.
Chief Rasaq Okoya has had a number of wives in the past. They have come and gone but only one hasn’t. Folashade, the apple of his eyes in the past 20 years is very hard working and very loyal.Chief Okoya has never hid his genuine love for his angel who had four beautiful kids for him. His other kids are doing well too.
At 80, he is now just considering the idea of retiring. Perhaps, one of the secrets of long life for Chief Okoya is hard work.
One could only but wish this epitome of accomplishment a robust health and peace to savour the remaining times of his life. A man can't be less-blessed.