Founder of Ibis Hotel, Ikeja, Otunba Olufemi Okenla, unveils
his autobiography, ‘Power of Thought’, to mark his 50th
birthday,
The life of the founder and Managing Director of Hotel Ibis,
Ikeja, Lagos, Chief Olufemi Okenla, who relocated to Nigeria
after spending 25 years in the UK, has a lot of tales to tell.
When he was studying abroad, for instance, he was once a
sawmill attendant, then he later worked in an hotel, scrubbing
floor and doing other menial jobs, the experience was so
cumbersome that he was prone to a deadly fever
Okenla was thus compelled to change the job. So ‘lucky’
was he that he was employed as a kitchen ‘manager’ when
he had to work with an automatic dish machine, filling dishes
into the system. He was of the opinion that the job was more
elevating than scrubbing the floor. But that was until the new
job also brought a dramatic hazard in the form of a
nightmare. In his sleep, he began to see nothing but dishes
rolling on the washing machine.
These are some of the stories Okenla narrates in The Power
of Thought: A Compendium of my Life in Half a Century, his
autobiography presented in Lagos on Monday. The book
marks his 50th birthday, which was celebrated on Tuesday. It
encompasses the writer’s journey from a struggling guy to a
successful entrepreneur.
For Okenla, being 50 presents an auspicious time to open
the pages of his life for people – especially youths – to read.
According to him, his life is a shining evidence that whoever
believes in the power of his or her dream and thought is
destined for success.
The public presentation, which featured readings from the
book, music and comedy by Lagos-based comedian, Kofi,and
other dignitaries which included the Group Managing Director
of Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, the chairman, Lagos
State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Sadiat Oladunjoye;
lawyer and politician, Dr. Muiz Banire, and the Managing
Director of Opas Ltd., Mr. Muyiwa Green. The host’s wife,
Modupe was also present.
In his review of the book, Associate Professor of Law at the
University of Lagos, Akoka, Dr. Dayo Amokaye, commended
Okenla for publishing the work which, he believes, will
positively affect posterity and encourage the youth
Amokaye said, “The book is motivational and inspiring. It is
an invaluable asset to the younger generation and adults that
want to be motivated.”
Okenla said he was very happy to see it out as he believes
every reader has a lot to learn from it. He intends to give
proceeds to the National Orthopedic Hospital, Igbobi, Lagos
and the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Nigeria. The reason
for this is that it was the hospital that healed him when he
had an accident that affected his spine.
He said, “When some people read this book, they will think
it is a fiction. But it is not. It is the truth of what has
happened to me. I am a living example. If you can think it and
dream it, you can get it. What we believe in is what we are. It
is what we become. My philosophy is, ‘Nothing is impossible’.
Everything in life is affordable and achievable once we get our
priorities right. But many people spend time on what is urgent,
not what is important or vital.
“Never give up. Hold on to your dreams. Be patient. Be
calm and don’t be afraid of tall dreams.”
The commissioner, who unveiled the book, described the
author as a successful entrepreneur and pathfinder per
excellence.
She added, “He is a motivator and someone who believes in
dignity of labour.”


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