Yoruba


Kemi Adetiba

Kemi is a music video director, filmmaker, and television director whose works have appeared on Channel O, MTV Base, Soundcity TV and BET. She has seen tremendous success as a music video director, and has directed music videos for an impressive variety of international artistes. Kemi’s other upcoming projects include multiple films and a social-media-driven charity, #PayItForward.

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder and creative director of eponymous fashion label, Jewel by Lisa[/size]

She is the founder and creative director of eponymous fashion label, Jewel by Lisa. The brand that has continually captivated people from Lagos to Cape Town, London, Paris, New York and Hollywood. With the launch of her diffusion line – J Label, and other household items, Lisa Folawiyo is steadily expanding the “jewellette” empire.

Nigerian fashion designer Lisa Folawiyo is celebrated for her colourful collections that fuse traditional West African fabrics with modern tailoring and beaded embellishments. Since starting her label in 2005, Folawiyo has spearheaded the movement of Nigerian designers achieving international recognition for their work. She has a knack for elevating traditional African prints above the status quo, making them relevant for a global audience. She has showrooms in both Nigeria and New York and her collections are stocked in the UK, the US, South Africa and Nigeria itself.

In 2012, Folawiyo won the African Fashion Awards, nominated alongside Maki Oh and Kofi Ansah, two more prolific designers from the Nigerian fashion scene. Championed by Vogue Italia, Folawiyo has also partnered with L’Oreal and done a trunk show on Moda Operandi . Her line is currently stocked in Selfridges.

Having originally trained as a lawyer, Folawiyo came to fashion with no formal training. She founded her own line, Lisa Folawiyo - previously known as Jewel by Lisa – in 2005. Her collections are exclusively crafted from Ankara textiles; vibrant wax-resistant dyed fabrics characteristic of West Africa. “Our mothers, grandmothers and probably great-grandmothers have worn this fabric.” Folawiyo has told the BBC. Her garments are embellished with beads, sequins and crystals all sewn by hand in local workshops in Nigeria. She attributes her success to finding and sticking to this unusual aesthetic.


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Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder of awpnetwork.com[/size]

Mary Olushoga is founder of awpnetwork.com, a platform powering small business success for African entrepreneurs. [size=14pt]She is a 2015 Vital Voices Global Leadership Fellow, the first-ever GOOD Maker/Oxfam America International Women’s Day Challenge Winner[/size], a Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI) Associate, and an Oxfam America Sisters on the Planet Ambassador.

Olushoga received a bachelor’s degree from Union College in Schenectady, New York and a Master of Science degree from Baruch College. She has served as a Public Policy Fellow at the University at Albany, Center for Women in Government and Civil Society and participated in the Sub-Saharan African Women In Public Service Fall Institute. Olushoga has featured on BBC World News, Black Enterprise, iwantherjob.com, AFK Insider, Applause Africa, BET Networks, and has presented her work on women entrepreneurs at the Columbia University Africa Economic Forum, the United States Department of Labor Strategy Meeting on Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, and Disability, W!se Institute, the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations ECOSOC Youth Employment Forum, and the Rockefeller.

Yoruba

[size=18pt]Meet Africa's Oprah: Why Mosunmola 'Mo' Abudu wants to change the world's view of her continent[/size]


Mo is the founder of Ebony Life Television and Inspire Africa Foundation. She’s also the host of ‘Moments with Mo,’ a popular Pan-African talk show. As a TV producer, media personality, human resources management consultant, and entrepreneur, Mo is the poster child for those who keep evolving – for the better. Back in 2006, with her two children having reached their teens, Mosunmola 'Mo' Abudu decided she wanted to make a rather abrupt career change. Though she was a successful human-resources executive for oil giant ExxonMobil, her heart was set on migrating from the boardroom chair to the chat-show sofa. There was just one problem. The Nigerian businesswoman had no TV experience whatsoever.

So she attempted to contact the woman best placed to provide some pertinent advice. "The first thing I did was to buy a box collection of Oprah's 20th anniversary, which had about 20 tapes of various episodes that she's done," Abudu explains. "Then I somehow got the details for her studios in America. I must have sent Madam Oprah Winfrey tons of emails. I was really hoping that she would give me the necessary guidance and mentorship to become Africa's talk-show hostess and executive producer of my own show. Alas, the world's first black female billionaire never replied to Abudu. But that didn't stop her. In the seven years since she made her first sketchy TV pilot, the 49-year-old has created Moments with Mo, the first African daily talk show to be syndicated across the continent. She has interviewed the likes of Hillary Clinton, IMF chief Christine Lagarde, musician R Kelly and designer Diane von Furstenberg; journalists around the world have been quick to label her 'Africa's answer to Oprah'.


[img]http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/thumbnails/image/2013/11/15/15/Mo-&-Christine-Lagarde.jpg[/img]



[img]http://static.independent.co.uk/s3fs-public/styles/story_medium/public/thumbnails/image/2013/11/15/15/Mo-&-Hillary-Clinton.jpg[/img]

Yoruba


[size=18pt] “Face of Architecture” in Nigeria[/size]


She is a multiple Award winning Architect, and has been called the “Face of Architecture” in Nigeria. She was recenty featured on CNN African Voices, and profiled on CNN as Africa’s Star Architect, and has been featured in the world’s leading Architectural Publications such as America’s Architectural Record Magazine. In 1999, she founded Awesome Treasures Foundation to raise Transformational Leaders, its summits and other initiatives have attracted well over 50,000 attendees.

Admitted to the University of Ife to study Architecture at the age 14, she graduated at 19 with a BSc. (Hons) and subsequently with a record breaking distinction in Masters of Science (MSc) in Architecture (a first in the several decades of the history of the Institution). While in the University, she won several faculty awards for her academic work including best student in design in the BSc. Hons and MSc. programs and best overall student, Best Housing Studies Student amongst several others. In 1991, she was included in the “Who will be who in the 21st century” (young achievers section) by the International Biographical Centre Cambridge, England. She is an alumnus of a number of prestigious institutions including the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme (2002) and The IESE Business School, University of Navarra, Barcelona, Spain (2005).

As a chartered architect, she worked with leading Nigerian firms and at Femi Majekodunmi Associates where she had the privilege of designing the Federal Ministry of Finance, Abuja. She later started her own multiple award winning Architecture and Interior Architecture firm, AD Consulting with just 400USD in 1994 and has held the position of Principal Partner till date. The firm has gone from its small cubicle in central Lagos to 3 offices and is now recognised as the flagship boutique that pioneered Interior Architecture in Nigeria. AD Consulting, a boutique architectural firm providing bespoke interior design and architectural services to a discerning clientele, has executed the design and overseen the construction of over 70 outstanding projects for the Nigerian federal and state governments, multinational corporate organizations and private individuals. AD Consulting is the architect of note to MNCs such as Coca Cola International, L’Oreal, CRI, NGC, GTBank, amongst others. Possessing a deep understanding of branding, AD Consulting deploys design of the built space as a brand enhancer. AD has won several international awards for its designs and is the only Nigerian architectural firm recommended by the British Chamber of Commerce for architectural services in Nigeria.

In 1999, she founded Awesome Treasures Foundation to raise Transformational Leaders, its summits and other initiatives have attracted well over 50,000 attendees.

She is a speaker of note in demand at summits and conferences including the Harvard Business School (African Business Club), the Inspiring Woman Businessday Series, churches, and media platforms.
She hosts her own syndicated radio program Voice of Change on Leadership. She is an author of several books including the much lauded “Lifespring the Mothers’ Prayer Manual” and her most recent work “Designed for Marriage”. She writes a popular column on interiors in Thisday Style and is also a lyricist.

She serves on the board of several businesses, institutions and social initiatives. Including the Board of Governors of the elite British School of Lome, the Board of Fountain Holdings Limited, the National Think Tank, the Ekiti State Economic Council, amongst several others. She has been honoured with several awards a few of which are the Rare Gems award by WODEF in conjunction with the United Nations Information Centre, the International Property Awards (Best Public Service Architecture, 2012), African Property Awards (Best Mixed-Use Architecture), ( Best Office Architecture and Best Public Service Architecture, 2013), IDEA Awards (Best Commercial Designer 2012), (Best interior Architect 2013), (The Ekiti State Merit Awards 2014), IDEA Awards (Best Institutional Architect 2014), and honoured as an “Ambassador of Excellence” for outstanding achievements in Architecture and women development by her Alma mater.

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder and artistic director of Style House Files
[/size]

Founder and artistic director of Style House Files, a creative development agency for Nigerian and African designers, Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry. A pioneering agency in image consultancy and creative direction within the West African country, Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies. Akerele also helps brands gain essential international exposure through presenting showcases at Pitti Immagine in Italy, and through Lagos Fashion and Design Week.


Mrs. Omoyemi Akerele is the Creative Director of Style House, a Style, Fashion and Image Consulting Company with years of experience in the fashion industry. She is a graduate of University of Lagos with a Bachelor degree in Law. She furthered her studies in law by obtaining a Masters in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick. After her degree at Warwick, Omoyemi returned to Nigeria and worked as a lawyer for three years at Olaniwun Ajayi & Co.; a prestigious law firm in Lagos. Thereafter, she studied and qualified to be an Image Consultant at Aston-Hayes, a leading London Image Consulting Company.

Prior to her establishing Style House Files, Akerele worked as senior style editor at popular fashion magazine, True Love and set up an image consulting agency with a local Nigerian celebrity stylist, Bola Balogun. As a result of her experience being a self-starter, Omoyemi pioneered the concept of Fashion Styling and Image Consulting in Nigeria.

Her company, Style House Files is aimed at providing a creative environment for Nigerian and African designers to develop themselves. Omoyemi Akerele is widely regarded as a driving force behind the burgeoning Nigerian fashion industry as Style House paved the way for image consultancy and creative direction within West African. Style House Files works with Nigerian brands on brand positioning and retail strategies. It also has an online platform for fashion insiders, industry professionals and the savvy internet user to. Akerele also helps brands gain essential international exposure through presenting showcases at Pitti Immagine in Italy, and through Lagos Fashion and Design Week.



Her passion for the growth and development of a sustainable Nigerian fashion industry led to the creation of Lagos Fashion and Design Week (LFDW) in 2011; a platform that aims to position itself as a business of fashion and design platform targeted at presenting the best of the Nigerian fashion industry, building it and ultimately uplift its profile within the Nigerian economy. LFDW in partnership with the British Fashion Council runs a four day schedule featuring a select list of talented up and coming designers and fashion entrepreneurs. The show has been instrumental in raising the profile of the Nigerian fashion industry, and has drawn international attention and acclaim from journalists such as Suzy Menkes and Cristina Manfredi, as well as attracting a host of international buyers. Omoyemi was also a part of the Fayrouz L’Original Expression Show designed to give young undergraduates with unique creative abilities a platform to showcase their original works for a chance to cash prize and other opportunities.MTN Final

Omoyemi’s contribution to the development of fashion in Nigeria and beyond recently got her listed as a member of the BOF Global 500. (Business of Fashion’s List of 500 most influential people in fashion globally).She is happily married to Tokunbo Akerele, the chairman of Business Connexion Nigeria and an advisor with Samsung Electronics West Africa.


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Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder of e-commerce platform, Fashpa.[/size]


Driven by the desire to impact lives, she is the founder of e-commerce platform, Fashpa. She’s all about building a sustainable online retail businesses and is also convinced women are essential to the “Africa Rising” narrative.

Oyindamola Honey Ogundeyi is the queen of Fashpa and the face of the ever rising African fashion industry.
Young, pretty and elegant, Oyindamola is one of the visionary Africans who have gallantly secured a brilliant position for African women to be seen, heard and celebrated in business, especially in the fashion industry.

With her “student’s mite” Oyindamola founded fashpa, a retail ecommerce startup whose main focus is to provide on trend clothing at affordable prices, with the use technology. Its key focus areas include: sourcing, logistics, customer service and user experience.

“Ten years ago, I came back to Nigeria after university to complete my NYSC before starting out at Mckinsey & Co. I wanted to purchase a pair of shoes and the options were basically super expensive at a brick and mortar store or cheap knockoff version at an open air market and I ended up ordering a pair abroad. I remember thinking there must a viable option in Nigeria if you don’t want to sacrifice on price or brand and still want a cool pair of work shoes at good price. Since that time, I gained a lot of experience in technology, retail and business and moved back to Nigeria. The problem of accessing trendy clothing at great prices still existed .However this time the Internet provided a unique opportunity to solve it at scale and build a fashion brand that would serve a fashion conscious customer. As they say, planning met opportunity – it was the perfect time to start Fashpa.com.” She tells Leading Lady Africa in an interview.

Since its inception in 2013, fashpa has established a position as Nigeria’s leading online fashion retail store.

The company name, fashpa was coined from the phrase “Fashion Parade”. An expression which was used during Oyindamola’s days in high school to describe Fashion Pageants or competitions or as an expression when someone was looking particularly dressed up.
Having traversed different areas of business and the corporate world, from Banking and Brand Management to Internet and Telecoms, the power woman remains a force to be reckoned with in Africa and beyond. In 2014, she was selected as one of the ambassadors for the Junior Achievement of Nigeria (I am JAN) campaign.

The journey, according to Oyindamola has been enormously challenging, but totally worth it.

Yoruba

[size=18pt]Founder and CEO of House of Tara International, and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired Perfume and the H.I.P Beauty range [/size]

She is a Nigerian makeup artist and lawyer. A pioneer in the bridal makeup profession in Nigeria, she launched the first bridal directory in 1999, set up international standard makeup studios and established the first makeup school in Nigeria. She is the founder and CEO of House of Tara International, and creator of the Tara Orekelewa Beauty range, Inspired Perfume and the H.I.P Beauty range.

In 2007, She was awarded the Africa SMME Award and the Entrepreneur award in South Africa[3] and in 2013, Forbes listed her as one 20 Young Power Women In Africa. She is a graduate of the prestigious Stanford SEED Transformation Program and this has aided her work as a mentor for thousands of young women across Africa and a standout entrepreneur.


Nigerian builds own beauty empire

The Tara beauty range was born out of her frustration at the lack of suitable cosmetics available in Nigeria -- "Importers didn't know exactly what was right for Nigerian women," she says -- and sense that her products could fill the gap while encouraging pride in home-grown glamor.
"A lot of the Tara products are named after either beauty icons or beauty philosophies in Africa," says Fela-Durotoye. "For us it's about sharing the world and sharing our culture to the world."
The past few years have seen the company expand into catwalk and film makeup design as Lagos fashion and cinema scenes have flourished. When French pharmaceutical giants L'Oreal came to Nigeria looking for a partner to help introduce their Maybelline range to the West African country, they signed up with Tara, earning Fela-Durotoye a spot on Forbes' list of "20 Young Power Women In Africa" in the process.





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Yoruba

[size=18pt]Founder of RISE NETWORKS
[/size]

A Social entrepreneur, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji is the Founder of RISE NETWORKS, a Nigeria-based private and public sector funded Youth Interest social enterprise with a primary focus on wholesome youth and education development. The organization focuses on creating intellectual development and capacity building programs for young Nigerians between 16 and 30 and receives generous support from several state governments and blue-chip companies. She is also an alumnus of the United States Government’s International Visitor Leadership Program.


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Yoruba


Dele Fajemirokun

Source: Diversified

His father, Henry Fajemirokun, was a renowned shipping magnate and one of Africa’s most successful businessmen after Nigeria’s independence. Nigerian Maritime Services Limited, the shipping company he founded in 1962, is still one of the largest shipping companies in Nigeria today. Dele Fajemirokun, his 62 year-old son is now in charge. A prominent boardroom guru, Fajemirokun also owns key stakes and sits on the board of several Nigerian blue-chips including American International Insurance company and oil explorer First Hydrocarbon Nigeria Limited.

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Chairman and founder of Energy Resources Group[/size]
Source: Steel, Oil, Dredging

Jide Omokore is the chairman and founder of Energy Resources Group, one of Nigeria’s largest privately-held conglomerates. ERG has interests in oil trading and exploration, haulage services, steel, dredging engineering and property development. The group’s annual revenue exceeds $400 million.

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Biggest seller of Toyota vehicles in West Africa[/size]
Source: Car distribution

Chief Micheal Ade-Ojo, a westerner from Ondo state southwestern, Nigeria was born on June 14, 1938 at Ilara-mokin, a town in Ondo state into the family of the late chief Solomon Ojo and Mrs. Beatrice Ademolawe Ojo. He attended St. Michael’s Anglican School, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria. He later attended Imade College, Owo, Nigeria (1954-1958), where he obtained the West Africa School Certificate. He proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) in 1961, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Business Administration in 1965.

Michael Ade-Ojo is the biggest seller of Toyota vehicles in West Africa. His Elizade Group accounts for over 10% of all Toyota sales in Nigeria. He is also chairman of Toyota Nigeria and is a key shareholder of RT Briscoe PLC, an NSE-listed distributor of Toyota cars in Nigeria.

Yoruba

[size=18pt]10th wealthiest woman in Africa[/size]


According to Forbes, she is the 10th wealthiest woman in Africa. The socialite may not have been born into a wealthy home like most people are, so it is enough to say that her success story would not have been possible if she hasn’t struggled.

Hajia Bola Shagaya would be 55 years old on the 10th of October. She was born in the year 1959. She attended Queens School in Ilorin, Kwara state from where she hails.

The Socialite did her tertiary education at Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and in a reputable University in California, where she studied economics and accountancy. Bola also attended Harvard Business School and a number of local and international seminars, including workshops.

Her career kicked off when she began working with the audit department of the Central Bank of Nigeria. After that, she ventured into some commercial activities in 1983.

Shagaya business experience became better when she started importing and distribution of photographic materials. Through one of her companies known as Bolmus International Limited, she became one of the first to import the Konica brand of photographic materials into Nigeria and West African markets.

She is married to Alhaji Ganiyu Shagaya, a Kwara State-based transporter; their union is blessed with four children. Her son Sheriff Shagaya, who got married in 2013 in an out of this world, expensive wedding ceremony is presently eyeing a political appointment come 2015.

She is currently one of the board members of Unity Bank, Nigeria Plc. Unity Bank was formerly known as Intercity Bank. Bola Shagaya has served in different capacity at that bank.

She is also a member of NEPAD Business Group, Nigeria. One major strategy that has worked for the famous Hajia all these years is the fact that she knows how to make good friends; this is evident in the friends she has kept and still keeping.

She was a friend to late Stella Obasanjo. Today, she is a very good friend to the incumbent President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan. It is no wonder that she is seen always in the corridors of power.

Investments

Bola Shagaya is indeed a wealthy woman as she is the owner of Fotofair Nigeria limited. She also opened a photo laboratory unit in Victoria Island which is no doubt one of the largest photo laboratories in Nigeria. The photo laboratory has a net base of over thirty branches located in different parts of the country and over 300 workers employed.

She is the managing director of Practoil Limited, one of the largest importers and distributors of base oil in Nigeria. Through her base oil importation, she is meeting the need of the local lubricant blending plants.

At the moment, Practoil is building its own plant at Kirikiri, Lagos state. When completed, it is expected to produce multi-grade oils and lubricants. Bola’s business empire includes huge investments in real estate cutting across major cities with over 300 employees. She also has investments in the oil and gas sector.

Award/Fashion

In recognition of the socialite’s achievements and outstanding virtues and service to the country, she was on July 22, 2010, awarded the prestigious national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger, MON, by the President Dr. Goodluck Jonathan. As for fashion and the finer things of life, Hajia loves trendy wears as she loves to look good.

It is no wonder, therefore, that she is the patron of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria, FADAN, as well as an art enthusiast. Hajia Bola is known for her very expensive clothings.

Properties/Cars

Bola has invested so much in real estate. So it is no news that she lives in state-of-the-art mansions in Lagos as well as in Abuja and even in her home town. Her state-of-the-art business property at Kirikiri is indeed a piece. Her cars are not left out as only the best can be driven by the famous Hajia Bola.

Femi Otedola - Yoruba


ZENON OIL/ATLAS SHIPPING AGENCY/SWIFT INSURANCE/FO PROPERTIES LIMITED/FO TRANSPORT/SEAFORCE SHIPPING COMPANY

Femi Otedola of Nigeria is the controlling shareholder of publicly traded Forte Oil, Africa's largest oil marketing company measured by retail network. Originally a Nigerian subsidiary of British Petroleum (BP), Forte Oil has more than 500 gas stations across the country. The company also owns oil storage depots and manufactures its own line of engine oils. Forte oil is making a play in power generation. In 2013, Otedola led the company to purchase a government-owned stake in a 414-megawatt gas-fired power plant in Kogi state in central Nigeria. The stock price has rallied more than 45% since last year particularly on the back of a September 2015 deal in which Swiss commodities giant Mercuria said it would acquire 17% stake in Forte Oil for $200 million; the transaction is not yet complete. Otedola's daughter, Ifeoluwa, is a fast rising disc jockey who goes by the moniker 'DJ Cuppy'. She was the official disc jockey during the May 2015 inauguration of Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari. Otedola is a fitness buff; he spends at least an hour in the gym every day.

Yoruba

[size=18pt]The Designer with Midas touch
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Born in Bromsgrove (British Midlands), he graduated from Manchester University College after which he began working at the fashion houses of Victor Edelstein and Christian Stambolian, purveyors of style to the English establishment in the 80s and 90s and thereby gained his initial tailoring experience. Ade Bakare is one of the leading fashion designers and entrepreneurs in Nigeria who have made landmark achievements in the creative world. A man of many paths, Ade Bakare equally explored other parts of the fashion business when he created the perfume, Breeze, in 1998 which was inspired by his childhood days spent along the breezy West African coastal city of Lagos in Nigeria.

We started in 1991 in London with a ready to wear line which sold to shops in the UK. Then we later started the couture line starting with bridal dresses. Now, we have the day and evening wear lines plus a new line of Ankara dresses we launched at a recent show at the Wheatbaker Hotel in Ikoyi-Lagos. It has been well received and lots of clients and friends have started ordering it for Christmas. They love our use of silk organza and lace with the Ankara, giving it our own signature look.

With 25 years of experience in the world of fashion, do you feel intimidated considering the new trends of designers now?

Competition is great for progress, it’s also why we started the young designers’ competition, YDCC. There are rooms for several designers to progress and stand firm on.

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Yoruba


[size=18pt]CEO OF DYNAMICS IMPACT
[/size]

Gbemisola Oasdua is the CEO of Dynamics Impact, Principal Dynamics Impact Academy(DIA). She was the Deputy Speaker, Students’ Representative Council, STUDENTS’ UNION, University of Ibadan. She is also a Member of BOARD OF TRUSTEES, African Resourceful Leaders Foundation, Ondo State HEIR APPARENT AMBASSADOR, National Orientation Agency, Chairperson, Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO), First Euro- African Youth Parliament, Berlin, Germany 2014.

My participation since 2008 in the annual Rise National Youth Forum has greatly impacted on my life and career goals. Not just attending the Youth Forum but also enjoying the privilege to serve on the team with other promising young people and volunteers in ensuring the success of the Youth Forum in various states in Nigeria.
Working on the 2008 and 2009 Rise National Youth Forum Team inspired me and gave me the courage to champion the first Lagos State Teens and School Leavers Summit which was held on the 12th of December, 2009 at the Faculty of Education, University of Lagos. This milestone as a teenager in 2009 and my participation in subsequent editions of Rise National Youth Forum has helped me to attain greater feats and given me the tool to create the life of my dream today as an emerging global Social Entrepreneur.
(I am a SOCIAL CHANGE AGENT and I believe that every young person has got what it takes to reach his or her highest peak in life, irrespective of their social backgrounds or prevailing unfavorable circumstances, I AM AN ADDICTED OPTIMIST)

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Yoruba

[size=18pt]CEO and Executive Director of BEAUTY BY NATURE Inc.
[/size]


Teniola Adejuwon is the CEO and Executive Director of BEAUTY BY NATURE Inc.(Sept 2009 – present). She is a Beauty Entrepreneur involved in Concept Creation, Business Development/Strategy, Blogging, Coaching & Consulting, etc. I especially love the task of creating innovative platforms such as the Makeup In Nigeria Conference, Beauty Business Masterclass, The Beauty Entrepreneur Online & Networking Lounge, etc. I am passionate about everything that has to do with Beauty.

Project Manager ERO FOUNDATION (May 2011 – Feb. 2012), Marketing Executive at Track Africa (Feb 2008 – Sept. 2009),

The Rise National Youth Forum is and always has been for me a great opportunity to serve and contribute to youth development in Nigeria. My Being a volunteer leader for such a long time, in Lagos and other states of Nigeria where this great movement has been to, presented me with the unique experience of working with a Sister and Mentor, Toyosi Akerele as well as the hundreds of young volunteers i met and worked with over those years. If time and chance permits me again, i won’t hesitate to be a part of the family again.

Yoruba

[size=18pt]Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria
[/size]


Mrs Bola Adesola is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria. She emerged winner of the “Outstanding Woman in Business” category at the African Business awards, 2013. Bola Adesola is a Banker and a Lawyer by profession. She joined Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited in 2011 as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer. Her main responsibilities include the provision of leadership for the Group in Nigeria, through the development of overall country strategy/direction; the provision of leadership on corporate governance issues; and the achievement of the overall country’s financial and headcount budgets.

She is currently a member of the Nigeria National Competitiveness Council, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013,
Prior to joining Standard Chartered Bank, Bola served in senior leadership capacities in Citibank, Nigeria and Tanzania for a period spanning over nine (9) years. She also served as Managing Director of Kakawa Discount House Nigeria and Executive Director in First Bank Nigeria.
“As the first female CEO and the first indigenous CEO of one of Standard Chartered’s most promising markets, she has provided leadership for the group in Nigeria through developing overall country strategy and direction.”

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder & Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank plc[/size]

Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje is renowned for his experience the banking industry. With over 19 years in investment and international banking, he is currently tasked with the gruelling work of managing the Nigerian lender’s day-to-day operations. His diligence in carrying out his duties has given him his reputation as a highly respected and very accomplished professional within the West African sub-region.

Having led and executed numerous projects involving innovative and complex transactions in financial advisory and debt and equity capital raising in several sectors of the Nigerian economy, Mr. Agbaje has an incredibly complex understanding of the Nigerian business environment.

In 2007, Mr Agbaje was instrumental in organizing Guaranty Trust Bank’s landmark USD350million Eurobond offering. A move which led Guaranty Trust Bank to become the first Nigerian company and first bank in Sub-Saharan Africa to be listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange.

Mr. Agbaje is a member of notable company boards including Guaranty Trust Bank (Gambia) Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank (Ghana) Limited, Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Limited and also a Director on the MasterCard Advisory Board in the Middle East and Africa. He was recently recognized as CEO of the Year at the 2015 Finance Monthly Global Awards.

Yoruba

[size=18pt] CEO of one of Nigeria’s biggest job portals, Jobberman[/size]


Ayodeji Adewunmi is the CEO of one of Nigeria’s biggest job portals, Jobberman. He co-founded the site in 2009 while he was still studying to acquire a university degree. Jobberman has become the leading employment portal in both Nigeria and Ghana and has recently been recognized as one of the best internet brands in Nigeria. The site continues to be rated as one of the most innovative technology companies in Africa. As of 2014, over 1 million professionals and about 25,000 companies were actively using the recruitment site.

In 2014, he spoke at the 4th annual MIT Africa Innovate Conference held on the 11th and 12th April at the MIT Media Lab.

Mr Adewunmi has a BSc. in Medicine & Surgery from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.

Yorubas


[size=18pt]CEO Teragro Commodities Limited, Dupe Olusola
[/size]

Dupe Olusola is the Chief Executive Officer of Teragro Commodities Limited (the agribusiness subsidiary of Transcorp) which has recently partnered with consumer good giant, Coca Cola, to produce the Minute Maid Pulpy Orange juice. This makes Teragro the sole local material source for the juice. Olusola is a woman on the rise in business in Nigeria and is known as a stickler for quality and high standards.
Speaking on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Benue State government to lease land to establish citrus farms in Ushongo, Benue, Olusola expanded on the vast opportunities involved in investing in Agriculture. “The untapped opportunities in agriculture are huge and we are committed to ensuring that Nigeria can once again generate high revenues from agriculture as it did before the discovery of oil. The new farming land will ensure we can do our part to bring those untapped opportunities to fruition,” she explained.

Yoruba

Yoruba

[size=18pt]The Fairgate Group[/size]


The Parakoyi of Ibadanland and the Chairman of Madandola Group, is today celebrated as a successful entrepreneur and a renowned industrialist in Nigeria.


Chief Akindele’s business empire operates under the name Modandola Group Of Companies, named after his mother, which translates to ‘God, if you give me the wealth, give me a child that can take care of it.’ Madandola Group spans from maritime to properties, manufacturing, real estates, investments, finance and flour milling with its headquarters in the United Kingdom.
[size=14pt]The Fairgate Group, (a company owned by Chief Akindele, located on Bond Street, London, England), deals mainly in properties. Some of its tenants include giant retail stores like Sainsbury and Asda Wall Mart. As at the last quantification, the Fairgate Group was said to be worth over a billion pounds sterling.
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Among the subsidiaries of the Madandola Group making waves in the business world include Standard Breweries, Ibadan, Diamond Foods Ltd, Ibadan, United Beverages Ltd, Ibadan, Associated Match Industry, Ibadan, merged with Ilorin, Port-Harcourt and Lagos to form a company with a large share of the Nigerian market and Standard Flour Mills in Lagos.

[b]Bode Akindele was not born with a Silver spoon. His encounter with schooling was quite an interesting one. [/b]He would help his elder brother carry his school bag to Baptist School, Idikan, Ibadan, when they lived in Mapo, trekking the distance. He later enrolled at Olubi Memorial School Ibadan. He attended Lisabi Commercial College, in Abeokuta for his secondary school education. Though he had wished to attend Grammar School or Boys High School just like his friends, he was restricted due to his inability to pass the arm test. However, the business mogul believed that it was God who was preparing him for something great in life.

Basically, feeling inferior being in a commercial school could be quite understandable. Most parents wanted their children to become lawyers and doctors and for that reason commercial education was a no go area as it was not so popular. Today, Akindele is of the opinion that it was at the Commercial School that he received the training that has helped him in building a successful business in life.

A new phase in the development of the Group began with the start-up of manufacturing and process industries at Alomaja, a village very close to Ibadan. These included a large brewery, biscuit, plastics and soft-drinks (the largest single unit in Nigeria) factories, four match factories acquired from Lebanese owners and a large flour mill with $80 million invested.


The group has also been active in construction, real estate and equity investment and farming. Its first experience in construction was a joint venture with DC Savage, an American company that built the US embassy in Lagos and the Lagos Durbar Hotel. Savage left Nigeria and the Modandola Group sustained some losses before it closed down operations. The Group opened a full service-advertising company, Oricom (Nig.) Ltd in 1983. Initially, the agency did well and made publicity through the ‘Oricom Lectures’, sponsorship of beauty competitions and sporting events.

To honour his mother, the octogenarian and philanthropist decided to build the ARAMED Medical Centre in Ibadan to assist human kind in the society. Just like the Modandola name was one of his mother’s names, ARAMED is also named after his mother as it stands for Alhaja Rabiatu Adedigba Medical Centre and regards ARAMED as the healing ministry of Bode Akindele Foundation.

Chief Bode Akindele in no doubt a man of esteemed virtues and we have chosen this day to honour and celebrate you

[size=14pt]Ibos come and tell us how your 2x2 corner shops developed Lagos
Yorubas, I blame una for letting these lies continue. [/size]

Yoruba

[size=18pt]CEO of Intern Avenue
[/size]


Modupeola “Dupsy” Abiola said on her appearance on the Deagons’ Den; “I come from an entrepreneurial family, my father was a big entrepreneur, and I have always been passionate about business…he was a very successful entrepreneur and philanthropist…He is an inspiration to me, he was really passionate about business.” Modupeola “Dupsy” Abiola is 31 year old daughter of Nigerian business tycoon and philanthropist, M.K.O Abiola.

Dupsy Abiola is a British barrister, entrepreneur and businesswoman. She is the founder and CEO of Intern Avenue, an online internship website designed to connect employers with students and graduates.

Described as a “serial achiever”, Dupsy appeared on the Thomson Reuters Power List named as one of the most influential black businesswomen in Great Britain in 2013.

At aged nine, Dupe Abiola independently set up a business producing and selling Puzzle magazines at school with a friend at school making a “tidy profit”. MKO Abiola was a strong influence on her interest in business.


[img]http://www.vodafone-institut.de/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/vodafone-institut-events-dupsy-abiola_680x424_acf_cropped.jpg[/img]

Yoruba


[size=18pt]Founder & Managing Director of Elephant Group
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We are a large indigenous Nigerian Group in the business of Imports, Exports, Production, Processing, Marketing & distribution of Agro Commodities throughout the 36 states of the nation and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Our products, particularly Elephant Fertilizer and Elephant Gold Rice have become popular household brands across the country and the trend is fast growing across the sub region of West Africa.

Our reputation as experts in these products speak for us in the market. In dealing with customers, clients and business associates, the company is absolutely guided by the need to attain excellence as the basis for current success and future growth.

We have created a global company which is a leader in many of its businesses, with a breadth of knowledge and experience unparalleled in our chosen industries. This has been made possible by keen business acumen and the many talents of our people. International quality standards are maintained by our highly qualified staff and through creative synergies and partnership with world acclaimed producers and marketers. Adding value through processing is fundamental to our strategies and enables us to provide the required values to our customers.






[img]http://www.elephantgrp.com/sites/default/files/styles/slideshow_image/public/elephant-group-products.jpg?itok=CGa739--[/img]

Yoruba

[size=18pt]Eleganza Group[/size]

Razak Akanni Okoya is a billionaire industrialist and Aare of Lagos, a Yoruba man from the south-western part of Nigeria born on the 12th of January 1940 to Tiamiyu Ayinde and Alhajha Idiatu Okoya.


Razak Okoya worked with his father’s tailoring business which also included the sales of tailoring accessories. The experience he got gave him the confidence to start mini tailoring activities on his own. He saved every penny he made until he had 20 pounds. His mother gave him the extra 50 pounds, with the blessings of his father, he needed to start importing and trading goods from Japan.

Razak Okoya’s business expanded swiftly, he traveled far and wide and learnt how things were manufactured having the strong feeling that Nigeria could match that quality if not better.

His first wife, Kuburat Okoya, was obsessed with costly jewelry and he was always baffled at how much she said they cost. He strongly felt the prices were outrageous since the metals could be designed at a cheaper price and the metals were readily available in Nigeria. Challenged his perceived healthy demand, he traveled abroad, bought the machines. That marked the birth of Eleganza Jewelry. The success was phenomenal. They could not keep up with the demand because, the products were beautiful, durable and cheap. They were instant best sellers. He also started manufacturing buttons and jewelry.


He began the importation of shoes in large quantities, subsequently. On one of these occasions, the shoes were not delivered despite his payment. He traveled to Italy to see the manufacturer only to discover that they had used his money to settle their bills. He was so angry that he decided there and then to start manufacturing his own shoes. He imported all the machines and brought in some experts who trained his workers.

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.

Ijebu Yoruba businessmen

Otunba Mike Adenuga, Jr.
Otunba Olasubomi Michael Balogun
Molade Okoya-Thomas
Chief (Dr.) CHRIS OGUNBANJO, CON, FNIM.
Dr. Oba Otudeko
RAZAK AKANNI OKOYA
Chief Bayo Kuku
FEMI OTEDOLA

All of them are rich, most of them are billionaires.

YorubaFynest:
Ibos come and tell us how your 2x2 corner shops developed Lagos
Yorubas, I blame una for letting these lies continue.

Yaribanza chest-pounder, here lies the answer you seek as provided by sensible Yorubas. If you've any query or grievance and when you're done doing Owambe parties, Alayeism, Agberoism, Omonileism, Owomidaism and other anti-social vices Yoruba youths are known for
do well to give them a call.

"For Lagos State, more than 70% of the manufacturing concerns and major industries in the State are owned by the Igbos. If the Igbos were to stop paying tax in Lagos State, the IGR of Lagos State will reduce by over 60%. In contrast, Sir, go to the South East and look at the manufacturing concerns in Onitsha, Aba and Nnewi. Please don't forget those were areas ravaged by civil war a mere forty something years ago. The Igbos have certainly made tremendous progress but the Yoruba nation has regressed. I wish to state that this letter is not meant to whip up primordial considerations or ethnic sentiments but just to put things in proper perspective."
- Maj. Gen Adebayo Adeyinka (rtd.)
https://www.nairaland.com/3173893/open-letter-asiwaju-bola-ahmed-tinubu