Boss Of The Week
Sijibomi Ogundele (Sujimoto): Estate Guru Thriving on Quality and Integrity
Published
4 years agoon
By
EricBy Eric Elezuo
Here’s an entrepreneur who has demystified the concept of life starts at 40. He has practically conquered the world of business generally, and clasped like an oyster his chosen field of estate and construction. He is not 40 yet for your information. He is just 39. His name is Sijibomi Ogundele, better known as Sujimoto. He is the Chief Executive Officer, Sujimoto Construction Limited, makers of tasty, luxurious and out of this world apartments.
A strong believer in the principle of nothing is impossible, and holding firm the dictum of ‘Crises are opportunities disguised as problems’, Sijibomi Ogundele was born on April 8, 1981, in Agege, Lagos. It is worthy of note that the neighbourhood is largely non-affluent and basically less than middle class. It is the kind area where no one will expect the calibre of Sujimoto to originate from. The straight talking, positive thinking and focused lad did not let anything hinder his dreams of becoming an entrepreneur in the top echelons.
This is how he introduces himself:
“I speak 5 different Languages and my only passion is Entrepreneurship. My first introduction to business was at a tender age, in Africa’s largest market – ‘Oke-Arin’. Out of curiousity, I would follow my mother to the market, where I learnt every aspect of trading.
“I am the MD/CEO of Sujimoto. We usually say Sujimoto is to architecture what Picasso was to art. We are a dynamic and innovative Luxury Real Estate organization. Our main mission is to revolutionize the Luxury Real Estate sector.
“I came into the Luxury Real Estate Industry at a time when Nigerians were beginning to demand value for their money. My vision is simple; to redefine luxury living by exceeding all expectations. We have gained recognition for being one of the most dynamic luxury construction companies in Nigeria as recorded by Forbes Africa, Channels Television, CNBC Africa, the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce, to name a few.”
Reports had it that Sujimoto lived on a street where only two houses had power generating sets. He practically grew up surrounded by poverty. But unlike most people who abandon reality to fate, he looked at the brighter side, and motivated himself to success. He looked beyond his immediate environment, and that was why as young as nine, he was already visiting the highbrow Ikoyi Island to stay abreast of how the rich live. Of course, the life of opulence cheered, inspired and informed him the way to go. He wanted to test the affluence, and that nurtured his path to life. And so with the simple philosophy of create sugar, and the ants will come, he set out to conquer the business world his own way. He was not just running to highbrow quarters, he also learnt business from his mother who was a marketer for Nestle.
Though Sujimoto was opportune to attend Anglica Ruskin University in the United Kingdom where he studied Law, after he left Model College, Meiran, he maintained that majority of what he knows today were products of reading (books).
Hear him: My first introduction to entrepreneurship was when I read ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. 10 years in any University would never have given me what I leant in 10 days. This changed my life forever. I understood two things; 1. Look for a product and create a competitive advantage, then, 2. Put customers first. These principles are the foundations of my success.”
He started out his career in risk assessment in 2004, where he moved up to lending in SME’s and then set up Moto finance in Paris which later branched out into Accra, Dubai, Madrid, and New York City, achieving significant Industry Milestones, then later moving into the Nigerian real estate industry.
Regarded as one of the youngest billionaires in Nigeria, Sujimoto has been recognized by Forbes Africa as a brave young entrepreneur. According to records, he cut his first major teeth in real estate when he was living in France. He bought an apartment in Paris, remodeled it, and sold it for double the price to a friend from Qatar. The amount the investment brought within a short time ignited his interest in real estate. He was good to go. His grandma’s lines of ‘there’s no amount of bitter-leaf that can stop the taste of honey’ was basically coming to pass.
His quest for real estate was further strengthened when he met “Akin” at a club in Ikoyi. He invested N50 million into a project for a block of flats in an estate that was being developed. The risk paid off and he raked in over one hundred per cent return at the end of the day.
Having seen how lucrative the business was, he started considering starting a business of his own to take advantage of a new generation of Nigerian consumers who had started appreciating the value of luxury real estate.
In 2013, he founded Sujimoto, in partnership with real estate mogul, Mr Yazeed Alrahji, the chairman of DAERM real estate investment company, Saudi Arabia, and named after a Japanese university professor who he attributes a large part of his success to. He identifies the man as the individual who shifted his paradigm and helped him to become the man he is today. Today, Sujimoto is often referred to Donald Trump of Nigeria as a result of the Midas touch he has brought to estate business.
He moved from one prolific transaction to another, and soon landed landed his first big project at Lincoln Avenue in Accra, Ghana. It was a set of 16 townhouses of 4-bedroom apartments, a project he carried out in partnership with Wonda World/Petronia. Soon after, he constructed the elegant and luxurious Medici terraces luxury apartments in Ikoyi, Lagos. The apartments are applauded as having high-quality materials with 24-hour security, art, gym and many more.
In 2016, he birth his most ambitious project called “LorenzobySujimoto”. This was supposed to be the tallest residential building in Nigeria and Africa’s first fully automated residential apartments. It was however stalled as a result investor’s fear of the unknown in the Nigerian environment. However, Sujimoto maintained that like a pregnancy, the project must see the light of the day.
In this new age, Sujimoto, as a person and business concern, has cultivated three three fundamental Ps which are already being implemented: People, Prudence and Projects. This are basically required to stem the tide of post COVID-19 era. The Ps represent:
Projects: We have 3 major projects we have in the pipeline that will bring a minimum of 200% ROI to Sujimoto. Most projects will last a minimum of 1 year, so while other organisations are in limbo, folding their hands and waiting for the Pandemic to be over before they take any meaningful action, we have already started. By the time the world is ready to restart, we will be done!
Prudence: We have instituted a diligent spending culture by putting an Opportunity Per Cost (OPC) strategy to every penny spent. We shall only spend what is necessary NOW!
People: The Job market is saturated with lots of experienced hands who had been let off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and it is our intention to work ONLY with the best. Therefore, we will be employing ONLY the best and the essential.
At the moment, the company on a ‘small exclusive project that will redefine architecture and luxury living’ on Banana Island. It is a terrace house with each apartment, having its own private elevator, 2 kitchens, fully automated, 3 car parks, 2BQs, and 76% ROI. In his usual characteristics, Sujimoto is giving off-takers 5 years warranty on finishing and 100 years warranty on infrastructure. Such magnanimity!
Mr Ogundele has not ceased in his efforts to give back to the society in the best possible way. In 2018, he held a one day retreat for budding entrepreneurs at his Banana Island venue of his latest project. He practically empowered young business minded individuals and gave out gifts worth millions.
In 2019, he made a dramatic return to his primary school, New Oko-oba Primary School, Agege, after about 33 years. There he stretched forth hands of fellowship towards teachers and pupils. At the end of the day, 50 pupils received instant scholarship while all the teachers went home with one form of goodies or another.
In his remarks on the day, Sujimoto said, “our tithe at Sujimoto goes directly to people who need it the most. For us, giving back goes beyond CSR, it’s an obligation.”
With a pledge to put facilities in the school in functioning order, he promised to take a ‘part of our profits and give back to different public schools, like Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Model College Meiran, Zaria to Jos, and many other schools, because for us at Sujimoto, giving back is an obligation!’
Sujimoto was also instrumental to rehabilitating and improving the standard of living of Jumoke Orisaguna, better known as Jumoke Oni bread. She was the Agege bread seller, who was turned to instant model by the hands of providence.
How much is he worth? So much to qualify as one Nigeria’s youngest billionaires, and recognised by Forbes. His projects cost millions of Naira, so it is not hard to imagine.
For as many that care to listen, Sujimoto is not interested in politics unless it is absolutely necessary. As at today, he sleeps, dreams and eats estate and construction, and if he ever runs, it will be for the highest office in the land.
“For now, I am 100% focused on Real Estate and meeting the construction needs of Investors who have trusted me with their money. I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but If I run, I will run for President, and I am 100% certain to win!” He said.
As far as he is concerned, nothing else matters in business other than quality and integrity.
We duff our hats to you sir as our Boss of the Week…congratulations!
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Dr Stephen Akintayo: Leading Gtext Homes to Strategic Marketing Advantage
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EricHOW DID YOU COME ABOUT THE RELATIVE HUMILITY YOU ARE TODAY ASSOCIATED WITH?
I advise young people who rush into politics to build a name, if you do something solid the politicians will beg you because they know you have the solution, the capacity, and the answers. For me, I am very well positioned globally, growing my business is very important to me, supporting people in government across the world. We want to start partnering with people in government but we want to make sure our record is clean, our stories are clear because if you do not tell your stories, others will tell their own and their own will become the truth so we need to tell our own.
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Adedeji Adeleke: Celebrating a Philanthropist at 67
Published
3 weeks agoon
March 10, 2024By
EricBy Eric Elezuo
At 67, he still remains one of the most sought after personalities with the milk of human kindness. His philanthropy reverberates across the length and breadth of the African continent, and with a net-worth of over 1.7 billion in United States of American dollars, it is not hard to imagine that the erudite scholar and reputed oil and real estate magnate, Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, is a force to reckon with in the Nigerian socio-political and economic terrain.
To many, he is the hitherto unknown ‘Baba Olowo’, as represented by his son, David Adeleke, in his hit song, Emi Omo Baba Olowo, to many others, he is just the father of one of Nigeria’s successful musicians, Davido, and to many others, he is the pathfinder that has helped in paving a path of fruitfulness for the Adeleke family in particular, and the people of Osun State in general.
Ebullient and renowned, Dr. Adedeji Tajudeen Adeleke, a native of Ede in Osun State, was born on March 6, 1957 in Enugu State, to Ayoola Raji Adeleke and Esther Nnenna Adeleke. Growing up with his maternal grandmother, fashioned in him the distinct features of Nigerian-ism thus becoming one of the few Nigerians, who are privileged to savour the true Nigerian originality, boasting of two physical ethnicities – Yoruba and Igbo.
Adeleke’s linage is blessed as his siblings are also movers and shakers of the Nigerian political and economic environments. His elder brother, late Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, was the first civilian governor of Osun State, and his younger brother, Senator Ademola Adeleke, is the present governor of Osun State.
Fondly called Deji by family members and loved ones, and Chairman by friends and associates, Dr. Adeleke, whose father was a renowned labour leader and activist, in addition to being the Balogun of Ede land and one time Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is many things one.
Tapping from the Igbo background of his beloved mother and the Yoruba originality of his father, Dr. Adeleke has overtime showcased qualities that stood him out as a believer in the oneness of the country, Nigeria.
Dr. Adeleke lived his early life in Enugu, where he developed inert abilities to mastering business craftsmanship, before moving to Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, Surulere Lagos, for his primary education. Thereafter, he proceeded to Seventh-Day Adventist Grammar School, Ede where he graduated from in 1975, obtaining his West African School Certificate in flying colours.
His brilliance, coupled with opportunities, created a leeway for him thereafter to proceed to Western Kentucky University in the United States of America where he distinguished himself in academics and other endeavours, and graduating with a Bachelors degree in Finance in 1979.
A thoroughbred lover of education, Adeleke followed up his bachelors degree triumph with an MBA in 1981 and thereafter a Ph.D. in International Business from Pacific Columbia University, Mills Valley, California in 1983. It is not an understatement to say the proverbial ‘baba olowo’ is well read.
Having completed the academic trilogy, and with undisputable qualifications, Adeleke returned to serve his fatherland in the capacity of a Corps member in the National Youth Service Corps scheme; a clarion call he obeyed with all his being as a true Nigerian.
Armed and totally ready to take on the world, Adeleke ventured into the entrepreneurial world, audaciously establishing a drilling company, Pacific Drilling Company Limited which soon became the brainchild of other entrepreneurial ventures, metamorphosing into Pacific Holdings Limited, with a distinct focus on finances and investments in different sectors of the Nigerian economy, which comprises other groups of companies with diverse biases, including Pacific Energy Limited.
An egghead of no mean abilities, Adeleke is one of few academics, who holds double doctoral degrees, as he was privileged to bag a second Ph.D from the University of Phoenix, Arizona USA, where he studiously laboured for his honours.
His lofty academic sojourns have in more ways than one paved the way for him to conquer the competitive world of entrepreneurship. He is also the founder and Chairman Board of Directors of Pacific Merchant Bank Ltd which later became one of the legacy banks in the guise of present day Unity Bank Plc.
Quintessential in all ramifications, Dr. Adeleke is a philanthropist of note as his foundations and establishments speak volumes of his worth, and what he is capable of doing. Among his many foundations, dedicated to the upliftment of mankind, is the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF), a not-for-profit NGO, which has become a vehicle for the awards of scholarships at all levels of education, and distribution of medical assistance to diverse medical units across board; locally and internationally to meet the needs of needy Nigerians.
Adeleke’s SDF is also the brain behind the establishment of the prestigious Adeleke University Ede, where he is the Pro-Chancellor. In addition, Dr. Adeleke sits on the board of various blue chip companies across the globe.
Adedeji Adeleke through the Springtime Development Foundation (SDF) founded Adeleke University in Osun State ede, to ensure less privileged students have access to a quality higher education.
Adeleke is known to be not just a father in words, but highly impactful, consciously and unconsciously imparting his children and any other person that crosses his path with his Midas touch of gold.
It has been said that no one comes his way, and leaves without a meaningful impact in his life. With his SDF tool, not a few lives have witnessed a turnaround.
Dr. Adeleke is blessed with four children, two males and two females named Adewale Adeleke, David Adeleke (Davido), Sharon and Ashley Coco, from his beautiful wife, Veronica, who died in 2003, and many grandchildren. His children are living examples of his paternal influence as they all have carved a veritable niche and influence for themselves in different areas of human endeavours.
His youngest son, Davido, is a world renowned musician and philanthropist, carting away awards after awards in many areas, and luving the life of a real chip off the old block with humongous acts of giving that has left many just wondering.
He also has numerous grandchildren among whom are Imade Adeleke, Hailey Adeleke and the newest twins, who are Davido’s children.
Adeleke is a lover of life, and the good things that come with it. As a result, he owns a Bombardier Challenger 605 Business jet and a Bombardier Global Express 6000 for both classic luxury and ease of movement, as an international businessman, who is constantly on the move.
At 67, Adeleke could be described as an accomplished husband, father, nationalist and entrepreneur.
We salute your dexterity and pray for more of wealth and health and many more years of celebrations. Happy birthday a true legend!
We celebrate you sir!
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Boss Of The Week
Babajide Sanwo-Olu: A Governor and His Many Gracious Strides
Published
4 weeks agoon
March 3, 2024By
EricEarlier, Sanwo-Olu briefly attended Government Demonstration School, Gbaja Surulere before moving to Ijebu-Ife Grammar School, Ogun State to complete his secondary education.
A politician of positive repute, Sanwo-Olu began his political career in 2003, when he was appointed a Special Adviser on Corporate Matters to the then deputy governor of Lagos State, Femi Pedro. He was later made the acting Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget until 2007, when he was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry by then governor, Bola Tinubu. After the General Elections of 2007, Sanwo-Olu was appointed Commissioner for Establishments, Training and Pensions by Governor Babatunde Fashola. He was later moved to the Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in 2016 as the Managing Director.
Sanwo-olu’s achievements are renewed on a daily basis as a they keep springing up without notice. Some of his notable public sector achievements however, include the supervision of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) privatization projects. He set up and was the Pioneer Board Chairman of Lagos Security Trust Fund. The LAGBUS System and the Control & Command Centre in Alausa Ikeja were subsequently established under his directives.
Sanwo-Olu, like many of his predecessors, has kept faith with the Lagos master plan, and has worked assiduously to maintain and meet the target. He has therefore, been working on different development activities, one of which is road construction across major areas in Lagos state.
In 2020, Sanwo-olu asked that the statue of Fela Kuti that was erected by Akinwunmi Ambode be removed from Allen Avenue in Ikeja, to ease the situation of traffic in that area. However, the statue is said to be relocated to a more convenient area in the State. He commissioned the Oshodi -Abule-Egba BRT Lane amongst other projects in 2020.
Sanwo-olu has worked on the Control & Command Centre in Alausa, which significantly improved the capacity of the security agencies to respond to distress calls in a swift and timely manner.
While under appointment as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Lagos State Property Development Corporation (LSPDC) in 2016, he, as a visionary administrator returned the hitherto struggling organisation to the path of efficiency and profititability. This took him only two years.
He also refocused the organisation to effectively tackle housing deficit in the state, which again validated his credentials as a resourceful leader and problem solver. His valuable experience garnered from executive-level roles in the private and public sectors has not only distinguished him, but also made him a valuable resource to some notable organisations on whose boards he has served
A statement on his website summarized his expected delivery, noting that “It is unexpected that Babajide’s enterprising career in the private sector, defining roles in public service and selfless contributions to the society would not have attracted international recognitions and accolades at home. But as a man attired in modesty, these awards and laurels are encouragements that keep him on the path of service to God and humanity.
“A devout Christian and family-focused man whose marriage to Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu is blessed with lovely children, Mr. Sanwo-Olu, in addition to his love for public speaking, is a member of numerous prestigious clubs, which include Ikoyi Club 1938, the Island Club, Yoruba Tennis Club and the Clear Essence Health Club.”
In 2020, Sanwo-Olu stood like the rock of Gibraltar between the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic and the health of Lagos residents, and was regarded as one of the outstanding governors in the fight against the scourge.
“We must ultimately defeat this virus if we remain vigilant and do not take anything for granted. Stay safe Lagos, your health is important,” the governor was quoted as saying.
In October of the same year, Sanwo-Olu employed his human relations training to quell the EndSARS crises, which had its epicenter in Lagos.
In May 2023, Sanwo-Olu was reelected governor under the umbrella of the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating his closest rival, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) to the second position.
Though his re-election was contested by both Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party (LP) and Olajide Adediran of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the tribunal, and up to the Supreme Court, Sanwo-Olu emerged victorious.
With special regards to his litany of achievements, Sanwo-Olu has obtained a variety of awards in his career, both from within the shores of Nigeria and from foreign places. Some of them include:
- Platinum award from the Lagos State Public Service Club.
- 2009 Best in Human Capital Development award from the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
- Merit award from the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.
- Merit award from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management in Nigeria (CIPMN).
- Merit Award from the Association of Professional Women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN).
- LSDPC Impactful Leadership and Recognition Award.
- Media Nite-Out Award for Best Governor of the Year (2020).
In addition, he is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Directors (IOD), Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), and Fellow of Nigeria Institute of Training and Development (NITAD).
A lot of people have said that the path to Sanwo-Olu’s success stories and achievements lies in his ability to remain a loyal partyman and an astute politician. These have consistently paved the way for his glorious strides. His achievements in Lagos have become a reference point to many other governors in Nigeria.
In today’s Lagos, development, sanitization, security, technological know-how and community coexistence are at top level owing to the direction Sanwo-Olu created, and rooted in his THEME agenda.
Sanwo-Olu, without an iota of doubt, is doing well. It is on this note, we recognize you sir, as the Boss of the week. Congratulations!
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