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Boss Of The Week

Abdulsamad Rabiu: Garlands for a Worthy Industrialist at 63

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Eric Elezuo

Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu’s evolution into the world of superlative entrepreneurship and philanthropism is not a fluke. It is a calculated attempt through hard work, focus and the determination to excel. At 63, Rabiu remains a force to reckon in the business of putting smiles on the faces of Nigerians, especially his North West region origin, and Africans at large.

He has graciously used his BUA Foundation and the phenomenal Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative to not only affect lives, but ensured that the people of the world, especially his native Nigeria, live in defined comfort.

Rabiu is the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Bua Group, makers of quality cement, sugar among other wonderful household items.

Born on August 4, 1960, in Kano, to one of Nigeria’s foremost industrialists in the 1970s and 1980s, Khalifah Isyaku Rabiu, Abdul Samad Isyaku Rabiu CON is a perfect combination of many things in one.

It was in his native Kano that he kick started his academic pursuit, carousing through elementary education with ease as a gifted child, and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate. He was later admitted into the Federal Government College, Kano, where he had his secondary education, and gradually with honours.

With a combination of fate, brilliance and determination, Abdulsamad was catapulted to Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he studiously studied Economics, and acquired his tertiary education before returning to Nigeria, all before his 24th birthday, to oversee his family business. He was that much sort after, and highly brilliant, and considered capable of holding fort for his father, who was being detained by the administration of General Muhammadu Buhari over matters concerning import duties.

In 1988, just after learning the ropes of entrepreneurial excellence, Abdul Samad Rabiu established BUA International Limited, for the sole purpose of commodity trading. The company followed after the footsteps of his father, and imported rice, edible oil, flour, and iron and steel.

In 1990, having exhibited the character worthy of a world class entrepreneur, and the ability to execute classical projects, Rabiu’s BUA was invited by the government, which owned Delta Steel Company to supply its raw materials in exchange for finished products. This provided a much-needed leverage for the young company, and consequently expanded further into steel, producing billets, importing iron ore, and constructing multiple rolling mills in Nigeria.

Rabiu’s dexterity showed further a few years later, when the company acquired Nigerian Oil Mills Limited, the largest edible oil processing company in Nigeria, and there erupted the company’s and BUA’s influence and care over the people in the provision of affordable edible oil. His passion to see people excel in comfort has continued to make him churn out one great tiding after another, and endearing him in the hearts of the generality of the public.

A man with a vision for tomorrow,  Rabiu, in 2005, started two flour-milling plants, in Lagos and in Kano, and by 2008, had broken an eight-year monopoly in the Nigerian sugar industry by commissioning the second-largest sugar refinery in sub-Saharan Africa. This was a feat only a bravest of hearts could wroth. As a result, in 2009 the company went on to acquire a controlling stake in a publicly-listed Cement Company in Northern Nigeria and began to construct a $900 million cement plant in Edo State, completing it in early 2015. Rabiu’s passion for expansion is unequalled.

BUA Group has since concentrated and excelled in manufacturing, infrastructure and agriculture and producing a revenue in excess of $2.5 billion. This is in addition to being the chairman of the Bank of Industry (BOI).

The Group, in 2019, announced plans to merge its privately owned Obu Cement with the publicly traded Cement Company of Northern Nigeria Plc (CCNN), to create Nigeria’s second largest cement producer thereby consolidating the grip on the cement market and breaking its monopolistic status.

It is worthy of note that Cement Company of Northern Nigeria PLC in which Rabiu owned more than 97% was producing two million metric tons of cement per annum (Mtpa) while Obu Cement has an annual production capacity of 6Mtpa. The move is in line with the company’s resolve to deepen the Nigerian capital markets and enhance the growth of the cement industry.

Rabiu’s expansion strides cannot be complete without a mention of his extraordinary philanthropic gestures.

In April 2020, he made a whopping donation towards the fight to contain the spread of the Coronavirus pandemic presently ravaging the country.

In a letter dated April 24, 2020, he personally signed, and addressed to The Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, the billionaire businessman, congratulated the duo of the Task Force and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for doing a good job while observing that much as so much has been done, there was still need to do a lot more, as the disease continued to make inroads into many parts of the country, especially Lagos and Kano states.

“I view with deep concern, the increased rate of spread of the Coronavirus, especially in Kano and Lagos states despite concerted collective efforts to curb the spread and effects of the virus in Nigeria,” he said.

With sincere reference to ‘what is going on, especially in Kano at the moment’ the philanthropist, who had earlier donated N1 billion to the private sector led CACOVID and other states, announced the release of another N3.3 billion ‘grant to the working group made up of the Presidential Task Force, NCDC and other stakeholders in equipping two existing permanent facilities in Kano and Lagos states’.

He said: “To this end, I am immediately committing and making available – through the Bua Foundation two grants of Two Billion Naira for the Kano-based intervention and One Billion Naira for Lagos State being the two epicentres of this virus in Nigeria.”

Rabiu also informed that “a sum of N300 million will also be made available immediately in cash to the Presidential Task Force to assist with logistical and operational activities of the taskforce. This grant is in addition to BUA’s earlier contributions to the private sector led CA-COVID coalition and donations to other states.”

Giving directive on how the funds will be spent, the BUA Foundation Chairman hinted that the “working Group will be expected to use resources at its disposal to ensure these facilities – to be determined by the Working Group – are fully equipped in the shortest possible time.”

He further revealed his trust in the working group to judiciously use the grant for the purposes meant, saying “I believe this will effectively help to expand the scope of interventions, ongoing research as well support already stretched medical cities dedicated to this fight.”

Rabiu’s BUA had in March through a confirmed funds transfer to the COVID-19 relief fund account with the Central Bank of Nigeria redeemed its pledge of N1billion ($2.6m) to the fight against COVID-19. In addition, the company also announced another donation of N300million to Sokoto, Edo and Ogun States to assist in galvanizing a coordinated response and adequate preparedness in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in this states. The donations to Sokoto and Edo States were on behalf of its Cement subsidiary, BUA Cement which has its major operations in those states whilst Ogun was also selected as a beneficiary due to its proximity to Lagos which had been the epicenter of the virus in Nigeria.

In total, Rabiu and his group donated N4.6 billion to the fight against the dreaded pandemic, making them the single highest donor as at date.

In 2021, Rabiu’s focus bestowed on him the grace of becoming the biggest gainer in shares. According to Forbes, which has consistently listed the billionaire among the top billionaires in Africa, “shares of his BUA Cement PLC, which listed on the Nigeria Stock Exchange in January 2020, doubled in value in the past year. That pushed Rabiu’s fortune up by an extraordinary 77%, to $5.5 billion. One thing to note: Rabiu and his son together own about 97% of the company, giving the company a tiny public float. The Nigerian Stock Exchange requires that either 20% or more of a company’s shares to be floated to the public, or that the floated shares are worth at least 20 billion naira — about $50 million — a paltry sum, to be sure. A spokesman for the Nigerian Stock Exchange told Forbes that BUA Cement meets the second requirement. (Forbes discounts the value of stakes when the public float of a company is less than 5%.)”

Rabiu has constantly used his BUA Foundation for his philanthropic activities. Some of them include the construction of a 7,000-square-meter paediatric ward at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital and the construction of the Centre for Islamic Studies at Bayero University Kano amongst several others.

He is known to have signed several major deals with French companies in recent times, from Axens as technical partner to his new refinery, to a 300tn plasterboard factory deal with French construction giant St Gobain. He followed it up with listing a segment of his business empire on the Lagos Stock Exchange.

In June 2021 therefore, when French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the France-Nigeria Business Council, a private sector initiative to enhance business relations between the two countries, Abdul Samad Rabiu, was appointed its inaugural President. He had earlier been appointed Chairman of the France Nigeria Investment Club. These appointments drew encomiums from high places including President Muhammadu Buhari.

In 2022, the leading businessman, with an umbrella group comprising sugar and fertilizer manufacturing industries among other business concerns, paid a visit to the then President Muhammadu Buhari in Abuja. And true to type, Alhaji Rabiu exhibited the same stuff that has made him the toast of African entrepreneurship, when he made a whopping donation of N10 billion to the Nigeria Security Support Fund on behalf of his foundation, The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa). The donation was geared towards providing security equipment, medical and other supplies, upgrade of health facilities and other infrastructure for families of those on the frontlines.

It is on record that in the past seven years, BUA has built over 10 factories with two of the Group’s subsidiaries now amongst the top 10 largest publicly listed companies in Africa. It was therefore, not out of place to identify with the efforts of the Buhari administration in business and the security space.

Rabiu’s avalanche of successes, humanitarian endeavours and spread of business tentacles has bestowed on him the uncommon title of the highest employer of labour in his region, the Northwest of Nigeria, in addition to continually maintain his status as Nigeria’s second richest man.

Rabiu’s image as a great achiever looms large. He was honoured among other Nigerians by the now embattled Nigerien President, Mohammed Bazoum, with the “Order of Merit of Niger, Great Master of National Awards,” the highest honours of the country for his great strides in increasing understanding between the two nations and for acting as agent of social and economic development. This was to mark the country’s Independence Day.

Practically every woman’s dream, Abdul Samad is married to his beautiful wife, and they are blessed with children, among whom are Isyaku Rabiu, Junaid Rabiu, Rukkayah Rania Rabiu and Khadijah Rabiu. He has 42 siblings including Nafiu Rabiu and Rabiu Rabiu, the chairman of IRS Airlines.

Rabiu’s abilities are beyond comparison. He is a force to reckon with in the field of enterprise and human capacity building. He is quite a gift to Nigeria, and the world. We wish you a hearty 61st birthday. Congratulations!

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Boss Of The Week

Nigeria’s Literary Genius, Chimamanda Adichie, Revels at 46

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Eric Elezuo

For 46 long years, one of Nigeria’s literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has remained in the business of dishing out incontrovertible storylines, with impeccable stylislics, making her one of the sought after writers, especially with a feminist worldview, in the world today.

She said of herself: “I think of myself as a storyteller but I would not mind at all if someone were to think of me as a feminist writer… I’m very feminist in the way I look at the world, and that world view must somehow be part of my work.”

Adichie’s name stands out among all amazons of professionalism, especially those in the writing profession. She is a woman who has conquered all odds to carve a niche for herself in every facets of human endeavour. She is beautiful, humble, humane and of course talks tough. She is a dutiful wife, adoring mother and a global citizen. And as she Celebrates her 46th year of existence on planet earth, it is worthy of raising a toast to the literary giant.

The fifth of six children, Adichie, who hailed from Abba in Anambra State, was born in the city of Enugu on September 15, 1977, seven years after the devastating Nigeria Civil War, which took away almost everything from her family, ended, and grew up in the university town of Nsukka where her father, James Nwoye Adichie, worked as a Professor of Statistics at the University of Nigeria. Her mother, Grace Ifeoma, is not left out in the academic endeavour as she set a record as the university’s first female registrar. The family is a purely set up.

During her secondary school days at the University of Nigeria Secondary School, Nsukka, Chimamanda won several academic prizes, and maintained the feat at the University of Nigeria where she studied Medicine and Pharmacy for a year and a half.

However, at the age of 19, Adichie abandoned her medical studies in Nigeria for the United States to study Communications and Political Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia. Report has it that she later transferred to Eastern Connecticut State University, primarily to be near her sister, Uche, who had a medical practice in Coventry, Connecticut. She received a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Connecticut State University, with the distinction of summa cum laude in 2001.

It was while studying in America that she was confronted with the challenges of being a person of colour, and this reflected in her work in later years as depicted by her novel, Americanah. It is worthy of note that Chimamanda’s original and initial inspiration came from Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, which she read at the age of 10. She was inspired by seeing her own life represented in the pages.

In 2003, she completed a master’s degree in Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins University. In 2008, she received a Master of Arts degree in African Studies from Yale University. The University was later to honour her in May 2019 with a doctorate honours.

Among many other honours she is identified with include a Hodder fellow at Princeton University during the 2005–2006 academic year. In 2008 she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship. She was also awarded a 2011–2012 fellowship by the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, Harvard University.

Apart from churning out thought provoking books, Chimamanda teaches Writing Workshops. In 2016, she was conferred an honorary degree – Doctor of Humane letters, honoris causa, by Johns Hopkins University. In 2017, she was conferred honorary degrees – Doctor of Humane letters, honoris causa, by Haverford College and The University of Edinburgh. In 2018, she received an honorary degree, Doctor of Humane Letters, from Amherst College. She received an honorary degree, doctor honoris causa, from the Université de Fribourg, Switzerland, in 2019. She is a known name to honours and awards.

In 2018, she was honoured by Duke University in the United States with an honourary degree.

Chimamanda was among the few recipients of the honorary degree from the university and they were all described as people making changes in the world in very extensive ways. “Few writers have captured the challenges of immigrants and others navigating those changes as Adichie,” the university said.

In 2019, the award-winning author joined the short list of receipiants, who were honoured by the prestigious Yale University as she was conferred with the Doctors of Letters, Honoris Causa.

It didn’t end there, she went on to speak at the school as part of the 2019 class. Chimamanda Adichie keeps adding more feathers to her already overflowing cap and we can’t but admire her passion and zeal towards her career.

A Catholic by background, Chimamanda is a stern believer in feminism, and most times, her views, especially those on feminism, sometimes conflict with her religion. Wikipedia noted that at a 2017 event at Georgetown University, she stated that religion “is not a women-friendly institution” and “has been used to justify oppressions that are based on the idea that women are not equal human beings.” 

Her writing ability, like her mentor, is yet to be equalled. Among her publications include a collection of poems in 1997 (Decisions) and a play (For Love of Biafra) in 1998. She was shortlisted in 2002 for the Caine Prize for her short story “You in America”, and her story “That Harmattan Morning” was selected as a joint winner of the 2002 BBC World Service Short Story Awards. In 2003, she won the O. Henry Award for “The American Embassy”, and the David T. Wong International Short Story Prize 2002/2003 (PEN Center Award). Her stories were also published in Zoetrope: All-Story, and Topic Magazine.

Below are her works, and their depictions as portrayed by Wikipedia:

Her first novel, Purple Hibiscus (2003), received wide critical acclaim; it was shortlisted for the Orange Prize for Fiction (2004) and was awarded the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize for Best First Book (2005). Purple Hibiscus starts with an extended quote from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.

Her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun (2006), named after the flag of the short-lived nation of Biafra, is set before and during the Nigerian Civil War. It received the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction and the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award. Half of a Yellow Sun has been adapted into a film of the same title directed by Biyi Bandele, starring BAFTA award-winner and Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor and BAFTA winner Thandie Newton, and was released in 2014.

Chimamanda’s third book, The Thing Around Your Neck (2009), is a collection of 12 stories that explore the relationships between men and women, parents and children, Africa and the United States.

In 2010 she was listed among the authors of The New Yorker′s “20 Under 40” Fiction Issue. Her story, “Ceiling” was included in the 2011 edition of The Best American Short Stories.

Her third novel Americanah (2013), an exploration of a young Nigerian encountering race in America was selected by The New York Times as one of “The 10 Best Books of 2013”.

In April 2014, she was named as one of 39 writers aged under 40 in the Hay Festival and Rainbow Book Club project Africa39, celebrating Port Harcourt UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.

Adichie’s short story, “My Mother, the Crazy African” discusses the problems that arise when facing two cultures that are complete opposites from each other. On one hand, there is a traditional Nigerian culture with clear gender roles, while in America there is more freedom in how genders act, and less restrictions on younger people. Ralindu, the protagonist, faces this challenge with her parents as she grew up in Philadelphia, while they grew up in Nigeria. Adichie really dives deep into gender roles and traditions and what problems can occur because of this.

Chimamanda and beloved husband, Ivara

In March 2017, Americanah was picked as the winner for the “One Book, One New York” program, part of a community reading initiative encouraging all city residents to read the same book.

In April 2017, it was announced that she had been elected into the 237th class of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, one of the highest honours for intellectuals in the United States, as one of 228 new members to be inducted on 7 October 2017.

Her most recent book, Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions, published in March 2017, had its origins in a letter she wrote to a friend who had asked for advice about how to raise her daughter as a feminist.

Chimamanda’s personality is larger than life, and so it seems as accolades from every corner of the earth follow her. It is also presumed that the her name ‘Chimamanda’ is a combination of both Igbo, her origin and English (Chima and Amanda). But that does not seem to be the case. The name, according to source, is purely an Igbo name, meaning My God (Chim) will never fail/fall (amanda). In 2009, she married her medical doctor-husband, Ivara Esege, who a writer described as ‘comically suitable’.

We hereby say a hearty 46th birthday to a pen woman of global repute, an egalitarian scholar and a symbol of societal regeneration.

Congratulations ma!

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Boss Of The Week

Rufai Ladipo: Epitome of Entrepreneurial, Professional Ingenuity

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By Eric Elezuo

When God blesses a man, the primary intention is to see him replicate, and be a blessing to humanity on a larger scale. As a result, most men have proved God right, using the blessings, both intellectually and materially to further lighten the world’s burden and spread joy. One of such men is Mr. Rufai Gbolagade Ladipo, a fellow of the advertising practice (frpa), and a seasoned entrepreneur, who is the Group Managing Director of Agile Communications and former President, Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN). Not only is he a man of means, he is a man of direction, a pathfinder and a nation builder, and presently, the Vice Chairman of Ikoyi Club 1938.

Born 67 years ago, Rufai Ladipo, who is also a fellow of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), and due to be honoured with a meritorious award by the AAAN as part of its 50th anniversary celebration in a few days, has been a key player in the advertising industry for decades. His intimidating profile includes serving as managing director/CEO of STB-McCann for eight years. While at STB-McCann, a company he joined as an Accounts Director and eventually left as the Chief Executive Officer some few years later, leaving behind footprints indelible to erase, he played a key role at the McCann-World Group level.

A go-getter of no mean feat, Ladipo had also had a stint with Scanad Nigeria as Managing Director, leading the growth of the Agency, both in turnaround and profitability for 12 years. This was before he floated his own agency, Agile Communications in 2015, a company reportedly set up with a singular objective of providing an alternative in ‘idea generation, clear strategic thinking and providing marketing services solutions in an integrated manner’. Over the years while Agile has been in existence, Ladipo has ensured that these objectives are not deviated from, but made to see the light of the day. A feat that has brought him celebrations from people from all walks of life, including gracing the front cover of gemWOMAN magazine among many encomiums, and founding of a sister brand, PowerBrand, a digital experiential agency.

An icon in the advertising and marketing communications business sectors of the economy, Rufai Ladipo’s journey to stardom and prominence is far from the regular run-off-the-mill standard. He had exhibited dedication, focus and determination, and it’s no surprise that he is where he is today – at success door. His stewardship at various stop points in his professional career are testaments of a man who knows his onions in his chosen line of endeavour.

In 1980, a year after joining Concord Group of Newspapers, where he functioned as a Senior Reporter covering the National Assembly and later the Nigerian Airports, Ladipo left the country for the United States of America in search of the proverbial greener pastures, and returned some years later, equipped with the requisite academic qualification for growth, which has assisted in him building men and materials. While in the United States of America, he studied Journalism at the Columbia College, Chicago, one of the foremost media and visual arts colleges. While in college, he worked as a Reporter and later, an Editor at Chicago Defender, the largest circulating and most influential African-American daily newspaper, based in Chicago, Illinois. It is worthy of note that he started his career in communications in 1978 at the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) Ibadan, and later joined the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) as a pioneer staff producer, in the newly created radio station, called Ile Akede.

And today, he has carved a niche for himself, sitting atop one of the nations best advertising and marketing communications company, handling briefs classified as ‘A’ brands. The company came to limelight after emerging as the official communications and creative agency for Mandilas Group Limited, after a keenly contested pitch, and ever since, has not looked back. With the right team in place, guided by a tested and proven leader, the Agile Group has gained global acclaim as a reputable IMC Agency representing the interest of major brands across Sub-Saharan Africa with commendations from clients and the prestigious LAIF Awards won by the agency across three categories in 2020

Known for his down to earth and eye for details standpoint, the ebullient GMD believe in competition and healthy rivalry for business to develop, improve and flourish, saying that there is hardly any economy in the world that can prosper without healthy, competitive and flourishing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“They form the foundation on which a lot of world economies are built and currently generate a significant percentage of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product-GDP,” he said.

Ladipo, for years, has remained in the business of urging both public and private sectors to channel their resources towards educating and facilitating ventures that realise their full potential to the benefit of the general public, with special emphasis to his communication, marketing and branding endeavours.

“The subject of branding has been identified as a key factor in determining the viability of SMEs, as countless surveys and analysis give credence to the speculations that the rapid collapse of many ventures can be attributed to the consistent disregard for brand building,” he was once quoted as saying.

Ladipo is also an alumni of Roosevelt University, also in Chicago, where he graduated with a Master of Arts degree in Political Science. In 1985, he was hired as a marketing executive by Allstate Insurance Company in Northbrook, Illinois, USA. While there, he performed different marketing functions and was elevated three times in a space of eight years to management position.

In 1992, he moved on to the Near North Health Services Corporation (NNHS) a community health facility catering to the healthcare needs of medically disadvantaged African-Americans, Latinos and minority whites, through a U.S. Government grant, private and corporate funding partners, including support by Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA. While at NNHS, he worked as Director of Development and Public Relations charged with the sole responsibility of raising funds and managing the image of the organisation. In his spare time, he edited a Chicago-based news magazine, AFRICAN NEWSBREED, which he cofounded with another Nigerian journalist.
In 1994, he was recruited from his Chicago base to work with STB & Associates, a foremost advertising agency in Nigeria, with footprints in Ghana and Sierra Leone, as Deputy Account Director on the Coca-Cola business – a big career change that put to test his marketing communications skills.
Two years later, he was promoted to Account Director, a position he held till the turn of the century when he was named Executive Director, the first non-founder executive on the board of a leading advertising agency in West Africa. In May 1, 2003, he was named the first non-founder Managing Director, following a corporate restructuring at the Agency.  And in 2005, he was named Chief Executive Officer of the thriving agency and a member of the McCann WorldGroup with locations in over 130 countries across the world. Ladipo has not failed to show class wherever his services were needed. He is a master strategist.
While at the helm, Rufai and his team improved on the fortunes of STB McCann, making the Agency a leading light in the Nigerian  advertising fraternity. He was instrumental to the Agency’s business expansion and strategic partnerships with relevant companies such as CMC-Connect (Perception Managers) where he served on the Board as non-executive director following a merger that he initiated. In 2011, he was elected the President of the Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN) and prior to that time, he served on the APCON (Advertisng Practitioners Council of Nigeria) for three consecutive terms and served on the Membership Committee and the Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) of the regulatory body.

A well connected businessman, an advertising guru of great repute, and international citizen, his philanthropic disposition is another plus to his growing professional and social hierarchy, as his social corporate responsibility status is comparable to the best.

Modest to a fault, Ladipo gives thanks to god and colleagues for his successes over the years, adding that Agile Communications Ltd, popularly known as ‘the agency of repute’ has been a product of hard work and the grace of God. The best according to him, “is surely yet to come as Agile continues to blaze the trail in its sector.

“Our competence spans advertising, strategy, design, brand activation, media buying, consultancy, public relations, digital communications, and environmental branding.”

The brand communications and marketing professional, with well-rounded client and agency experience in managing multi-million dollar brands, is married to an equally successful and colourful wife, Mrs. Funmi Ajila-Ladipo, whose success in the turnaround of the fashion industry, as the President of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), is legendary. They are blessed with four daughters, Jaiyeola, Yewande, Omoshalewa and Olakiitan.

More Professional Courses and Honours
Ladipo has attended a wide range of advertising and marketing courses both home and abroad; and he’s an alumnus of the prestigious Lagos Business School’s Advanced Management Program (AMP) where he served the Class of 2001 as President between 2001 to 2019.
He currently sits on the Board of Junior Achievement of Nigeria (JAN); a non-profit international organisation that prepares young Nigerians for work readiness, entrepreneurship, digital and financial literacy. He is a founding Executive Director of Concentric Security, and served on the Board of Digital Reality, a printing conglomerate under the auspices of Rose of Sharon.
Ladipo remains a shinning light in the path to restoring the divine masterclass of the nation, and he has given more than his best, and continue to for the assignment.
For your doggedness, tenacity of purpose and carving a future for the younger generation, you are our boss of the week. Congratulations sir!

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Boss Of The Week

Khadija Ibrahim: Amazon Redefining Agriculture, Manufacturing

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By Eric Elezuo

One would not be wrong to call her a woman of many enterprising parts: dedicated, focused, and determined. She is Engr. (Dr.) Khadija Kuburat Ibrahim MNSE, COREN, FGAU (CYPRUS), the Chief Executive Officer of KK Farms Limited, Kubib Food and Spices Limited, Kubib Limited, Task Event Planners Limited, Senior Investment Advisor and Business Partner with a global leading real estate firm, Bilaad Realty. She is a businesswoman of repute whose primary objective is to ensure that society basks in the euphoria of abundance, especially in food and agriculture.

In this brief chat, the young entrepreneur, who was born on October 17, shared with The Boss the very essence of humanity and how she intends to create sustainable food chain to ensure the nation remains self sufficient in agricultural products, using her diverse personalities as a farmer, engineer, entrepreneur and fashion icon. And she has stories of happy customers trailing her.

Excerpts:

Can you trace your background?

Sure. I was born in Ilorin, from the popular Ileko family in Idi Ape, Ilorin, Kwara State. I am the first daughter and third child of my parents; Alhaji Ibrahim Katsina Isa, a retired Customs officer, and Hajia Fatima, also a Customs officer, who passed on while in active service. I am known as Alhaja, which incidentally is a sobriquet; a name I got at the age of three when I returned from Saudi Arabia with my grandmother, Alhaja Salamatu Akewushola, who was a successful business woman. I must say she had a great impact on me as I practically inherited my business skills from her.

Apart from your business acumen, you are also an engineer by profession. Tell us about it.

Yes, I obtained a Bachelors of Engineering in Civil and Water Resources from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State. Not only that, I am a certified member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and the Council for the Registration of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN). I have undergone various courses which have earned me qualifications in Project Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Model Innovation, and Human Resource from reputable institutions including University of California, University of Virginia, Duke University, Rice University, and University of Minnesota, all in the United States of America. And because learning is a never-ending process, I am presently an MBA student of Business School of Netherlands.

Talking about your vocation or vocations, what can you say is your strong motivating factor that prompted your choice of career?

You see, I’ve always wanted to give back to the society in any way I can. And I am striving to get to the level where I will give without restriction. I have chosen this line of business to give back to the society by selling quality products at affordable rates, and thereby breaking the jinx of high pricing, substandard products and general customer relations apathy. I am prompted by the fact that customers must be treated well and made to assess products without stress, and that’s what I am doing.

How and when did you start your businesses?

I am a firm believer in little beginnings, and though I started from little beginning, it is imperative to note that I took time to do my feasibility studies and research. So when I eventually started, I hit the ground running. For KK Farms and Kubib Food and Spices, I started officially in 2022. This was after I had set up my factory and got the products approved by NAFDAC. You see, there groundwork in the background before we hit the public domain.

As regards farming, I’ve been in it since 2018. And because I did my background checks appropriately, I started with a bang; poultry farming, general farming, animal husbandry, snail farming, among others.

Another reason was because I have had a passion for agriculture since childhood. For Kubib Limited, I started with interior decoration, house renovations, and selling of imported furniture, clothes, and others as far back as 2010. I also took a few years break to learn more about the field.

I started by renovating family and friends’ houses as far back as 2010 because I have a passion for interior decoration. I renovate my house quarterly and put up my old furniture for auction, and I help some of my friends renovate their houses free, or just charge them administration fee.

I also started making spices for friends and families from my house in 2015 because I make them for myself, and whenever they come to visit me, they love them and take some away, so I was advised to monetize them since I make good spices. I prayed about it and started small. And as they say, the rest is history.

Do you have any inspirations?

Yes! In the first place, I am blessed with natural knowledge, Alhamdulilla. I also learned some from my late mum, late maternal grandmum, school, including online classes, family, friends, and even strangers. It is important to mention here that the life of Nana Khadija (wife of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.) also inspired me.

In addition, I inherited the love for business from my maternal grandmother, including the likes of Aliko Dangote, Folounsho Alakija and Mira Metha. My other inspiration is my belief in prayers and hard work.

How would you describe yourself as a person?

Much as I would love to leave that to people who know me to do, I will humbly say that I am highly courageous and adventurous, very intelligent, a leader worthy of emulation and modest fashionista. I am humble, creative, jovial and well connected. I am also a good ambassador of Islam, women, and Nigeria in general. I love to travel, and have visited many countries in Europe, Asia, Africa, and USA where I obtained most of my certificates. I can confidently say that I am a role model to many.

I have been conferred with an honorary doctorate in entrepreneurship and social development by Iheris University in Lome, Togo as a result of some of my contributions and achievements.

Just recently, on May 20, 2023, to be precise, I was conferred with the fellowship
award of the Girne American University, Cyprus.

If you were not in agro-allied sector, where would you have been?

I’m not sure because I love what I am doing. But Allah knows best. However, I believe that I am cut out for this sector because this is where I was created to be, and I am poised to give it my best shots for the benefit of humanity.

You are into many things. How are your products different from others in the market?

In the first place, I choose quality over quantity, and I invent new strategies to make my services and products unique. I know what the customers crave for, and strive to give it to them.

Where do you see your business in the next five years, and by extension, yourself?

I am more Balanced, Innovative, Better, Stronger, and Successful than the present because I am very open to future opportunities. Change is constant and inevitable, so I pride myself on being flexible and adaptable. I think the best way of planning for the future is to make the most of the present. And having said that, I see my next five years colourful and promising because I am doing my very best presently to make it so.

Of all the challenges you face, which is the most daunting, and how do you propose overcoming it?

Most times, in a bid to be more accommodating and benevolent, we take in every kind of staff, especially lazy and unskilled ones, so managing them becomes a challenge. However, I am in the business of sending some of our staffers out for more training and rewarding the more serious ones so others can take a cue. Another challenge is Market Inflation. This I’m solving by getting more capital to purchase raw materials in large quantities, and put them in storage so our customers won’t face back-to-back increments on our products due to market inflation. And of course, I am moved by humanitarian considerations other than profit in this business. This has made it easy for us to engage more in corporate social responsibility. We are more reasonable in our profit earnings and have also introduced promos to encourage customers. There’s also the issue of producing large quantities of items in a short time. This we are overcoming by upgrading our equipment and expanding our production base.

Do you have fears or regrets?

I fear only Allah, and death, which can come at any time; asides that, I fear nothing because I put my trust in Allah. I try my best, and I leave the rest to destiny. I am wired to believe nothing can stop whatever it is meant to be, so I don’t fear anything or anybody. At the same time, I give my best to achieve what I want. I am not in competition with anyone. I am happy for where I am today, and will continue to work and pray to be a better version of myself and be more successful. So, no regrets.

What leverage would you want to get from the government or individuals to help reduce the food crises?

The government has a lot to do to assist this sector. They must support the farmers by constructing good roads for smooth transportation of farm produce, improve the power sector and support with grants and flexible loans.

Your line of business faces climate change issues. How has it affected your business, and how have you managed it?

That was a major problem we faced when we first started. It was so heartbreaking that I had to close the farm for years. However, the years I took off from farming helped me to re-strategize, study, and learn more, so we came back with a better solution by avoiding to farm or producing what does not fit the season, and if we must, then we already took many precautions and had our backup plans ready in case of emergency.

Do you think environmental sustainability is possible? What are your contributions to the effect?

It is possible if we all cooperate, and are determined to make it work. As you know, I sell organic products. I am more particular about the health and wellbeing of my customers because it is my priority. We have also helped in creating new job opportunities for the people, avoid products that are harmful to the environment, support recycling, and buy energy-efficient appliances, among other indices.

What are your plans for your business?

Because whatever we do has the customers as the centerpiece, we intend going deeper into agriculture, like manufacturing tomato paste, pasta and many more, to help the masses get quality products at cheaper prices.

We are also working towards opening more branches across the globe so our spices can circulate the market quickly. At the same time, we are introducing smaller packages and increasing our production so the masses can easily buy them at low prices and, of course, provide more jobs for people. Like I said, we are precisely people-oriented

How do you combine being a family woman with your professional life?

It takes Allah’s guidance. It’s not been easy, but Alhamdulillah.

At your young age, you have achieved quiet a lot, and still rearing to go, what advice would you want to give fellow women, especially young girls?

You know we have for so long made to believe that we are at the receiving end, not knowing we are programmed to make things happen. So to every women, young firls especially, the sky is large enough for all of us to explore. Hard work pays, and there’s no basis to look for quick money; there is nothing like fast money if you want to do a legitimate business. There is no shortcut to success; it takes built-up effort, experience, persistence, failures, restart, hard work, strategy, commitment, and continuous learning to succeed. Remember that agriculture is not meant for men alone, and it has many advantages.

I was taught that the first Secret to success in business school is KEY, an acronym for KEEP EDUCATING YOURSELF. That helped me to achieve more in life.

Always be easy on yourself, and not indulge in unhealthy competition with anyone. Let everyone be a source of inspiration for you to aim higher.

Have a legitimate multiple source of income. Aside having my spice production companies, Farm, and Interior decoration businesses, I am also a major distributor of many reputable companies like TOMATO JOS, which was founded by a Mira Metha who came from the USA to set a multi-billion naira of Sachet Tomato paste.

Any possibility of going into politics in the near future?

Much as everything about life revolves round politics, we all cannot be politicians. We strive to build the nation from the corner we find ourselves, and aim to do it much better. However, a call to serve my fatherland will always be honored, and that’s a promise.

Let’s talk about your fashion sense, likes and dislikes

Waooo…that’s one area I cherish a lot. I am a fashionista, and a proud one at that. One distinct thing about it all is that I created fashion identity to suit my religious beliefs. It is unique to me.

Years back, I took a decision never to wear any dress I cannot pray in. There was this particular that i forgot my praying at home, and the cloth I was wearing was not suitable for prayers. I was heartbroken because I hate to delay my prayers. There and then, I took a decision to dress only to please my creator (ALLAH).

Well, some friends mocked me at first at the way I dressed, but I was not deterred as I knew I was pleasing my creator. But the same people today admire my dressings, and some have started to dress like me and even better.

It’s obvious your dress sense is a function of your Islamic orientation 

Yes…I am a practicing Muslim, and my religion frowns at indecent dressing. Unfortunately, some women believe exposing their bodies in the name of fashion makes us beautiful. No, it doesn’t. I might not be wearing hijab today as a practicing Muslim, but I’m well-covered, and proud of my achievement.

I effortlessly turn heads with my eclectic ensembles, blending vintage with contemporary pieces. My impeccable taste and daring combination create a style that’s uniquely my own. As a dynamic fashionista and visionary CEO, I effortlessly blend my passion for style, which is why many address me as Queen Khadija. When people ask where the king is, I answer, “Masha Allah, I am a born Queen.

How adaptable are you as a national figure because this country needs men and women, who consider merit as against tribe and religion to succeed

Thats a good one and i must tell you that i am a unifier, a true unbiased Nigerian. I lead a team of 33 workers comprising 45% male and 55% female. If I break it down further, tou will see that 30% are from the South East, 15% from the South-South, 18% from the South West, 6% from the North Central, 21% from the North East, and 9% from the North West.

One last word

I am an embodiment of innovative vision, expertise and modernity. These I have employed to build my companies, to the admiration of staff and clients. I must add that I am a culinary genius.

Thanks for your time Engr. Ibrahim

The pleasure is mine

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