By Eric Elezuo
A loud moment of quiet peace, tangible camaraderie and measured friendliness, intertwined in royalty, class and splashes of razzmatazz, pervaded the prestigious Banana Island atmosphere, when celebrated paramount ruler of Owo Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III, the Olowo of Owo, paid a courtesy visit to the indefatigable Executive Chairman, Still Earth Group, Ms Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi.
Ms Adeyemi, a noble citizen of Owo Kingdom, is a construction giant, real estate guru, and oil and gas magnate among many other sundry professional endeavours and acumen that have set her apart, and given her a pride of place in national and global entrepreneurial rating. Most people have referred to her as an enigma, an invincible force in the world of business, and a symbol of philanthropy, and they have not been proven wrong.
The royal visitation was initiated by the Owo Palace as a medium to solidify partnership towards the smooth process of hosting the annual Igogo Festival of the Owo people – a tradition that has played first fiddle in Owo, Ondo State and the length and breadth of Yorubaland for an estimated 600 years period. Ms Adeyemi is expected to spice the event with invaluable touch of class.
The Oba, who has intended a quiet arrival, was stunned at the magnitude of reception that awaited him, proving the saying that gold fish has no hiding place. His arrival was heralded by pomp and controlled royal etiquette, with a team of assistants and aides, a move that explains Ms Adeyemi’s respect for royalty, and also showcased her at-alert quality.
In her usual demure and unassuming characteristics, looking beautiful and clad in white free-flowing gown, Ms Adeyemi, who beamed from ear to ear in excitement, bowed in obeisance, exhibiting the true spirit of humility, humanity and distinct upbringing.
Clad in full royal agbada-apparel, the Oba, who had prepared for the moment, absorbed all entreaties and accolades, dishing out blessings and prayers in return.
Speaking to the Ovation crew on the Origin of the Igogo Festival, Oba Gbadegesin narrated that what the Yoruba celebrate today as a festival is rooted in beauty, the need to stay trustworthy, abhor betrayal tendencies and forgiveness.
“It was originally a day set aside to do away with the beating of the drums, except the gong, and that’s where the Festival got its name ‘Igogo’.
He upheld the tenacious grace that has made Ms Adeyemi who she is, describing her as a worthy daughter of Owo, whose manifold imput is needed as the Igogo Festival kicks off in a couple of days.
Responding, Ms Adeyemi explained how proud she is, first, to be a native of Owo, Ondo State, and secondly, to be considered to be a integral part of the festival, noting she and her firm will surely take up the mandate to ensure that the festival live up to its billing and expectations.
“At least, for the next three years, we will be on board,” she said to the applause of those around her.
THE INDEFATIGABLE OYINDAMOLA ADEYEMI AT A GLANCE – THE AMAZON OF ENTERPRISE
In Africa’s very patriarchal system where gender neutrality is not a common topic, there are some sectors that have over the years been classified as the exclusive reserve of men.
But in the last couple of years, some women with their tenacity, integrity and ability to overcome fierce opposition have carved a niche for themselves by breaking this mythic glass ceiling, and one lady who has remarkably done just that in the Nigerian oil and gas, construction industry and financial services is Ms. Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi.
Still Earth Group, where Ms Adeyemi is the Executive Chairman, has proved its mettle in the intricate terrain of developing concepts and delivering mega projects across Nigeria.
Her vision when she founded Still Earth over a decade ago, still remains to deliver performance with purpose and her goal has always been to benchmark her operations with international best practices.
From the outset, Still Earth has had to leap over impossibly high hurdles to reach goals that had boggled the minds of contemporaries and competitors, all thanks to the able Ms Adeyemi, who has run the Group with her characteristic style of being decisive, bold and imaginative.
With an undeniable unmatchable can-do spirit, undeniably Ms Adeyemi, who believes that the infrastructural deficit in Nigeria is too wide, has a track record as a woman of steel has proven that challenges notwithstanding, indigenous companies can achieve amazing results with a good management and leadership.
That is the reason Still Earth pride’s itself as having the ability to deliver projects on budget, on time and with the best quality too!
As a premier general contractor highly regarded as one of the leading engineering & construction companies in Nigeria, Still Earth Construction and Realty now has a portfolio of completed projects and satisfied clients that are in both the public and private sectors. Indeed, it is setting its sights on conquering bigger, mega territories in all corners of Nigeria and abroad.
At the moment, and as always, the company is assiduously working on some major projects, and has successfully completed several projects of various categories both as direct contractors and sub-contractors, leaving behind a trail of happy and satisfied clients.
The company’s aim is to develop the country’s infrastructural base by responsibly executing every project it is entrusted with, while creating real benefit for communities it serves by adopting principled and uncompromising approach to its professional and value standards.
It aims to be an international market leader, preferred general construction contractor that is globally recognized. Its focus is to achieve consistency and proficiency in the delivery of outstanding service, while adding value for clients through professionalism, pro-activity, creativity, transparency, timeliness and qualitative performance.
One major area that Still Earth has also thrived is its work force. Ms Adeyemi has marshalled her team well by activating and directing the positive energy of her people to achieve excellent results.
It has continued to invest in qualified talents and thus lead a workforce of trained individuals in order to become the industry major player in sector in line with its ambitious aspirations.
According to the company “Our objective is to work together as a team to achieve success on every project for our clients, through the professionalism, diligence and hard work that we profess and promote”
There is no doubt that Still Earth is driven by ingenuity and innovation, it has a human face because the Group Managing Director draws her deep understanding of both human and business dynamics to run an efficient organization. She always ensures to make it about the client and her company and nothing more.
Little wonder the company’s core mission is “To add exceptional, lasting value through our technical expertise, corporate culture and corporate social responsibility to our staff, clients, country and humanity”. Very Impressive!
Not done with just making a mark in the construction industry, like a typical knowledgeable serial entrepreneur, she has formed other companies and invested in other sectors. One of those new adventures is in the finance sector with the establishment of Still Earth Capital Finance.
Her journey to the top has not been easy. According to her, it was more of perspiration and perseverance.
“I have years of experience that spans the Banking Sector, Retail Marketing, Public Sector, Oil & Gas and Construction. My story is one of grit, resilience and persistence, which over the years has built a solid foundation to pursue excellence end-to-end and achieve higher goals.”
As a result of her sterling achievements, she has won many accolades including the African Leader of Integrity Merit Award – Excellence in Corporate Governance and Service Delivery from Accra, Ghana.
She earned her B.Sc Degree in Political Science from the University of Abuja, and an M.Sc Degree in Political Economy and Development from the same University and is also an alumna of the prestigious Harvard Business School, Boston, Massachusetts, after attending the Owner/President Management Program.
Ms Adeyemi is certainly grounded, in fact enough, to aspire to the top echelon of the business world where many turn problems to opportunities.
The reserved technocrat with both beauty and brains was born and raised in Gombe State, North Eastern Nigeria to a Yoruba father from Ondo State and Hausa/Fulani Mother.
Her multilingual, multi-ethnic upbringing has made her a bridge builder which enables her to feel free at home in the Northern or South Western part of Nigeria.
Fluent in both Hausa and Yoruba, Ms Adeyemi has built a solid reputation as one of the few entrepreneurs without an ethnic bias, which makes her such a distinctive and appealing business leader.
Though classy, reputable and fashionable, she is not the kind of executive one meets at every occasion. Much as she is highly intellectual, and extremely friendly, she prefers negotiating complex deals and explaining the intricate genius of construction to spending time at social events. She is indeed a respectable business amazon that is worthy of emulation.
Oyinda, or Lami, as very close friends and associates call her, is a thorough endowment of dexterity, courage and service to humanity. Her types are distinctly described as one in a million!
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