The University of Uyo recently played host as it conferred an
honorary doctorate degree of Humanities to Mrs Folorunso Alakija; a
philanthropist and entrepreneur. During the citation in her
honour, the university did not mince words in pouring encomium over her
overwhelming impacts to the society particularly to the down-trodden. It
unequivocally noted that the elegant sexagenarian is indisputably a dogged woman
of virtue, excellence and integrity, hence the honourary award.
Dr. Alakija, an alumnus of the American College, London, who also holds a chieftaincy title of ‘Ezinne’ in the South-East is, no doubt, chronically
diametric to indolence. The prominent Nigerian woman owns the famous Supreme
Stitches, a premium international label in the fashion industry, among other
companies.
Incontrovertibly, Dr. Alakija’s motility and nimbleness contributed
immensely to her laudable accomplishments.
According to Forbes International, Alakija,
who is the Vice Chairman, Famfa Oil; a Nigerian oil exploration company with a
60% participating interest in Block OML 127 which partners with Chevron and
Petrobrass is certifiably, the 2015 second richest African woman after Isabel
dos Santos; the oldest daughter of Angolan President, Jose Eduardo dos Santos. Dr.
Alakija is also reportedly rated the third richest woman of African descent in
the world.
With assets and investments sprang all over the world, she’s net
worth of over 2.1billion US Dollars. The fashion-designer turned major investor
in the oil sector is inarguably a force to reckon with in most sectors of the
economy particularly oil, real estate and digital printing.
Born in 1951 to Chief L.A. Ogbara family in Ikorodu, Lagos in
a large polygamous family of eight wives and fifty-two children by the first wife. She’s married to Modupe Alakija since 1976 and the union which
has become a reference point motivates her hosting ‘Singles and Searching’
seminars. She is also the founder of Rose of Sharon Foundation which has
remarkably helped several widows and empowered orphans and the less privileged
through scholarships and other aids.
In her thanksgiving service held in her Rose of Sharon
Glorious Ministry Int’l in Surulere, Lagos, Alakija who is fondly addressed as
’Servant-leader’ dedicates her achievements` to Almighty God, and specifically
expressed gratitude to God for graciously using her as a vessel to reach out to
mankind within her milieu. On account of her fervor for pleasant family-life,
and advocacy against the plight of the less-privileged in the society, she is the author of ‘University of Marriage’; ‘The Cry of Widows and Orphans’
and ‘Alone with God’, a free Christian daily devotional. At the event, several
widows testified of various ways God has used her Foundation to bring succour to
their predicaments in the midst of
glaring hopelessness. According to one of the beneficiaries, “Servant-leader is
indeed a woman with God’s heart. Her kind supports and assistances to us widows
cannot be quantified or overemphasized, and I pray that God will reward and
continue to bless her more abundantly, from glory to glory”.
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