Inspiration Wednesday

I know you are probably waiting for a few nuggets of wisdom to help get you through the week, as it always is each Wednesday. Today, of course, it's still going to be inspirational, but in a different way. 

Yesterday, I read about the Nigerian woman who is now the richest black woman in the world, and knew that she would be an excellent source of inspiration to you, my lovely readers. Here is her story:

Nigerian business woman, Folorunsho Alakij, was born in 1951 to the family of Chief L. A. Ogbara in Ikorodu, Lagos State. At age 7, she traveled to the UK for a 4-year primary school education at Dinorben School for Girls in Hafodunos Hall in Llangernyw, Wales. She returned to Nigeria to attend Muslim High School in Sagamu Ogun State, after which she went back to England to study secretaryship at Pitman's Central College, London and American College and the Central School of Fashion both in London, to study fashion design.

Folorunsho started her career as a secretary at Sijuade Enterprises, and also at First National Bank of Chicago, all in Nigeria. She worked there for a while then established her own tailoring company called Supreme Stiches, which rose to prominance among the elite in the Nigerian social cycles. She changed the name to Rose of Sharon Fashion House, which is now a household name in Nigeria.

In 1993, her company, Famfa, was granted an oil prospecting license(OPL) to explore oil on a 617,000 acre block- now referred to as OPL 216. In September of 1996, she entered a joint venture with Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited as a technical adviser for the exploration license, giving them 40% of her 100% stake, a stake Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited sold 8% of to Petrobras, a Brazilian company.

Forbes' Magazine named her as part of their ' 100 Most Influential Women in The World' of which she was 96th. She is quoted as saying:

 ''I have been referred to as “One of Forbes’ 100 Most Influential Women in the World,” she said. “But, who do I say I am and who does God say I am? Regarding wealth only God knows that because He is the only one who knows by how much He blesses each of His creations. He decides, He uplifts or lowers for reasons best known to Him and in His time. So, who am I to determine my position?”
 “So I am 63 and I am not yet done. So what is your excuse? I never went to a University and I am proud to say so because I don’t think I have done too badly,” she said. “You do not have to have a university education to be able to make it so count yourselves privileged to have that education as part of the feather in your cap.”
On 1 July 2013, the federal government of Nigeria inaugurated the National Heritage Council and Endowment for the Arts and appointed Alakija as vice-chairman of the body.


In this year's edition of Forbes' list of the richest black women in the world, she was listed as no.1; surpassing Oprah Winfry by $300 million and Isabel Dos Santos of Angola, the first black billionaire. As at this moment, her wealth is at $3.3 billion.

What is the essence of telling you this, you'd ask. I was motivated by her story. That, one just has to have faith in one's self and go out there to get what they want. That the goals or end should not be determined by who you are and how you start your journey. Her story teaches that hard work pays. Also, she teaches that, it pays to be appreciative of everything we are given, no matter how small. She teaches that education, no matter the stage reached, is very important.

Stay positive, my lovelies!

xo