HAJIA SHAREEFAH ABIOLA ANDU (ENTREPRENEUR) I Was Nicknamed ‘Iya Sunnah’ in Secondary School

Interviewed by Funke Olaode

What gave birth to Arabel? I wanted a touch of Islam in my living room and went out to search for a good decorating item. I moved from one place to the other, combed supermarkets and gift shops for hours before I could see just one in a particular store. From that point, it occurred to me that there was a vacuum as many people would be looking for the same thing. Coupled with the interest I had to show the beauty in Islamic dresses and designs, I instantly made up my mind that the time had come to roll out my plans. What motivates you? The truth is that Allah motivates me and He has always directed me. Sometimes, I don’t even plan for the next thing and then it comes, based on His leading. Five years ago, I could not say I would be doing what I am doing now. I believe in evolution, it is about change. If you are stagnant, you better die. I want to live fully.

What can help man record success in life?

Hard work, determination, and the grace of God. I believe as a person, we don’t know the level of our talents and how far we can go until we try our hands on those things that give us pleasure. I have challenges because I get bored so easily therefore I am always trying to explore my God given talents. This is my favourite quote; “Your talent is God’s gift to you. What you do with it is your gift back to God.”

What contributes to your trendy style and social life?

From primary school days, I have always loved to appear neat, simple and elegant. Every young undergraduate girl has a fantasy and I could remember mine was to be either an actress or a model. I tried both a few times and it made great impression on how I dress and interact till today.

Who impacted your life more, your mother or your father?

I shared some traits with my father but he died when I was just five on August 26 1967, in an accident which involved his VW Beetle car. Since then, my mother has been the only one I look up to. She influenced a lot of things; my religion, entrepreneurial spirit and gentle disposition, which I extend to my children. As a trader at Gbagi market in Ibadan while I was growing up, my mother made me serve as her accountant anytime I came for holiday. What do you have passion for? Innovation and creativity. I like to create and recreate and that is why I read every day and will always have something to write. At Arabel, I tell my staff members to always look outside the box. At the initial stage, there were challenges but later on, there was huge acceptance, which encouraged me to put more effort. It turned out to be a niche market. Later, I directed my energy into some other things; one of which is writing. I realised that I could write and this took me into publishing of Islamic books and later Zephyr, an international magazine.

Where did you acquire your knowledge of Islam?

Though born a Muslim, I have never attended any conventional Islamic school but acquired huge knowledge from reading Islamic literatures and listening to sermons. I didn’t attend Islamic school either. I started school at Dorcas Memorial Nursery School in Oke Bola Ibadan, before moving to Ebenezer Primary School and later Olowu Home School, owned by a renowned educationist in the then Western Region; Chief Ogunlesi. I attended Baptist Grammar School, Idi Isin, Ibadan and Ogbomoso Grammar School for my secondary school education and HSC respectively. But let me add that even at Baba Ogunlesi’s school, where we all had to do morning devotion everyday and go to ECWA Church in Molete every Sunday, it never stopped me from saying my prayers, because from when I could remember, Ansar Ud Deen was my second home. Our proprietor, Chief Ogunlesi never stopped me when he discovered I was saying my prayers. His nickname for me was Iya Sunnah.

Does religion dictate your choice of friends?

I am a very friendly person and religion has never been a barrier. Don’t forget that we are Yorubas where an average Muslim will have scores of Christians in his or her family. Many of my friends are Christians and we get along very well. In fact, some of my friends from my University of Lagos and University of Ibadan days, who are Christians, are still around till date.

What lesson has life has taught you?

It has taught me to have absolute trust in God and try as much as possible to touch lives. I have gone through my share of good and difficult times as an entrepreneur. I have received assistance from countless number of people. I have found myself in the company of highly placed and respected people who think highly of me and I feel so humble by their love and admiration and I pray to God to love them in return.