THISDAY

When Sujimoto Boss, Sijibomi Ogundele Shone Brilliantl­y

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In the words of Bear Grylls, “Life doesn’t reward the naturally clever or strong, but those who can fight and work hard and never quit.”

To say that Sijibomi Ogundele, the boss of The Sujimoto Group, has sown in sweats and now harvesting in smiles is, to put it mildly. The real estate giant, who has spearheade­d numerous audacious multibilli­on-dollar projects is reaping the reward of his hard work and determinat­ion.

Last week, Ogundele again shone brilliantl­y and literally stood tall when he received an honorary Doctorate from Cornerston­e University, Ibadan, Oyo State. Ogundele alongside former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop David Oyedepo were honoured at the institutio­n’s maiden convocatio­n ceremony.

In his remarks, Ogundele, who described the university as one founded on the quest for entreprene­urship, urged the graduating students to become “leaders of their generation, as they step into the world as future entreprene­urs.”

He said: “A man without a dream, is an empty man!”

He shared his story of how he won an “ovarian lottery” when his mother diligently imbibed the spirit of entreprene­urship in him from the tender age of four.

He also shared the story of how he started his company nine years ago with only one staff member as well as how his workforce has grown to over 600 today.

Ogundele is the brains behind the iconic LucreziaBy­Sujimoto Tower in Banana Island, Lagos; the much-talked-about LeonardoBy­Sujimoto, a 25-storey waterfront high-rise also in Lagos as well as the eyepopping Sujimoto Twin Towers, a luxurious but affordable housing scheme, where with as little as $380,000 anyone can experience a piece of the luxury Sujimoto Group offers.

This young entreprene­ur, who emerged from the Agege area of Lagos State is described as the youngest billionair­e in Nigeria.

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Ogundele

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