Folorunsho Alakija is one of Nigeria's most successful businesswomen. A banking executive turned fashion designer who also made a fortune from oil interests
Today she is giving back as a philanthropist, helping Nigeria's widows and orphans.
From shaking up Nigeria's fashion scene to striking it rich in the oil business, Nigerian billionaire Folorunso Alakija has tasted success in all walks of life.
The former banking executive-turned-fashion designer-turned oil magnate is one of the west African country's most accomplished businesswoman, boasting a long and successful career in several fields.
In recent years, the 61-year-old has been dedicating her time to give back and help those in need as an author and philanthropist -- in 2008, she launched the Rose of Sharon foundation, a non-governmental organization that provides for widows and orphans across Nigeria.
"We found out that widows are a stigma in this society," says Alakija. "Once they lose their husbands, the society turns their backs on them, their in-laws begin to mistreat them, they become depressed, they don't know where to turn, they don't know where their next meal is coming from."
Alakija's latest chapter in life saw her turn to writing for her autobiography -- titled "Growing with the hand that gives the rose" -- in which she shares the secrets to her success through her life experiences and challenges.
"I told as much of my life as i could to encourage people, to encourage others to get to where they should be, where they want to be."
She hopes her latest book will spread her efforts for future change in Nigeria.
"It's a land flowing with opportunities, land flowing with milk and honey," she says. "It has its challenges, its faults, but Rome wasn't built in a day and we all have to come together those who live in it and those living abroad and come together to build our nation."
"Nigeria has made a lot of progress and it can only get better -- we will have to continue to dialogue and criticize ourselves and make it a better place to live in."
http://www.thenigerianvoice.com/nvlifestyle/31035/16/only-a-willing-man-commits-adultery-folorunsho-ala.html
