Many couldn’t believe their ears the other day when Chairman/C.E.O, Ilaji Hotels & Resort, Chief (Dr.) Dotun Sanusi regaled journalists with the story behind the acquisition of his Rolls-Royce. Sanusi said that he actually bought the classy car for the poor children in Akanran Community to have a feel of it. This, he said, was against the backdrop in some quarters that he bought the car to display opulence or something.
The serial entrepreneur made this jaw-dropping revelation recently while responding to questions at the end of the two-day workshop, organised by the South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP) and held at the expansive Ilaji Hotels and Resort located at Akanran in Ona Ara Local Government Area of Ibadan.
Sanusi said, “I bought Rolls Royce and some people said it is because I wanted to display opulence. But that is not the reason. I bought the car so that the poor children in my local community here can feel and taste what they see as a luxury.
“Several times, many children of the poor will approach me to enter the car. I will oblige them. I will allow them to go to their various houses, riding in the car.
“I am doing this so that these children will not feel inferior to their counterparts who have rich backgrounds. I want them to know that they too can enjoy what other children are enjoying in the big cities and rich homes.
“I am not interested in politics. Rather, my legacy will speak for me. It is not about the huge money you accumulated and put somewhere. The essence of living is about the joy and smile you put on the people’s face.”
On why he sited his mega-hotels and resort in a remote area like Akanran, Sanusi has this to say.
“My decision to build the hotels and resorts here (Akanran) is because of my passion for humanity. I wanted to give back to the society where I was born and raised. The Church contributed to raising me.
“I have moved around and lived in many places. I decided that, after moving around, first I need a place that has a history of backwardness. You give back to where you don’t expect anything in return.
“Ona Ara Local Government Area has a deep history of depravities and socio-economic backwardness. Among the 33 local government areas in the state, it has the poorest infrastructural development and the lowest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“We all know the history of the Agbekoyas. They were domiciled here. The local government area has a history of neglect. It is fighting against injustice which arose from unlawful taxation and which was accountable for the sufferings of the people.
Sanusi also revealed further that despite being a Christian with a Muslim background, he is a realist. “I know that God will judge us by our passion for humanity. I want to ensure that the people around me are happy and that is what gives me joy.”
But why is he doing all these? Is he going into politics? The answer is a capital NO. To Sanusi, giving is his passion. He doesn’t give fish alone, he also teaches people how to fish.
That clearly explains why Sanusi has committed his wealth and resources to help others. In fact, he is a builder.
“I am not interested in politics. Rather, my legacy will speak for me. It is not about the huge money you accumulated and put somewhere. The essence of living is about the joy and smile you put on the people’s faces,” he said.
Sanusi also condemned what he described as the pervading biased and lopsided leadership and mentorship in the country.
“I don’t believe in criticizing or condemning unnecessarily but rather in seeing what we can do to make things better.”
According to Sanusi, Nigeria has all it takes to attain greatness but said that national growth and development is only attainable if the Federal Government can be fair and not biased in providing leadership and mentorship.
“Things will work out fine for the country if the leadership at the national level can be fair to all and the country is run purely and absolutely on merit.
“Nigeria has the resources and it is made up of brilliant people. However, we are not realistic. We are too tribalistic and we are not honest. That is why the system is not working.
“Our leaders have alienated the culture of the people. The current Nigerian Constitution should be dropped; it does not allow for accountability and fairness.
“The problem of this country has to do with good leadership and mentorship. We need to change our national orientation and culture. We have compromised honesty and integrity in the quest for money,” he said.
Sanusi is the Chairman/CEO, I-CAST Group of Schools, Ilaji Farms, Ilaji Hotels & Sports Resort. He is the Otun Apesinola of Ibadanland.
His Ilaji Soccer Academy is serving as a big platform for talented children who came from both humble and well-to-do backgrounds. The idea behind Ilaji Soccer Academy, according to him, is to give these talented players the platforms to showcase their skills in the advanced footballing nations of the world.
“We have, through Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort since partnered with SWIEQI Football Club in Malta and Malaga CF, a football club in the Spanish La-Liga. We invested in the outfits, that is why we have a smooth working relationship with them.”
-Dare Adeniran
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