allure 10 january 2016

January 10, 2016

RASAKI AKANNI OKOYA- Still Going Strong @ 76

New Year Resolution

Memorable Beauty Looks19

Printed and published by Vanguard Media LtdVanguard Avenue Kirikiri Canal; P.M.B 1007 Apapa, Lagos.For advertisement / enquiries, call DEBBIE: 08039675880,

Office Auxiliary: EBERE OKOH

PEOPLE

FASHION

• Maison Fahrenheit at One• AFDEC Celebrates Micro Fashion Entrepreneurs

19 Memorable Beauty Looks in 2015

Contents10/01

Editor’s Note

Chief Akanni Okoya needs no introduction. He is at the fore–front of whatever industrial revolution we have achieved as a country. Looking at Nigeria with the eye of China and other first-world countries, one may sniff at the words ‘fore–front’ and ‘industrial revolution’. But, pondering at the challenges of business survival in the country and our penchant for everything imported, we all must admit that we owe a lot to industrial revolutionists like Chief Okoya, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chief Adedoyin, Chief Oba Otudeko, Chief Mike Adenuga and Chief Femi Otedola to mention a few. Through their vision of self-sustainability, we have every household stocking their products today.

Chief Okoya turned 76 on December 12. He is our guest today. Read his take on life and issues hindering Nigeria’s industrial growth. Turn to pp. 8, 9 & 10.

It’s a new year and as tradition goes, time to renew, re-energize and strategize before time beats us to the goal post of success. This week, we devote our fashion pages to the style resolutions of some celebrities. See pp. 4 & 5.

We also take a retrospective view on ‘25 of the most memorable red carpet beauty looks’ in 2015. See pp. 6 - 7 for who got our thumbs–up.

I hope you enjoy our package.

Enjoy your week!

e m a i l : a l l u r e f o r t h e w o r l d @ v a n g u a r d n g r . c o m

Remmy DiagbareR .

@ Vanguardallure1

Chief Rasaki Akanni Okoya

8COVER STORY

Quotes...“It’s fine to celebrate success but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure”.

“Victory is always possible for the person who refuses to stop fighting”.

- Bill Gates

- Napoleon Hill

JEMI EKUNKUNBOR YEMISI SULEIMAN

FATIMA GARBAPAMELA ECHEMUNOR

CHIBOK GIRLS: 500 days and counting.

“Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal”.

- Henry Ford

New Year Resolution 2016

[email protected] [email protected]

TEAMEDITOR

REMMY DIAGBAREDEPUTY EDITOR

JEMI EKUNKUNBORASST. EDITOR

YEMISI SULEIMANSTYLE REPORTER

PAMELA ECHEMUNORCONTRIBUTORS

PRINCESS KATE EMIKOBAMIYO ISELEMA EMINA

JEROME CODJO-YAOVIONIPEDE

CONT. EDITORLATASHA NGWUBECOPY EDITORDODOIYI WILLIAM-WESTCORRESPONDENTSFATIMA GARBADAVINA AYODELELAYOUT / DESIGNGREGORY OBIOLAYIWOLA AJAGBEPHOTOOSCAR OCHIOGU(08034746487)

If last season was all about flare,this time around it is the dress that gets the jersey treatment. A new essential, seen at Céline, Stella McCartney and Chloé.This trend is chic and edgy.

JERSEY DRESSES

FASH ION

WEEKLY FAB LIST !By - Fatima Garba

ALLURE’S

Looking for the latest trends to transition into? Hopefully our weekly fab list will help you decide the major trends to keep you looking fab all day and all week.

Baby blue, candyfloss pink,chick yellow and almond green made a welcome change from the more intense colours of the season marking a definite move towards pastels and acid bonbon shade at Dolce & Gabbana and Giorgio Armani.

MARSHMALLOW COLOUR TREND

Off the wall reinterpretation on the catwalk scene this season brought us leopard print depped in fluro paint,acid bleached,yellow and red as seen at Louis Vuitton and turquoise blue at Miu Miu.

LEOPARD TREND ON ACID

A silk top in a neutral color, such as ivory or black is a great base for layering, but also a classic piece on its own.You can also try other colours that pop in this trend.

SILK BLOUSE

Halle Berry in Vera Wang

LAnVIn DrApED jErSEY DrESS

DKnY jErSEY DrESS

OASIS SILK BLOuSE FEnDI SILK BLOuSE

TOpShOp LEOpArD prInT On ACID TOp

TOpShOp LEOpArD prInT On ACID pAnTS

jIMMY ChOO CAnDY FLOSS ShOES

ChAnEL BABY BLuE BOY BAG

FASH ION

january 10, 2016 / 3

WEEKLY FAB LIST !By - Fatima Garba

ALLURE’S

Looking for the latest trends to transition into? Hopefully our weekly fab list will help you decide the major trends to keep you looking fab all day and all week.

/ January 10, 20164

By - Yemisi Suleiman and Pamela Echemunor

January 10, 2016 / 5

New Year resolutioN2016It’s New Year’s Resolution time. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. With 2016

here, Allure speaks with personalities and celebrities and asked them what their new year and style resolution are. This was what they said.

FASH ION

To enter the year with a very optimistic mind, I resolve to be very optimistic this year, with a firm believe that whatever I set my mind to doing, I will achieve it. Again, we should all put God first in 2016, without him we are nowhere.

I am looking forward to going into some form of manufacturing this 2016, which for me, is a way of looking inwards, and giving back to the society. I believe that 2016 will create opportunities for businesses to thrive; we just have to open our eyes to see what the opportunities are. I am being very optimistic with 2016, because 2015 was a year of experience. It was a rough ride for a lot of people even the economy, it created that platform for us to see how we can land safely. I believe 2016 will create the needed platform for greater things ahead.

NDIDI OBIOHA

I had an amazing 2015 and I met and surpassed most of my goals. This year, I will be focusing on personal development, reading, training to hone my craft, getting physically toned and also, I intend to work with management on building a brand that would add more value to movie producers and corporate organizations I work with.

I worked with Mai Atafo and his team in 2015 to discover a style that best suits my personality and my work as an actor and I’ve reached a point where I am very comfortable with my own style. I started by de-cluttering my wardrobe and giving out stuff that I acquired because they were trendy, but I’ve lost inertest in. I’ve decided to work with stylists to rebuild my wardrobe and to invest in more timeless pieces.

I resolve

to be very optimistic this

I honestly don’t have any resolutions; I just want to do great work.What is your style resolution for 2016?

My fashion and style resolution is to keep evolving and to keep supporting the Nigerian Fashion Industry.

I just want to do great work

DEYEMI OKANLAWON

DAKORE EGBUSONAKANDE

I intend to be more steadfast in my craft this year, building myself as a brand that will enrich the Nigerian film industry and other sectors I’m involved in.

My style resolution is to be unique in every way, experimenting on new trends and evolve more fashion wise.

I intend

to be more steadfast in

my craft this year

BUCHI FRANKLIN

My New Year resolution for 2016 is to remain health conscious by going for regular check ups and working to make my music even hotter than it was in 2015, and entertain millions of people worldwide.

My style resolution is to continue to be myself and continually promote Africa through the Yemi Alade style.

YEMI ALADE

I would love to expand more as far as My Extentionz is concerned. And as far as mentoring young women is concerned, as a team, we believe there are lots of opportunities out there for young girls to explore. I believe it is our duty to show them how it’s done and help them grow. That amongst others, is one of the aim of our brand. I believe if we can achieve that, then we would have met our goal. That is my New Year resolution.

As for style, personally, I intend to try to balance my time with the company and my family more, because it is really hard having the kids and then the husband to take care of. With both of us working, we don’t really spend so much time with the kids. Sometimes I feel guilty because, most times I am at the store, and then I get home, my girls at the store keep calling for one thing or the other. I just want to be able to balance both of them, and also keep looking good as always. If I can get that balance, I think life will be much easier.

To balance

my time with work and my

family

TAIWO SMITH

To remain

more health conscious this

I realy dont have a new year resolution. But wish list. I wish for good health and long life for my loved ones, more blessings and every good thing that comes with 2016.

I am a busy person; my job takes more of my time. But I will try and up my fashion game, create more time for myself and see how it goes. I have resolved that no matter how stressed I am, or how demanding the job is, I just have to create time to look good.

To create

time to look good always

For 2016, I wish to open a location of My Extensionz in Abuja. we have a lot of clients in Abuja that are expecting us. We also intend to extend our services to other parts of Lagos.

I have so many, but most importantly, I have resolved to relax more this year. I still want to work but, I also will try to relax more. I think I overworked myself in 2015. I know there is no such thing as overworking one’s self, but I truly have. I just want to relax more and enjoy life. My mum always tells me to calm down, that I work too hard, she says I can still work and enjoy myself. So that is one of my New Year resolutions for 2016. .

I have

resolved to relax more

this year

MAUREEN ONYEREKWA

KEHINDE SMITH

FASH ION

I resolve

to hone my craft and develop myself

/ January 10, 20164

By - Yemisi Suleiman and Pamela Echemunor

January 10, 2016 / 5

New Year resolutioN2016It’s New Year’s Resolution time. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. With 2016

here, Allure speaks with personalities and celebrities and asked them what their new year and style resolution are. This was what they said.

FASH ION

To enter the year with a very optimistic mind, I resolve to be very optimistic this year, with a firm believe that whatever I set my mind to doing, I will achieve it. Again, we should all put God first in 2016, without him we are nowhere.

I am looking forward to going into some form of manufacturing this 2016, which for me, is a way of looking inwards, and giving back to the society. I believe that 2016 will create opportunities for businesses to thrive; we just have to open our eyes to see what the opportunities are. I am being very optimistic with 2016, because 2015 was a year of experience. It was a rough ride for a lot of people even the economy, it created that platform for us to see how we can land safely. I believe 2016 will create the needed platform for greater things ahead.

NDIDI OBIOHA

I had an amazing 2015 and I met and surpassed most of my goals. This year, I will be focusing on personal development, reading, training to hone my craft, getting physically toned and also, I intend to work with management on building a brand that would add more value to movie producers and corporate organizations I work with.

I worked with Mai Atafo and his team in 2015 to discover a style that best suits my personality and my work as an actor and I’ve reached a point where I am very comfortable with my own style. I started by de-cluttering my wardrobe and giving out stuff that I acquired because they were trendy, but I’ve lost inertest in. I’ve decided to work with stylists to rebuild my wardrobe and to invest in more timeless pieces.

I resolve

to be very optimistic this

I honestly don’t have any resolutions; I just want to do great work.What is your style resolution for 2016?

My fashion and style resolution is to keep evolving and to keep supporting the Nigerian Fashion Industry.

I just want to do great work

DEYEMI OKANLAWON

DAKORE EGBUSONAKANDE

I intend to be more steadfast in my craft this year, building myself as a brand that will enrich the Nigerian film industry and other sectors I’m involved in.

My style resolution is to be unique in every way, experimenting on new trends and evolve more fashion wise.

I intend

to be more steadfast in

my craft this year

BUCHI FRANKLIN

My New Year resolution for 2016 is to remain health conscious by going for regular check ups and working to make my music even hotter than it was in 2015, and entertain millions of people worldwide.

My style resolution is to continue to be myself and continually promote Africa through the Yemi Alade style.

YEMI ALADE

I would love to expand more as far as My Extentionz is concerned. And as far as mentoring young women is concerned, as a team, we believe there are lots of opportunities out there for young girls to explore. I believe it is our duty to show them how it’s done and help them grow. That amongst others, is one of the aim of our brand. I believe if we can achieve that, then we would have met our goal. That is my New Year resolution.

As for style, personally, I intend to try to balance my time with the company and my family more, because it is really hard having the kids and then the husband to take care of. With both of us working, we don’t really spend so much time with the kids. Sometimes I feel guilty because, most times I am at the store, and then I get home, my girls at the store keep calling for one thing or the other. I just want to be able to balance both of them, and also keep looking good as always. If I can get that balance, I think life will be much easier.

To balance

my time with work and my

family

TAIWO SMITH

To remain

more health conscious this

I realy dont have a new year resolution. But wish list. I wish for good health and long life for my loved ones, more blessings and every good thing that comes with 2016.

I am a busy person; my job takes more of my time. But I will try and up my fashion game, create more time for myself and see how it goes. I have resolved that no matter how stressed I am, or how demanding the job is, I just have to create time to look good.

To create

time to look good always

For 2016, I wish to open a location of My Extensionz in Abuja. we have a lot of clients in Abuja that are expecting us. We also intend to extend our services to other parts of Lagos.

I have so many, but most importantly, I have resolved to relax more this year. I still want to work but, I also will try to relax more. I think I overworked myself in 2015. I know there is no such thing as overworking one’s self, but I truly have. I just want to relax more and enjoy life. My mum always tells me to calm down, that I work too hard, she says I can still work and enjoy myself. So that is one of my New Year resolutions for 2016. .

I have

resolved to relax more

this year

MAUREEN ONYEREKWA

KEHINDE SMITH

FASH ION

I resolve

to hone my craft and develop myself

By - Pamela Echemunor

FASH ION FASH ION

19 Memorable BEAUTY LOOKSin 2015

Ashley Yongo’s side swept Faux Bob at the AMVCAs is one look to adopt in 2016. So instead of buying short weaves, why not go the Ashley way?

ASHLEY YONGO

Forget human hair, braids are in. Take a cue from Lola Maja with her braids wrapped in a bun.

LOLA MAJA

Stephanie Coker looks like she walked straight off the runway in her all white ensemble; huge head piece and beaded instrument bag paired with her fabulous looking makeup.

STEPHANIE COKER

The year 2015, was quite a year for Seyi Shay and we are loving her new Ivory hair and nude makeup.

SEYI SHAY

Actress, Linda Ejiofor, always gets us with her baby face, her glittering eye-shadow and ombre curls say she is ready to evolve in this year, the dress, not so much!

LINDA EJIOFOR

Bonang Matheba’s makeup is perfectly put together. She finished off her dark eyes and pink lipstick with a touch of gold bronzer to match her rich gold dress.

BONANG MATHEBA

This is hands down one of Juliet Ibrahim’s best looks, she killed it with pink lipstick and smokey eyes on the red carpet at the 2015 AMAAs in South Africa.

JULIET IBRAHIM

Without Yemi Alade this list will not be complete. The afro pop princess, wore her signature braided punk hairdo to the MTV MAMAs. She looked classy and chic with her baby pink lipstick and Smokey eye-shadow to match her dress.

YEMI ALADE

For the light skinned woman, take a cue from Eku Edewor, if you’re opting for the goth look, but don’t want to appear too gothic, tone down the dark lipstick with a hue slightly lighter than what you’re using.

EKU EDEWOR

Kate Henshaw always looks good on the red carpet and the AMVCAs was not an exception. She had a magnificent up-do that brought out her beautiful face and bright smile.

KATE HENSHAW

Joining the naturalistas, is actress Beverly Naya with her curly afro up-do. She proves that beauty truly comes from simplicity.

BEVERLY NAYA

Ini Dima–Okojie’s look at the AMVCAs was a sight for sore eyes, with her pulled back hair, perfect makeup and diamond chandelier earrings this girl could give a class on beauty.

INI DIMA-OKOJIE

Hair was all the rave on the red carpets in 2015 and Lekki Wives actress, Kiki Omeili, looked fabulous with her short hair and highlights.

KIKI OMEILI

Chika Uwazie is going back to her roots literally speaking, but hair-wise; this chocolate skinned beauty looks fantastic with her low cut hair.

CHIKA UWAZIE

You can never go wrong with the pixie hair do. Maria Okanrende definitely knows what looks good on her and her cat eye and red lipstick is one to die for.

MARIA OKANRENDE

The side swept hair dates back centuries. It’s the perfect and simplest red carpet do, see how Mimi does it.

Another naturalist Toni Tones looked dark and beautiful with her dark purple lipstick and shadowy eyes.

TONY TONES

Designer Toju Foyeh looked beautiful in her white dress, but what really caught our attention was her punk up-do and braided ponytail.

TOJU FOYEHFade Ogunro looks ravishing with her ginger coloured bob. Her bold hair colour paired with the midnight blue dress makes quite the statement.

FADE OGUNRO

Red carpets are typically fashion’s most expressive districts. The red carpet is a world of its own and people from all walks of life bring their best, and brightest, while some go the extra mile to make a statement; from the strange to the quirky. When it comes to beauty, that’s another language altogether, more and more people put on their best faces, boldly flaunting modern beauty trends that transforms simple, to super glam. Here we look back at the boldest and brightest red carpet looks of 2015.

January 10, 2016 / 7 / January 10, 20166

FASH ION FASH ION

19 Memorable BEAUTY LOOKSin 2015

Ashley Yongo’s side swept Faux Bob at the AMVCAs is one look to adopt in 2016. So instead of buying short weaves, why not go the Ashley way?

ASHLEY YONGO

Forget human hair, braids are in. Take a cue from Lola Maja with her braids wrapped in a bun.

LOLA MAJA

Stephanie Coker looks like she walked straight off the runway in her all white ensemble; huge head piece and beaded instrument bag paired with her fabulous looking makeup.

STEPHANIE COKER

The year 2015, was quite a year for Seyi Shay and we are loving her new Ivory hair and nude makeup.

SEYI SHAY

Actress, Linda Ejiofor, always gets us with her baby face, her glittering eye-shadow and ombre curls say she is ready to evolve in this year, the dress, not so much!

LINDA EJIOFOR

Bonang Matheba’s makeup is perfectly put together. She finished off her dark eyes and pink lipstick with a touch of gold bronzer to match her rich gold dress.

BONANG MATHEBA

This is hands down one of Juliet Ibrahim’s best looks, she killed it with pink lipstick and smokey eyes on the red carpet at the 2015 AMAAs in South Africa.

JULIET IBRAHIM

Without Yemi Alade this list will not be complete. The afro pop princess, wore her signature braided punk hairdo to the MTV MAMAs. She looked classy and chic with her baby pink lipstick and Smokey eye-shadow to match her dress.

YEMI ALADE

For the light skinned woman, take a cue from Eku Edewor, if you’re opting for the goth look, but don’t want to appear too gothic, tone down the dark lipstick with a hue slightly lighter than what you’re using.

EKU EDEWOR

Kate Henshaw always looks good on the red carpet and the AMVCAs was not an exception. She had a magnificent up-do that brought out her beautiful face and bright smile.

KATE HENSHAW

Joining the naturalistas, is actress Beverly Naya with her curly afro up-do. She proves that beauty truly comes from simplicity.

BEVERLY NAYA

Ini Dima–Okojie’s look at the AMVCAs was a sight for sore eyes, with her pulled back hair, perfect makeup and diamond chandelier earrings this girl could give a class on beauty.

INI DIMA-OKOJIE

Hair was all the rave on the red carpets in 2015 and Lekki Wives actress, Kiki Omeili, looked fabulous with her short hair and highlights.

KIKI OMEILI

Chika Uwazie is going back to her roots literally speaking, but hair-wise; this chocolate skinned beauty looks fantastic with her low cut hair.

CHIKA UWAZIE

You can never go wrong with the pixie hair do. Maria Okanrende definitely knows what looks good on her and her cat eye and red lipstick is one to die for.

MARIA OKANRENDE

The side swept hair dates back centuries. It’s the perfect and simplest red carpet do, see how Mimi does it.

Another naturalist Toni Tones looked dark and beautiful with her dark purple lipstick and shadowy eyes.

TONY TONES

Designer Toju Foyeh looked beautiful in her white dress, but what really caught our attention was her punk up-do and braided ponytail.

TOJU FOYEHFade Ogunro looks ravishing with her ginger coloured bob. Her bold hair colour paired with the midnight blue dress makes quite the statement.

FADE OGUNRO

Red carpets are typically fashion’s most expressive districts. The red carpet is a world of its own and people from all walks of life bring their best, and brightest, while some go the extra mile to make a statement; from the strange to the quirky. When it comes to beauty, that’s another language altogether, more and more people put on their best faces, boldly flaunting modern beauty trends that transforms simple, to super glam. Here we look back at the boldest and brightest red carpet looks of 2015.

January 10, 2016 / 7 / January 10, 20166

REPORTAGE REPORTAGE

January 10, 2016 / 9 / January 10, 20168

Chief Razaki Akanni Okoya is a billionaire industrialist and Aare of Lagos. He was born in Lagos on 12 January, 1940 to Tiamiyu Ayinde and Alhaja Idiatu Okoya. He had his only

formal education at Ansar-un-deen Primary School, Oke-Popo, Lagos.

He is the owner and founder of Eleganza Group of Companies that has a market spanning the entire African region. Chief Okoya worked with his father’s tailoring business which also included the sale of tailoring accessories. The experience he got during that period gave him the confidence to start mini-tailoring activities on his own. He saved every penny he made until he had 20 pounds. His mother gave him an extra 50 pounds with the blessings of his father.

He needed to start importing and trading in goods from Japan. From tailoring, he branched into jewellery and, in no time, Chief Okoya’s business expanded swiftly. He travelled far and wide and

Congratulations as you mark 76. What has changed about you, Sir, as you mark this day?

Thank you so much and compliments of the season. Nothing has really changed about me except for the fact that I am still working – which I sincerely believe is what has kept me strong and fit and this has also kept me going.

When you take stock of your great achievements in business, what would you say is the unique formula that aided your phenomenal success in business?

I give God the glory for giving me the determination, foresight and focus. I am a very determined person. I hate to fail in whatsoever goal I set to achieve, Insha Allah!

I thank God that it has always been possible. That’s why even at 76 years, I still love to work because it gives me pleasure.

How would you assess the environment

for success today compared to when you started?

When we started, there were lots of business opportunities in Nigeria at that time compared to today - where there are too many business competitions.

The mindset of the youths of nowadays is to make quick money. In my time, young individuals were encouraged to set their goals and achieve them; but now, so many foreign products have flooded the Nigerian market which makes it very difficult for local industries to succeed.

Many companies are feeling the pain of the economic policies of government. As a matter of fact, many have closed down. What has kept the Eleganza Group operating and what cutbacks did you make to survive?

One of the major challenges is the issue of power to run the industries but we are committed to remain in business with the passion to fulfil our aims and objectives to offer over 2,000 Nigerian youth employment.

There was a time when Eleganza had myriad of products but today there is a sharp drop and popularity seems to have waned. Has the competition taken a chunk of your market?

The Eleganza of today is stronger and more stable than yesteryears. Today, we have more range of products from chairs, coolers, travel bags, diapers, lady sanitary products, beauty soaps, laundry soaps, and multi-purpose soaps. Others are pet bottles plus caps, pre-form

bottles, shoes, hair threads, disposable/reusable plates and cups, waste disposal containers (waste-bins) and stainless water tanks.

They are produced locally at our new Eleganza Industrial City Layout at Epe, Ibeju-Lekki Expressway, Lagos. We also have real estate investments in prime commercial areas and luxury residential estate in Lagos State.

For some years now, the real estate business has been very bad; we have lots of vacancies in our estates. The worst hit is our Eleganza Plaza Complex, Apapa, Lagos State.

In terms of property, you do have a unique design; often very huge properties. Would you say you’ve had as much success as a property developer?

At one period, in Nigeria, maintaining industries was becoming frustrating; so, we diversified into property investments on a large scale - just to keep the staff in employment. Don’t get me wrong, we still continued with the industries but without introducing new products like we have done now.

However, when we achieved our set goals in the property sector; which led to the new Eleganza Industrial City Ltd., Eleganza is back - bigger and better than what it used to be known for.

What are your most important values in business and life?

Hard work, sincerity, steadfastness and honesty.

What is more important for you as a businessman - passion or intelligence - and how have you employed it in your journey to who you have become today?

Passion with drive takes priority in all my endeavours. I love what I do; as a result, I don’t see myself working because when you enjoy your job, it becomes a hobby. But to be successful and be able to maintain market leadership over the years, you must be intelligent on how to diversify as and when necessary.

Looking at Nigeria today, how should government act to encourage industrial growth?

The Federal Government should stop the importation of goods that can be produced locally and increase the custom and excise duties on imported finished goods. They should also ensure that goods are fully monitored at the port of entry because some importers are involved in sharp practices, denying the government of stipulated revenue and also killing local manufacturers.

Smuggled goods into the country are also killing manufacturing industries. No country can survive with foreign goods competing with its locally manufactured goods as we have in the country just as no country will survive by allowing smuggled goods.

What should be done to encourage production?

I think they should establish more technical schools. Most graduates leave school and go to work for other people. But, if you are trained as an electrical person, a designer or a carpenter, you will like to set up your own business and work for yourself. So, I think government should

By - Remmy Diagbare

learnt how things were manufactured; having the strong feeling that Nigeria could match that quality, if not better.

Today, under his chairmanship, Eleganza Industries produces a wide range of household goods and utensils, including cutlery, collieries, food warmers, ice chest, electric fan, cosmetics and ballpoint pens. His factory locations include Oregun-Ikeja, Isolo, Alaba and Iganmu. The company now directly employs over five thousand Nigerians and non-Nigerians, including those working in his RAO Property Investment Company.

Okoya’s Eleganza Group is one of the biggest home-grown conglomerates in Nigeria today with over six factories. Its products are household names in Nigeria and neighbouring African markets.

In this interview with Allure, he talks about turning 76 and manufacturing in Nigeria.

Chief Rasaki akanni OkOya

• Chief Rasaki Akanni , his wife Shade and Children.