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General News of Thursday, 15 July 2021

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Alakija at 70: 7 Facts you didn't know about one of Africa's richest women

Folorunsho Alakija Folorunsho Alakija

Folorunsho Alakija, a popular Nigerian billionaire businesswoman and philanthropist turns 70 today.

In celebration of her many impactful years, MyNigeria compiles 6 facts you may not know about Alajika, who is also the second richest woman in Africa.

Below are facts about Folorunsho Alakija you may not know about:

1. She never attended university - She was however proud that in spite of the fact that she never attended university, she could still make an impact in the world.

“I never went to a university and I am proud to say so because I don’t think I have done too badly … You do not have to have a university education to be able to make it so count yourselves privileged to have that education as part of the feather in your cap,” she said in an address at the University of Lagos in 2014.

2. She was one of the world's most powerful women, according to Forbes - Forbes named her the 96th most powerful woman in the world in 2014. She was one of two Nigerian women on the list. The other Nigerian woman was Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

3. She was born in a Nigerian royal family - Her father was Chief L. A. Ogbara. Her family, the Ogbaras are very prominent and wealthy in Lagos state. Her father had eight wives and 52 children in his lifetime.

4. She owns a $46-million private jet - The billionaire owns a Bombardier jet valued at over $46 million. She is also known to have major real estate investments in some parts of the world.

5. She owns an oil company - She is the Vice-Chair of Famfa Oil, a Nigerian oil exploration company with a stake in the Agbami Oilfield, a prolific offshore asset.

6. She is Richer than Oprah Winfrey - With more than $3.3 billion USD, she has approximately $300 million more than American TV personality and business mogul Oprah Winfrey.

7. She has a foundation to help the needy - Her foundation, which is called the "Rose of Sharon Foundation" was set up in 2008 to help widows and orphans through scholarships and grants as part of a vast community network.