Folorunso Alakija is a philanthropist with a sincere desire to help the needy, a fashion icon with an infallible sense of style, a businesswoman who has broken many uncharted territories, a friend in deed, a loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother. Educated in Europe, she first embarked on a career in banking, until she took a leap of faith and followed her heart and creative calling to establish her own business in the Nigerian fashion industry. Supreme Stitches rose to prominence and fame within a few years, and, as Rose of Sharon House of Fashion, became a household name.
As National President and lifelong Trustee of the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), she left an indelible mark, promoting Nigerian Culture through fashion and style. Ever the entrepreneur, Alakija has forayed into related businesses: The Rose of Sharon Prints & Promotions specialises in monogramming and screen printing for promotional and gift items, while Digital Reality Print Ltd specialises in highly technical digital large format printing. She remains the only female in that industry to date. She included a direct imaging paper printing press to coincide with her 60th birthday in July 2011. She oversees the Rose of Sharon Group as the Group Managing Director and she is also Executive Vice Chairman of her family’s oil exploration and production business seeing to the strategic planning and day to day administration. In addition to these, Folorunso is the Executive Vice Chairman of Dayspring Property Development Company Limited, a real estate company with investments in different parts of the world.
Looking back on a lifetime of achievements, Folorunso’s foremost desire is to give glory to God and to share the secret of her success. A Christian since 1991, she draws her strength from her unfaltering belief in the power and glory of God. In a sincere desire to give to those in need in the name of the Lord, her philanthropic endeavours, such as the Rose of Sharon Foundation, continue to positively influence her native land by empowering widows and their families as well as orphans to be successful through educational programmes and scholarships. In obedience to the word of God and working according to His will and purpose, Folorunso and her husband founded the Rose of Sharon Glorious Ministry International as a house fellowship and it has grown to become a full-fledged Christian Ministry. She has authored several books including, University of Marriage, Alone with God, a Christian Devotional, her autobiography, Growing with the Hand that Gives the
Rose and The Cry of Widows and Orphans, some of which are purchasable on www.amazon.com.
At 63, Alakija oversees her businesses and philanthropic enterprises working tirelessly with boundless energy, and follows her evangelical calling with unbridled devotion, hoping to inspire the younger generation with her motto “whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.”
Sharing more about her passion for Philanthropy, she says “it all began with a burning desire to help the less privileged and needy in society; I joined the Busy Bees Women’s Society in 1993 through an invitation by Modupe Sagoe, catering for many homeless children roaming the streets. On 16th August 2003, in conjunction with St. Paul’s Church, Breadfruit, Lagos, The Busy Bees Society bought and setup a rehabilitation home under the name of Hope Center. The Rose Of Sharon Foundation was launched on the 23rd of May 2008, to provide support for widows and orphans. As at April 2011, there have been six empowerment programmes in Lagos State, Oyo State, Ogun State and Enugu State in Nigeria and spreading steadily Nationwide, provided support through empowerment, interest free loans and scholarships.” She says.
Onyema Ezeala has this to say about Folorunso, “I am an orphan with four other siblings. When I thought there was no hope again, Folorunso Alakija came to our rescue. She asked us if we wish to further our education, and we answered “Yes!” Since then, the Foundation has been taking care of us. I am presently a 300 level student of Political Science at Lagos State University. My brother is also in school at the moment. Most interesting is my sister’s story. While my school fees was N25, 000, my sister’s school fees was N250,000 but the Foundation paid anyway. I have never lacked money since the foundation came to our rescue because we are being given a monthly allowance.” He says. For Funmilayo Akinpelu, “I lost my husband in 1998 and I have been managing since then. In 2009, I lost my job with oceanic bank and it was like my life was going to crumble. But in 2010, I was introduced to The Rose of Sharon Foundation, and within two weeks of submitting my application, I was empowered with N100,000. Two of my children who were in higher institutions were given scholarships. The Foundation paid their tuition fee of N150, 000 and N80, 000 respectively.” She admits.
Folorunso honours invitations both nationally and internationally to inspire the public, most especially the youth and women from all works of life through motivational talks and speeches.
She lives in Lagos, Nigeria with Modupe Alakija her beloved husband of over 36 years, and their four sons and grandchildren.
Kemi Ajumobi
