The Okoyas are without doubt one of the most prominent families within the Nigerian social establishment. They have very visible and conspicuous landmark projects across the length and breadth of Lagos. Chief Rasaq Okoya is more than a conqueror as the billionaire industrialist and Aare of Lagos has travelled far and wide and learnt how things were manufactured having the strong feeling that Nigeria could match that quality if not better. The dynamic entrepreneur, industrialist cum socialite at 76, he’s not relenting as promise to continue to lead the company with experience and passion. In this interview, the prime mover of Eleganza Group share his experience as a successful entrepreneur.
Excerpt…
Congratulation as you mark 76, what has changed about you sir, as you mark this day?
Thank you so much and compliment of the season. Nothing has really changed about me, except for the fact that am still working which I sincerely believe is what has kept me strong and fit and this has also keep me going.
When you take stock of your great achievement 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 as it gives me pleasure.
How would you access 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 in setting their goals and achieving it, but now so many products have flood the Nigerian markets which make it very difficult for the 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 operating and what cutback did you have to 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 keep our aims and objectives to offer over 2000 Nigerian youths employment.
Once upon a time, Eleganza has a myriad of products, but today there is a sharp drop, and popularity seem to have waned. Has the competition taken a chunk of your market?
The Eleganza of today is stronger and more stable than the yester years. Today we have more range of products from Chairs, Coolers, Luggage, Diapers, Lady Sanitary, Beauty Soaps, Laundry Soaps, and Multi-Purpose Soaps, Pet Bottles plus Caps, Pre-Form Bottles, Shoes, Hair Threads, Disposable/Reusable Plates and Cups, Waste Disposal Containers (Dust-Bin) and Stainless Water Tank. They are produced locally in our new Eleganza Industrial City layout locate at KM68 Epe-Ibeju Lekki Expressway, Ibeju, Lagos on 35 hectares of land. We also have Real Estate investment in prime commercial areas and luxury residential Estate in Lagos State.
For some years past, 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
Also, in terms of property you do have a unique design, often every huge properties, but would you say you has as much success as a property developer?
At one period in Nigeria, industrialization was becoming frustrating; so we diversified into property Investment in a large scale just to keep the staff in employment, don’t get me wrong, we still continue in industries but without introducing new items of products like now, but after we have achieve our set goals in the property sector; that is what now lead to the new Eleganza Industrial City Ltd. Eleganza is back bigger and better than what it used to be known for.
What are the most important values in business and life for you?
Hard work, sincerity, steadfastness and honesty.
What is more important for you as a businessman, passion or intelligence, and how was it employed in your journey to who you have become today?
Passion with drive takes priority in all my endeavours. I love what I do and as a result I don’t see myself working because when you enjoy your job it becomes a hobby. But to be successful and 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 into the country 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 the required revenue and also killing the local manufacturers. Smuggled goods into the country are also killing the manufacturing industries. No country can survive with the foreign similar goods invasion into its country neither will the country survive with allowing in smuggled goods into the country.
At 76 are you still actively involved in running the company? Will you ever retire as chairman and at what age do you think it's appropriate to say God be praised. I am taking a break?
As I said earlier, I have a passion for what I do and seeing products or items overseas stirs a passion in me to see same or similar products produced in my country. I love to go to Trade Fair all over the world and when I get ideas I put them into actualization. I can’t be seen running the day to day activities as I don’t have that patience or time but I am always on board to give necessary / useful information when needed. Experience cannot be bought, as you grow into it. The day to day running of the manufacturing sector is managed by my wife Dr. (Mrs.) Shade Okoya and my son Director Lanre Okoya with other senior experienced managers and a few expatriates while the property sector is managed by the Group Property Manager Mrs. Modupe Solanke and other management team.
What makes you happy these days?
I derive happiness through my establishments, that many are able to wear smiles on their faces and also put foods on their tables.
How do you keep fit?
I love swimming and going to the Gym to keep fit. I also enjoy spending quality time with my wife and the young children.
Finally look into the future for Nigeria, how do you think she will fare this year?
I believe in this great country Nigeria and I believe that with good policies it will be greater than before. Production is my life. I enjoy manufacturing goods. I have traveled to China several times, I get inspiration from what I see in China. Everywhere in China you see cottage industries scattered around in all their provinces. We should emulate and follow them. Most reasons why the youths are not employed could be based on the fact that they lack technical knowledge and skill. Most of them have no technical background, no research institute or centers where they could learn and become self-independent. The Government should help to make the youths focus on having an independent self-employed future by giving the youths the required technical knowledge. The Graduates should be technically inclined and therefore fit into any manufacturing industries and reduce the numbers of foreigner becoming our expatriates. Today Nigerians depends on imported goods, even with lots of natural resources in our forest, we still cannot help ourselves in terms of producing furniture and other basic needs, because our youths do not have the required knowledge and skill to produce, which we need to train them on.
How will you describe your growing up?
Growing up was like any other child of my age, except that I was closely monitored by my parents, my mother was a disciplinarian to the high order, neither do my father encouraged laziness. I hardly had time to play around, because most of the time I was with my father in his tailoring business. I had three section per day, first the school, second my father shop, and thirdly at mosque.
What are your daily routine?
My daily routine increases as the day pass by, at a time I was compelled to start doing some tailoring job to fend and keep the proceeds.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I enjoy swimming and going to Gym.
Despite the fact that you’re 76, you’re so youthful, what has been the secret?
If you take good care of your health and then you’re hardworking, you think straightforward. You don’t think wrongly, you will be happy.
Sir, do you envisage this huge success?
When you’re a determined man, definitely you should expect success. When I went to those countries, I see how they produce shoes and other things and you come to Nigeria, nobody is doing such a thing, and when you started, you started with determination that you’re going to be big one day.
Excerpt…
Congratulation as you mark 76, what has changed about you sir, as you mark this day?
Thank you so much and compliment of the season. Nothing has really changed about me, except for the fact that am still working which I sincerely believe is what has kept me strong and fit and this has also keep me going.
When you take stock of your great achievement 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 as it gives me pleasure.
How would you access 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 in setting their goals and achieving it, but now so many products have flood the Nigerian markets which make it very difficult for the 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 operating and what cutback did you have to 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 keep our aims and objectives to offer over 2000 Nigerian youths employment.
Once upon a time, Eleganza has a myriad of products, but today there is a sharp drop, and popularity seem to have waned. Has the competition taken a chunk of your market?
The Eleganza of today is stronger and more stable than the yester years. Today we have more range of products from Chairs, Coolers, Luggage, Diapers, Lady Sanitary, Beauty Soaps, Laundry Soaps, and Multi-Purpose Soaps, Pet Bottles plus Caps, Pre-Form Bottles, Shoes, Hair Threads, Disposable/Reusable Plates and Cups, Waste Disposal Containers (Dust-Bin) and Stainless Water Tank. They are produced locally in our new Eleganza Industrial City layout locate at KM68 Epe-Ibeju Lekki Expressway, Ibeju, Lagos on 35 hectares of land. We also have Real Estate investment in prime commercial areas and luxury residential Estate in Lagos State.
For some years past, 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
Also, in terms of property you do have a unique design, often every huge properties, but would you say you has as much success as a property developer?
At one period in Nigeria, industrialization was becoming frustrating; so we diversified into property Investment in a large scale just to keep the staff in employment, don’t get me wrong, we still continue in industries but without introducing new items of products like now, but after we have achieve our set goals in the property sector; that is what now lead to the new Eleganza Industrial City Ltd. Eleganza is back bigger and better than what it used to be known for.
What are the most important values in business and life for you?
Hard work, sincerity, steadfastness and honesty.
What is more important for you as a businessman, passion or intelligence, and how was it employed in your journey to who you have become today?
Passion with drive takes priority in all my endeavours. I love what I do and as a result I don’t see myself working because when you enjoy your job it becomes a hobby. But to be successful and 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 into the country 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 the required revenue and also killing the local manufacturers. Smuggled goods into the country are also killing the manufacturing industries. No country can survive with the foreign similar goods invasion into its country neither will the country survive with allowing in smuggled goods into the country.
At 76 are you still actively involved in running the company? Will you ever retire as chairman and at what age do you think it's appropriate to say God be praised. I am taking a break?
As I said earlier, I have a passion for what I do and seeing products or items overseas stirs a passion in me to see same or similar products produced in my country. I love to go to Trade Fair all over the world and when I get ideas I put them into actualization. I can’t be seen running the day to day activities as I don’t have that patience or time but I am always on board to give necessary / useful information when needed. Experience cannot be bought, as you grow into it. The day to day running of the manufacturing sector is managed by my wife Dr. (Mrs.) Shade Okoya and my son Director Lanre Okoya with other senior experienced managers and a few expatriates while the property sector is managed by the Group Property Manager Mrs. Modupe Solanke and other management team.
What makes you happy these days?
I derive happiness through my establishments, that many are able to wear smiles on their faces and also put foods on their tables.
How do you keep fit?
I love swimming and going to the Gym to keep fit. I also enjoy spending quality time with my wife and the young children.
Finally look into the future for Nigeria, how do you think she will fare this year?
I believe in this great country Nigeria and I believe that with good policies it will be greater than before. Production is my life. I enjoy manufacturing goods. I have traveled to China several times, I get inspiration from what I see in China. Everywhere in China you see cottage industries scattered around in all their provinces. We should emulate and follow them. Most reasons why the youths are not employed could be based on the fact that they lack technical knowledge and skill. Most of them have no technical background, no research institute or centers where they could learn and become self-independent. The Government should help to make the youths focus on having an independent self-employed future by giving the youths the required technical knowledge. The Graduates should be technically inclined and therefore fit into any manufacturing industries and reduce the numbers of foreigner becoming our expatriates. Today Nigerians depends on imported goods, even with lots of natural resources in our forest, we still cannot help ourselves in terms of producing furniture and other basic needs, because our youths do not have the required knowledge and skill to produce, which we need to train them on.
How will you describe your growing up?
Growing up was like any other child of my age, except that I was closely monitored by my parents, my mother was a disciplinarian to the high order, neither do my father encouraged laziness. I hardly had time to play around, because most of the time I was with my father in his tailoring business. I had three section per day, first the school, second my father shop, and thirdly at mosque.
What are your daily routine?
My daily routine increases as the day pass by, at a time I was compelled to start doing some tailoring job to fend and keep the proceeds.
How do you spend your leisure time?
I enjoy swimming and going to Gym.
Despite the fact that you’re 76, you’re so youthful, what has been the secret?
If you take good care of your health and then you’re hardworking, you think straightforward. You don’t think wrongly, you will be happy.
Sir, do you envisage this huge success?
When you’re a determined man, definitely you should expect success. When I went to those countries, I see how they produce shoes and other things and you come to Nigeria, nobody is doing such a thing, and when you started, you started with determination that you’re going to be big one day.
Hello, my name is Jack Sparrow. I'm a 50 year old self-employed Pirate from the Caribbean. 
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