SUPER SATURDAYÂ
Jide Fadairo
Hardworking, focused and ambitious, Jide Fadairo is the quintessential man. Born into a royal home, but made to live and work like every normal child, he has been able to rise to an enviable height. In this interview with Azuka Ogujiuba, he talks about his political ambition and his enterprise, the INAGBE Grand Resort with the current Oni of Ife
- My Partnership with Ooni of Ife
| How did being born into a royal family affect you while growing up? |
Growing up in my father’s house was normal. We were not told about being royal. My father and mother lived a modest life. I started noticing traces of royalty in my family when my dad would wear the princely beads on his neck and wrists. So, I asked and he responded that we belong to a ruling family in Owu, Abeokuta in Ogun State.
Was your choice of career influenced by your parents in anyway?
My father had always wanted me to follow his footsteps in politics and community development because from my young age, he would take me along on political campaigns and community meetings. Ironically, my father was the only man who brought his young son(myself) to meetings of the elders and I would be given a chair to seat behind my father.
Do you have plans to go into politics?
I never thought I would follow my dad’s footsteps in politics but it turned out so. I am very passionate about politics and governance, most especially to emulate my father’s great legacy.
Have you thought of opening a medical facility in Nigeria just like you did while you were abroad?
Our health care system has mildly improved in some parts of the country, but it should transcend across the country. My vision for Nigeria in the health care sector is a complete overhauling system of our healthcare coverage. A good HMO system would transform our healthcare delivery system. To answer your question: yes, I do plan on establishing in the near future, a complete rehabilitation centre for physical recovery of patients with cerebrovascular accident (CVA) commonly known as stroke.
Do you have other real estate establishments? Something like the one you did in collaboration with the then Prince but now Oba Adeyeye Adewusi?
Just as I partnered Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi on the world class Inagbe Grand Resort, Lagos, His Imperial Majesty is currently replicating the project in Ile-Ife. The present government of Ogun State under the leadership of Senator Ibikumle Amosun has done exceedingly well beyond my imagination. You will recall that the first call of duty of the governor was massive demolition of private homes and structures all across Ogun State. I was first disappointed and upset because it affected my family ancestral homes on Totoro road, Owu, Abeokuta, but looking back in retrospect, I have come to realise that there is a vision to those projects and clearly our visionary Governor Amosun understands the pragmatism and the necessity of continuity in government and governance.
The lack of continuity of major development projects when government changes hand has contributed to a setback in our developmental scheme. Ogun State is the most industrialised State in Nigeria and currently with an IGR of N7 billion compared to last dispensation IGR of N1.7 billion. The development being witnessed in Ogun State has increased and prepared us for growth in the socio-economic growth.
What do you have to say about the economic recession in the country?
The economic downturn in Nigeria is peculiar to the rest of the world. We have listened to financial experts who tell us how not to get into recession and invest more on capital projects.
Tell us about your family.
I was born in GRA Ikeja on November 9th 1967 to Late High Chief Llyod Afolabi Fadairo and Mama Grace Oladunni Fadairo. I am happily married to Princess Folashade Ogunwusi Fadairo with five beautiful children ranging from 27, 24, 21, 16 and 5 respectively.
How do you relax when you are not busy?
When I’m not busy, I love to stay at home and enjoy quality time with my family.
Where is your dream vacation?
I would love to visit Marrakesh in Morocco.
