User:RahalMccall69

There is no secret but the grace of God. I do everything in the world but in moderation. Again, I am surrounded by my childhood friends whom I have known for over 70 years. We have so many things in common: brotherhood, friendship, school mate, classmates. For instance, Chief Molade Okoya s wife was my wife s college mother. Above all, we have done well for ourselves in our endeavours.

What was your aspiration while growing up?

While growing up especially in my secondary school days, I used to sit very close to my good friend, Sir Molade Okoya-Thomas in Baptist Day Academy. And in 1956 when Molade was going abroad for further studies, I called him one day and said Molade, I learnt you are going to England. By the time you come back, I would have been a millionaire . I kept to my words and by the time Molade came back, I had become not a millionaire but a multi-millionaire. So my only aspiration was to be a successful man.

Are there traits that singled you out in your secondary school days?

I wouldn t know but I remember my school mates used to call me delicate millionaire because of my business exploits. I had a flair for trading and it was obvious that I would go far. By the grace of God, their predications came to pass.

What gave you that conviction that you were going to succeed?

I meant it and I prayed to my God and He answered my prayers. God helped me to use my brain well. I was a sales manager in a company. I was doing fine with this company. I led the team that introduced Cafenol, Andrews Liver Salt and so on into the Nigerian markets. When the expatriates came I was training them. And while they were in training they were my boss. Is that not ridiculous? Then I stumbled on a book which says Whichever work you do, whether you like it or not you will leave it one day. But in your little business of your own, when you leave it, you leave it to yourself. That was what gingered me and I resigned.

Was that the vision that gave birth to your pool business?

I pulled out of the company but I didn t have capital. I prayed to God and started to think of business that would not require capital and God gave me the answer. The only job that came to mind then was to be a pools agent. The only capital is a small table and a biro. This was in 1956. And that was also my year of breakthrough. I thank God for placing me on the ladder of success for the past 58 years. You know to get there is very easy but to remain there is by God s grace. What has helped me so far is prudent management.

Are you planning to slow down now that you are approaching 80?

Slow down ke?! Please I have to enjoy my money. I beg let me chop a fraction of it before I pass on. For now, I am not slowing down.

You have been on the roller coaster of success in the last 58 years, how have you been able to stay on top?

It is the grace of God because some people work much harder than me and they are not privileged to get close to the reward I am getting from God. I will continue to thank my Maker for directing my path. And that is why I will go to any length to assist the poor especially in the areas of medical attention and education, because I believe a soul who is healthy and educated can never go hungry. With modesty, I have played my role well in the things of God as a church man. I have built churches, mosques and hospitals.

How do you feel being a father to a set of twins at close to 80?

Honestly, it is a good feeling. I feel very good because the mother waited for eight years before the bundle of joy arrived. In fact, there is peace at home. I don t see it as a big deal because my father took a wife after the age of 80.

If you had to rate you satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score yourself?

I would score myself excellent. As said earlier, I have remained on the ladder of success since 1956. I will be 79 on October 24. Looking back, it is not by my power or my level of hard work. No, it is by His grace that 58 years after, one is still agile, relevant and still waxing strong. Normally at old age, one should eat from one s reserve but now I am making more money than when I was younger.

What lesson has life taught you?

It has not been rosy. Even when I tasted the bitter side of life, I held on to my God because He is all-in-all. Life has taught me that in whatever position you find yourself, make sure you are satisfied.

User:RahalMccall69

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