Chief (Mrs) Elizabeth Omolara Akintonde is an industrialist and businesswoman She shared her life story with TUNDE ADELEKE.

What circumstance actually surrounded your birth?

I made my entrance into this beautiful world as the ninth child of my parents. My parents told me that the joyous greetings given to new parents was as a result of previous births of seven children and their death at infancy leaving the first child, a girl and myself. Truly and behold, the Almighty God answered my parents’ sincere and genuine prayers. I thank God I’m alive today after three and a half scores on earth.

 

Can you still recall your growing up years?

My growing up and schooling were mixed; it’s practically impossible to separate the two. My father was at the time of my birth an employee of UAC Nigeria Limited at the Ile-Ife branch and my mother, though with minimal education, was a full-time housewife. On my fifth birthday, I started primary education as one of the beneficiaries of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education programme at Enu-Owa Primary School, Ile-Ife in 1955 as soon as my right hand could reach my left ear. Shortly after, in 1956, my father was transferred to the Lagos office of UAC and the entire family had to move with him. On arrival in Lagos, we stayed at his brother’s house at Ebute Metta. I was subsequently enrolled at United African Methodist Church School, Eleja, in 1957 and completed my primary education in 1964.

Lagos educational system then was packaged as primaries I and II and then Standard I – Standard VI. I sat for the common entrance examination and my first choice was Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba; second choice was Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode. My parents, unknown to me, had decided that I should leave my secure home environment and go ahead to pay the deposit required for Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Ijebu-Ode, even though I passed and gained admission to both schools.

Finally, it was time to leave home for the first time for serious education; all items for boarding life purchased, labelled and packed by my mother. She had made up her mind to give me the opportunity she never had. To the glory of the Almighty God, I spent five years at Anglican Girls Grammar School. I learnt a lot as a boarding student, made friends but remained a Lagos girl with no serious attachments to any student that was not from Lagos.

 

Did you stop at the school certificate level?

No! My dad and mum were so proud of my completion of secondary education that they started another dream of  travelling abroad for further studies abroad and truly, I left in 1969 for further education, when I clocked 19. As it was my first journey outside the country, I was frightened when the aircraft took off. I thought I must have urinated in my underwear.

 

How was life abroad as a teenager?

A couple, Mr and Mrs Oliver McBride, were on their way home after retiring from the British Council and they took me under their wings, right from Lagos Airport and through my entire education in England. They became my adopted parents. The McBrides made sure I never missed my parents too much, checked me into their basement bedroom in Marble Arch, Westend, London. To be able to fit into the British educational system, they helped me get admitted to Highbury Polytechnic in preparation for university education the following year. I also attended Pitman’s College in Holborn in order to improve on my English speaking and typing skills. Finally, I was admitted into Manchester University where I graduated with a degree in Business Management. I returned to Nigeria. I am eternally grateful to Mr and Mrs Oliver McBride for their unquantifiable support throughout my time in England.

 

Were you allowed to work outside the family business on your return to the country?

Through member of my church, Celestial Church of Christ (CCC), Makoko in Yaba area of Lagos, the late Prophetess Adenegan, then a Director at the Federal Ministry of Employment, I secured an executive officer cadre appointment in 1973 and was posted to State House, Marina, Lagos. I was subsequently posted to Dodan Barracks, Obalende, where I became a file-carrying executive officer which was a very boring job. I left the executive clerical job in 1976 to start my own business.

 

How was it running your own business?

My journey into private business was God-ordained, In September 1976, a carpenter, one Mr. Sunday from Togo, who supplied the furniture to my first rented flat, suggested setting up a factory for the manufacturing of flush-doors, panel doors and home furniture; items that were mainly imported then. He promised to help with staff recruitment and to also encourage his foreman to join the company if I could agree to make him the company’s foreman. Mr. Olaiya, the manager and Sunday (foreman) prepared the cost of setting up the new business and the sourcing for the required machinery for the factory. They found a place at Matori, Mushin, which was available for lease and my first business journey commenced in November, 1976. Business boomed with contracts from Federal Housing Authority for supply of doors to the new housing units coming up in FESTAC and Satellite Towns and local supplies to end users also tripled. This was the beginning of the awesomeness and gracefulness of God in my life.

 

Did you venture into any other business apart from door manufacturing?

Of course, there was the great one – venturing into oil and gas. God’s graciousness and my parents’ blessings were with me one day in 1984 when I went in search of a church member whose family did not attend service for three Sundays. I went to the man’s office since I did not know the residence. On getting to the reception, the receptionist directed me to the second floor. On entering the elevator, there were two gentlemen who greeted me. One of them asked me, “Are you married?” I replied by showing him my wedding band and he laughed and said “You are lucky. I would have kidnapped you today and marry you immediately at Ikoyi Registry because you are so cute, elegant and beautiful.” Everyone in the elevator laughed at his audacity.

 

What exactly happened?

My benefactor, having gained access to some information about my business experience and life, advised and introduced me to trading in Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO) one of crude oil refined products as a second business which he prayed will help with my financial responsibilities at that time. Our friendship lasted until he passed unto glory many years after our first meeting. My toaster, my brother, my friend, my benefactor, I cannot but continue to recognise his contributions to my life and wellbeing, I am happy he came into my life at the time he did, a friendship that extended to our families. May his soul continue to rest in perfect peace. I am happy that the small oil and gas business he introduced me to in 1984 is about to become a billion dollar business investment in Nigeria with the upcoming 100,000 bpd Private Refinery to be sited at Sekungba/Ejinrin, Lagos State. The oil and gas business has today produced the following companies (all in the oil & gas industry) of which I have the grace of being the Founder/Chairman; Serene Partners Trading Limited (Marketing of LPFO), Global Partners Haulage Services Limited (Logistics for NNPC Retail),Serene Partners Energy & Petrochemicals Company Limited (Filling Stations) Transoil Multi Services Limited (Oil Services, Tank Farms maintenance) and Midoil Refining & Petrochemicals Company Limited (Modular Refinery).

 

What about your marital life?

That I would describe as mixed blessings. This aspect of my life is a story of mixed blessings and to let people know that life will always be to everyone, a mixed bag of blessings, no matter who you are, your background, the colour of your skin, your educational background, your family background and so on. I grew up with a loving parent who were together till death did them part. I grew up with Mills & Boon, Denice Robins and all fairy-tale story books which always end with “they live happily ever after”. But that was not to be my story. Marital life came with some serious challenges. My first and second marriages did not survive challenges of life, but to the glory of the Almighty God, the marriages were blessed with loving, successful, and God-fearing children who are now adults with three of them married, giving us lovely grandchildren and I am praying for more from the others. I remain faithful to the promises of God in Psalm 128.

 

 Do you have any favourite food?

Dodo, beans, puff puff, mossa, vegetable spring rolls, fresh fruits & water

 

What genre of music are you comfortable with?

Jim Reeves, Don Williams, Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, I. K. Dairo and Celestial Church of Christ songs.

 

How do you unwind?

Online reading, swimming, walking, watching Netflix and YouTube. I am a very committed and focused person, once I ask for guidance from God, I will hang unto his direction through thick and thin.

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