The Essence of Success Is To Help Others To Succeed – Aare Soji Fajemirokun @ 70

Aare Soji Fajemirokun, in commemoration of his 70th birthday, had a chat with Oloye Ademola Akinbola, Publisher of The Podium International Magazine. In this chat, he reflects on his life’s journey, values, and contributions, and provides insights into his upbringing, life philosophy, and perspectives on success, as well as his views on Nigeria and the development of his hometown.
Aare Soji Fajemirokun appreciates God and his family for his life’s journey. Born in Lagos in 1955, he recounts his childhood experiences and education in Lagos and Abeokuta. Over 70 years, he has embraced values such as patience, hard work, faith, love, and selflessness, which remain central to his character. He attributed his longevity to divine grace and an active lifestyle, which includes regular walking, music, and family time.
Aare Soji Fajemirokun places great importance on integrity, faith, family legacy, lifelong learning, justice, and service to others. He describes himself as generally calm, with occasional volatility. He defines success as the ability to support family and community, emphasizing that true success lies in helping others to succeed. His wife, a doctor from a royal lineage, has been a steadfast support, balancing motherhood and career, and contributing significantly to his life.

Aare Soji Fajemirokun holds chieftaincy titles in recognition of his community contributions and has achieved academic distinctions in business law and other fields. He critiques the political system’s corruption and the economic challenges, including inflation and currency devaluation, which impact citizens’ purchasing power. He also outlines strategic recommendations for the development of his hometown, Ile-Oluji, including infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, healthcare, education, tourism, and unity.

Enjoy the rest of the chat ….

CONGRATULATIONS, SIR, ON YOUR MILESTONE BIRTHDAY. HOW DO YOU FEEL CLOCKING 70?

I don’t feel any different. It is the same me. However, I give all the glory to God for His grace and mercy upon me and my family. I thank God for seeing me through various challenges and bringing me this far in the journey of life. I trust Him to even take me further by His special grace. I am also grateful to my wife, children, siblings, cousins, and friends for their various positive roles in my life. There is no doubt that God has marvellously helped me from birth till now.

AWESOME. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

I was born on July 10, 1955, to the late Mrs. Ọlajumọkẹ Morohungbọla Fajẹmirokun (nee Dada), and late Chief Henry Oloyede Fajemirokun. I am the first child of my mum, the second son in the family, and the fourth child of my Dad. My place of birth is Lagos at the Massey Street Children’s Hospital in the centre of Lagos. 

I lived with my maternal grandfather, the late Revd. Dada at Ọlọnọde Street, Yaba; my younger sister and I. We later moved to Apapa, on 14, Borno Crescent. Our neighbours were the late Alhaji Babatunde Jọsẹ, the media mogul; Justice Adetokunbo Ademọla; and some Arab Lebanese. 

My brother, Chief Ọladele, and I, were later shipped off to Mayflower Junior School, Ikẹnnẹ, Ogun State, under the headship of the renowned disciplinarian, Dr Tai Ṣolarin (we called him “Tai Show”). I left Mayflower early because I frequently took ill. I went to St Mary’s Primary School on Broad Street, Lagos, then to Girls Modern Academy on Keffi Street, Ikoyi! But some boys attended the primary school too! I was confused, and I asked why the school was named that! But did not get a cogent or coherent response from anyone. My brother also attended St Peter’s Primary School, Ajẹlẹ, Lagos. He was withdrawn from Mayflower Jnr School as well. I never knew why, and I never asked.

I then attended Christ Church Cathedral Primary School on Broad Street. I was living with my uncle, the late Engr. Christopher Fajẹmirokun, at Montgomery Road, Yaba. He was working at ECN (later renamed NEPA and now PHCN). When he left ECN for West African Breweries in Abeokuta, owned by the late Chief Adeyẹmi Lawson of Grail Land, Agege, I followed him to Abẹokuta to begin another round of primary schools at St. Peter’s Primary School, Igbehin, Abẹokuta. 

I eventually ran away from Uncle Chris’s house. He caned me almost every day and introduced me to the Ifa religion. He tried to do some magic with the Ifa, but the magic failed. That was when I decided in my mind that Ifa or any of the traditional religions ain’t worth the bother. I had some savings, and I used part of it to get a ride from Abẹokuta to Lagos. 

When I got to Lagos, I walked from Iddo terminal to Apapa. When neighbours saw me, they were aghast. Why? I was very thin as if I had kwashiorkor.  My mum burst into tears. When my Dad returned from his office at Balogun Street, Lagos, and I told him how I trekked from Abeokuta to Lagos, he was discomfited, I guess from guilt. I just embellished the story of my journey from Abeokuta to Lagos, claiming I “trekked” from Abẹokuta to Lagos.

WHAT LESSONS OR EXPERIENCE HAS LIFE TAUGHT YOU AT 70?

Life has taught me a lot, the good and not-so-good. My experiences have been varied depending on the people involved, the situation, and the prevailing circumstances. The lessons of life are meant to toughen us and prepare us for the glorious destiny that is ahead of us. I have had my fair share of life’s joyful moments as well as the vicissitudes. Life has taught me patience, consistency, hard work, Godliness, love of others, selflessness, focus, and abiding faith in the Almighty God. Life has been good to me. Here I am, 70 years after, still standing strong.

WHAT ARE YOUR SECRETS OF LONGEVITY AND GOOD HEALTH?

First, it is the grace of God. His mercies have been enduring. On my side, I live a very active life with a lot of exercise. Until recently, I used to walk 16 kilometres every day, day or night. But these days, I have slowed down to 2 or 4 km every other day.  

WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME?

I study the Bible or play my bass guitar. I have 2 bass guitars, one acoustic 4-string, and a 5-string electric bass guitar. I play music and sing in the choir in church, too. I also watch movies and football. Of course, I also spend quality time with my wife and children. I am a family-oriented person.

WHO IS AARE SOJI FAJEMIROKUN? WHICH WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU?

I am just the cool guy, but I can be volatile or irascible sometimes. I have calmed down now due to age and the experiences of life. 

WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE? WHAT ARE YOUR CHERISHED VALUES?

I hold dearly the values of integrity, faith in God, family legacy, wisdom, lifelong learning, respect for elders and tradition, accountability/responsibility/stewardship, justice & fairness, honesty & transparency, service to others, humility & gratitude.

WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK LIKE TO YOU? WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?

This is deep, and it is open to interpretation based on our background, orientation, etc. For me, success is being able to support one’s family, friends, and assist people in genuine need. Success is touching lives and making an impact in your immediate community. The whole essence of success is to help others to climb the ladder of success.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR WIFE AND HER ROLE IN YOUR LIFE

God blessed me with a good wife who has been my rock. She has been very supportive. She is even more Ilẹ-Oluji than I am.  She’s always encouraging me when I am down in my spirit. She juggles motherhood with her medical work as a doctor, taking care of the children and the home front. My wife’s family has been good ab initio, no stress, no wahala.

She comes from a background of royalty in the Awori sub-ethnic group of Yoruba land with a good pedigree. They speak the Yoruba language but with a distinct dialect, tradition, and historical lineage. Her paternal cousin is the new Kabiyesi of Igbẹsa land in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State. The current Kabiyesi, HRM Toyin Akinde, Oloja Ẹkun, an Accountant, is a very good friend of mine.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHIEFTAINCY TITLES, OTHER HONOURS AND AWARDS

I am privileged to hold two chieftaincy titles of Aarẹ of Ifẹwara in Osun State, and the Yegbata of Ilẹ-Oluji, Ondo State, conferred on me in recognition of my contributions to the development of the communities and their unity. These traditional honours reflect my deep roots in heritage, family, and cultural responsibility.

Academically, I was honoured with a distinction in Business Law during my time at the University. That recognition remains a source of pride and motivation in my approach to law, leadership, and integrity in public and private affairs.

DO YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS IN LIFE? ARE THERE THINGS YOU WISHED YOU HAD DONE THAT YOU DIDN’T DO?

There is nothing to regret. I have enjoyed myself to a large extent. I have a good heritage; a good pedigree. The only thing I wish could have happened but did not was that I wished my Dad were alive to see my children and grandchildren.

THOSE WHO ARE NOT CLOSE TO YOU MAY THINK YOU ARE A SNOB. ARE YOU AN INTROVERT?

Well, I don’t live by anyone’s standards. I just do my own thing as long as it is right for me. So, I am oblivious to the opinion of others. All I know is that I help people when in need and when I can. That’s all. I am a socialite, but I choose where I go and where I choose to belong. I am a member of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club and the Ikoyi Club. I will probably join the Metropolitan Club on Victoria Island in the future.

ANY ADVICE TO THOSE COMING AFTER YOU ON HOW TO LIVE LONG AND BE SUCCESSFUL?

Well, my advice is for the young ones to stay close to God, to be adventurous, and to be kind to others who are less fortunate. Everything is not about money, but also about empathy. They should follow their passion, which makes them feel fulfilled.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

I passed my primary school leaving certificate exam at Ereko Methodist School, Berkeley Street, Lagos. My secondary schools were St. Joseph’s College, Ondo, CMS Grammar School, Bariga, and Victory College, Ikarẹ-Akoko, Ondo State. I went to MARTEC Maritime and Polytechnic College

Frederikshavn, Copenhagen, Denmark. I also worked as a management trainee at the EAC (East Asiatic Company, then the largest corporation in Denmark). I obtained the CCNA certification in Computer Networking, and  I studied Law at Anglia Ruskin University, London.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON NIGERIA?

Nigeria is ruled by uncaring politicians, especially the ones in the National Assembly. Most of them are beholden to the President because he enabled their election. The system is so rotten that the President can award Trillion Naira contracts to his cronies without following due process. The family that got the road contract was the late Abacha’s money launderers! What about the maintenance of the VP’s house with billions of Naira, same for Aso Rock? Sad. Meanwhile, inflation has had a profound and painful impact on the value of the naira and the purchasing power of Nigerians. The Naira has depreciated sharply. Between 2020 and 2024, the naira fell from about ₦360/$ to over ₦1,400–₦1,500/$ at times!

Purchasing power means how much your money can buy. In Nigeria today:

₦1,000 can barely buy what ₦200–₦300 used to buy five years ago; prices of essentials, rice, bread, fuel, cooking gas, rent, transport, etc., have more than tripled in many areas; middle-income earners have slipped into economic vulnerability, and low-income families face real hardship. A bag of rice that cost ₦8,000–₦10,000 in 2015 now sells for N60,000–N86,000; transport fares, medical bills, and school fees have skyrocketed.

Fuel subsidy removal in 2023 and foreign exchange liberalisation caused cost surges. There is imported inflation: Nigeria depends heavily on imports, so when the naira falls, everything gets more expensive. There are structural issues such as low industrial output, insecurity affecting food supply, and weak economic diversification.

SHARE WITH US YOUR ASSESSMENT OF ILE-OLUJI’S DEVELOPMENT TRAJECTORY

Ile-Oluji, a historically rich Yoruba town in Ondo State, faces several social, economic, and infrastructural challenges. While it is known for its agricultural potential (especially cocoa), education, and traditional institutions, many issues continue to hinder its development.

What can be done for Ile-Oluji to progress or improve?

1. Infrastructure Development: I urge the Federal and State governments to prioritise road repairs and power supply.

2. Community self-help projects: These can supplement government efforts, especially in electrification, boreholes, and school repairs.

3. Youth Empowerment: We need to establish skill acquisition centres (tailoring, tech, carpentry, ICT, etc.).

4. Strategic Collaboration: Partner with NGOs and the government to offer start-up grants and mentoring.

5. Revamp Agriculture: Reintroduce agricultural cooperatives and encourage mechanised farming. Also, provide access to modern tools, seedlings, and storage, and attract agro-processing factories to create local jobs and add value.

6. Improve Healthcare: Lobby the government to upgrade the General Hospital and rural clinics; support local medical missions or mobile clinics for hard-to-reach areas.

7. Strengthen Education: Old Students Associations and Community Education Trust Funds to refurbish schools. We should introduce digital tools and STEM clubs in secondary schools.

8. Promote Tourism & Culture: Package Ile-Oluji’s festivals and heritage (e.g. Ogun and other festivals) for national and international attention; develop eco-tourism (like cocoa farms, natural sites); encourage cultural exchange and art events.

9. Unity & Leadership: Encourage unity among indigenes (at home and in diaspora) to fund developmental projects.

15. Engage in town planning and establish a community master plan for future growth.

Ile-Oluji is indeed blessed with people, land, and history. What it needs is coordinated development planning, strong leadership, and community-government partnership to move from potential to prosperity.