Oba Francis Alao is one of the leading monarchs in Oyo State. He is the Olugbon of Igbon land. And he was sworn in last year. He is married to Oloori Olushola Alao, the adorable daughter of the Chairman of Doyin Group, Prince Sam Adedoyin. Since Oba Alao ascended the throne, the couple have become the hottest couple on the social scene. They get invited to all the A-Class parties and everyone wants them to grace their event. Oloori Olushola has many things going for her. She’s stylish. She’s got a great figure that got Kabiyeesi attracted to her, years back when they met.
Princess Olusola Adedoyin-Alao holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing/ Accounting obtained from St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, USA, in 1985 and a M. Sc in Human Resources Management & Statistics from Upsala College, East Orange, New Jersey, USA, in 1987, with a PhD in view at University of Lagos.
She was a State Representative for Dataman Incorporation based in Atlanta, (now called Experian) 1985/87. She also worked for Consolidated Food and Beverages, Nigeria between 1988 and 1989, before joining City Express Bank at inception as a Manager. She became Managing Director/CEO of the bank in 1999.
Princess Olusola Adedoyin was a modest and highly experienced banker with strong Christian ethics; her managing abilities are defined by but not limited to a rare talent for managing human resources. She initiated a five-year strategic plan which helped in growing the bank from a three-branch to a thirty-five-branch status in a very short period, the bank was converted from a Merchant Bank to a Commercial Bank with profit growth of over 900% within six years.
She has attended several top-level management courses and seminars- in the areas of Finance and Management within Nigeria and Overseas. She is a member of American Management Association (AMA), and the Institute of Directors (100).
She is also an alumnus of Lagos Business School and a former Deputy Treasurer of Nigeria-America Chambers of Commerce.
In addition, she is also the President/Founder of MariaSam Foundation, which is currently in operations in three countries (Nigeria, USA and UK), whose main focus is to facilitate and build the best Oncology with a Research Centre for Cancer and leadership building in Africa. In the past, she had won several awards, one of which is The best female banker of the year. She is on the board of several companies.
Last week, this pretty Oloori spoke to City People Publisher, SEYE KEHINDE about her new life.
Over the last few months, you and kabiyeesi have become a hot item on the social scene What’s the secret?
Thanks my brother. I do not know about being hot ooo, but I know that our engagement seems to have increased because he has become a .public figure so there is an increase in demand for his presence in occasions. My husband happens to be a selfless person and now that he is an Oba, he feels that he needs to do more because he sees his appointment as a calling. I really do not have a choice as his spouse, I’m his helpmate so I need to ensure that he is well received wherever he is invited and the palace permits him to go. It is very simple
How did you spend Valentine’s day?
Kabiyeesi was busy with official assignments on that day. I was grateful to God for the time he had to spare. He could be very romantic when he wants to. Coming from a pastoral background, he sings very well and he does a lot of singing to me. We praise God together in the mornings and when we are both not too tired at night before prayers, but once in a while when he is really very happy and he wants to lift my spirit he sings romantic songs to me.
What I would have wanted us to do is to have an evening or afternoon lunch with our friends and have the kind of Valentine day like the one Tokunbo and Akin Braithwaite organised about 3 or 4 years ago at their restaurant in Lekki. The food was great and the atmosphere was fantastically romantic. The men sang to their wives and women would say what they love about their husbands. We are generally celebrated and appreciated by our partners. After that, it turned into praise worship and singing of hymns. I. thank God for such wonderful memories and plan to settle for what he plans this year by God’s grace
Kabiyeesi talks about you all the time. What do you like about him?
That is a good question. Hmm, I think our relationship is very divine. It started in the middle of hopelessness for the two of us and God turned our situations and stories around.
He is a very special person when he prays, you will never believe that he is the same person. I mentioned that he is a very compassionate person and very gentle person to me.
I don’t have too many friends so he is my best friend. He takes his time to listen to me when I am in the mood to talk though, he takes out the ones that do not suit him, can you imagine? He knows that I love him too, in fact he tells other people that I don’t joke when it comes to my husband. God has been good to the two of us.
You are a stylish woman. How did your style evolve?
I really do not see myself as a stylish person. But I thank you for the compliment.
I see myself as an ordinary dresser. In fact as a lazy dresser because I really do not put any effort into
dressing except for sitting down for my makeup artist to do her job.
If! am to give credit to anyone then it will be the following people Maureen Onipanjo (Maufechi). She used to dress me up when I was in the bank. Then I had to dress to suit the office. After came my Uncle’s daughter. Lai Mohammed’s daughter, Yeside. She used to make my clothes and made me realize that I really do not have to fret, that whatever I wear will fit and look good.
After came my niece Funke Adepoju. She makes wonderful things too. Then my daughter Lamipo, I can say spoilt me silly by determining the style of my clothes. For now, I just use my local tailor to make simple top and Ira in any fabric. I dress the way that I dress because it is simple and comfortable; anything that makes me comfortable and neat makes me happy.
How did you and kabiyeesi hit it off? What’s your love story?
Hmmm, we have known each other for a while. Then we happened to have to work together on Tunji Braithwaite Foundation.
After one of our programmes, Dr Tunji Braithwaite of blessed memory called him and said to him, Shola please take care of Sola for me, that was the realization and he took a personal interest in me. We would spend hours discussing as friends. Share all our experiences etc. One thing led to another and the rest is now history.
Many describe you as your dad’s favourite. Is this true? How close are you to your dad!
Hahaha, hahaha. Cant stop laughing. I always get asked this question and I always laugh because I really do not know where or how that impression came from.
I do not think so. I don’t know if he has a favourite among his children, but if he does, it must be my pretty younger sister. And if she is, I will understand why. She looks very much like his mother. Smallish, beautiful and pleasant girl. I am close to him just like any other child of his, I guess. I appreciate him and thank him very much for all he has invested in my life
Since he is the only real-life parent that I have. My mother died when I was about six years old. I want to thank God that he did a very good job in bringing me up or don’t you think so?
My New Life As The Oloori Of OLUGBON Of IGBON – Oloori OLUSOLA ADEDOYIN ALAO Opens Up
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