In a few days, Hon. Alex Kehinde Bankole will celebrates his birthday. The seasoned property developer will also launch new housing estate in the heart of Lekki. Who is Hon. Kehinde Bankole? He is from Ekan Meje in Oke Ero Local Government, Kwara State. He is also the MD/CEO of KAB Constructions; a reputable development company. He is also doing well in Politics, especially in Kwara State his home state.
His company KAB construction is also the brain behind a new estate in Ogombo in Ajah called Raymond Parks, the company is developing that estate for Joshtellous.
The big news is that, in a few days, precisely on the 27th of November, 2019 he will launch a housing estate on Orchid Road, in Lekki, Lagos. Ooni of Ife, and about 4 governors will attend the commissioning of the estate. City People’s ISAAC ABIMBADE had an interview with him a few days back and he recounted how his path crossed with the Ooni of Ife’s, how he started real estate and many others. Below are excerpts of the interview.
Congratulations in advance. You will be celebrating your birthday in a few days; how do you feel adding a year to your age?
We thank God and I bless Almighty God for everything. It’s been God all this while, looking back to what has happened, one who know that, it takes the grace of God to be able to add another 365 days, especially in a country like ours.
How do you see the property sector in the last few years?
It’s what it’s. People might not like us to say it, but I would say the truth as it is. It’s unfortunate that the government at the centre is not doing much to alleviate the sufferings of the masses. This actually affect all businesses. If you ask me, I will say this government doesn’t have economic blue-print on how to grow the economy. This is a government that people expect so much from.
You are the CEO of KAB Construction and in few days you would be launching a new estate (Lekki Court Estate) and we expect a lot of people to be there. Tell us more about this sir?
Lekki Court has been a dream I conceived for many years back. What I want to achieve with this estate is to leave a legacy that will outlive us. We would have block of terraces and a bit of block of flats, but they won’t be to many because we don’t want the place to be crowded. We want to give our customers values for their money. This housing estate won’t be for the rich alone, it will be affordable to every middle-class person. We are providing a flexible payment plan for everyone who is interested in the project.
Can you tell us more about the flexible payment plan you just mentioned?
And we have details of how people can participate in this estate on our website. And they can also come to any of our offices. And in no time, there will be advert in all the dailies.
Tell us the activities to expect at the launch of the estate.
We are expecting to have about 4 governors. Our father, the custodian of Yoruba tradition, the Ooni of Ife, would be on ground to launch the estate. He’s my father. He brought me in to this job, and nurtured me to this level. He’s our pathfinder. We are launching it for the whole world to see. This is not an estate you buy and you don’t get your allocation immediately. This is not an estate where you buy at one phase and you will be taken to another phase. Immediately you subscribe, you will get instant allocation. Our integrity matters. The importance of the launching is for the whole world to see. It’s not an estate where we tell the whole world we are building 60 units and at the end of the day, they will see 90 units. We would not compromise on standard. The importance of the launching is to also show-case what we are putting up here. The architectural design of the project will marvel you.
How did your path cross with Ooni of Ife’s, as you once said?
My path with His Royal Majesty, Ooni of Ife’s crossed about a decade ago. I was in the banking industry, thinking of how I could do well in life. One day, when I was working for Oceanic Bank and the Ooni told me when we eventually met that I could do well in the property sector. So, I gave it a trial and by the special grace of God, I’m doing well. Then, it all started like a play. When he told me i didn’t know it was possible? because in those days, when you are in the banking sector, people would think you are on top of the world. It would not make any sense leaving banking job fo a job you don’t really know much about. You don’t even have an insight into what would happen, but by the special grace of God,I was able to give it a thought and here we are today.
Did you know then that HRM Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi would, one day become Ooni of Ife?
I use to tell people that whatever you want to be in life say it. He knew he would become Ooni of Ife. He was well prepared. Because I could remembered that he was always conscious of things he did . Then, if he’s going anywhere he’s always conscious and he displayed a sense of responsibility to so many people. I noticed those things in him then. He was always very careful.
Are you saying his influence has helped your real estate business?
His influence has not only helped my real estate, his influence has helped my life, as a businessman, as a developer and politician.
How do you intend to celebrate your birthday?
I’m not a flamboyant person. My birthday will be celebrated in low-key. I live each day like it’s going to be last day. Thank God for His grace and mercy over me.
What stands this estate out from other housing estates in Lekki?
It’s beautifully designed, although, I designed it myself. It’s not going to be crowded. It’s not going to be what we have around here. Each unit will have an ample park of 3 cars per unit. We would give our customers values for their money. There will be a central sewage system. Let me also add that, the Imperial Majesty, Oonirisi, a is the father behind this Lekki Court estate project. He got this land for me then. He brought me to this land and he secured this land for me. Everything we do at KAB Centres around him. I can’t ask for a better father.
