Prince Oluwaseun Adebola Adenrele Abdulwasiu Yusuf is a real estate developer who has been in the business for about 20 years. He is an economist by training and an entrepreneur by practice. He is the founder of the International Sports Fans Carnival Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization with a simple idea, but very creative. The purpose of the foundation has been to support and promote the United Nations global “PEACE” campaign, the foundation’s objective is to advocate peace and promote global unity, through sports fans among all nations worldwide.
Seun Igbagbo is also the CEO of Bluefield Apartments and Suites and Bluefield Constructions Company all based in Abuja. He has also been actively involved in talent development across the country. He is one of the major financiers of the Ijebu United Football Club. The football club was re-launched to mark his 40th birthday celebration in Ijebu Ode.
On Saturday, July 16, 2022, Prince Seun Igbagbo, as he’s fondly called shut down Ijebu-Ode as he turned 40. City People’s Brand’s editor, DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152 was at the event and there, he had this exclusive interview.
He spoke about his life, growing up and why he left the big cities to celebrate in Ijebu-Ode. Below are excerpts, enjoy.
Congratulations sir, how do you feel turning 40?
I am so happy and grateful to the Almighty God for bringing me this far. The grace of God has kept me this far and I am grateful to God for life and family.
A lot of people see you as a young entrepreneur, how do you see yourself and as someone from a muslin background, why are you having your birthday thanksgiving in church?
I’m grateful to God that people see me as a philanthropist but then, I see myself as a regular guy on the street. I don’t understand what people mean when they call me a philanthropist because that is just my nature. For me, I do what needs to be done for humanity, that is who I am and I can’t change that. Then as regards holding my birthday thanksgiving in a church, I believe that there is only one God and we all serve that same God irrespective of the differences in the settings and institutions.
You’re celebrating your 40th birthday in a big way, the whole Ijebu-Ode is already shut down. As a matter of fact, from the roundabout, your big billboard is there smiling at people and welcoming them to the big celebration. Many are wondering how you hit it big. Do you mind sharing with us?
I’ve been a son of grace and mercy, I must be very honest with you. When people say to my face that he is the man on the billboard, I turn around to check out who they are talking about because I’m just who I am. The long and short of the story is that my life is a testimony and only grace and mercy could have brought me this far.
You took a lot from your parents, especially your father who is a serial entrepreneur. Can we know what you do?
I am an economist but for the past two decades, I’ve been a real estate developer. I also ventured into other businesses, I’m a risk taker but I take only reasonable risks. The journey has not been easy but it has been graceful. When I look at my life today, it is full of testimonies and if God permits me when I am celebrating my 90th, I will be able to tell the full story of how the journey went.
A lot of people of your calibre would prefer having this kind of milestone celebration in bigger cities like Lagos and Abuja. Why did you decide to celebrate in Ijebu-Ode?
Well, I have left my hometown since I was a kid. I have spent more than half of my life abroad and when I realized that I was going to be celebrating a milestone, I knew that there was a need to reconnect with my source; so, I decided to bring this party back home. Yes, I base in Abuja and many of my friends felt that I should have done this in Abuja or Lagos because as a socialite, I frequent Lagos a lot. But I felt otherwise because I believe it is time to come back home. In five years when I am 45, I will still hold the party here and by the grace of God when I am 50, it will be my retirement age, I will fully relocate to Ijebu-Ode because I am a son of the soil and the royal blood flows in me.
You seem to have a very strong influence on the people around here; everybody here has something positive to say about you. Do you see yourself venturing into politics anytime soon?
Hmmm… that’s a big one. I’m not as of today a politician and I’m not looking in that direction for now. However, if the need arises and my people feel that I should serve them in that capacity, not as a politician but as a humanitarian, I will gladly do it. Because people believe that all fingers are not equal but I believe otherwise; we are all created equally.
What has been your staying power so far?
Well, I will say a very big thank you to my parents, especially my mum who I grew up to know as a disciplinarian and a mother for all. Growing up, I used to be a very stubborn boy but she built me in the right way to go. She taught me how to treat everyone correctly and equally and that has shaped me to become the man that I am today.
What would you say life has taught you at 40?
A whole lot, there have been ups and downs, good times and bad times, disappointments and happiness but in all, I have learnt to move on and face life as it comes every day. The journey has been tough but mercy and grace have seen me through.
You’re rich now, there’s no doubt, was there anything in the past that still brings tears to your face now?
I’m not a man that lives in the past, I believe that whatever happened in the past should stay there. I don’t stay in the past; I’m a man of the present, and my postcode is where I am now and where I hope to be in the future.
Finally, looking forward to the future, what are your aspirations?
The only thing I want to be remembered for, either dead or alive is to leave my signature as a human capitalist, someone who invests in human beings. I want people to be able to say that thank God I met Seun Igbagbo at this point in my life; that for me is the true influence and impact.
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