by Patrick Ogungbola
MD/CEO, BLUEHEDGE REALTORS
Just like yesterday, another month is gone. We welcome you to the amazing month of November. We at BLUEHEDGE REALTORS take November as the last month of the year, the reason being that December (being the real last month) is full of various activities (of festivities) and hence runs so fast that one may end up doing nothing tangible, and before you realize this, the year is ended.
Now, straight to the topic of discussion. Stories of people who start from the very humble beginning to become ‘somebody’ in life often challenge me. One of such is the ace Nigerian blogger, Linda Ikeji.
It is no longer news that Linda Ikeji recently bought a house worth over half a billion naira in the prestigious Banana Island, Ikoyi, Lagos.
In an article on her blog of Monday, October 19, 2015, with the title ‘See inside my new luxury Banana Island, Ikoyi home’, she said the following:
My name is Linda Ikeji. I’m a blogger. I’m 35 years old and I have never…never ever in my life slept with a man for money. Not only have I never done it, I have never even considered it…and here I am with a house that cost me over half a billion naira.
Up until five years ago, I was a struggling entrepreneur. I can’t tell you how many offices in this Lagos I sat in for hours waiting to see people who could support my business…but most times, I never passed the reception area. But I never gave up and I never stopped believing and here I am today.
I have been hustling since I left secondary school. I started modelling before I entered university in 1998. Was running a modelling agency even while I was a student and made it a full time business after I left university. I never doubted that I would succeed one day, because I was determined. And please do not think this happened over night. I’ve been blogging since 2006…November this year will make it exactly 9 years.
Like Barack Obama’s sister said, poverty is not an excuse! I used to sell/market beer at Sheraton hotel, Lagos when I was in university for N1,000 a day. I once lived on ‘puff puff’ and garri for weeks in UNILAG and I was supposedly a top model but nobody knew what I was going through.
Trust me, I knew poverty. Did you know I lived in Idi-oro, Mushin for 15 years? Up until when I was 25?
By the way, I don’t do anything else. I blog from 4am till midnight, where do I have time to do anything else? When God wants to bless you, He will bless you…even if you’re selling toothpick.
Note: The house she bought is a brand new 6 bedroom detached house with 2 room boys quarter with swimming pool and many other features built on 800 square metres (picture below).
Interestingly, I am not one of her subscribers; neither do I know her personally. I got to know about the story from my wife who is one of her readers.
Since the news of her real estate acquisition was made public, there have been various comments and opinions from different people.
It is typical of me that whenever I hear stories like this, I leave out sentiments, and draw out lessons to be learnt. The truth is, most of us are not interested in living in over N500m mansion, we are only after getting a decent 2, 3 or 4 bedroom house in a good location that we can call our own. This is not asking for too much; but to accomplish this humble goal, the principle of success must still be adhered to.
In a nutshell, below are 10 lessons drawn from the referenced story:
1. Success in life is not a function of age, gender or race
2. Your background should never put your back on the ground
3. Passion for what you know and do can get you to your desired goal
4. Never ever give up, it is not over. Believe in yourself
5. Your reasons for failure are mere excuses. Learn from your failures and move on
6. There is no short-cut to success outside of hard work, dedication, determination, persistence, patience, etc.
7. You don’t know what you can do until you try. Just start with one step at a time. Whatever you do, aim to be the best at it
8. Dreams do come true. Dream and think big. Only you can make your dreams come true
9. Be optimistic. Be happy. Value and appreciate others. Be good to people
10. Last, but not the least, believe in God. Never underestimate God’s love for you and the power of prayer
If you commit wholeheartedly to the above 10 nuggets, you are sure to accomplish your heart desires, whatsoever they may be, including building or buying your dream house.
As usual, we want to remind you that we care so much about you, and that when it comes to your real estate investment, we are always here to give you the very best service you can never get elsewhere. That is our promise, and will always be.
We wish you the very best in the amazing month of November.
We remain;
Very truly yours,
BLUEHEDGE REALTORS
