Ms Afolabi Ogunbanjo’s cheery smile, soft-spoken and sweet nature, belies her tenacious and tough spirit. Here is a story of a young lady in her 20s, whose drive and passion forged her to plunge into terrains many feared to tread.
Having rounded off her tertiary education in the United States, Afolabi came back home for her National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), and she was posted to serve in an oil company. Finding herself in a such enviable position, Afolabi refused to be swayed by the trappings of serving in a bluechip firm. And while her mates were angling to get employed in the oil company, Afolabi got hers on a platter.
But to the amazement of many, this young lady walked out on the juicy offer, and opted to coast the rough-and-tumble world of entrepreneurship. Many of her friends thought she has gone crazy, and even prayed she comes back to her senses soon. While many others scoffed at her decision to delve into the dicey terrain of running a business, rather than take up a job with an enticing pay package. But Afolabi was resolute. She latched onto her dream of building a chocolate making brand in the country.
Today, after just three years of floating her brand – Sokolad, Afolabi has emerged an iconic figure in Nigeria’s chocolate making industry. This amiable business lady, in a chat HENRY OKONKWO discloses more about her life, the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
Source : SunOnline