22-year-old Executive Director of Eleganza Industries, Raheem Okoya, has downplayed the insinuation that he is riding on his father’s wealth, stating that he works and earns a salary.
Naija News reports that Raheem, the son of billionaire industrialist, Rasaq Okoya, made this known in an interview with BBC News Yoruba, which was posted on its Instagram page on Tuesday.
Raheem dispelled the perception that his position and lifestyle are handed to him by virtue of his father’s name and fortune, noting that he has secured independent investors for his music career.
According to him, his father, who built the Eleganza empire from nothing, deliberately ensured his children understood the value of hard work.
He said, “I work. I have a salary that I earn. I have investors. People believe in my music. They put money behind it.
“My dad wasn’t born rich. He tries to instil those values in his kids. He wants his kids to also be able to work and build a fortune rather than just spend and destroy.”
Raheem Okoya, who is leading one of Nigeria’s most recognised industrial brands at just 22, clarified that the appointment was not spontaneous, describing it as the product of nearly a decade of quiet preparation.
He said, “I’ve been learning this position my whole life. From when I was in school, I’ve been shadowing my dad. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s been 10 years in the making.
“It’s definitely challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility. People already look at you. You’re young. They already want to doubt you. You always have to prove that you know what you’re talking about.” See more
