Lotto Business Is Not For Charlatans—Mr. Boladek
Mr. Rasheed Bola Adekunle is popularly addressed as’Boladek’ by his Ifelodun admirers and Managing Director of Global Ventures Limited and one of the distinguished philanthropists in the local government doing credible things for the poor. In this interview with Mindset Media Limited, he said how he brought innovations into the lotto business in Ifelodun and other sundry issues affecting the grassroots politics.
Excerpts:
Tell us about your 47th birthday bash.
Well, it was my family that organised that birthday cake for me. God has been faithful to me in all the years I have lived on this earth.
But you look younger than your age, why?
It is by the grace of God not my power. I have a son in 200L studying Medicine at the University of Ilorin. I am comfortable with my present status of life. Competition of wealth is not in my diary. Since God can give me my daily bread to feed my family and what do I need again in life. Sometimes if you are too rich, you cannot serve God well. I believe in God and nothing more. I lived in one room apartment before God relocated me to a flat with my family. I was never born with a silver spoon but I worked hard to eliminate poverty in my life.
Tell us about your educational background.
I attended Alakoto primary school and New Land Secondary school and later proceeded to Lagos State Polytechnic where I had HND in Electrical Engineering (EE).From there, I ventured into oil and gas but a friend of mine introduced me into lotto business. Though, I was a Petrol attendant in a filling station while going to school then. I knew that education was very important to my life, so I upgraded my intellectual capacity which has paved way for me now.
How were you able to succeed in this lotto business?
I joined this lotto business 12 years ago in this Ifelodun community where kiosks were built by lotto agents as if the business was met for charlatans but I came in to change that myopic orientation. I discovered that the business was patronised by touts only and I decided to rent shops and furniture it to my taste. So, it was not as business as usual, learned people started patronising me and other lotto agents within Ifelodun LCDA followed suit. To God be the glory, we have at least 20 outlets doing other businesses under Global Ventures Limited. The business of lotto is commission. It means you must work hard to increase your commission.
Can you say God has been faired to you in this lotto business?
It is a passion I followed sequentially. God is doing marvellous works in my life. I am into 1960bet, Premier lotto and Baba Ijebu.Well, 1960bet had some financial issues but I was not moved to change because the MD was good to me. But the problem has been resolved now.
What is the secret of your success in life?
Well, I don’t go to clubbing and I am a devoted Muslim to the core. I don’t say I am perfect but I am financially disciplined. Tenacity of trust is my core value in business. I appreciate women a lot but I don’t misplaced wife to girlfriend in my life. As far someone is doing well in life, women will surely come. My secret is that I don’t live above my budget. Doing a project does not stop me from helping people around me.
What is the impact of your business in Ifelodun?
My lotto business has created jobs for many young people in Ifelodun. The business is not for charlatans again but for highly trained personalities in the society. I am not a greedy person but ready to support all my staffers at any given time.
Ifelodun politics has been relegated to the background, why?
Though, I ‘m not a politician but some of our politicians are irresponsible in the sense that they failed to educate our youths within the local government.Hon.Fatai Ajidagba,the former Ifelodun LCDA chairman did well and brought infrastructural development to Ifeloduners.Politics of cabal is the major problem of Ifelodun politicians. Leadership should be given to people that are responsible.
What is your advice for young lotto agents?
They should focus and believe in God.