Engineer Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Resort has revealed the real reason he bought a multi-million naira ‘estate-on-wheel’ Rolls Royce.
Engr. Sanusi disclosed this while responding to questions at the end of the two-day capacity-building workshop, organised by the South-West Group of Online Publishers (SWEGOP), held at the expansive Ilaji Farm and Resort, situated at Akanran, Ona Ara Local Government Area of Oyo State.
Reporters At Large learnt that Dotun Sanusi, is most likely, the second person who owns a Rolls Royce in Oyo State, after Asiwaju Bode Akindele.
The Ilaji Farm boss said: “When I bought Rolls Royce, some people said it was because I wanted to display opulence. But that is not the reason. I bought the car so that the poor children in my local community here can feel and taste what they see as a luxury.
“Several times, many children of the poor will approach me to enter the car. I will oblige them. I will allow them to go to their various houses, riding in the car.
“I am doing this so that these children will not feel inferior to their counterparts who have rich backgrounds. I want them to know that they too can enjoy what other children are enjoying in the big cities and rich homes.”
Engr Sanusi, however, disclosed that he is not interested in politics but rather in giving back to society, especially to the people of Ona Ara Local Government Area, which according to him, is among the most backward local councils in Oyo State.
“My legacy will speak for him,” he said.
He added “It is not about the huge money you accumulated and put somewhere. The essence of living is about the joy and smile you put on the people’s faces.”
Sanusi revealed that his desire to give succour to the downtrodden stemmed from his upbringing, noting that society, especially the Church, contributed immensely to his success story.
“My decision to build a hotel and resort here (Akanran) is because of my passion for humanity. I wanted to give back to the society where I was born and raised. The Church contributed to raising me.
“I have moved around and lived in many places. I decided that, after moving around, first I needed a place that has a history of backwardness. You give back to where you don’t expect anything in return.
“Ona Ara Local Government Area has a deep history of depravities and socio-economic backwardness. Among the 33 local government areas in the state, it has the poorest infrastructural development and the lowest Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
“We all know the history of the Agbekoyas. They were domiciled here. The local government area has a history of neglect. It is fighting against the injustice that arose from unlawful taxation and which was accountable for the sufferings of the people.
“I am a Christian with a Muslim background, I am a realist. I know that God will judge us by our passion for humanity. I want to ensure that the people around me are happy and that is what gives me joy.”
