Who was your most influential teacher? Why?
My Maths Teacher. Oh, Mr. Lawal was known for his long cane anytime he made his way to the class. We all loved him for his humour and intelligence but don’t you ever mess up in his tests or exams, he will glog you without mercy. He was a good man and a disciplinarian to the core. May God bless his beautiful soul. I bet wherever he is now in Heaven , he will be smiling at how fantastic all his students have turned out to be.
What do you wish you could do more every day?
Help as many people as possible – financially, and with words of encouragement.
Are you superstitious?
No I am not. My heart is innocently plain and true.
Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.
Dear Future Me,
As I sit down to write this letter, I cannot help but wonder what life must be like for you, a century ahead of me. I hope you are reading this with a smile on your face, filled with memories of a life well-lived.
First and foremost, I want to express my deepest admiration and love for you. You have weathered a hundred years of life’s ups and downs, and yet here you are, still standing strong. I imagine you must carry within you a wealth of wisdom and experiences that I can only dream of at this moment.
I hope you have had the chance to love deeply and wholly throughout your life. Whether it was a partner, family, or friends, I hope you have cherished every moment spent with those you hold dear. Love is the most precious gift we have in this world, and I hope you have embraced it with open arms, even in the face of challenges and heartache.
I also hope you have pursued your passions relentlessly. Whether it was through art, music, travel, or any other avenue, I hope you have dedicated yourself to the things that bring you joy and fulfillment. Life is too short to spend it doing anything less than what sets your soul on fire.
As I write this, I cannot help but wonder what dreams you have fulfilled and what adventures you have embarked upon. Have you traveled to far-off lands, experienced different cultures, and soaked in the beauty of this world? I hope you have never stopped exploring, never stopped seeking out new experiences and opportunities for growth.
Most importantly, I hope you have lived a life of purpose and meaning. Whether through your career, your relationships, or your contributions to the world, I hope you have made a positive impact in the lives of others. There is no greater legacy than knowing you have made a difference, no matter how small.
And finally, I want to thank you. Thank you for persevering through the trials and tribulations of life. Thank you for your resilience, your strength, and your unwavering spirit. You are a beacon of hope and inspiration to me, and I can only imagine the incredible person you have become over the past century. I hope your husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren are proud of you ❤️
With all my love and admiration,
IFEDOLAPO OGUNNIYI
What is your middle name? Does it carry any special meaning/significance?
‘Mojisola’, which means ‘I woke up in wealth’. More like I was birthed into wealth. A Yoruba name from the western part of Nigeria in Africa. Not that a billionaire’s daughter 😂, I guessed my parents were kind of speaking positivity into the air, lol. Growing up, God answered their prayers.
What is the last thing you learned?
Miracle happens, never lose hope.
What experiences in life helped you grow the most?
Be myself and say damn to whatever anyone thinks about me💯💪🔥❤️
Describe a phase in life that was difficult to say goodbye to.
Childhood of course. I had fun being carried, no responsibility whatsoever. Now I am an adult and I have to be responsible not only to myself but others.
What advice would you give to your teenage self?
Enjoy life to the fullest. You want it, go for it 💯
What bores you?
Too many instructions. ‘Do this’, ‘Do that’. When you make me too accountable to you, I become bored and lose interest in whatever you have to tell me🙄. Give me my space, let me do my thing, I don’t like being pushed around.
Ifedolapo Ogunniyi 