By Peter Ayoade
Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Resort, Chief (Dr.) Dotun Sanusi, has revealed that he did not buy Rolls Royce car for pleasure, but for his people to taste and feel luxury in Akanran village.
This was as he said he is more interested in giving back to the society, especially to the people of Ona Ara Local Goverment Area, which he said ranked among the most backward local councils in Oyo State.
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 and held at the expansive Hotels and Resort located at Akanran in Ona Ara Local Goverment Area.
According to him, “I bought Rolls Royce and some people said it is 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 can feel and taste what they see as 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,” he said.
The Ibadan born philanthropist added that he had no interest in politics, said he has greater passion in serving the people.
He further explained that giving back to the society, especially touching the indigent residents of Ona Ara Local Goverment Area, ranked among his topmost priorities.
“My decision to build the hotels 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 raise me.
“I have moved around and lived in many places. I decided that after moving around, I needed a place that has history of backwardness. You give back to where you don’t expect anything in return.
“Ona Ara Local Goverment Area has a deep history of depravity 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.
“We all know the history of the Agbekoya. They were domiciled here. The local government area has a history of neglect. It is fighting against injustice which arose from unlawful taxation and which was accountable for the sufferings of the people.
“Although I am a Christian with 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.
“I am not interested in politics. Rather, my legacy will speak for me. 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 people’s face,” he submitted.
