In a universe that has not always made space for women, Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, the founder and Group Managing Director of Still Earth Group, has fearlessly taken up a conspicuous space for herself. Now, the power and pull of her entrepreneurial attainments are making space for a new generation of young women who are willing to interrogate their fears and achieve greatness. And it is not hard to see why; writes Lanre Alfred.
DEFINING OYIN’S LOVE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Beautiful in an exotic, utterly understated way, Oyin exudes vigor, drama, fortitude, and happiness. Very early in life, she attained entrepreneurial acclaim for her inspiring exploits in the business world—you could be forgiven for imagining that she was shepherded by a savvy, tireless innate alter ego to get to her current height.
Yes, that entrepreneurship is a viable tool to fast-track Africa’s development and consolidate on the gains of a new age is a truism boldly embodied and embraced by brainy Oyindamola Lami Adeyemi, the chief executive officer of construction giant, Still Earth Limited. A self-driven entrepreneur who comes across as an enviable Amazon and achiever in an area and era where everyone seems to understate the role and worth of a driven woman, those who know Oyin say she exemplifies a modern yet timeless construct of femininity that manifests as a blend of relentless and noble pursuits.
For the past decade and more, she has worked hard to attain her current status and, therefore, is far removed from the contemporary alpha female stereotype that glorifies flamboyance, self-aggrandizement and narcissism above substance. Importantly, Oyin is acutely aware that she orbits a universe that has not always made space for women and, thus, has fearlessly taken up a conspicuous space for herself. Now, the power and pull of her entrepreneurial attainments are making space for a new generation of young women who are willing to interrogate their fears and achieve greatness. And it is not hard to see why.
FINDING HER LIFE’S PURPOSE AND PASSION THROUGH STILL EARTH
Starting a company is a riveting roller coaster of emotions with tremendous highs and at times, difficult lows. Nevertheless, Oyin did not cut corners on her way up the ladder of success; she paid her dues by working at various times at the First City Monument Bank PLC and Equatorial Trust Bank where she rose to become the Head, Public Sector Group (Ogun Region). But she knew that the regimented routine of banking work wasn’t her thing.
She then tried her hands on the retail fashion business, travelling to England to bring quality products; and later, as a realtor assisting clients in different aspects of the real estate business including rentals, sales and purchase. However, her inability to raise adequate funds to finance the business posed a serious threat but Oyin was not one to give up without putting up a spirited fight and she did put up a very good fightby dabbling into all sorts of legitimate and edifying pursuits. A fortuitous draft of a manifesto brought Oyin before former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and she was drafted into his strategy team for his presidential run in 2011. Beautiful and brainy Oyin expectedly made an impression on the cerebral politician.
Thereafter, she found her life’s ultimate purpose in the construction industry when she established Still Earth Group with a vision to develop the country’s infrastructural base by responsibly executing every project it is entrusted with while creating real benefits for the communities it serves by adopting a principled and uncompromising approach to its professional and value standards.
The company also aims to be an international market leader, preferred general construction contractor that is globally recognized while achieving consistency and proficiency in the delivery of outstanding services and adding value for clients through professionalism, pro-activity, creativity, transparency, timeliness and qualitative performance. “My story is one of grit, resilience and persistence, which over the years has built a solid foundation to pursue excellence end-to-end, and achieve higher goals,” she stated on her LinkedIn page.
THE SUCCESS STORY OF STILL EARTH
It has been a concatenation of successes for Still Earth, a factor she hinged on the company’s passion to achieve set goals and objectives. In the past decade, the company’s clientele base has become an eloquent testimony of how prolific and professional it has been. Still Earth has a portfolio of completed projects and satisfied clients that are in both the public and private sectors including Julius Berger Nigeria, Dangote Refinery, Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd, Oyo State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Lagos State Government, Ekiti State Government, Akwa Ibom State Government, Delta State Government, Federal Ministry of Transport, China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited and many high net-worth individuals amongst others.
According to her, the successes recorded so far boil down to the team and the corporate values and culture that are upheld at Still Earth Limited. Also, she added, “We have in place a board of directors comprising veterans who are passionate about Still Earth Limited. They always bring their experience and expertise to bear. Our management team is peopled by technocrats whose professionalism can compete with global standards. I think I have been lucky with having the right people with me all the way. Our clients have also been a part of our huge success. Most of the state governors we work with award us contracts based on their determination to improve the welfare of the people in the state and also to improve their standards of living.”
STILL EARTH DIVERSIFIES
A patriotic yet realistic believer in Nigeria and her people and potentials, Oyin could just as well sit back and be satisfied with her multi-million naira construction company but her matchless, can-do spirit has seen her continually ideating and innovating. She has recently diversified into the finance sector with the establishment of Still Earth Capital Finance, a multi-faceted financial services company offering tailored financial services and solutions to individuals, companies and the public sector.
The Victoria-Island, Lagos-based company provides a diversified range of financial services including Consumer Finance, Commercial and SME Finance, Corporate Finance and Financial Advisory and Wealth Management Services. Its mission statement is to provide outstanding services to its clients through the use of technology and leverage its principal officers’ significant experience and track record covering investment banking, commercial banking, project and infrastructure finance, business strategy and transformation in meeting its wide range of clients’ needs.
One major area that Still Earth has also thrived in is its workforce. Oyin has marshalled her team well by activating and directing the positive energy of her people to achieve excellent results. She has continued to invest in qualified talents and thus leads a workforce of trained and tested individuals helping to achieve her different companies’ objectives, one of which is, “To work together as a team to achieve success on every project for our clients, through the professionalism, diligence and hard work that we profess and promote.”
OYIN’S DIVERSE BACKGROUND
Born to a Yoruba father from Owo, Ondo State and a Hausa/Fulani mum from Gombe State, a racial diversity that has proved advantageous in an ethnocentric society as Nigeria’s, Oyin possesses a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master’s in Political Economy & Governance from the University of Abuja. A well-rounded project management professional with an Owner/President Management (OPM) degree from the prestigious Harvard Business School; Oyin is the winner of the African Leader of Integrity Merit Award – Excellence in Corporate Governance & Service Delivery from Accra, Ghana, among other coveted honours and recognitions across Nigeria and beyond. As she adds a year on March 19, there is no doubt that she has so much to thank God for and leap and spin in excitement and exultation.
