Sheer Providence: The Story of My Life

PRAISES FOR SHEER PROVIDENCE

Many are born in rural communities, but few have the opportunity of migrating to city centers. Many make it to the city centers but few make a success of their chosen professions, businesses or vocations. Many become successful, but very few are chosen to document their experiences for self-fulfilment and for the benefit of society at large. One of these very few is Engineer Ayinla Adeniji Raji. This is a clear evidence that Niji enjoys the special grace of Almighty Allah. Talk of sheer providence!

Niji has written a book with compellingly readable content. Many readers will resonate with the various experiences he went through, growing up. The book is written in flowing, lucid, detailed and candid style.

He and members of his editorial team should be appreciated for the brilliant job.

How would anyone ordinarily expect that someone who learnt the alphabet by writing on sand, someone who went through games like fire on the mountain, bojuboju, and okoto; someone who didn’t wear shoes till the age of fourteen; and someone whose father trekked on holy pilgrimage from Okeho in Oyo State to Mecca in Saudi Arabia and back, would grow up to become one of today’s leaders of thought in our nation, making waves in religious, professional, business, national and international organizations like Rotary? As Doris Day sang in 1954, Que sera sera. What will be will be!

Yinusa Ayinla Adeniji Raji is wired to be an enduring success story. He is well grounded in the Islamic religious studies. He is calm, deep, broad-minded and intellectual. He has expertise in conflict resolution processes and he is at ease when handling challenges, no matter their nature. His boundless optimism is derivable from his Arabic origin name Raji which translates to hope. All these and much more, shine through in this enthralling autobiography.

Prince Julius Adewale Adelusi-Adeluyi OFR, mni

Industrialist and chairman of Juli Pharmacy

Former Federal Minister of Health

Given the humble background of PDG Adeniji Raji, his resilience in the face of intimidating challenges of early life, the spartan discipline and the strength of character – all combined to make him wade through the uncharted ocean of life successfully, this autobiography is sui generis as it challenges as well as inspires youths never to be despondent, but to remain resolute and essentially to believe in themselves and our Creator.

This is a must-read autobiography for everyone, for we must all come to terms with the time-honored conviction that anyone can make it. We earnestly strive and give the required dedication, for even Providence must be earned because nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Aare Dr. Kola Oyefeso

President, Kotco Group

Aare Gbo-Gbo-Gbo of Remo-Land

Engr Adeniji Raji’s resourcefulness landed him at the top echelon of his profession and still paves way for him till date despite his age. He is highly prolific and his literary works are a proof of his versatility, profoundness and intellectual prowess. People like him are a rare breed.

Ridwanullah Jamiu, LL. B, LL.M

Chief Imam, Lekki Central Mosque

Adeniji Raji, an authentic humanist, philanthropist, philosopher, and esteemed engineer, has succeeded in writing a great book and a veritable guide for everyone striving and aspiring to be the very best they are destined to be, against all odds and challenges in 'Life's Journey'!

Raji utilizes a Chaucerian cum Achebesque narrative style in accentuating his life struggles, replete with daunting challenges superseded by triumphant victories. An attitude steeped in old traditional values and virtues of integrity, honesty, unwavering faith, and sheer determination in a very commanding and compelling fashion. This is a story of hope and optimism against the usual tragic tale of vicissitudes.

Wisdom Dafinone

Author, Poet & Tax Advisor

Reading through SHEER PROVIDENCE reminds me of the saying: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade. This phrase runs through most of the early life of Engineer Adeniji Raji. SHEER PROVIDENCE is suffused with acts of faith, perseverance, and regular supplication from an early age. It is a must-read for young people who can take valuable lessons of hard work and determination. On the other hand, older people will learn that the grass that is green across the other side of their fence did not happen by accident; it has been nurtured and tended to regularly by someone. SHEER PROVIDENCE is a delight to read. It is filled with inspiration, and the many lessons life teaches us.

Dr. Tunji Funsho

Cardiologist

Chairman of Nigerian National Polio Plus Committee

One of ‘Times 100 Most Influential People in the World’ in 2020

SHEER PROVIDENCE is a welcome sequel to Adeniji Raji’s ‘The Journey of Life,’ an earlier anthology of wise sayings on life. In this autobiography, the ‘Sayings’ in the first publication are personalized to his own life’s sojourn.

This book illuminates the dark corners of Nigeria’s policy failures over the years to deliver for the good of the country's people using Adeniji Raji’s professional interface with Nigeria’s telecommunication industry as a template.

The book also provides a brief but concise case study on successfully navigating business relationships in Nigeria.

Throughout the book, what comes out is that to be a true Omoluwabi as per Yoruba philosophy, one must imbibe humility and forbearance.

Yinusa Adeniji Raji makes it crystal clear that his success in life depended on people, which encapsulates the Yoruba saying that eniyan l’ aso mi. You cannot walk far in life without that essential human contact and, of course, divine intervention.

Dr. Adesola Adelakun

Former Managing Director,

Osogbo Steel Rolling Mills

Sheer Providence is a factual and beautiful rendition of the tortuous and eventful life of Adeniji Raji. There couldn’t have been a more apt title to highlight a life of simplicity, honor, selflessness, integrity, and grit to succeed.

Chief Abayomi Adewunmi

Agroeg Consultants,

Management Consultants

When the results of our December 1957 exams at Eko Boys High School for new students came out, four students were exceptional: Ferdinand Amachiree, Emmanuel Kujore, David Gbegbaje, and Yunusa Raji. Because of this, the 1B Class Master, Alhaji Ajose, nicknamed Raji, ‘Dr. Chike Obi’. Chike Obi was the best-known mathematician in those days.

Four years later, the principal of the school, Mr. Percy Savage, during a general assembly he convened, presented the General Proficiency Prize, one of the prizes for outstanding performance, to one Cornelius Adekunle Sowonla. Sowonla was also decorated as the prefect elect.

Raji did not view this as fair and asked that we led a team to the principal’s office to demand the result sheet of Class 4. Surprised by his courage, the principal’s personal assistant, Mr. Oladele Philip, produced the result sheet which proved that Raji had scored the highest mark, followed by David Gbebaje. Cornelius Adekunle Sowonla was third. It was an experience that exposed the courageous character of Y.A. Raji and revealed him to be a leader in the making. Although he missed the prize and post of senior prefect of the school, he was made the prefect of offender, the second-highest position in the school.

In 1961, our final year, Cable and Wireless came to Eko Boys High School to interview science students for employment. Raji scored the highest, was employed by the company and sent to the United Kingdom as a trainee engineer.

In the final West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) examinations, in 1961, Y.A. Raji scored the highest out of all the Grade1 students from Eko Boys High School. It was clear from those early days, that the seed of success was planted in him. His story, as outlined in this book, demonstrates this and shows that a careful observation of any young person’s character, talents and performances, can point to what lies ahead.

Chief Gbegbaje Das 1 (M. PHIL)

Architect and former managing partner,

Niger Consultants

The story of Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET) Limited is an essential part of Nigeria’s telecommunication industry history. This is one reason, among others, why Niji’s autobiography is important. Niji’ led the Control Room, the very life line of NET, admirably. The Control Room was the cash cow of the company, funding major projects like the NECOM House, a satellite earth station and the International Telex Exchange. One can therefore confidently say that in more ways than one, Niji was responsible for the construction of NECOM House which is the tallest building in Nigeria till date.

Despite its importance, Niji’s professional life is just one aspect of him. His entire life oozes with experiences that teach and inspire. I am extremely delighted that he has finally captured the events that shaped his life and industry in a book. When one finds character and professionalism in an individual, one must sit up and listen to what he has to say.

Chief Ezekiel Fatoye

Former General Manager,NITEL

Contents

PRAISES FOR SHEER PROVIDENCE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING

CHAPTER 2: CHILDHOOD MEMORIES

CHAPTER 3: ’NIJI GOES TO SCHOOL

CHAPTER 4: THE TURNING POINT

CHAPTER 5: CAREER EVOLUTION

CHAPTER 6: BACK HOME

CHAPTER 7: THE HOUSE OF INTRIGUES

CHAPTER 8: STEPPING OUT

CHAPTER 9: MY BELOVED PROFESSION

CHAPTER 10: LOVE AND FAMILY

CHAPTER 11: TRAVELS AND ADVENTURES

CHAPTER 12: MY ROTARY STORY

CHAPTER 13: MY SOCIAL LIFE

CHAPTER 14: FAITH AND RELIGION

CHAPTER 15: FRIENDS ALONG MY LIFE’S PATH

CHAPTER 16: LESSONS FROM LIFE

Dedication

This book is dedicated to all young men and women who have to overcome difficult circumstances early in life to realize their life ambitions.

Acknowledgements

First and foremost, I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the strength, knowledge, ability and opportunity to undertake the writing of this book and to persevere and complete it satisfactorily. Without His blessings, this achievement would not have been possible.

Similarly, this book would not have been possible without the help of friends, family members, colleagues at Rotary and Wednesday Lunch Group.

I would also like to thank my editorial team, Olakunle Kasumu, Dr. Tunji Funsho, Yomi Adewunmi and Olutayo Irantiola for whipping the manuscript into its present shape.

Most of all, I thank my wife and partner for more than half a century, Omolara, for her support over the years and for providing most of the pictures for this publication.

Equally, I want to appreciate my business associates, John Wates and Leslly Donelly who contributed immensely to my business success.

Finally, I am grateful to the hero of this book, my late sister, Salamot Olayode, who put me on the pathway to greatness by sending me to school.

FOREWORD

The title of Engineer Adeniji Raji’s autobiography gets one thinking because of the word providence. Volumes of essays have been written on the subject. Nevertheless, it doesn't appear as enough can ever be written on it, given its complexity. There is a high level of curiosity about Providence that cuts across cultures and races, making the subject almost intriguing.

Another word for Providence is fate or destiny. Both terms connote something pre-determined for us before we were even born, perhaps. Providence, at times, is confused with chance or fortuity. This may imply an inscrutable decree of a deity, arbitrarily interfering in the affairs of human life. What a whimsical world that portends! With such perception, it is easy to fall into the trap of those who think and feel life is unfair in the face of the seeming imbalance that pervades in the world.

We could impulsively be deeming life as unfair if we are to attribute Providence to coincidence. When we perceive life around us, we are prone to ask lots of questions. Posers as to why a very old man weary and weather-beaten by vicissitudes of life, but still tagging on, while babies and children with high hopes for the future often face an untimely death.

Wherever we turn to, imbalance appears to be the order of the day. Some were born healthy and with silver spoons, while a more significant number arrived unto the world with no spoon and with all kinds of diseases, deprivations, and inability to make ends meet. These inequalities have confounded great minds, baffled the priestly class, scientists, and all worldly reformers.

But from the heavenly vista, we have a perfect God, and His creation is running ceaselessly according to the inviolable cosmic law of retribution. Some scriptures may not agree with this; the truth, however, is that a larger number of scriptures confirm the law of karma and have shown proofs and methods to ascertain that there was life before now, and there will be life hereafter.

We may accept it or not; we are so to say, now in the world reaping the fruits of the seeds we planted in previous lives and sowing the seeds of what we would harvest tomorrow. Retribution is an unalterable law couched in a manner a farmer cannot repudiate his plants' crops. Our free will is limited and conditioned right from the womb, along with the Providence we are to face when we are born.

Our lives can, therefore, be likened to a chess game. Before the game starts, of course, we had free will to play or not. But once the game begins and the first move is made, our free will is gone outright, as our next move is contingent upon the first move and subsequent moves of the other player, all through the game.

Although whatever we are in this world had been merited and at times unknown to us, yet, it takes a noble soul to attribute his achievements to the Supreme Lord. The truth nonetheless is that the Lord doesn't cast His pearls before the swine. It goes without saying that to the overweening individuals, they could deem their achievements smarter than others, but that is not Adeniji Raji, who discerns God's handiwork in all happenings around him and goes further to see the Creator in everyone whose path crosses his.

One thing that stands out about the auto-biographer is his humility in greatness. Coupled with that, he is very God-fearing and quick at imparting his immense knowledge of religion and life's experiences with a daily homily on all his contacts, including my person.

One may have reservations about his philosophies, but his depth of understanding of the Islamic religion is unquestionable, while it is also very apparent that he means well for all. He is a staunch Muslim who encourages all his friends and associates to be as devoted as he is, in whatever religions they have embraced.

I came to know him in his late 50s. So the period of his life I can testify about is the past almost three decades, a time during which his image became that of a prodigious Ambassador of Rotary International who has taken Rotary service as a vocation that he treasures dearly.

A true Muslim devotee and a noble soul, Engineer Raji has made Rotary his third wife; his religion is the second. ‘Boodami’ as he is fondly referred to by the Big Boys is a very pious personage, worthy of emulation and renowned for his flexibility in accommodating other religions, both in his marital life and that of his offspring.

Engineer Raji flogs his body to great lengths. He is a workaholic that is busier in retirement with services to Rotary and homestead. He has never been found wanting regarding his commitments to propagating the Islamic religion in addition to his humanitarian duties. These attributes, among others, have earned him what is said about the dutiful man cited in the scriptures quoted infra: Seest thou a man diligent in his deeds, for he shall stand before Kings and not before mean men.

This autobiography comes in handy in this era of the get-rich-quickly culture of budding Nigerians. The lack of vision of the ruling class, which makes the ship of our country sailing without a rudder, coupled with the profligacy of a good number of our leaders, makes this book most relevant. Given the humble background of Engineer Adeniji Raji, his resilience in the face of intimidating challenges of early life, and his spartan discipline and strength of character, the story of his life as narrated in 'Sheer Providence,' is sure to motivate readers of different generations.

This autobiography is sui generis as it challenges and inspires our youths never to be despondent but to remain resolute and believe in themselves and our Creator, fully assured that perseverance shall bring its rewards in the long run. Against the preceding, it is with a high sense of responsibility, cum civic patriotism, that I commend this autobiography as a MUST-READ, for every individual, particularly the up and coming ones.

This is the story of a man whose life reminds us that if we earnestly strive and give the required dedication, we will succeed, for even Providence must be earned because nothing ventured, nothing gained. The higher the goal, the greater the effort.

Aare Dr. Kola Oyefeso

President, Kotco Group

Aare Gbo-Gbo-Gbo of Remo-Land

INTRODUCTION

I have lived the pain of poverty. I have seen countless storms in life. Most have caught me by surprise so I have had to learn very quickly that I am not capable of controlling the weather as with many other things in this world. This truth taught me the need to exercise the art of patience and to walk absolutely in the will of God.

My motivation for writing this book, Sheer Providence, is to share a few of my life experiences and observations with the hope that the effort will, at the very least, inspire someone, offer hope, and perhaps document useful bits of history for posterity. I am also motivated by the opportunity to look back and remember the awesome memories life has gifted me, while meditating on how far I have come and the positive lessons I have learnt.

I know two things define a person – attitude in the worst of times and outlook when things are rosy at their finest. Past years showed me pains and much heartache, but staring in the mirror now, I see the several lessons I have learnt and take pride in myself.

Life is said to be short. I consider the numerous events that have crowded into mine, and I cannot but reflect on how the course of events in people’s lives might have been changed if the prospect had always looked as long as the retrospect. Perhaps many people would have shown more patience and put more deliberation into the ordering of their affairs.

As each life has its ambitions – small or great – conquests, trials, and failures, so does each day have to bear its own burden of trials and anxieties. And as daily life is lived and tasks accomplished, so will our life's work be fulfilled; but how few there are who can look back and say their lives have been a success, and that they have accomplished all they should or could have done. I think I can.

When you have no toys, shoes and other material things, you learn to be creative.

Rising from the low hills of poverty, for me, proved to be a fertile breeding ground for resourcefulness and creativity. When life threw lemons at me, I did not just make lemonade, I took the rinds and made lemon pie! On the whole, I am very proud of the blessings God has bestowed on me.

The pathway to my achievements and success can be attributed to two important things – total obedience to my father’s directives despite him being an illiterate, and most importantly, the will of the Almighty God. I must, however, recognize the immeasurable contribution and love of my sister, Salamot, who against all odds, insisted on my going to school and initially financed it. May Allah bless her abundantly! May Allah also have mercy on her soul as she passed away in 2017.

Again, I hope that indigent youths will learn from my story that obedience to parents, hard work, persistence, determination and trust in God are sure pathways to a better future. God understands our disappointments, suffering, pains, fears and doubts. He is always there to encourage and help us understand that He is sufficient for our needs. I accept this as an absolute truth in my life. I believe young people can do so as well.

CHAPTER 1

THE BEGINNING

"When I was born, people were smiling and I was crying.

When I die, I hope that people will cry and I will be smiling."

Anonymous

My paternal grandfather, Pa Sulu Adeniji, migrated from Oyo Town to Okeho in present-day Kajola Local Government of Oyo State and settled at Imalefalafia Quarters of the town. He was a highly renowned Muslim cleric. My paternal grandmother, Aisha dyed clothes for a living and was popularly known as Iya Alaro. I never got