Personality in Focus
GText @16: We’ve Equipped Aspiring Entrepreneurs, Raised 60,000 Millionaires, Developed 25 Luxury Estates – Dr. Akintayo
By Eric Elezuo
From the humblest of beginnings in 2008, GText Holdings Limited has grown in leaps and bounds, gathering accolades, encomiums, and growth and development as 16 years roll by.
This was the submission of the Group Chairman, Dr. Stephen Akintayo, while addressing the media, as he reeled out the text of success stories that trailed the organisation in 16 years since 2008, expanding to accommodate GText and Associates, GText Land, GText Homes, GText Suites, Gvest and Stephen Akintayo Foundation. All these subsidiaries have since grown independently, carving a niche for themselves in global competition, and maintaining a market lead in their various areas of endeavours.
“It’s humbling however, to note that I started my business with one thousand naira, and for us to be in the four continents of the world, I had to keep proving myself,” he said.
Established on May 21, 2008, in a hostel room of about 12 by 15 feet, the Gtext brands have over the years seen the good, the bad and the ugly, but has stayed focused to the dream, and today, is a force to reckon with in the global business world.
A soft spoken go-getter, the story of Stephen Akintayo and to a large extent, Gtext, is a practically example of the proverbial leap from grass to grace, and tells a narrative filled with determination, resilience and focus. His life trajectory culminates in why everyone is a candidate of success, irrespective of the background.
He told journalists in his Ikoyi office, and via his social media handles, how he doggedly built his empire via strategic marketing advantages, and rising to the status of king of real estate, as well as how a team of hardnut-to-crack management team, has sustained the growth to its present magnanimous level.
“Exactly 16 years ago, we registered Gtext and Stephen Akintayo Foundation, the name then was Gileadbalm.
“This company started in my Campus 12by 15feet hostel room turn office and accomodation. My first Full time Employee is a guy name Busayo who had 3month compulsory internship and didn’t want to leave Ago-Iwoye and ask to work for Me. He will resume in that 12 by 15 feet room office and run errands. The scripture that says; “Though thy beginning was small, Yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Job 8:7 KJV
“We started very small with many businesses that failed even before I registered the company but one business became our identity, Bulk SMS. Started this with 1000 naira (10USD that’s time estate rate) our projection will see us control real estate asset worth over 2billion dollars in the next 5years, particularly our international operations. Only God could have gotten us this far in life and business.
“Many don’t know that our foundation was bigger in name and brand than the for-profit business. Infinity Foundation which later change to Stephen Akintayo Foundation started with Campus students wanted to help the poor particularly orphans and widows. I was poor myself, yet wanting to make others rich.
“As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 2 Corinthians 6:10 KJV. I was a student for Christ sake yet we will raise Millions of Naira to do project with orphanages . Will use my school fees and accomodation rent money just because I wanted to see changes. After I got tired and frustrated by people who pledge towards our project and disappoint , I decided to make the business arm more central and what I make from my business, I can then put into charity which is what we now do today.
“In All! God has been good to us as a company! We have moved from one estate to over 30 cut across 7 states in Nigeria and also in USA. We have moved from one employee to over 300 in 4 continents namely Africa, UK, Dubai for Middle East, USA for The Americas. Thank you to all who keep faith with us. We are grateful,” the seasoned entrepreneur said.
Acknowledging that he was pushed to work hardest because of the need to be financially free, he noted that he embraced entrepreneurship very eary in life.
“At the age of 17/18, I read the books that changed my life. I read Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Think and Grow Rich and others. The books woke me up to know that it is not degrees that is going to make me rich. It made me know that degree is just about going to school and being enlightened. If I want to be rich, I needed to do a trade. Having gone through that book at the age of 18, I started my first business as a very shy person, and my first business was multilevel marketing of food supplement by GNLD. It was difficult to market a drug, as I couldn’t look a potential customer in the face, but the book I read said if I could do this, I would become rich. So I had to.
“I started business by selling e-books from day one in the university. I was just sold to doing business; hawked electronics and all stuffs. I failed many times doing business but I kept at it because I had no choice, and because we were not rich and money was always an issue, so I just had to keep at it and that was it for me,” he informed.
Over the years, Akintayo and Gtext has providing affordable accommodations to all strata of clients ranging from the low to the upper class.
Today, Gtext land boasts of 25 luxury estates with 16 already launched and five fully developed just as nine estates are in pre-launch stages. Also, Gtext Suites have offered ownership of smart homes in prestigious areas like Sangotedo and Banana Island. The magnanimity of this project allows anyone who sells up to three property, an opportunity of an all expense trip to Jordan.
In the same vein, GText and Associates, alongside Stephen Akintayo Foundation has organised over 100 Certified Real Estate Masterclasses and enhanced realtors’ global real estate expertise. They have also initiated and executed over 50 all expense paid trips, which created opportunities for business growth as well as raising over 60,000 persons to the millionaire cadre.
Gvest, the investment of the Holdings, has succeeded in paying Return on Investment (ROI) to investors. The company has seamlessly perfected its operational base, laying a foundation that affords clients effortless utilization of the GSAVE app.
The Stephen Akintayo Foundation arm of the Holdings has been in the forefront of equipping aspiring entrepreneurs through real estate investment masterclasses as well as promoting global finance literacy via a successful family finance conference.
The company plans a gala nite for management, staff and the general public on June 1, 2024, to celebrate the landmark achievements of the past 16 years.
This is wishing Dr. Stephen Akintayo and the entire Gtext family a wonderful 16th Anniversary celebration, and many more years of market leadership.
When the President called to inform me of his decision to magnanimously confer on me the the National Award of Commander of the Federal Republic, CFR, on account of my much advertised role in the struggle for the validation of the June 12th election and affirmation of Chief MKO Abiola’s mandate, my first reaction was why only me and not all those unsung heroes. Those officers and men who actively participated in that struggle, risking their careers and even lives.
Although I was one of the leaders of that movement within the military, my contribution was by no means bigger than theirs. While I have been recognised and celebrated, including this National Honour by the President, they have remained anonymous.
It is therefore incumbent upon me to reveal the identity of these patriots if only to acknowledge and commend their contributions to the emergence of the current democratic dispensation.
The fact that Chief Abiola, the presumed winner of the June 12th election won over 80% of the Armed Forces votes, clearly demonstrated the contribution of the other members of the military. I should add that this list is by no means exhaustive.
There are a lot more participants who have remained unknown to me since they served under others. I apologise to all those whose names I must have missed.
May God recognise and reward your sacrifice.
Top on my list is my deputy at the Armoured Corps Centre and School, Col MA Garba, whose commitment was so strong that he continued with the execution of our plans after some of us were arrested, detained and mercifully retired in October, 1993. He went on, as he should, to attain the enviable rank of a Major General in the army.
Others are:
-Lt col Lawal Jaafaru Isa.
-Lt col UF Ahmed.
-Lt col MS Dasuki.
-Lt col ML Gwadabe.
-Lt col J. Temlong.
-Lt col Musa Shehu.
-Lt col Chris Eze.
-Lt col HM Dzarma.
-Lt col Isa Jibrin.
-Lt col JOS Oshanupin.
-Lt Col A Oloruntoba(kabiesi Olugbede of Gbede kingdom).
-Lt col Moke.
-Lt col Happy Bulus.
-Lt col Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
-Col J Okai.
-Col E. Ndubueze.
-Lt col Yakubu Muazu.
-Lt col Yahaya Abubakar ( current Etsu Nupe).
-Major Saad Abubakar (current Sultan of Sokoto).
-Maj Abba Maimalari.
-Maj Jamil Tahir.
-Maj Buzugbe.
-Maj LP Aprezi.
-Maj MK Yake.
-Maj J Dawah.
-Maj Suleiman Wali.
-Maj Dauda Komo.
-Maj Lucky Torrie.
-Maj JS Zaruwa.
-Maj M Sumaye.
-Maj Sani Bawa.
-Maj Ndaliman.
Maj Ahmed.
-Maj M Bawa.
-Lt col JB Ahmadu.
-Capt Junaid Bindawa.
-Capt Lar.
I therefore accept this award with all sense of humility on behalf of all these officers and men. Obviously, it goes without saying that this award will be doubly more meaningful if the democracy we all fought for delivers the real dividends.
This can happen only if leaders at all levels govern with the fear of God and in accordance with the tenets of democracy. It remains the hope and prayers of all patriots that nothing is done to derail this infant democracy.
To achieve the stability and progress of our democracy, leaders must prioritise good governance over politicking for self aggrandizement.
The three co-equal branches of government must operate independently while cooperating with each other.
One enduring lesson from the conduct of the officers and men is their decision to operate above sycophancy but to hold their superior officers to account.
Sadly, this does not appear to have a positive impact on our political leaders. Sycophancy everywhere has become the scourge of selfless and accountable leadership. It is the reason for the arrogance and vanity we see in our leaders at all levels. Men of straw are widely and falsely being elevated to the position of icons by self seeking sycophants.
Mr President must lead in a war against sycophancy in all its forms. This must allow for no exceptions including the rapidly growing trend of naming and renaming public institutions, facilities and other infrastructure after a President or State Governor while in office.
The other day, the Senate President was reported to have predicted that President Bola Tinubu would win the 2027 election with 99.9% of the votes! Even allowing for the fact that this Senate President is widely known for his humorous incitement, Mr President will do well to shun such oracles.
God bless Nigeria.
Abubakar Dangiwa Umar,
Colonel (Retd)
Deputy National Chairman (North) of the All Progressives Congress, Ali Bukar Dalori, has assumed office as the acting National Chairman of the ruling party.
This came following the resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje on Friday.
Ganduje’s resignation, though not officially explained as of press time, reportedly took many by surprise.
A top party official confirmed, “Yes, it is true. He has resigned.”
One source said his resignation may be linked to ongoing permutations around the vice-presidential slot, with increasing pressure to zone it to the North-West, Ganduje’s region.
“If the vice-presidential ticket is retained in the Northwest, the party chairmanship might have to shift elsewhere. Don’t forget, the APC had originally zoned the national chairmanship to the North-Central,” the source said.
Dalori, who holds the northern portfolio, now steps in.
Amid the quiet evacuation of Ganduje’s personal belongings from his office, staff and visitors at the APC national secretariat were left in shock.
As the party prepares to fill the vacancy, insiders say former Nasarawa State Governor, Senator Tanko Al-Makura, is a leading contender.
“Al-Makura is top of that list, as far as I know,” a source stated.
The Daily Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr. Eze Anaba, has been re-elected as National President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).
He was re-elected at the Biennial National Convention of the Guild currently going on at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
Anaba was returned unopposed, a development attributed to his widely acknowledged record of administrative capability.
Also elected at the convention was the Managing Director of The Sun newspaper, Mr. Onuoha Ukoh, who clinched the position of General Secretary with 218 votes.
He defeated his closest rivals – Wole Sogunle and Qasim Akinreti – who polled 45 and 30 votes respectively.
Other elected officers include:
Deputy President: Sabastine Abu (175 votes), defeating Mohammed Sanusi Jubrin.
Vice President, West: Karbi Alabi
Vice Presidents: Hamza Idris and Sheddy Ozoene
Treasurer: Iyobosa Uwugiaren
Assistant Secretary: Gabriel Fulajimi Akinadewo
Publicity Secretary: Charles Kanu
Members elected into the Standing Committee from various zones are: Rose Moses, Ejiro Umukoro, Olabisi Deji-Folutile, Juliet Bumah, Umoru Ibrahim, Paulyn Ugbodaga, Chinedu Max Egere, and Ikpong Essien-Udoh.
The convention, which attracted over 400 editors from across Nigeria, was graced by several notable media veterans and public figures. Among the dignitaries in attendance were founder of Channels Television, Dr. John Momoh; former Ogun State Governor, Chief Segun Osoba; ex-NDDC Chairman, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu; and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina.
