Editor - LOYAMP
LAGOS, Nigeria — The Bobagunwa of Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, Alhaji (Chief) Waidi Haruna, has marked his 65th birthday with reflections on a life defined by hardship, perseverance and faith, attributing his personal and business successes to divine grace.
Speaking in an interview with StarTrend Int’l Magazine and Online Platform, Haruna, fondly known as Wadoye, described attaining the age of 65 as an act of God’s mercy, noting that survival through years of poverty and uncertainty remains his greatest testimony.
He recalled growing up in extreme deprivation, where his family often relied on foraging in the forest for food. Haruna narrated how, as a child, he accompanied his father into the bush around Itolu, Ilaro-Yewa, in search of snails, only to return with mushrooms that sustained the family for a day.
Despite the challenges, he said his desire for education remained strong. When his parents could no longer fund his studies beyond secondary school, he took responsibility for his education after completing his West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), a decision he described as a turning point in his life.
Haruna moved to Lagos in search of better opportunities, where he worked as a bus conductor in Agege, enduring what he described as daily humiliation and harassment from law enforcement officers. His perseverance later earned him employment in 1983 as a patrol officer with Global Security Company, where he monitored security posts at several banks.
In 1985, he joined IMNL Cargo, then headed by Chief Alani Bankole, where he rose from dispatch rider to cargo supervisor. While working, Haruna obtained a degree in Shipping Management, a qualification he said laid the foundation for his future in the logistics industry.
In 1992, he established Wadoye Enterprises, which later became Wadoye Nigeria Ltd. Despite economic downturns, policy inconsistencies and regulatory challenges, the business expanded into what is now Wadoye Express Ltd., a logistics and cargo company with over 62 branches worldwide, including offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Dubai and Singapore.
Reflecting on industry trends, Haruna said the cargo and logistics sector was more profitable in the 1980s, but increasing competition and tighter regulations have reduced margins. He criticised Nigeria’s shipping and logistics policies as unfriendly to business, citing excessive bureaucracy as a major obstacle to growth.
He also expressed concern about what he described as policy decisions that favour the wealthy at the expense of the poor, contributing to widening economic inequality. As founder of the AbdulWaidi Islamic Foundation of Nigeria (AWIFON), Haruna further criticised prolonged border closures, saying they disproportionately affect low-income Nigerians.
While expressing cautious optimism about the current administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he said governance must be driven by empathy, especially for citizens facing economic hardship.
Offering advice to younger generations, Haruna urged married couples to embrace patience, forgiveness and understanding, stressing that tolerance and love are essential for a stable home.
As he marked his 65th birthday, the Bobagunwa of Ilaro-Yewa described his life journey — from hunger and hardship to global business success — as evidence of faith, resilience and gratitude, concluding simply with thanksgiving to God.
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