Some people see me as unserious because of tattoos— Farooq Oreagba

Farooq Oreagba is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer-designate of NG Clearing Limited, who recently went viral on account of his appearance and ‘steeze’ at the last Ojude Oba festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. He tells TOFARATI IGE and NAOMI CHIMA about his career, lifestyle and other issues

W hat do you consider to be your biggest achievement as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer-designate of NG Clearing Limited?

That would be developing the ecosystem to enable trading in derivatives and creating awareness about the product and opportunities.

What were the highlights of your time at the Nigerian Stock Exchange?

While at the Exchange, I was involved in the creation of new products, such as Real Estate Investment Trust, and Exchange Traded Funds.  At the time, there hadn’t been any new products introduced for years, and this helped deepen the market considerably.  I also created five sectoral indices, of which one— NGX30— now has derivatives contracts listed on it.  I was a member of the Presidential Bond Market Steering Committee which formed the basis for the bond market today, which just so happens to be the pot from which the Federal Government does most of its borrowings. I also spoke at the World Economic Forum on Capital Market developments in Nigeria. At one point, I was also the Secretary of the African Securities Exchanges Association.

A lot has been said about your battle with cancer and how you stoically fought it. But, at the height of managing the illness, did you ever think you might not make it? If yes, how were you able to deal with the fear and continue fighting?

It was never guaranteed that I would pull through, but I decided to give it my best shot.  I was scared, and I cried almost daily. I could not understand why I had been chosen to suffer cancer.  However, every time, I would pull myself together and convince myself of the need to fight.  My father died when I was four years old, and I was raised by my mother and uncle.  At the time of my diagnosis, my sons were 14, 11 and two years old respectively.  My love for them made me fight. And also, the fact that I was not willing to make my aged mother bury her only son, after having to bury her husband years before strengthened my resolve.

Many educated and successful people in this part of the world don’t like to participate in traditional and cultural activities because they consider them to be demeaning and/or fetish. Having participated in the Ojude Oba festival for years, what do you have to say to such people?

Such people should never forget their roots and where they came from.  Yes, there are many traditional activities that I don’t attend, for a variety of reasons, but I am aware of them.  As for being demeaning, I think such people are just being naïve, because I don’t believe one’s origins can be demeaning.

With the attention you have been getting, do you have plans to engender a sort of cultural renaissance, especially among the youth?

It is important to note that this year, I have not done anything different from what I had been doing all along. I have a full-time job that remains very important to me and as such, I really don’t have the time to embark on any new initiatives.  Having said that, I will gladly lend my support to such, if and where possible.  I have recently been made a honorary ambassador by the National Council for Arts and Culture, and that will be my starting point to help create awareness around the culture.

Has anybody in the corporate world ever looked down on you or did not take you seriously on account of your tattoos?

I wouldn’t say I have been looked down upon but yes, I have been deemed unserious in many quarters, despite what I have managed to achieve.  Even today, there are certain places and events in the corporate sector where I dare not expose my tattoos.  My attitude has always been that I should not be judged by my appearance; but instead, by my achievements.

What drives and motivates your spirit of adventure; and what is the most adventurous/daring thing you have ever done?

Regarding my spirit of adventure, I think it is just the way I am wired.  For example, I woke up one day and decided that I wanted peace and quiet, so I decided to relocate to an island that is a 30-minute boat ride off the coast of Lagos, and lived there for four years. It was a real Robinson Crusoe (the title character of an English adventure novel) move but I loved it, and I worked from there for years. Sometimes, one just has to be different and stop following the herd.  What many call my spirit of adventure is simply me being true to myself.

What advice do you have for young people as regards being successful in their career, yet still having fun and living a well-rounded life?

It is about the quality of one’s life.  There is no point in being rich and miserable. I would rather be comfortable and happy.  Do what makes you happy and if possible, make a living doing it. I am passionate about what I do in financial services, and it is not about money.  It is only when one actually looks forward to going to work, that one is able to give one’s best.  As we are currently witnessing, many firms are now allowing employees to work remotely. Companies are starting to realise that point too now.

How would you describe your childhood, and in what ways did it shape you into the man you have become?

My dad died when I was four years old, and I then lived with my elder sister and mother.  Despite my mum being an executive at a multinational firm, we lived in a maids’ quarters (BQ), while mum put all her resources into ensuring that we had good education, while also saving to be able to send us to the United Kingdom for our higher education. At the time, I never understood but later in my life, I appreciated the sacrifices she made.

My childhood was one of zero luxury but plenty of love. I learnt discipline, and how to live within my means without being envious of my friends.  All these lessons have come in very useful in my later life.

What three things can you never be caught doing?

That’s a tough one because I believe that my actions tend to be based on the situation that I find myself in. However, my mother and my sons mean the world to me, so it would be safe to state that I would never do anything against their interests.