•Inside the Multibillion Naira 90-bed Mayegun Royal Resort
Fuji legend, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Omogbolahan Marshal popularly known as K1 De Ultimate, is constantly expanding his business interests, broadening his ventures, and extending his reach beyond music.
Before now, the musician cum businessman had his hands in several business endeavours including dredging and construction, importation and selling of electronics, ready made apparel, musical equipment, and automobile/spare parts.
In 2017, a few years after relocating to Ijebu Ode, his ancestral home, K1 ventured into bakery and confectionery, coffee and tea bar, ranching/farming, large-scale egg distribution, and table water production.
As if his business portfolio is not rich and enviable enough, the fuji maestro recently added to it Mayegun Royal Resort, a health and wellness facility, located in the upscale and serene Government Reservation Area (GRA), Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
According to K1 De Ultimate, the unique and one-in-town Mayegun Royal Resort offers a world of comfort, recreation and relaxation to those wishing to escape the highly stressful urban life.
“Even if it is a peaceful retreat, romantic getaway, family vacation or rejuvenating spa experience, every minute spent at Mayegun Royal Resort is designed to make the customer feel special, he emphasised.
However, the Mayegun of Yorubaland credited his late mother, Princess (Alhaja) Halimah Abike Anifowoshe, who counseled him and ensured he relocated to Ijebu Ode, as the strong pillar behind his entrepreneurial success.
“After my mothers intervention, one of the major decisions I took before finally relocating to Ijebu Ode from Lagos was to complete my house in the GRA,” he recalled. “In 2010, I completed the house and moved in. But even at that, I was still shuttling between Lagos and Ijebu Ode until 2017 when I started my first business, Anjola Bakery Limited.
SHOWBIZ Executive Editor, TOSIN AJIRIRE, engaged K1 in a conversation at his palatial Ule Omo Ojushagbola mansion in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State where he revealed what drives his passion for entrepreneurship and the beautiful idea behind Mayegun Royal Resort. He also highlighted the fact that the resort is a preferred destination for those who crave luxury life, healthy living, and congenial hospitality.
After you established Anjola Bakery in 2017, which other businesses followed before the coming of Mayegun Royal Resort?
I started Anjola Bakery in 2017 followed by Sawatul Water. Then I floated Melissa (Meli Meli) Eggs, a company that distributes eggs in large quantity. This was followed by a ranch, which I started with 20 heads of cow. I was also raising goats.
You chose to name some of your businesses after your children, most especially, the female
When I started the bakery, I named it after my daughter, Anjolaoluwa. I named the water after Sawat and the egg business after Melissa. Then, I decided to build a hospital and name it after my stepdaughter whose dream was to be a medical doctor. Little by little, I began to expand the business. I went to Surulere, Lagos and set up Marshal Tea and Coffee Bar. I also had a branch of Anjola Bread there. The business was doing well.
Later, for some reasons, I decided to move the business to Joel Ogunnaike in Ikeja, GRA. Unfortunately, after paying for the place and got it renovated, we were about opening for business when COVID-19 hit the world. As we were leaving the pandemic era, the EndSARS riots came in October 2020. So, the whole business became destabilised after investing over N200 million in it. But that didnt deter me.
At what point did you decide to set up Mayegun Royal Resort?
It was after I finally came back to Ijebu Ode from Benin Republic where I had relocated because of COVID-19 that I decided to start the spa and wellness business with the money I had left. I remember while I was acquiring the equipment needed for the business, I would be telling my pioneer staff Madam Ose of my dream and readiness to establish a big resort where people can come, relax, recreate and experience the best of luxury life and healthy living. And thats exactly what led to Mayegun Royal Resort that we have here today.
Why did you choose to establish a huge and capital-intensive business like Mayegun Royal Resort in Ijebu Ode and not Lagos, the commercial nerve center of the country, where you have lived all your life as a musician?
You kind of ask yourself whats really in Ijebu Ode that you want to leave Lagos and come and invest here. But the truth of the matter is that I am in love with Ijebu Ode.
Secondly, I want the best for my hometown. Thirdly, I am getting older. You can imagine if I have a huge investment like this in Lagos, it means at my old age I will be running up and down every time, shuttling between Lagos and Ijebu Ode to monitor the business.
Now that I am here, I can relax. I have the resort located directly opposite my house. I wake up in the morning and I just take a walk across to the resort. I have everything here the resort, the ranch, the bakery, everything! And so, I am at peace with myself.
In our conversation sometime ago, you said you wanted to build a specialist hospital here in Ijebu Ode. So, at what point did you change your mind to establish a wellness resort?
Nothing has changed. Its still very much the same thing. I am not building a hotel here. I cannot do hotel business. Never! What I have here is a resort. Mayegun Royal Resort is about health and wellness. Already, its being equipped with different kinds of modern, state-of-the-art machines. Here, we have the best of the best MRI, CT Scan, ENT, and Mammogram machines. Only recently, I acquired two oxygen machines. Some of the equipment I have here can hardly be found in some of the specialist hospitals in Nigeria.
By the time we are fully operational, you wont need to travel abroad for treatment or for the kind of specialist services we offer at Mayegun Royal Resort. As I am talking to you, there are some health specialists, both local and foreign, who are ready to partner with us. This is a 90-bed health and wellness resort equipped with the latest, state of the art machines. That tells you that theres no wonder we cannot perform at Mayegun Royal Resort.
Okay, tell us why people should choose Mayegun Royal Resort over and above others like it in Nigeria. What exactly are your unique selling points?
At Mayegun Royal Resort, we want our clients to experience tranquility, wellness, and premium pampering at its finest. Luxury living is not just by words, it should reflect in all you do. That is the reason Mayegun Royal Resort is dedicated to providing a luxuriant environment to make the wishes of our clients come true.
Not only that. Our luxurious and innovative solutions to relaxation are second to none. They are suitable for all the needs of our esteemed customers. Our services are also tailored to suit all cultured and cultivated individuals and corporate entities.
At Mayegun Royal Resort, all our rooms are top notch and exquisite. They are spacious, well furnished and presidential. Our state-of-the-art health facilities, managed by world-class experts, guarantee refreshing, rejuvenated wellness and fitness geared towards maximum productivity.
The resort is equipped with ultramodern spa, massage and gym facilities that guarantee our clients a total renewal of experience, fitness and freshness.
While we want our customers to make statements with their nails, we equally wish they could express themselves better with our exclusive and luxury manicure and nail art designs.
As you know, a serene poolside environment is one of the best places to hang out with friends. Thats why we intentionally make the Mayegun Royal Resorts poolside a luxurious, spacious and beautiful place to relax and forget all your troubles.
On top of these is a classy bar that offers a variety of luxury liquor brands. And manning the bar are world-class bartenders cum mixologists who are always ready to attend to guests and connoisseurs with their favourite drinks and well-mixed cocktails.
While the resort boasts state-of-the-art kitchen and restaurant manned by well-trained chefs, there is also a game area where you can play all sort of games both local and foreign. And I should not forget to mention the casino. Oh that one is simply the redefinition of fun and fantasy – all amid tight, round-the-clock security!
How did you raise funds to build a massive 90-bed resort of this kind?
When I was putting up this project, I looked for investors and I couldnt get any. I did everything; I invited people, friends to come and invest but to no avail. I then realised that people dont see your travails. All what they see is your triumph. Some of those I called to invest were asking questions such as ‘how long would it take to build the resort? ‘When is it going to be fully ready?’ ‘When are we going to start recouping our investments?’
Now, how can you imagine someone like me who has invested over N20 billion in the project not to be eager to recoup my investment? Quite funny! And then someone who wants to bring mere N40 million is feeling scared and agitated about committing his fund. That made me to sit down and tell myself the truth. I said to myself Wasiu, why cant you continue with the good work you are doing? Where you need genuine help, seek for it instead of worrying yourself about unserious investors.’
So, you decided to let go of the investors and then go it all alone?
I later started looking for partnership. But the partners I got were also asking me too many questions. They even tried to change the concept of the business to suit their own agenda. They would ask: Rather than do health and wellness resort, why cant you do hotel where people can come, eat, drink, have fun and go? But thats not my vision. The concept is an upscale resort where people can come and enjoy first class health and wellness services. Already, I have completed the project. Now, I have a 90-bed resort here. Everything that needs to be fixed has been fixed. So, we are good to go!
Now that you have everything fixed. Are you confidently saying that the multi-billion naira Mayegun Royal Resort is solely funded by you?
Yes. I can confidently say that Mayegun Royal Resort is solely funded by me. I didnt get a dime from anybody and I dont need a dime from anybody again. Though, I am not angry with those who disappointed me in the past; its all an experience I needed to have. For this, I give glory to God Almighty.
When is Mayegun Royal Resort going to be formally unveiled?
This is exactly where my dilemma lies. Having gone this far. After the project has been self-funded to the tune of over N20 billion, I am not in a hurry for anything again. I didn’t take a loan from anybody or any bank. All I am waiting for is to put finishing touches to the 4-storey building, which comes with a helipad at the top. This is for patients in emergency. I am not in a hurry anymore. I have surmounted all the obstacles. I have crossed the Rubicon!
You don’t want to put a date to it? I mean the finishing of the 4-storey building?
Its going be ready as soon as possible because all the materials needed are on the ground. These include powerful inverters and a 400 KVA generator. Already, we have 250 KVA and 150 KVA generators. In addition to these, I am going to get another 400 KVA generator to make it a total of 1,200 KVA generators powering the resort. We have three sources of power here PHCN, inverter and generators. And I am going to add solar energy any moment from now.
Have the clients started coming?
Yes, clients have started coming. People have started booking online. I always tell interested individuals or clients to go and register online. For now, they should register online at: www.mayegunsroyalresort.com. Well then ask them to pay when we are fully ready. But I can assure you that Mayegun Royal Resort is going to be strictly membership.
Are you sure, you’ll recoup your investment through membership only?
Yes, I am 100 per cent sure. Look, I believe I will make more money strictly through membership, rather than open up the place to the general public. The resort is going to be membership only because well be offering specialised services to our clients.
What inspires you as an entrepreneur?
Its the fact that I want to do my thing the way I want to do it. I don’t want to rely on anyone, especially my children. My children have their own responsibilities, so I don’t want to rely on them for anything. They didn’t ask to be brought to this world. It was me that brought them so I should be responsible to them. Thats why I am working hard. I want to keep working if possible till my last day on planet earth. Thats what inspires me as a businessman. Thats what inspires me as an entrepreneur.
Some people believe entertainers don’t make good businessmen. Do you subscribe to that notion?
No, I don’t believe so. I am an entertainer and I am a good businessman. I have laid my hands on many things. I was into buying and selling. I used to import and sell electronics. I used to deal in clothing, shoes and other personal items. I was into automobile and spare parts business. I used to bring them from Germany. I have done so many businesses in the past and I am still doing business. I am into construction and my ranch is doing very well. I am a farmer. I have farms in Abeokuta, Ibadan and Ilorin. I have a bakery. I sell eggs. I produce water in pet bottles. All my businesses are intact and doing fine. Look, I am not lazy. I am a workaholic. I labour hard to earn money. In actual fact, people see only the music side of me, they don’t know there are so many other businesses that I do. I believe in the philosophy of hard work!
With your hands in so many pies, how do you find time to relax?
I do relax. When I am tired, I go to my bedroom to have a sound sleep. I don’t compromise on that. I do go on vacation too. For instance, all through the fasting period, I did not work. I was at home resting. By the way, all my businesses are not far from me. My music studio is located right inside my house. So, any time I feel like recording, I just stroll into the studio and record. I don’t stress myself at all.
What are your thoughts on leaders and leadership?
Leadership is to understand, to reason and to listen. Leadership is togetherness. Every leader must reason. Every leader must listen. Every leader must believe in inclusion and be able to appreciate other peoples contributions. No leader has the monopoly of knowledge or wisdom. Leadership is about inclusiveness. You put things across to people, you let them make their contribution, you listen and then you decide. I listen to people a lot. No matter how small you may be, Ill listen to you. In my band, everyone comes with ideas that we put together to make good music.
Now, with your full commitment to Mayegun Royal Resort, are you retiring and saying goodbye to music?
No, I am not retiring from music. I am still in music, doing very well. I am not sure I can ever retire from music. If Pa Ebenezer Obey at over 80 years of age is still performing, I don’t know why I should retire at this age of 69.
Would you consider Mayegun Royal Resort as your real legacy, aside from music?
I am happy and I give glory to God to have been able to leave a legacy for my family, my community and myself. A lot of people will benefit from this project. Aside from creating employment within the community, a lot of professionals will be coming here to work. We are going to employ over 200 workers – from cleaners to maintenance, medical personnel to other professionals. To run a 90-bed facility of this nature, we are going to need a large number of workers. Currently, we have over 60 staff. We have not even started operating. So, you can imagine how many workers well employ when we are fully operational.
You are very close to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He’s your father and friend. Are you thinking of inviting him to come and declare the resort open when the time comes?
Yes, I am closer to the President. He’s my father and friend. But that’s not the issue. The question is: should being close to the President be a yardstick for wanting to do good to your community? Should that be a yardstick for wanting to elevate your community? Should that be a yardstick for contributing to the progress of the society? Is it a must for Mr President to go to every community to declare a project open? As a matter of fact, Mr President will be so happy to declare Mayegun Royal Resort open. He will be so delighted to do so. But if it is only a media launch we are going to do and Mr President reads about it, he will be delighted that at least some true Nigerians are investing in Nigeria.
Look, there are some wealthy Nigerians who can do more than what I have done at Mayegun Royal Resort, but they will prefer to use that money to acquire some unnecessary properties abroad, and that is callous. My principle is: don’t ask what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for the growth and development of your country. So, President Tinubu will be happy with me. I am sure when he sees me, he would pat me on the back and say ‘Wasiu, you are truly my boy. You have done a good job. Well done!’
