Dr Shakirat Kareem Ayobami, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of Whiterose Group, has rebuked the coordinated effort by her detractors to spread false allegations against her through the media. She emphasized that the allegations are baseless and part of a deliberate strategy by her competitors to tarnish the reputable image of the property brand she has diligently built over the years.
Addressing the recent misinformation against her, Dr Shakira stated that the allegations stem from envy, hate, and resentment from individuals threatened by her success in business. Despite facing unfair attacks in the media, she remains steadfast in her commitment to the real estate sector.
“Ordinarily, i would have ignored the attention-seeking cheap blackmailers because they could not support their baseless allegations with any shred of evidence; however, for the sake of my concerned friends, numerous clients, and benefactors, i needed to put out a rebuttal as I believe the negative press will only serve to strengthen my resolve and make me a better person.” She said.
She also emphasized that the recent media scrutiny may be a result of biased elements using the media to undermine her achievements as a successful woman in a predominantly male-driven industry in Nigeria.
The philanthropist known for her innovative design work in reshaping the Lagos skyline with luxurious condominiums and other impressive buildings dismissed the allegations made on certain sponsored blogs and social media platforms. She emphasized that the claims are unfounded and do not reflect her reputable standing as a respected businesswoman with years of experience and a track record of serving top clients with a commitment to excellence.
She also expresses her disappointment at the sponsors of the fake news, whom she believed should have made it an issues-based argument rather than resorting to name-calling and cheap blackmail. In the purported falsehood being spread around by some faceless bloggers, it was alleged that the light-skinned business coach was allegedly involved in some fraudulent dealings but contrary to the claim, she said; “since my foray into the real estate business, I has never been caught in the web of fraud or engage in fraudulent activities. I always come clean.”
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She further disclosed that her company was built on key elements like; fidelity, consistency, quality, eye for detail, relationship-oriented, hard work and truthfulness.
She also said most of her clients are referral-based as she ensures customer experience and satisfaction which has kept her brand a formidable one with numerous projects to its growing portfolio. In other to prove her innocence of the said allegations, She has challenged anyone with substantial proof of defrauding to come forward and present it as she is ready to face the full wrath of the law if she is found culpable. “I vehemently disassociate myself from other allegations which include; land-grabbing, assassination attempts, blackmail and others noted in the sponsored syndicated press statement. I know nothing about them. It’s just a way to bring me down and I will not give in to that.”
She has also called on stakeholders within the pen-pushing profession on proper regulation of the media space as many who hide under the guise of ‘free speech‘ have constantly pushed hateful and disparaging statements of no fact for clickbait to malign her. “What they are doing is against the ethics of journalism as a profession. The profession gives opportunity for fair hearing and a balanced story reportage rather than resorting to blackmails using media platforms to peddle misinformation.
“To clear my name off the series of allegations and falsehoods being peddled against me by my detractors, I have ordered my legal team to seek legal redress and do anything within the ambit of the law to hold anyone culpable of defamation and cyberbullying face the wrath of the law.” She revealed.
Dr Shakirat has reiterated that she is a law-abiding Nigerian and a practising Muslim with a business conglomerate currently employing over three thousand direct and indirect workers. She also said she will do everything to protect her brand jealously and won’t condone anyone hiding under any guise to peddle misinformation about her and her brand by sabotaging her hard work as she is ready to go head-on with anyone culpable in line with the cybercrime section of Nigerian law to further prove her innocence.