The Board of Directors, Odu’a Investment Company Limited on Monday addressed the media on the new movement of the company towards the official launching and inauguration of Odu’a Investment Foundation.
The press briefing addressed by Odu’a Investment Company Limited Group Chairman, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru at the Press Conference held at the Olumo Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja on Monday, July 24, 2023, ahead of the official launch and inauguration of the advisory council advisory council of Odu’a Investment Foundation.
Otunba Bimbo Ashiru gave an insight into the new Odu’a Investment Foundation, its objectives, vision, mission statement, and the focus of the foundation that will come up at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Ashiru stated that “It is an acknowledged fact that there is a universal correlation between business performance and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It is also an established fact that companies that contribute meaningfully to solving societal challenges such as education, job creation, health, and Youth empowerment, often reap the dividends, some of which are brand promotion and profitability.
Odu’a Foundation Advisory Council members are Ambassador Dr. (Mrs) Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu Chairperson; Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; Chief Dr. (Mrs) Onikepo Akande OON, CON; Dr. Olusegun Olugboyegun; Chief Aderemi Makanjuola, OON; Dr. (Mrs) Victoria Adunola Samson; Dr. Biodun Shobanjo, OON.
WHY ODUÁ INVESTMENT FOUNDATION: In furtherance of one of the objectives of the Oduá Investment Company’s 5- years Strategic plan to plow back to the people of the Southwest states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, and Lagos, Oduá Investment Company Limited, the investment hub of Southwest Nigeria in September 2021 incorporated the Oduá Investment Foundation(OIF) at the Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) to serve as an independent social corporate arm of the Company to give back to the society and improve on the life and livelihood of citizenry within the confine of the owners states, thus complementing the efforts of the state Governments in impacting lives meaningfully to its people. Oduá Foundation is a non-profit making organisation established to sustain the ideals of the founding fathers of Oduá Investment Company Limited.
THE PRIORITY FOCUS: The three-priority focus of the Foundation is Youth Empowerment, Education, and Healthcare. These three focus areas were carefully chosen to benchmark with notable existing foundations.
The Youth Empowerment: This covers ICT capacity building for youths; Creation of innovation hubs and incubation centres; Strategic job creation; Investing and supporting youths in the agriculture sector.
Education: It covers Institutional and infrastructural support; Literacy education; Girl child education; Adult literacy; Vocational technical skills training; Grants and scholarships for indigent students.
Healthcare: Focuses on Reproductive health; Adolescent health projects; Control of communicable and non-communicable diseases; Institutional support and Capacity building.
ODU’A INVESTMENT FOUNDATION’S VISION, MISSION & OBJECTIVES: The vision of the foundation is “to create an enabling environment where everyone can live a healthy, peaceful and productive life’’ while the mission statement is “to improve healthcare, expand educational opportunities and promote youth development and information technology in Southwest Nigeria’’
The objectives of the foundation among others are
To make a sustainable impact in areas of operations which include Youth Empowerment, Education, and Healthcare.
To promote, develop and empower the teeming Youths of Southwest Nigeria with a focus on education and health (physical, mental, and social).
To deliver significant long-term Education and Youth Development benefits in our stakeholder communities.
The Foundation will serve as a conveyor of goodwill from OICL to the good people of South West extraction while enhancing the quality of life and livelihood of the people.
The foundation will also provide avenues for individuals, groups, philanthropies, corporate organisations, private and public institutions, multinationals, development partners, and donor agencies to impact life meaningfully through their support, contributions, and partnership with the Foundation in attaining its set mandates.
GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT OF THE FOUNDATION: Some highly revered sons and daughters of Southwest origin with proven records of impeccable character and who have distinguished themselves in their choosing field of endeavours have given their acceptance to serve and act on the Advisory Council of the foundation as ‘Think- Tank’. This class of respected individuals to be known as the Advisory Council are seven in number and will be inaugurated at the launching of the foundation coming up this week at the Banquet Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.
Group Chairman said “The primary role of the council is to protect the corporate image of the foundation by effectively representing and promoting the interests of the foundation and relevant stakeholders.
According to Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the Odu’a Investment Foundation will open to partnerships with Governments, Donor Agencies, Implementing partners, private companies, multinationals, groups, and community-based organizations towards the attainment of its vision while appreciating the presence of some of his colleagues on the Board of Oduá and the media at this press conference.
