Events

Rotarian Bola Oyebade Launches Foundation, Hosts Inaugural Empowerment Lecture

Published

5 years ago

February 6, 2019

Eric

If you ever think you are too small to be effective, then you have never been in bed with a mosquito! – Wendy Lesko

The Banquent Hall of the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, was all bubbly as men and women of substance gathered to celebrate with one of their own, Rotarian Omobolanle Oyebade, who launched his latest brainchild called Bola Oyebade Foundation (BOF).

In his speech, Rotarian Oyebade, who doubles as the Founder and Trustee Chair said that the essence of the Foundation, was to inspire Nigerians especially youths to reach their full potentials while creating avenues for empowering them through Agriculture and vocational skills.

He noted that being too small to be effective or relevant are expressions that should not be in their thoughts because even as litte as a mustard seed is, it is what usually grows to become a giant oak, he therefore encouraged the youths to start from where they are even if it is small.

Oyebade’s welcome message was followed by a thorough lecture delivered by a seasoned Chartered Accountnt and Founding Partner, SIOA Mr. Ladi Smith.

The guest lecturer spoke on the theme “Sustainable Economic Empowerment”.

Mr. Oyebade and wife, Linda appreciating the Guest Lecturer, Mr. Ladi Smith

Smith, who is a Knight of Saint Westley and Chairman Olashore Group of Schools, started by expressing the importance of a tradesman, stressing that “abroad, they value people who are tradesmen” and informed that there are businesses all around if only one could be alert to his environment.

He summarised his lecture by telling a story of the Plantain Chips industry, which according to him is a N2 billion monthly business.

In his example, he mentioned that an Indian business woman came to Nigeria to set up a business, discovered sellers of plantain chips. This discovery changed the woman’s business idea because she found out that an estimated eighty to hundred million naira is made daily from the sale of plantain chips and up to two billion naira is made monthly.

The Guest Speaker, Mr. Ladi Smith

“We are a unique set of people in Nigeria and it will be difficult for a government to send people out of the street selling because they contribute largely to our economy,” he noted.
He also advised youths and entrepreneurs to always appreciate technology in all they do because technology has displaced many businesses and will still displace more businesses.
“In whatever you do, look at the next five to ten years and ask yourself if you will still be able to do it,” he said, adding that there things youths can do to better their lives such as Crypto Currency, Blogging, Coding and digital marketing among others.

He advised youths seeking employment that the four walls of school shouldn’t stop anyone from getting adventurous, stressing that “In what you do, be an entrepreneur.”
Adding to the long, rich and educative speech, Rev. Canon Akeredolu added that youths should find out their God given talents and make sure they know what they are good at so as to make a better living for themselves.

HRM Oba Olusegun Ogunye, The Ojotumoro of Abigi Kingdom, Abigi, Ogun State

The inaugural lecture coincided with the birthday of the Founder, and it was marked with fanfare and cutting of the cake in the course of the programme.

The paramount ruler of Abigi Kingdom, The Ojotumoro of Abigi Kingdom, HRM Oba Olusegun Ogunye, was on hand to shower heartfelt royal blessings on Mr Oyebade and the Foundation.

Established in 2016, the Bola Oyebade Foundation has been in the forefront of giving helping hands to the needy and has so far successfully executed some projects. Among the many projects is a donation of one unit industrial sewing machine to a young lady, Shitta Hamidat Omolara, who is passionate about developing a skill in the art of making bags, shoes, slippers and belts, using local cloth fabric (Ankara). Today, Omolara, according to her testimony is a made entrepreneur.

Mr Oyebade celebrating with Rotary club members

The Foundation has also donated to different women across the nation, units of pepper grinding machine as well as helped in setting up barbing business for four young men in Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.

That is not all, the Foundation has outlined gigantic projects with which to further better the lives of regular Nigerians, and these projects include empowering a cluster of women through cassava processing plants in five different rural communities namely Abigi, Ota, Epe, Ikorodu and Akure; Agricultural Outgrower scheme for the unemployed youths and gradutaes; provision of insecticides and herbicides to selected farmers in rural areas and others.

It also plans to establish Agricultural Out Growers Schemes for unemployed youths and graduates, Agricultural Training Schemes on different areas and new practices for better productivity and increased yield, initiate vocational training programmes, micro-credit schemes, entrepreneurial mentorship schemes as well as scholarship for primary, secondary and tertiary education.

Mr. & Mrs. Bola Oyebade, Ovation Magazine Editor, Michael Effiong & Mr. Biodun Oshinibosi

The Launch proper, saw friends of the Foundation making donations for its proper takeoff.
Speaking to The Boss, Oyebade said: “The Bola Oyebade Foundation is a registered private Non-Governmental Organization incorporated in Nigeria in July 2016. Since its inception, the foundation has been working with local partners around the country to economically strengthen members of the communities.

“The vision of the foundation is to uplift lives of individuals through economic empowerment and improve the overall quality of living of Nigerians.”

Rev. Canon Akeredolu giving his speech

He informed us that the Foundation was inspired by the need to reach out to as many Nigerians as possible, with sustainble ideas that will make them entrepreneurs or contributors to the economy.

Steve Asuquo & Lanre Kasim

Events

Forty Worthy Cheers for Woman of Substance, Oluwatosin Adegboyega

Published

6 days ago

April 13, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Life, they say, begins at 40, and it is not by accident that a woman, well endowed with the very qualities anyone could wish for, and probably do whatever it takes to acquire, is celebrating 40, the beginning of a more prosperous life. She is Oluwatosin Lucy Tobi Adegboyega.

A leader of unassuming status, Lucy, as she is known, has displayed strength and character by quietly turning everything she touches into a cherished ornament, building men and institutions to enviable standard.

Born in 1984, in the prestigious Chelsea hospital, London, Lucy is a proud native of Ondo State, where her parents hail from, a product of the Akinyelure and Odetola families.

As a true born, who places importance in her origin, Tosin came to Nigeria when she was of age to prosecute her secondary, and university education, which she concluded at the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Ago Iwoye,in Ogun State.

Thereafter, having achieved the most, she returned to London, and took up a career in Psychology and Human Development.

Her line of vocation has given her the leverage to affect lives positively, and has since mentored many young people, provided housing for a whole lot of others among other corporate social responsibilities in conjunction with er husband and closest confidante, Pastor Tobi Adegboyega of Salvation Proclaimers Anointed Church (SPAC), whom she married on August 20, 2011. The couple has waded through 13 years of marital exigency, and is much better for it.

In addition to her societal impact, Lucy has conscientiously built not just a family, but a home, and is blessed with two children.

Her home, a Jerusalem of some sought, welcomes hundreds of visitors on a monthly basis, and that has earned her a sobriquet of the ‘Quiet Host’.

Among individuals she has hosted in her home are governors, presidents, aspirants of diverse political positions, clergymen and a host of others.

Mrs Adegboyega is not just a household name by every standard, she is a much sought after woman of substance, providing succour to, and affecting positively her immediate and remote environment.

Enjoy a much deserved happy birthday ma, and relish in the euphoria of your 40 worthy and ruby-clad cheers.

Events

Grand Reception As Gospel Singing Sensation, Sinach, Celebrates 52nd Birthday in London

Published

2 weeks ago

April 2, 2024

Eric

Iconic singer, and Award-winning gospel artiste, Osinachi Joseph Egbu, popularly known by her stage name, Sinach, has celebrated her 52nd birthday at the exquisite Dorchester Hotel, in London, with family members, colleagues and well wishers in attendance.

The world acclaimed singer of Way Maker, I know Who I am among many other hit tracks also used the opportunity of the birthday to announce her upcoming OVO Arena Wembley Concert, billed to hold on July, 6 2024.

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Family and friends of the iconic Osinachi Joseph Egbu, known better as Sinach, celebrated the gospel music artist on her birthday in grand pomp and style at the decorous and exquisite London Dorchester.

The Global singer, songwriter and worship leader, who has been serving in this capacity for 33 years, held the grand event on the holy Easter Saturday, March 30, 2024, which also happens to be her birthday.

Lit with montages, interactive sessions and orchestral performances, the evening included Sinach performing live, reflections from her close family and friends and recorded tributes. Sinach expressed how grateful she is for her family, ministry, her health, and the peace she has been blessed with.

“Many of your songs have become global worship anthem – we all have our favourites but Way Maker is a super massive hit – with over 300 million views on YouTube alone,” Lalita Taylor, Executive Producer at the BBC, who was the host for the evening said.

The celebration was organized by businessman and entrepreneur, Dr. Joseph Egbu who is the husband of Sinach. Whilst being thankful for family and friends who showed up to celebrate his wife and family. He described her as “loving, patient, humble and a true woman of God”.

Dr. Egbu, in an emotional moment of professing love, thanked Sinach for loving him truly and being the remarkable woman she is.

Some of the guests who celebrated the multi award-winning Sinach included: SL Kemi Balogun, Queen Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi Olori of the Ife Kingdom & Founder African Fashion Week; Dr Susan Fajana-Thomas OBE, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Regulatory Services; Nero Ughwujabo, Special Advisor To Prime Minister Theresa May – Director, Diversity at Prince’s Trust (King Charles’s charity).

Also there were: Her Excellency Janet Charles, Acting High Commissioner, Dominica Hogh Commision, London ; Dr. Yvonne Thompson CBE, Deputy Lieutenant, The King’s Representative for Greater London & President Elect of Institute of Project Management UK; Mr & Mrs Okonkwo ( E Money), Bright Ekeleme and Chido Mnangagwa (daughter of President of Zimbabwe) Mr. Obinna Egbu, Henry Nwoke,Ms. Uloaku Ojiaku, Ehi Moses, and Ms. Chim Moore of Magnum Security Services Ltd Zambia

Sinach also shared news about her upcoming July 6, 2024 live concert at OVO Arena Wembley in Wembley Park. “Victory Sounds”, she said would be a spirit-filled night of worship and praise and a grand celebration of victory and faith.

The concert also features an impressive line up of confirmed personalities from the UK Christian Chart including: Israel Houghton, Travis Greene, Da’dra Greathouse, Lucy Grimble, Ada, Limoblaze and Warehouse Worship.

Sinach is honorary Ambassador of the Commonwealth of the Dominica. In February 2023, the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica awarded Sinach as global ambassador, via a letter signed by the Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit. In July 2022, she joined the Grammy Recording Academy as a voting member.

Events

Sights and Sounds As Madonna University Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Published

3 weeks ago

March 30, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The main campus of the prestigious Madonna University in Elele, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was agog recently as the institution rolled out the drums to celebrate its 25 years of existence.

Founded in 1999 by the Very Reverend (Prof) E. M. P. Edeh (OFR), the school has stood the test of time, and churned desirable professionals, who have left indelible marks in the sand of time.

Among major highlights of the day’s activities, was the identification and honoring of the top 100 graduates of the institution.

Several dignitaries also turned up to celebrate with the institution, including two terms governor of Anambra State and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who also is an alumnus of the school.