A rising grassroots oriented non-governmental organisation, Jandor Foundation has opened a new office complex in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital amidst a lot of fanfare.
Held on October 1, 2019, the event which was well-attended despite the torrential rainfall was a gathering was attended by influential traditional rulers, top professionals, seasoned politicians, community development association executives and market leaders.
The official opening was performed by former First Lady of Lagos State, Her Excellency Abimbola Fashola assisted by traditional rulers and special guests amidst a lot of cheers from all present.
Lead Visoner, Mr Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran (4th left), HE Mrs Abimbola Fashola with special guest cutting the cake
In his welcome address, the Lead Visioner of the Foundation,Mr Abdulazeez Olajide Adediran said he was inspired to set up the foundation because having come from humble beginnings he had to rely on people to make it in life.
He said his own grass to grace was enough to show that what many people need to move from poverty to prosperity was the support of a good natured individual and some form of mentorship.
He revealed that his Foundation will be focused on the grassroots of Lagos because he was a firm believer of touching the lives of the very needy directly with the use of the bottom up approach.
According to the serial entrepreneur and philanthropist “We are committed to human empowerment, sustainable mental growth, excellence, innovation, empathy and community service”.
He hinted that since it began over a year ago, the impact has been phenomenal. He said that apart from various interventions, forty undergraduates are currently enjoying the Foundation’s scholarship scheme, adding that it also recently built and donated a standard broadcast studio to the Mass Communications Department of The Polytechnic, Ibadan.
Mr Adediran stated that the new office complex will help the foundation be more efficient and help it impact more indigent people in the society.
Earlier, Dolapo Ogunbambo, a member of he Foundation’s Advisory Board had taken time to reel out the long list of interventions and programmes that the foundation has so far carried out-and it was obvious that it has spread its tentacles to virtually all local governments in Lagos State.
Mr Ogunbambo stated that Jandor Foundation is all out to to help the less-privileged, vulnerable and uneducated,women and aged members of society. He noted that the Foundation is aware that government cannot do it alone and therefore, it will strive to reach where and those government have left behind.
In her remarks, Mrs Fashola began by praising the Lead Visioner, whom she fondly called Jide Core. She stated that she was wowed by the wonderful work the foundation has done so far and called on it not to lose focus as there are bound to be naysayers.
She called on other young men to emulate Mr Adediran and not wait till they are millionaires to develop the culture of helping others or giving to the less privileged. She wished the Foundation well and pledged her support to help drive the foundation to greater heights. The event was rounded off with a vote of thanks by Mr Seun Soyinka, a member of the Advisory Board.
The event was graced by such personalities as Senior Special Assistant to the President, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Mr Lanre Babalola, Chief of Statff to Governor Fashola, Oba Morufu Ojo-Ola, Ojon of Ejigbo, Oba Kayode Akinyemi, Alabirun of Ikare Kingdom, Oba Oyekan Adekanmi, Alapa of Apa Kingdom,Oba Nosiru Babatunde, Onishahs of Shasha, Oba Ogabi, Onimeke of Imeke, Mr Fouad Oki, Hon. Akeem Muniru, Hon. Akinade Fijabi, Hon. Kazeem Ogunsakin, Kingsley James, Victor Ganzallo, Abisoye Fagade, Biodun Oshinibosi, Steve Ayorinde, Layinka Oyedeji, Rasheed Muri-Okunola and Michael Effiong