Events
Rotarian Bola Oyebade Launches Foundation, Hosts Inaugural Empowerment Lecture
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
By Eric Elezuo
The historic city of Ile-Ife, the domain of the influential Ooni, in Osun State, came very alive during the week, as the energetic Senator representing Osun Central in the National Assembly, Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajangunla, and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke Fadeyi, were installed as the AJAGUNLA OODUA TI ILE YORUBA and ERELU AJAGUNLA OODUA OF THE SOURCE by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the Palace Ile-Ife.
The event reflects crowning the Ajangunla, who signifies great warrior, and protector of the entire Yoruba race; guarding and shielding the residents against external aggression. That’s the office Senator Fadeyi and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke, have ascended among the Yoruba people.
Classy and debonair, Senator Fadeyi and wife chose to make the days of the coronation one to remember, and give guests and dignitaries, who came from far and near the pampering required of a such a occasion.
The events began with a solid get together soiree, organised and held at the Harvard Hotel, where early callers were treated to good music, classy dishes and splendid entertainment, providing avenues for rewarding networking.
Attending to grateful guests, Senator Fadeyi, dressed in all white kaftan, and the Erelu in a free green and red round neck sleeveless gown, were full of smiles, acknowledging the presence of all and sundry.
With a live band dishing out evergreen music to the joy of the guests, and splendid dishes and beverages making sporadic and ceaseless rounds on the table, the evening proved to be an acceptable progenitor to the anticipated main billed for the next day.
Of course, the next day lived up to its billing with more guests storming the historic ancient city in what appeared to be everyone on white affair.
The entrance of the celebrants was a testament in elegance as traditional Palace staff, in their white loins and leopard skin, formed a two-line squad through which the Ajangunla and his wife, made their revered entry accompanied by close family members, friends and associates. The entry was followed by the loud and impressive appearance of the Ooni of Ife, signaling the beginning of the coronation ceremony.
The installation was brief, but highly monumental, bestowing the great warrior status on the couple, giving them prominence and influence, not only in Ile-Ife, but the entire Yorubaland.
With the who’s who in Yorubaland in attendance, the goodwill messages began to flow, acknowledging the Ooni first as a primus interperes, who has reign over the kingdom in 10 fruitful years, and the newly crowned couple for their steadfast contributions to the uplifting of the society, with special mention of their immediate locality, Ile-Ife and Osun State.
It was therefore, with pride that the couple took their first sacred steps as the Ajangunla Oodua and Erelu Ajangunla Oodua in preparation to begin an gracious duty of standing for the Yoruba race at all times.
Thereafter, the mother of all reception was held at an outdoor ground of the Obafemi Awolowo University with the best of music, from the evergreen voices of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, and Yinka Ayefele, just a-list dishes, beverages and accurate networking flowed freely on the night.
Among very important personalities that graced the event with their presence were the Deji Of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin; the Alara of Ilara, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo; the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Osun State Council of Obas, Firstlady of Ondo State Lady Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Princess Toyin Kolade, Mr Kayode Kolade, Chief Alex Duduyemi and a host of there.
PRESIDENT TINUBU GREETS AJAGUNLA ON CORONATION
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly congratulates Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi, Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, on his prestigious conferment as the “Ajagunnla-Oodua Ti Ile Yoruba” by the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
President Tinubu describes the honour as well-deserved in recognition of Senator Fadeyi’s distinguished service to the advancement of his community, the Yoruba nation, and Nigeria as a whole.
The President notes that the Ajagunnla-Oodua title carries profound cultural significance within the Yoruba traditional institution and reflects the Ooni’s confidence in Senator Fadeyi’s character, contributions, and devotion to the values of unity, peace building, and development.
“Senator Fadeyi has shown exemplary dedication to public service and the upliftment of his people. This honour from the Ooni of Ife is not only a personal milestone but also a national celebration of excellence, integrity, and cultural heritage,” the President says.
President Tinubu commends the Ooni of Ife for continuing to uphold the revered Yoruba traditions by recognising individuals who embody leadership, compassion, and communal responsibility.
He prays that the new Ajagunnla-Oodua will be strengthened with greater wisdom and renewed commitment as he undertakes his latest responsibility.
The Leezeet Tender Heart Foundation, in partnership with Divine Care Hub, has held an inspiring Elderly Community Outreach Programme in Ikorodu.
Led by the founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite, the event celebrated and supported senior citizens, widows, and orphans, highlighting the importance of mental, physical, and social well-being for older adults.
The programme, themed “Promoting Economic Empowerment & Mental Wellness Among Older Adults,” included prayers, praise and worship, gentle exercises, massage therapy, nutrition talks, and economic empowerment sessions. Ms. Abimbola Shaba shared tips on Affordable Nutrition and Healthy Living for the Elderly, while Mrs. Adigun and Ms. Loveth highlighted social welfare and economic opportunities.
Creative moments included a heartfelt poem by Mrs. Grace Oni and a colorful senior fashion parade coordinated by Mrs. Oladehinde, reminding everyone that style has no age limit. The event was beautifully anchored by MC Mrs. Adebo and concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fabunmi.
Mrs. Adegbite called on the Ikorodu community, NGOs, and individuals to step up interventions for the elderly, stressing that together, communities can ensure dignity, care, and hope for all seniors.
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