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Rotarian Bola Oyebade Launches Foundation, Hosts Inaugural Empowerment Lecture

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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

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Events

Tears As Billionaire Businessman, Kola Adesina, Buries Mum in Lagos

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By Funmi Ilelabayo

Mrs. Adejumoke Awero Adesina, mother of leading Nigerian energy executive and industrialist, Kola Adesina, was given a befitting burial to the delight of all present at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, City of David, Trinity Towers, Lagos, after a high-powered and well attended Service of Songs and Evening of Tributes at the Harbour Point Event Centre in Victoria Island, a day earlier.

Tributes have poured in from across Nigeria’s business and civic space, with many acknowledging Mama Adesina’s influence in raising a son whose leadership continues to shape critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

The funeral service which was conducted by Pastor Gbenga Tapere, Pastor Alex Okoh, Pastor Supo Oluwasakin and Pastor Segun Olujobi began with a processional hymn, titled ‘The Strife is O’er as The Havens pall bearers also joined the procession with Mama’s casket.

Thereafter, the first bible reading was observed, which was taken by Miss Famimora Adesina while Mr. Oladosu Adesina took the second bible reading.

After a special performance by Beejay Sax, Pastor Sesan Adebowale read Mama’s biography.

During the sermon, Pastor Gbenga Tapere described the deceased as woman of timeless grace and inner strength who embodied calm wisdom, deep generosity, and a quiet resilience that would become her legacy. Her life was marked by grace, strength, and unwavering devotion to her family and community, he added.

After the sermon, prayer for the family was said, and all roads led to Ikoyi Cemetery were the remains of the deceased was committed to mother earth.

In attendance were former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Chief Wole Olaonipekun (SAN), President of African Development Bank, Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina; Mr. Tunde Ayeni, Mr. Debola Williams, Co-founder and former Group Executive Director of Sahara Group an Energy Conglomerate, Tonye Cole among others.

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‘An Evening with Glo’: Ebenezer Obey, K1, Kiekie, Others Serenade Ijebu Ode

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The duo of Juju Commander Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and king of Fuji music, Wasiu Ayinde Marshall, on Friday held the ancient town of Ijebu Ode spellbound at a superlative event organized by Globacom to kickstart the 2025 Ojude Oba celebrations.

This year’s Ojude Oba marks the 20th anniversary of Globacom’s sponsorship of the festival during which it has helped transform it into a cultural icon and global tourist destination.

Tagged an “Evening with Glo “, it was a night of fun, splendid music, good cuisine and riveting jokes from the trio of Gbenga Adeyinka, Bash and  Kiekie.

For more than two hours, the legendary Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi sang from his repertoire of music to which the audience which filled the Conference Hall venue to the brim, vibed and mimed.

Globacom explained that the “Evening with Glo” was organised to thank the Ijebu community for their support for the brand for 20 years of its sponsorship of Ojude Oba festival.

“We decided to bring together great sons and daughters of Ijebuland to celebrate our shared heritage, and indulge in the melodious rhythms that resonate deeply throughout Yorubaland”, the company stated.

Speaking on its choice of musicians for the event, Glo added that  “the  ageless icon and Juju music maestro, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey,  has contributed decades of good, sonorous and philosophical songs to our society. His songs are still as fresh and full of inspirational messages as they were yesterday”.

On KWAM 1, the company disclosed “For decades, King of Fuji, K1 De Ultimate, the Fuji master, has been a great part of the music firmament in Nigeria, with his unique brand of Fuji that has elicited huge interest”.

Eminent sons and daughters of  Ijebuland including the Olori of Oba Awujale, Chief Mrs. Olukemi Adetona; the Coordinator of Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee, Professor Fassy Yusuff, and member of the committee and Iyalode of Ijebuland, Chief Mrs. Bisi Osibogun, attended the event.

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Davido’s Daughter, Imade Adeleke, Celebrates Magical 10th Birthday

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By Ruth Akpan

Imade, the first daughter of Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, celebrated her 10th fairytale birthday on Sunday.

The event, which held at The Maradiva Twinwaters, Okunade Bluewater Scheme, Lekki, had family members including the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, Folashade Adeleke, B-red Adeleke, Aare Dele Momodu, friends and well-wishers in attendance.

With nature-inspired decor and floral setups, the event themed “Imade’s Enchanted Forest” witnessed moments filled with laughter, warm interactions, dancing and fun.

Her billionaire father’s presence at the event reaffirms his unyielding love for his daughter and also served as an avenue for deeper bonding between father and daughter.

The adorable celebrant cut her cake flanked by her mom, Sophie Momodu, and dad, Davido followed by a retinue of photo operations with family members and guests.

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