Boss Of The Week
Bola Olabisi: Worthy Amazon of Inventions and Innovations
Seeth thou a woman diligent in her work? Let’s introduce you to one. She is a dutiful amazon, the inventors’ inventor as well as the innovators’ innovator. She is the Founder & CEO of the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN), better known today as GlobalWIIN – a successful global network that has since grown to become the most dynamic gathering of women with great intellectual property and unparalleled capacity. She is also the Founder and CEO of the British Female Inventor of the Year Award which continues to put the spotlight on women inventors across Britain and bring worldwide recognition and acknowledgement. She is Dr. Bola Olabisi. A woman reputed to wear several hats with hands in different productive and innovative pies.
Dr Olabisi is not just the run-off-the-mill social entrepreneur; she is grounded and an authority, coupled with the fact that she is a seasoned author, innovator, coach, and above all, a champion for an inclusive society that allows for creativity, invention and innovation, with special bias to women.
Programmed, created and designed to lead, empower, unite and inspire to greatness, Dr Bola Olabisi, who was born in Coventry, England with both English and Nigerian base education, has an innovative platform, which supports women to take their life changing contribution to job creation and a better quality of life to the next level of achievements. In addition to offering great opportunities to share enriching stories of transformation of success, words of encouragement and life lessons.
A proud product of the Queens School, Ibadan, where she completed her secondary education on her return to Nigeria, Bola, as she is fondly called, was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Bolanle Odepidan of Ibadan, Oyo State. Her mother is from Ile Ife, Osun State, and she is a proud claimant of Ibadan and Ile Ife ancestry. On completion of her education in Nigeria, she returned to the United Kingdom, where she attended the University of East London, graduating with an Hon LLB and Doctorate in Business Administration. Obviously, she is well read.
Consequently, for over 24 years since its conception, Bola has bestride, like a colossus, the invention and innovation hub, and the social platform has expanded to regional networks covering Africa, Europe, Asia, Latin & North America, Middle East and most recently the Caribbean.
GlobalWIIN has remained a catalyst organisation that acts as a first stop shop for all necessary services for inventive minded women, including assistance with Intellectual Property rights, Product Development, Networking, Product launches and various Knowledge Exchange opportunities
Prior to the establishment of GlobalWIIN in 1998, Bola was privileged to be involved in community development and regeneration, having worked with for the development of social housing and capacity building and empowerment of residents for the London Borough of Ealing, gathering in her wake an extensive experience spanning 18 years.
She is endowed with all the qualities of the very women she seeks to celebrate, which she describes as incredible and fascinating trailblazers that may be very different but have in common: tenacity, the determination to succeed, commitment, extraordinary potential, positive influence capable of spreading, transcending borders, or have something that can contribute to the future and quality of life on earth.
Committed, dogged and determined in her quest to create regenerating environment for the women folk, Bola’s focus over the years has centred on building a most effective platform in recognition and celebration of the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) of the women who have created, invented or brought about the innovation of novel products & unique services. And this, she has done with relative ease, and the admiration of all and sundry. Little wonder so many has described her as a thoroughbred go-getter.
In furtherance of her efforts, she has outlined as her main goal, to increase the amount of knowledge transfer in the area of enterprise, innovation, technology and intellectual property rights in order to alleviate poverty, create jobs and wealth for many of the disadvantaged. Presently, testimonies abound of lives touched and regenerated.
Bola’s deeds and influence actually precedes her. In 2006, she partnered with London Metropolitan University to build opportunities for creative, inventive and innovative women and young people under the age of 30 with the main focus of the workplace, home and learning environments. Her work has raised aspirations, improved self-confidence and self-esteem, increased motivation and broadened horizons and experience.
Relating with the superlative performances of Dr Olabisi, most professionals and high profile personalities, have contributed glowing tributes at one time or another in her honour.
For HRH Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin “Dr Bola Olabisi is the delightful visionary & Founder/CEO of the Global Women Inventors & Innovators Network (GWIIN). A Recipient of numerous national & Global Recognitions & Awards, Bola has for over 14 years been quietly doing what she does best – Mentoring, Training, Encouraging & Putting the Spotlight on Inventive, Innovative & Exceptionally Creative Women Entrepreneurs across the globe!…She is indeed an awesome woman whom I have had an amazing experience working alongside her for over seven years & so proud to be associated with. I highly recommend Dr Bola Olabisi to any organisation or individuals who wish to engage with her on a professional and/or collaborative platform. She is very much a professional woman to look out for in 21st century!”
On her own part, Gaynor Morgan has this to say: “Bola is certainly an inspiration to any woman. She doesn’t stop striving to help get women from all walks of life a better quality of life through helping and guiding them to independence into the business work. I am proud to have learnt so much from Bola.”
Bola is not particularly a feminist as most practise. She is a woman on a mission. A woman with convince passion to raise the bar in favour of the female folks. A woman with a conviction that all countries should invest more in their women. That necessitates the establishment of the platform which serves as a catalyst for necessary services for the introduction of novel ideas. She truly believes in that old saying that ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’.
She says: “Ingenious minds need to flourish in a more enabling environment than what is currently available in many countries. It is by creating a platform and vehicle to bring these fascinating change makers and trailblazers forward that can help society really appreciate how invaluable they truly are to solving a lot of the world’s problems”.
She is a trainer, an International Motivational Speaker and Writer who continues to share her ideas, experiences and insights nationally and internationally. Her work with GWIIN has extended into several countries including Britain, Wales, Northern Island, Scotland, Canada, South Africa, USA, Spain, Hong Kong, Estonia, Finland, Sweden, India, Iceland, France, Nigeria, Ghana, Morocco, Italy, Singapore and most recently Antigua. She is the proverbial much talked product.
Bola has gained wide recognition for her work and received The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh’s invitation to Buckingham Palace to mark her contribution as a Pioneer to the Life of the Nation. She has been presented with the International Federation of Inventors Association Award for her dedicated work and support for inventive women, the New Impact Award and the British Association of Women Entrepreneurs’ Joyce Award in 2001.
Bola’s approach has not gone unnoticed as she has worked in collaboration with the European Commission, IBM, IFC – financial arm of the World Bank, Yaba College of Technology, Nigeria, Ministry of Trade & Industry, South Africa, KVENN-Iceland, SMEDAN, Doregos Private Academy, Nigeria, Bahrain Petroleum Company (BABCO), Institute of Intellectual Property Awareness, to name a few.
She has also served on a number of boards such as being a Governor on East London University and that of the Business School of Regents University London. Her personality looms large.
In her capacity as invention and innovation ambassador, she takes upon herself to facilitate the reward of distinguished women, who had exceled in the act of innovation and sundry duties. Consequently, she is overseeing the celebration of some of the hidden gems of selfless social innovators that contribute to the advancement of Nigeria on a yearly basis.
This year, the award recipients include the First Lady of Osun State, H.E. Kafayat Olaitan Oyetola, who was highly commended for her Ileri Oluwa Development Initiative (IOD) initiative with her incredible and innovative approach to health, agriculture as well as her bid to eliminate harmful traditional practices. Also under the spotlight is Tamkara Adun recognised for her exceptional creativity after realising that a majority of African languages are at risk of extinction and a great danger of losing its values therefore creating Ọdúnìfẹ́ with the aim of educating and advocating for the preservation of African, indigenous languages. Also on the global platform is Aboyowa Ayida-Otobo, Founder of Incubator Africa and School of Politics, Policy and Governance – an innovative concept of creating wealth in Africa through the development of human potential, life transforming programmes with measurable and demonstrable impact. Without forgetting the role of supportive men, Dr Olabisi included putting the spotlight on male champions – this year the recipient of the Honorary Male Champion Trail blazer award which went to a Nigerian in the government department – Eng. David Abu Ozigi of SMEDAN.
MORE ABOUT GLOBALWIIN
By Eric Elezuo
It was a gathering of distinguished egg heads, prolific intellectuals and ardent academics at the Adeline Hall of the Lead City University, Ibadan, when notable and celebrated Chairman of Council and Pro-Chancellor of the Institution, Professor Jide Owoeye, marked his entry into the septugenarian circle.
The event, a multiple-in-1 classic, featured tribute session, a panel session, books presentation and reading as a well as a defined colloquium. Among topnotch individuals that graced the event were delectable heads of higher institutions of learning including the Vice Chancellor, Edo State University, Uzairue, Sheldrake O. Akindele; the Vice Chancellor, Chrisland University, Abeokuta, Oyedunni S. Arulogun; Vice Chancellor of Crescent University, Abeokuta, Ibrahim Gbajabiamila, and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo, Muyiwa Popoola, who were members of the panel session that discussed critical mechanisms that enhance and safeguard the future of education in the country.
The panelists leveraged on the theme, Nigeria Higher Education and Private Sector Involvement: Navigating the Path, Confronting the Challenges, Exploring Opportunities for the Future. The lead discussant was the Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Katherine, Gombe State, Umaru Pate.
Speaker after speaker, the academic giants celebrated the unequaled legacies of Prof Owoeye’s 70 years of impressive existence, especially his scholarly contributions to the standardization of not only learning, but also academic environment in Nigeria with the establishment of Lead City University in 2005.
The ceremony was punctuated with various genres of entertainment including cultural dances, touch of saxophone, talking drum display, drama presentation by students of the institution, and a host of others.
Among the books presented at the ceremony were Asia in World Politics and Knowledge in the Emerging Global Order.
The highpoint of the gathering was the cutting of the birthday cake with various presentations of full size portraits and other gifts items from colleagues, students and staff.
Othe dignitaries who graced the occasion were Chairman, Ovation Media Group, Chief Dele Momodu, General Secretary, Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), Wale Okediran, Oyo State Commissioner of Lagos among others.
Speaking on his achievements, a long time friend from the University of Ife days, Chief Momodu, noted that Prof Owoeye has always been a man of letters, who has carved a niche for himself, adding that Nigeria and Africa are proud of him.
Distinguished in every ramifications, and an authority in International politics and relations, with bias to Asia, Owoeye has transverse all areas and degrees of the academic environment, terminating at the professorial level, and capping it all with the establishment of topnotch private university as the icing on the cake of his academic pursuit and inclination. He boasts of bachelor’s, masters and doctorate degrees in different fields of international studies.
For Owoeye, reaching the peak of his profession was when he became a professor of International Relations at OAU in the year 2000.
Born on March 1, 1956, Prof. Jide Owoeye is a teacher, and a very proud one at that, who would not miss any opportunity to introduce learning and exchange of knowledge. That practically explains why his 70th birthday celebration was tailored towards a colloquium and book presentation status.
Owoeye began his schooling at the OLMC Demonstration School, Ibadan, where he spent the period between 1962 and 1967 acquiring elementary or foundational knowledge of education.
Afterwards in 1968, he attended Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo, for his school certificate, and left in 1972 before attending Government College Ibadan, for his Higher School Certificate, from 1973 to 1974.
He was admitted into the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, for his first degree.
On graduation, he was employed as Insurance Officer at Akin George & Company, Lagos, as he decided to try his hands in circular career. His stint at the firm lasted between 1979 and 1980.
Thereafter, he made a daring turn into the word of teaching, becoming Lecturer II at the Department of Government, OSCAS, Ile-Ife, from 1980 to 1982. He briefly worked as Administrative Officer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, afterwards in 1983 before landing the position of Senior Lecturer at the Department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Then, there was no turning back from the academic world. He was made a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Lagos, from 1992 to 1993, and then, Associate Lecturer, Foreign Policy Academy, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Centre for Asian Studies.
In a 2019 interview he granted The Punch, Owoeye noted as follows as to what propelled his desire to establish his own university: “I have been in the university system for almost 37 years and 24 of those years were spent in the public university system. I was a professor at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, and I noticed then that if one has passion for education, one should have seen some of the lapses (in the system), and some of those lapses one discovered can only be corrected if one is the head of the institution. I believe if you aspire to have a better university system, it is either you head the institution or you look for avenues to help create one where you can impact upon. That was what brought about the passion to work towards establishing a private university where the quest for excellence can actually be attained.”
Owoeye’s rich trajectory in the world of education is common knowledge, leading to his hold several high-profile positions in Obafemi Awolowo University.
Owoeye is married to his lovely wife, Emuleomo, whom he wedded in 1982, and they are blessed with three children; a son and two daughters.
Meanwhile, a special birthday soiree has been scheduled for March 1, his day of turning 70 proper, at Adeline Hall of the university. It promises to be the mother of all celebrations.
Having spent a lot of energy paying attention to education, Owoeye would love to be remembered as somebody who contributed to quality education (at the tertiary and non-tertiary levels) in this country.
Happy 70th birthday sir!
Photos: Tunde Bolarinwa
Schooled in varioius areas of human endeavour and administration, Mr Kojo Bonsu is an asset, not only to the Republic of Ghana, but the world in general. He has by every standard paid his dues to the development of his country, serving as the current Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China, and having served in many other diverse areas including sports administration and entrepreneurship.
Presently, the face of the Republic in China has taken it upon himself to recreate the investment platform of Ghana in China, mandating the media to begin as a matter of urgency, to make Ghana the subject of focus in their reporting.
In other words, the Ambassador has appealed to the Chinese media to use their medium to promote Ghana. A call that resonate the general mantra of the government of President John Dramani Mahama
According to Bonsu, Ghana boasts of several business opportunities, therefore if the Chinese media take keen interest in Ghanaian issues, it would help attract investors from China to Ghana.
He insisted that the door of the Ghana Embassy in China is wide open to Chinese journalists, especially those who want to positively project Ghana.
Bonsu made the remarks while hosting a press soiree in Beijing, on behalf of the Ghana Embassy, which was graced by a number of prominent media institutions in China.
The programme was mainly used to promote Ghana’s upcoming 69th independence anniversary celebrations and also highlight investent opportunities in the country.
Kojo Bonsu, who is a former Kumasi Mayor, said Ghana is the safest, friendly and best country for any investor to do business, urging Chinese businessmen to heed his advice.
“The Chinese media institutions should henceforth partner with the Ghana Embassy in promoting trade and investment opportunities in both of our sister countries for growth.
According to him, Ghana is a democratic nation, which has conducive atmosphere for businesses to flourish, stressing his desire to work and improve Ghana-China relations.
“Ghana is committed to strengthening ties with China. My country is a stable democracy, has business-friendly environment and rich cultural heritage,” Kojo Bonsu stated.
A native of Offinso, a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, Michael Kojo (Mensa) Bonsu, thoroughbred professional, both in politics and administration, was born to a respected Offinso Queen Mother and a military officer, among eight other siblings.
He had his Ordinary Level education at the Tamale Secondary School, between 1974 and 1979, where he developed the knack, desire and dream of becoming a football administrator.
Thereafter, he was admitted into the Drayton School in London, but could not immediately assume studies because of the several businesses he was handling at the time. However, between 1985 and 1990, when Bonsu joined giant sports kit manufacturers, Adidas, he enrolled into their football Business Unit at Herzogenaurach, Germany, and in the process obtained a Diploma in Sports Business and Marketing. Presently, he holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations.
After completing his training in sports Business and marketing, Bonsu worked with Adidas and became their first representative in West Africa and served as an Assistant Marketing Officer. He rose to become the kit maker’s manager in Ghana and the whole of West Africa. Within which period he brokered deals between the company and the Ghana football Association specifically the Ghana football national team.
Bonsu’s dexterity in all the things he has laid his hands, including the oil sector, on earned him a citation of honour in 2015 by Managing Director of GOIL, Mr Patrick A.K. Akorli as follows; “You were the key advocate on the board when the monumental decision to rebrand GOIL was taken – the results of which have seen GOIL being propelled to the number one position (retail) among oil marketing companies in Ghana”.
He served as the Managing Director of GOIL from July 2011 to February 2012.
In addition to his legacy of achievements, Bonsu is a director of Tamale-based club Real Tamale United. He was also an executive member of Asante Kotoko.
In 2003, he launched a bid to be the Ghana Football Association’s President. He went against former president of the GFA Kwesi Nyantakyi, politician and executive member of Accra Hearts of Oak, Vincent Odotei Sowah, a former FA vice-chairman, Joseph Ade Coker and former executive council chairman, Y.A Ibrahim. He subsequently lost to Kwesi Nyantakyi in the elections in December 2005.
An ardent supporter of Asante Kotoko and Premier side Tottenham Hotspur, in 2001, he founded and published Agoo Magazine, an African lifestyle magazine.
In January 2010, Bonsu was appointed board chairman of the National Sports Authority then a council under the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He is known and respected for spearheading the re-branding of the sports council until it subsequently became a sports authority.
In 2013, President Mahama nominated him for the position of Metropolitan Chief Executive for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly. He resigned in July 2016, following an issue with the Kumasi Traditional Council.
Among many other landmarks, Bonsu would be remembered building the first ever recreational facility, the Kumasi Rattray Park, and organizing the second largest event as part of the celebration of Ghana at 50, dubbed “Ghana As One Gala Night” at Ghana’s Black Star Square with International artists including The Whispers, Shalamar, Pat Thomas, AB Cresntil, Gyedu Blay Amboley, Paapa Yankson and Ola Williams.
It is also on record that in 2014, he secured a loan facility from the Deutsche Bank UAE through parliamentary approval to build the largest modern market in West Africa, the Kejetia Market, called the “Kejetia Dubai,” completed in 2017. He also built the Asawase market, Tafo market, and Atonsu-Agogo market. He renovated the Kumasi Prempeh Assembly Hall. Bonsu’s strides speak volumes.
Bonsu tried his hands at the presidency of Ghana in 2024, but could not win the ticket of his party as Mahama was the preferred choice.
Bonsu continues to exhibit great strides as a distinguished administrator, businessman and political juggernaut.
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