The Group Managing Director/CEO of Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa has commended the good work that is being carried out by the Odu’a Investment Foundation (OIF), particularly with the Digital Education for Innovation and Economic Development (DEFINED) project which was officially inaugurated in October 2023 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State.
The GMD while on an official visit to the OIF Chairperson, Ambassador Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu at the Chief Obafemi Awolowo Ikenne Residence on Wednesday, 10th July 2024 said the decision of the OICL Board in appointing men and women of vision, pedigree, commitment and compassion into the Advisory Council of the Foundation was a right step in the right direction judging by the successes recorded
The GMD also use the occasion to present progress updates to the Yoruba Leader on developments in the Odu’a Investment Group particularly efforts being made to enhance the legacy for future generations.
He cited the ongoing Premier Hotel redevelopment project and said the project was to revamp, remodel and reposition the hotel to become the preferred hospitality destination in the southwest.
He spoke also on the stability in OICL with the new strategy of the organization and corporate governance structure put in place by the Board. He praised the commitment of the immediate past GMD, Mr Adewale Raji in laying a solid foundation for business.
Earlier the Project Officers of the Foundation, Mr Temilorun Okediji and Mr Yinka Babalola reported the first endeavour under the DEFINED project is the Byte Buster After School Coding Club aimed at public secondary schools in the Southwest States. The pilot phase is now operational in Oyo State at Government College Apata Ibadan with 100 students enrolled.
In Ogun State, suitable centres have been identified and OIF has conducted a pre-admission assessment to shortlist and admit 100 students. There are ongoing engagements with state education ministries and stakeholders in Ekiti, Lagos, Osun and Ondo states for the selection of suitable facilities in those states ahead of the new academic session in October 2024.
In her response, Amb, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu thanked Prof. Seun Kolade of Sheffield Business School UK, the initiator of the DEFINED project and consultant to the foundation for his steadfast support and commitment towards the project.
He assured the OICL GMD and OICL Board that the target is to enlist a total of 1,200 students for the DEFINED project before the 1st anniversary of the OIF in October 2024. She stated the other Area of Focus which is on healthcare will be focusing on non-communicable disease prevention and control.
On behalf of the members of the OIF Advisory Council, Amb Dr ‘Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu thanked the OICL Board for appreciating the contributions of the Advisory Council and congratulated the OICL GMD, Mr Abdulrahman Yinusa for his new appointment.
She expressed her concerns about the high food prices and inflation in the country and wanted OICL to give food security and agriculture development a high priority.
The OIF Chairperson advised the GMD to ensure diversity, equality and inclusion guide his leadership style and that he should imbibe Papa Awolowo’s principles of moderate lifestyle while in office and out of office.