H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo and Mr. Otedola at the OOF’s first year Anniversary Gala
Africans are at the forefront of change in their communities and across the continent as funders, civil society leaders, educators, policy makers and community leaders. But they are not represented adequately in development and philanthropy. Research has recently emerged that in truth the majority of money received pumped in to Africa for the purposes of development in communities is as a result of remittances and giving back of diaspora Africans and Business Leaders from the Continent- some $52 billion each year.
Philanthropy is not new to African societies. Reciprocity and giving (From the Ujamaa system to the Famous Harambee’s of the Independence years) are age-old practices that manifest regardless of socio-economic status. It is part of the currency of how communities and societies function.
Femi Otedola, Chairman of Forte Oil Plc, who is a Special Advisory Group Member of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, has extended the past philanthropic endeavours of his father the late Sir Michael Otedola within Nigeria and West Africa and has also been key in assisting the Foundation to achieve its strategic aims as part of his altruistic contributions to regional development. Most recently the Foundation has received with gratitude a contribution of $100,000 dollars to assist with the day to day activities of the Foundation in London and around Africa.
As a result of his industrial expertise and business acumen he has in time past and currently held positions ranging from President of the Nigerian Chamber of Shipping to Chairman of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja to being a member of the governing council of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council. He was also appointed as a member of the committee saddled with the task of fostering relationships between the Nigerian and South African Private Sectors.
Mr Otedola following the proceedings of the OOF’s “Accelerating Youth Employment in Africa by Catalyzing Private investment”
Mr. Otedola’s contribution to the growth of the Nigerian economy was recognized in May 2010 when he was awarded the esteemed National Honours of ‘Commander, Order of the Niger – CON’ by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan. Mr. Otedola also plays an important role in the ‘National Economic Management Team’ in Nigeria. The mandate of the team (inaugurated by the President) is to fast track the economic development of Nigeria.
Mr. Otedola was one of several African Business leaders to join H.E. President Olusegun Obasanjo as the OOF hosted a side meeting at the Clinton Global Initiative where Private and Public Sector leaders met to discuss the Acceleration of Youth Employment in Africa. In 2014, the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (‘OOF’) invited Mr. Otedola to sit on its Special Advisory Group (‘SAG’) – the apex body mandated to turn ideas into actions for the Foundation.
Private Sector Leaders such as Mr. Otedola, with their outstanding achievements in business are role models for African Youth of all ages, showing them that an entrepreneurial spirit and giving back to their communities creates a cycle of sustainable impact. Contributions by African owned Private Sector Organizations also give much needed employment to the local population where other companies may have policies that discriminate against them.
Mr. Otedola with Vice Chair of the OOF Anne Welsh and participants of “Accelerating Youth Employment in Africa by Catalysing Private Investment”
The OOF Would like to humbly thank Femi Otedola for his continued support for the Foundation and look forward to working together with him over the next stage of the Foundation’s development.
SOURCE: OOF
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