We do not need an expert to tell us that the digital age is upon us

On behalf of the Board, Management and entire Staff of the Odu’a Investment Group, I want to say that we are highly honoured to have you all present at this historic event.

The Odu’a Investment Company Limited (OICL), and its predecessor, the Western Nigeria Development Corporation (WNDC) were established with the objective of promoting economic growth and development. The investments of our founding fathers helped transform the lives and livelihoods of the people in our various communities.

The Odu’a Investment Foundation was therefore established to achieve significant socio-economic impact with a focus on weaving sustainable growth into the fabric of our communities and region in general. As a result, we identified very credible individuals with a track record of impact in their various spheres of influence, and fully empowered them to steer the affairs of the foundation in the right direction.

Our objective is for the foundation to achieve the highest possible impact, for the highest possible number of people. A dream that is one step closer to reality today as we launch this exciting and high impact Odu’a Investment Foundation Project. The results we are seeing in such a short period of time are a testament to the great success we believe the advisory council will achieve.

In line with the mission of the Odu’a Investment Foundation which is to “expand educational opportunities and promote youth development and information technology in Southwest Nigeria,” the foundation is therefore launching the “DEFINED’ project today. The project which is an ambitious campaign, will take digital education and opportunities to all the 137 local governments areas in southwest states of Oyo, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Lagos.

According to the Brookings Institute “We are living in what has been aptly termed the digital era, a time of rapid technological change led by digital technologies. The new technologies are reshaping economiesand societies”.

But truly, ladies and gentlemen, we do not need an expert to tell us that the digital age is upon us. We have seen first-hand how the digital revolution has transformed the economies of several advanced and developing countries.

The youths are at the forefront of the adoption of digital technology, and have the highest potential to benefit from what has become an increasingly evolving, and fast paced digital world. This project will help position Yoruba youth for the digital age, by providing digital education, and creating opportunities for them to hone these skills in a supportive environment. With your support, we can achieve these objectives. With your support, this program has the potential to provide an opportunity of a lifetime to many young people across the region by creating our own digital revolution.

I want to seize this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the very distinguished members of the Odu’a Investment Foundation’s Advisory Council, namely:

Her Excellency, Ambassador Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, Chairperson,
Chief Dr Onikepo Akande, OON, CON,
Dr (Mrs) Victoria Adunola Samson (otherwise known as BOVAS),
Dr Biodun Shobanjo, OON,
Dr Segun Olugboyegun,
Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, OFR, CFR and
Mr Remi Makanjuola, OON

Their relentless effort and selfless sacrifice have helped ensure that the foundation is on course to blossom into a viable, sustainable and credible non-profit organization.

However, we cannot achieve this project and all its objectives on our own. The Yoruba adage says “Agbajo owo la fin soya, owo kan o gberu dori”.

Therefore, we need funding and support such as government grants, private-sector partnerships, and international diaspora support. We will like to leverage public-private partnerships to secure sustainable funding for the initiative and are ready to partner with international organizations, universities, and businesses to provide Yoruba youths with exposure to global digital opportunities. Oodua a gbe wa o!

Opening remarks by the Group Chairman, Odua Investment Company Limited, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru at the digital education for Innovation and Economic Development (defined) Initiative launch at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on the 24th of October, 2023.

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