• 5 SMEs win 5 millionaire business grant
By Oki Samson
Founded on the two-pronged impact areas of business and education in honour of late difference makers, Engr. Akinola and Madam Emiola Ogunsan, the AKEM Foundation yesterday during its 3rd Anniversary empowered five (5) outstanding entrepreneurs through the AKEM Business Support Funding with business grants of Five Millionnaire (N5,000,000) to grow their businesses and enable them to be employers of labour and positive influence on society, Trek Africa Newspaper can report.
In its first two years, the organization’s focus had been on education so it’s time to shift gear to entrepreneurship. This orchestrates the commitment of the Ogunsan’s to become ‘Architects of Hope and Catalysts of Transformation’ as the CEO of the AKEM Foundation, Mr. Abiodun Ogunsan stated. The NGO was founded by Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Mr. Abiodun Ogunsan, Mrs. Aduke Aina nee Ogunsan, and Mr. Folorunsho Ogunsan.
The 5 winners of the AKEM Foundation 3.0 are Aderibigbe Aderonke Marvellous – CEO, Matana Fashion World won the Star Prize of One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N1,500,000); 2nd Position went to Oluwakemi Olaniyan – Founder of Nutraboom Nutrition winning One Million, Two hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only (N1,250,000); 3rd Position is Omotola Oreayo Olaifa – Founder of Anywash App, who won One Million Naira only (N1,000,000); while Mordi Comfort Olamide – Founder of The Flaming Lamp Media emerged as the 4th position with Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only (N750,000); and Joseph Akinwoleola – Director of The Inspired Elites Global Academy emerged 5th position and went home with Five Hundred Thousand Naira only (N500,000).
This quintet emerged out of a thorough process which witnessed 48 applications whittled down to 12 and then down to the big 5 who participated in a highly competitive Business Pitch which held at the grand finale yesterday. Each winner got their respective prize money plus an additional 10% which was graciously presented by the prize presenters viz. AIG in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; DIG Bode Adeleke (retd); the Life Patron of AKEM Foundation, AIG Lanre Bankole (retd); Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Olufunmilola Ogunsan for ex-Force Secretary, AIG Yetunde Longe (retd); and the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State Command, CP Olorundare Jimoh Moshood.
Speaking further on their achievements since the inception of the impact-making NGO, the CEO of AKEM Foundation, Mr. Abiodun Ogunsan reflected: ‘Your vision, courage, and unwavering belief in a brighter future have lit pathways where others saw darkness. In the past years, the seeds you sowed through the AKEM Foundation have grown into a forest of change. Imagine the less privileged, who now has the privilege of a good life and access to education. Imagine the family, who has now been able to stay alive because of food made available. Imagine the children, who are now delighted to become more through your support.’
‘That is the legacy of AKEM Foundation, not numbers on a page but lives that are touched. We are deeply grateful for your act of generosity and love. We join the men and women who rebuild a life through the funds you have made possible. Once again, we say a big thank you.’
The Chairman of AKEM Foundation, Dr Ayo Ogunsan celebrated the dignitaries at the event. They spanned various sectors of life including the Nigeria Police Force, other security agencies, academia, politics, and business. This includes the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Operations, DIG Bode Adeleke rtd and his Wife, Mrs. Modupe Adeleke; Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; AIG Lanre Bankole rtd; Former Force Secretary, AIG Yetunde Longe rtd; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olorundare Jimoh Moshood; Head, IGP-Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters Abuja, DCP Akin Fakorede; DC Administration, Lagos Command, DCP Khan Salihu Usman; AC Administration, Lagos Command, ACP Mary Ayim; Commander, MOPOL 63, ACP; ACP Abubakar Yakubu; Area Commander, Area J, ACP Yemisi Ojo; Executive Chairman of Orile Agege LCDA, Hon. Babatunde Johnson; Immediate Past Commissioner of Education, Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Adefisayo; Founder of Green Springs Schools, Mrs. Lai Koiki; Chairmanship Aspirant, Agege Local Government, Hon. Taiwo Olasunkanmi Samuel; Commander, RRS Lagos, CSP Shola Jejeloye; Commander, Special Protection Unit, Base 16 Ikeja, CSP Tunji Alapini; DPO, Festac Division, CSP Matilda Umiah Ngbaronye; DPO Bode Thomas Division, CSP Komolafe Solomon; DPO, Man Center Division, CSP Ayo Elijah; DPO, Ikeja Division, CSP Oke Akinwunmi; OC Anti Crime Zone 2, CSP Omotayo Adegbite; Mr. Eric and the Chinese Community; Prof. Albert Oikelume; Prof. Odidi; Mr. Theophilus Olaleye; Chairman of POCACOV Lagos State, Dr. Moses Oladimeji among others.
He also hailed all the partners and supporters of the foundation. ‘You always make an impact. You touch the world in great ways. Thank you for touching lives. Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for keeping the flag flying.’
Paying glowing tributes to their parents, the LSSTF Board Member added: ‘The greatest legacy any parent can leave behind for his or her children is not just wealth but a very strong moral compass and instilled values. I am celebrating two people today who left this world over a decade ago, who do not have much money with them but left behind four children and handed us a strong moral compass and values. That is what produced what you are seeing today and for the last three years. They taught us integrity, love, humility, obedience to instructions, constituted authority, and God Almighty. They taught us strong character, that in the face of problem or difficulty, we should be on the side of good character than the other way around.’
‘That’s what we are extending from the little we have. They taught us to be close to God. In those days, they were not very close to God but still they pointed us to God. I was able to get it, my younger ones got it, and in my personal pursuit of God, I found the balance to keep the character going which is faith’, Ogunsan remarked.
