Omolola Delivers Paper at Charity Colloquium

Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa, the initiator of the ACE 4.0 Project brilliantly delivered a paper titled 'Supporting the Less Privileged: Implications for Africa' as Guest Speaker during the 2nd Charity Lecture & Appreciation Colloquium organised by Encouragement Initiative established by Pastor Rotimi & Dr Bukky Akinlesi.

Excerpt from the newsletter published thereafter is below:

Veronika Shoronke of Ijebu Ode, a 1st Cycle Beneficiary, receiving her pair of glasses
and mid-day meal for 2 terms. Standing by his her dad.

Keke Badejo, of Ijebu Ife, a 1st Cycle Beneficiary, receiving 2 pairs of school uniforms
and mid-day meal for 2 terms. Standing by his her mum.

Mrs. Omolola Omoteso Famuyiwa was given a standing ovation after her smooth and brilliant delivery. Ms. Famuyiwa, a child rights advocate practically challenged the participants with her stream of thought at the event. She said that it is important to know the need of the less privileged before attempting to help them. She also emphasised the fact that many have through their actions stifled life out of the less privileged. Omolola, a well travelled and experienced woman was in 2001 a UNICEF delegate to the 3rd World Summit on Media for Children in Thessaloniki, Greece. 

At the event, she presented two under privileged girls with a pair of reading glasses, school uniform, sandals and funds for mid day meals in their school as part of the ACE 4.0 Project activities to mark her 40th birthday in which 40 less privileged persons will receive a ten thousand Naira award each.

Participants were treated to a grand time at the event chaired by Prof. Olufemi Oludimu, a professor of Agricultural Economics, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Aiyetoro and former Special Adviser to the Ogun State Government on Employment Generation while Mr. Peter Ashade, the MD/CEO of African Prudential Registrars and an investment banker with diverse academic and professional background delivered the keynote address. Also present at the event was Ms Corin Solarin, the proprietor of Mayflower Private School, Ikenne and the daughter of the late sage and social critic Dr. Tai Solarin. Ms Solarin was the speaker at the 1st Charity Lecture held last year.

The event was graced by dignitaries and charity bodies from all walks of life. Lion Omotayo Peter-Akrawa (the President of Ijebu-Ode Lions Club), Rotarian Adetona (President of the Ijebu-Ode Rotary Club), members of the Ijebu-Ode Rotary Club, and the commandant of the Man O' War Club, Ijebu-Ode Command were in attendance. Others include clerics from different churches, head- teachers and teachers of different public and private primary schools. Also present at the event were Mr. and Mrs. Bolanle Mustapha (Bolanle Mustapha & Co - Chattered Accountants, Lagos), Pa. & Evang. (Mrs) S.O. Okusanya, Mrs. Stella Fasina, Mrs. Hellen Akinkuade, Evang (Mrs) Olayinka Ashiru (Christ Passion Outreach), Mrs. Ronke Olukoga (Fresh Hope Initiative, Lagos), Mr. Victor Adeoti (News Agency of Nigeria), Asiwaju Onafuye (The News/PM News) and many others too numerous to mention. Participants came in from United States of America, Delta, Abuja, Abeokuta, Ife, Lagos and many other parts of the country. 

Pastor Lanre Onasanya of the Spirit of Life Church, Ijebu-Ode prayed for the Initiative, the Initiators as well as all the friends, volunteers and partners of the Initiative. 

In closing Omolola opined: 
To tap into the benefits of supporting the less privileged, we must focus on empowerment as a crucial requirement for a sustainable solution. Empowerment is the ability of the least privileged, to have access to productive resources that enable them to increase their earnings, obtain the goods and services they need and participate in the development process and the decisions that affect them. Where our support to the less privileged acts as a catalyst of change that fosters, develops and promotes initiatives to achieve sustainable development then we have saved generations yet unborn. Everyone has a purpose in life and a unique talent to give to others. We must blend this unique talent with the service we offer to others to experience and share the joy of giving and receiving. The highest philanthropy consists in helping and stimulating the less privileged to improve themselves by their own free and independent individual action. In the words of Mahatma Ghandi, be the change you wish to see in the world.