Owu Empowerment Foundation is born!

The Ààrẹ Ajibosin and ex-governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel with the Olowu of the Ancient Owu Kingdom, Oba Adegboyega Dosunmu at the 2019 Ọdún Ọmọ́ Olowu in Abeokuta

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INTRODUCTION AND PREMABLES

On Tuesday 1st October 2019, to kick start the 2019 Odun Omo Olowu festival, the first OWU REUNION Ceremony took place at Olowu Palace Abeokuta Ogun State.

At the said gathering a unanimous RESOLUTION was passed to established the OWU EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION FUND, an initiative reported to have been spearheaded by Chief OgoOluwa Bankole through the auspices of the Council of Owu Chiefs.
The scheme which is proposed to be formally launched in February 2020 has the perceived vision of creating a platform for young Owu sons and daughters (Abeokuta and districts) for an enhanced opportunity of their career development.
The fund is expected to give Support, Guidance and Councelling, Skill Aquisition and Training,
Aquisition of Trade Equipments, Access to Agriculture Inputs, Scholarships and Bursary, Apprentiship, Financial and Logistic Support, while establishing Cooperative Schemes.

The Balogun Owu chief Dr Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo, PhD GCFR nominated the Aare Onakakanfo Owu Chief Dr Bolu Akin-Olugbade as the protem CHAIRMAN of the FOUNDATION. His nomination was unanimously supported and approved.
Chief Dr Bolu Akin-Olugbade immediately donated a sum of 1,000,000 Naira (1million Naira) to take off the fund.

The Olowu of Owu kingdom approved the allocation of a Secretariat space within the OWU PALACE COMPLEX for the take off of the FOUNDATION.

Chief Ogooluwa Bankole volunteered to be an interim coordinator of the Foundation.

The OWU EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION mandates are as follow :

NAME :
This foundation shall be known and called OWU EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION

ADDRESS :
The Foundation shall be domiciled at Olowu Palace, Oke Ago Owu, Abeokuta. Ogun State, Nigeria.
Postal Address: P O Box
Email address: owuempowermentfoundation@gmail.com

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES :
The principal aims and objectives of the FOUNDATION are as follows:

1. Social mobilization of resources (materials and human) for the upliftment of opportunities that is beneficial for enhancing human sustenance and growth.

2. Providing COUNSELING AND MENTORSHIP (especially to youth) to direct efforts to critically viable areas of positive human development.

3. Mobilization of Fund from within and outside Owu kingdom for human capital development.

4. Early identification of human potentials for future community developments and services.

5. Complimenting and supporting Government and other agencies in the upliftment of human dignity and growth opportunities.

6. Enhancing peaceful co-existence within and between the OWU community and their neighbors.

7. Creating a Liaison Platform for Owu Indigenes in Diaspora for social and economic contacts with their Roots.

VISION STATEMENT:
To Promote Maintain and Sustain the position of Owu Kingdom as the leading and foremost progressive community among Yoruba Nation in general, and inhabitant of Abeokuta in particular by guaranting High quality Manpower Development, as well as Competitive, High Skill Management Development.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The foundation will utilize the fund and other resources accruing to it :

To promote future and well focused Manpower Development of Owu indigenes in their chosen career and occupation.

To raise to the highest level of Competence the human capital development of Owu Indigenes.

To Mentor and Empower Owu indigenes to gain employment or become self-employed and thus becoming agent of positive change.

To train on entrepreneurial skills development as a tool for poverty reduction and promotion of social cohesion.

To totally mobilise resources within and outside so as to attain these objectives.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:
Patrons :
1 Grand Patron: Oba Olowu of Owu.
2 Patron: Balogun Owu.

Trustees :
1. Nominee from Owu Christian Community.
2. Nominee from Owu Muslim Community.
3. 1 Female Nominee.
4. 2 Special Interest nominees.
5. Aare Ona Kakanfo of Owu kingdom (Protem Chairman).

Management Board Members :
1 Nominee of Afobaje Chiefs of Owu.
1 Nominee from Ologun Chiefs of Owu.
1 Nominee from Parakoyi Chiefs.
1 Female Nominee from Iyalode Owu.
1 Nominee from Erunmu Owu.
1 Nominee from Apomu Owu.
1 Nominee from Council of Baales.
1 Nominee from Alakosos.
1 Nominee from Owu Obas.
1 Nominee from the Owu Youths.
1 Nominee from each Owu registered Clubs.
1 Nominee from Owu In Diaspora.
1 Co-Ordinator General (Secretary)
Ex Officio Members (2).

Tenure: 3-year Term; Maximum of 2 Terms.

COMMITTEES OF THE FOUNDATION:
After the inauguration of the BOARD the following recommended committees will be constituted from members of the board :

1. FINANCE/ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE
2. PROMOTION/MARKETING (PUBLICITY)
3. SELECTION AND INTERVIEW
4. TRAINING AND SKILL ACQUISITION
5. PLACEMENT/EMPLOYMENT
6. DIASPORA LIASON/RELATIONS
7. AD-HOC COMMITTEE

Each committee shall be empowered to coop members outside the board for technical/ specialty support.

A committee shall select from among its members a CHAIRMAN.

NOTE :
All Board and committee membership are VOLUNTARY.
However, the board may approve the reimbursement of expenses in special circumstances.

All Board and committee proceedings must be recorded signed and filed.

Details of duties of each committee shall be approved by the board.

No board member may belong to more than 2 committee but can only be CHAIRMAN of 1 Committee.

POSITION OF THE FOUNDATION COORDINATOR :
The Foundation coordinator post is VOLUNTARY.
The occupier should ideally be from Owu kingdom (possibly a retired and experienced administrator male/female).

The co coordinator shall be head of Administration, and the Accounting Officer.

The Foundation shall make use of /have support of voluntary staffs e g NYSC/IT operatives

The secretariat shall open for at least 3 days a week.

SOURCES OF FUNDING OF OWU EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION
The foundation shall be a “NON PROFIT” organization.

The Foundation shall be run on strictly high ethical standard and probity.

The Foundation shall operate according to the rules and regulations as contained in the legal framework of the corporate affairs commission (CAC).

The Foundation shall rely on fundings from these sources :

1. DONATIONS/GIFTS
2. ENDOWMENTS
3. GRANTS
4. INTEREST FROM INVESTMENTS
5. SUNDRY INCOMES

ALL SOURCES OF FUNDING MUST BE LEGAL WITH FULL DISCLOSURES

As an OWU community based foundation the bulk of the financing shall come from Sons and daughters of OWU KINGDOM, their friends, associates etc.

The Foundation shall maintain transaction accounts with public quoted FINANCIAL institutions of repute.

Signatories to the Foundation accounts shall be by members approved by the board of management.

In the interim the Foundation has an account with Zenith bank plc (Acct. No. 1016748218).

The board shall set the accounting period after inauguration.

It is proposed that the OWU reunion DAY could be adopted as a General Meeting day.

The Foundation shall have audited annual account which must be approved by the BOARD and the Audit committee appointed at the general meeting.

No FUND of the Foundation shall be invested in any private high risk ventures or lending.

(culled from “ỌMỌ OLOWU XCHANGE” group platform on WhatsApp)

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Current Developments…

It should be noted that the foundation, which is yet to be formally launched as at the time of this publication is already taken off with virile zest and enthusiasm amongst the populace of Owu Kingdom with suggestions and opinions on the way forward stemming from all corners. Moreover, the 5 million Naira mark in actual received donations from individuals has already been breached as at the time of this publication!

In addition, the Coordinator of the scheme, Chief Ogo-Oluwa Bankole (Gbogbogbo 1), the Chairman of Mercyland School GRA Ibara Abeokuta has volunteered to release for free the facilities of the school for Training and Workshop, including Hostel Accommodation.

(click here to view the Donors List for the Owu Empowerment Foundation Fund)

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Further developments of the activities of the foundation has unfolded the adoption of :
(1) His Excellency, Balogun Owu Kingdom, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCON PHD as the Patron of Owu Empowerment Foundation, (2)Aare Onakakanfo Prince Dr Bolu Akin-Olugbade as the Chairman, Board of Trustees, (3) as Board of Trustees member; Chief Ogooluwa Bankole, Olotu Gbogbogbo 1. (4) HRM, Kábíyèsí Olowu, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu CON.Fta as Royal father of the Foundation.
Committee members are : (a) Chief Dr Banji Oyegbami Omotadese Owu Kingdom (b) Chief Barrister, Elder D.O. B. Badejogbin, Gbobaniyi Owu Kingdom and (c) Chief Mrs Bola Laoshe Okedara, Yeyeoriade Owu Kingdom.

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List of Donors:

The list of contributors and donors into the Owu Empowerment Foundation is available in this blog page section titled “Owu Empowerment Foundation – Updates”

Click this link to go there – Donors List for the Owu Empowerment Foundation Fund