By Dipo Olowookere
Last Friday, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr Oscar Onyema, launched his foundation aimed at transforming the lives of less privileged children and youth in the country.
Called the Oscar N. Onyema (ONO) Foundation, it is a not-for-profit and non-political organisation that will positively affect the society with the first tranche of beneficiaries of the foundation’s scholarship expected to be announced before the end of the year.
The primary goal of the foundation is to support the continued effort to expand access to formal education in Nigeria, especially amongst indigent children and youth, raise the bar in academic achievements and encourage positivity and hope to the less privileged families and communities.
It plans to achieve this by investing in four priority areas: Mentorship Program, Scholarship Management Program, Workforce Program and Home Visitation.
In addition, the Foundation would identify and partner with any private, public or civil society organisation or institution or indeed individual with similar objectives for the promotion of philanthropic activities.
The unveiling event was witnessed by a cross section of dignitaries from media, development work, organised private sector amongst others.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Onyema noted that ONO Foundation is positioned with the goal of unlocking access to formal education for less privileged youths.
According to him, the foundation will organise lectures, seminars, workshops for public enlightenment in such areas of interest as the foundation’s management may from time to time determine, as well as pair less privileged children and youth with respectable and credible members of society and organisations, in order to groom them into becoming responsible citizens and effective nation builders.
“ONO Foundation will focus primarily on providing safety nets for the less privileged children and youths, by ameliorating the issues of lack of guidance and providing educational materials and funding towards achieving greater social impact in the education sector in Nigeria.
“Today’s launch is the culmination of a passionate idea long held by me to contribute my time and funds towards enhancing access to qualitative education for orphans and vulnerable children in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across the country,” he said.
Mr Onyema encouraged “every patriotic Nigerian to continue to give their support towards uplifting indigent youths especially those who seek knowledge.”
He stressed that, “Our efforts to play an active role in the 4th industrial revolution must have the youth at its centre due to their population, energy and potential impact.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, ONO Foundation, Mr Tunde Folawiyo, echoed the sentiments of Mr Onyema emphasising that, “The Foundation is borne out of an understanding that the society of our dreams cannot materialise if its future (the children and the youth) are not properly trained, inspired and equipped to be the catalyst and springboard of change and growth. This foundation is unique because its programs are focused not just on education but also on treating the emotional and mental challenges and ails faced by our children and youth, their families and our less privileged communities.”
The Foundation will be managed by an Executive Director who shall be overseen by an Executive Committee and the Foundation will be strategically led by a Board of Trustees made of Mr Tunde Folawiyo, Chairman; Mr Oscar Onyema, Founder; Mr Sonnie Ayere, Trustee; Mrs Margaret Orakwusi, Trustee; Miss Florence Otedola (DJ Cuppy), Trustee and Ms Ejim Dike, Trustee.
