To acknowledge entrepreneurship and individuals advancing the frontiers across the world, August 21 is celebrated as ‘World Entrepreneurs Day’ every year. This year’s celebration which took place on Monday has once again re-echoed the essence of the pivotal role entrepreneurship and industrialisation plays as epicenters of human and societal development of any nation, thereby validating the vision of Rite Foods in its quest to democratise a holistic economic revolution from agriculture to industrialisation and urbanisation.

According to research, entrepreneurship across developed economies and developing one’s account for 80% of the overall employment and urbanisation development of any society, thereby making them critical components of any societal development, sustainability, and the engine room of any economy.

A good example of this human and economic development assertions has therefore been demonstrated by Rite Foods. The organisation strongly believes that without entrepreneurship, it is most certain that the great economic potentials of any nation might not be fully unlocked, hence has continued to push the frontiers of entrepreneurship and industrialisation which represents a ”way out” for low-income rural areas and can alleviate socio-political challenges of unemployment and under-development while boosting general economic and social betterment of Ososa. In fact, as a social human capital strategy, since Rite Food came onto the scene its major recruitment policy has been such that the local indigenes of the communities have enjoyed a considerable ratio, especially within areas requiring less skilled expertise which has tremendously boosted job creation.

Before the revolutionary industrialisation of Rite Foods into the serene Ososa community, it was simply renowned as the town of the late Herbert Adedeji Ogunde, the progenitor of the first contemporary professional theatrical company in Nigeria, and largely due to his theatrical exploits during that era. Today, the town has transitioned from a drama stead to a world-class industrialisation hub due to the activities of Rite Foods within that community coupled with its grand leap in the FMCG industry through its world-class industrialisation activities which have continued to unlock the economic potentials of Ososa while also promoting socio-economic development in the larger Nigerian food and allied value chain. The Rite Foods multi-billion dollar factory which commenced operations in Ososa in 2013 has over time expanded its exploits across multiple food and beverages product brands.

As a pioneering innovation-driven leader in its industry in Nigeria and the African region, the factory is automated with little or no human interference, generating its source of power supply via the largest solar plant in West Africa that produces 32 megawatts of electric, Gas and Diesel-induced plant connected to the national grid that facilitates seamless, 24/7 uninterrupted power supply to the highly sensitive, sophisticated technological factory which it also deploys to boost the power supply needs of its host community, Ososa, and its proximate rural communities. 

According to Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director, Rite Foods, ”For us, the vision to industrialise our rural communities has often been one of the focus of our management’s leadership strategy, hence our systematic approach towards the realisation of our goal. Rite Foods implements inclusive community relations and corporate philanthropy that benefits the Ososa community including infrastructural development, and education through which it has helped to bring a meaningful difference to the lives of the host communities,” he avowed.

Consequently, the efforts of Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director of Rite Foods have never gone unnoticed in this direction. In March, 2023, he was nominated for the highly coveted Ernst & Young [EY] Entrepreneurship Award [Master Category] as a continental honoree in recognition of his sterling entrepreneurship exploits.

It is nothing for nothing that he is regarded as a great son of Nigeria and Africa for his philanthropy. His business acumen also stands him out in the continent. Days after clocking 63, Billionaire philanthropist, Abdulsamad Rabiu reached out to NDLEA with his ever-presence helping hands.

Through his Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) , the billionaire has donated 25 state-of-the-art operational vehicles to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to boost its operations across Nigeria.

The donation to the agency is drawn from the ASR Africa Security Sector Support Grant, which is a security intervention initiative targeted at providing critical support to the agency to boost this operational reach and capacity.

ASR Africa had announced the Security Sector Support grant to Nigeria’s Armed Forces and other security agencies as its support for security operations across the country. Beneficiaries of the grant include the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), The Nigerian Navy, The Nigerian Air Force, The Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Customs, Immigration, Department of Secret Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Correctional Service.

Presenting documents and keys of the vehicles to Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Dr. Ubon Udoh, Managing Director, ASR Africa stated that Abdul Samad Rabiu, Founder and Chairman of BUA Group is very passionate about giving back to society and has created the initiative to uplift and restore the dignity and lives of Africans.

Dr. Ubon thanked the NDLEA leadership for its support in ensuring the speedy realization of the project and noted that the operational vehicles would assist the NDLEA in fulfillment of its mandate in the war against drug-related crimes in the country.

According to Dr. Ubon Udoh, “We are very pleased to be here. I want to start by appreciating you and your team for all the collaborations to make this day a reality. This is a testament to your tenacity and will to ensure this handover happens within a short time.



“I want to thank you all for the work you do. This agency has made a very giant stride under your leadership and this is a testament to the quality of your team. On behalf of Abdul Samad Rabiu, we are presenting your 25 operational vehicles to aid the work your do and I can assure you on his behalf that this is just the beginning of better things to come”.

On his part, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Buba Marwa (Retd), Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, appreciated the Chairman of ASR Africa for the support and redeeming the pledge. He also enumerated the numerous achievements of the agency and promised full utilization of the vehicles donated by ASR Africa.

BY EDU ABADE

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery to thousands of residents, the Lagos State Government has built and unveiled a new Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ije-Ododo Community, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), under the Ojo Council Area of the state.
The facility, which has been under construction since 2021 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was unveiled in the community in an opening ceremony attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representatives of the state government, the state Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, as well as traditional rulers of Iba, Ije-Ododo and Ijagemo, among others.
In his welcome address, the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the opening of the health facility under the SSG’s One Community At A Time (OCAAT) initiative, formed part of activities to herald the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Maintaining that the attention being paid to the healthcare sector was deliberate to ensure a healthier populace, he said the state government under his watch would deploy more resources to the health sector for easier access to health services, especially in underserved communities.
He enjoined members of the community to take full advantage of the health benefits that will be provided in the facility and charged them to take ownership and protect the assets and the facility at all times.
Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the contractor for completing the project within the stipulated time frame, but also requested more assistance to make the facility functional by providing equipment and other necessary medical gadgets.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project, adding that it was gratifying to know that no fewer than 10,000 residents of Ije-Ododo and neighbouring communities will have access to primary healthcare services in the facility.
He said as a responsible corporate social organisation, the bank’s intervention in the primary healthcare sector aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach anchored on citizenship, impact management, strategic education, as well as the health and welfare of the immediate and remote communities of Lagos State and other parts of the country.
In his words: “The completion and opening of the primary healthcare centre is to ensure that Ije-Ododo community will become healthier and wealthier since health is wealth.”

In his goodwill message, the Baale of Ije-Ododo, Dr. Abu Jelili Ododo, who spoke in company of the Oba of Iba and Baale of Ijagemo, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the timely completion of the healthcare centre and appealed for the construction of the Ijegun-Ije-Ododo-Abule-Ado road to link the Badagry Expressway, adding that it was high time the Ije-Ododo Community was provided with a motorable road to ease the sufferings of residents.
Responding to the request for the road, Jaji assured that the Lagos State government under Sanwo-Olu was poised to build the road but that the project suffered some setback due to agitations by some members of the community over the location of the project, adding however, that as soon as the governor settles down for his second tenure, construction work will begin on the road.