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Business

Taiwo Oludotun: Impacting Lives with Philanthropic Gestures

Published

8 months ago

September 21, 2023

Sahara Weekly

Taiwo Oludotun: Impacting Lives with Philanthropic Gestures

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TAIWO OLUDOTUN – A search on Google, Wikipedia or, even the Encyclopaedia Britannica, if you want do an advanced search will tell you that philanthropy “derives from the ancient Greek phrase ‘phylantropia,’ meaning ‘to love people’.

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Today, the concept of philanthropy includes the act of voluntary giving by individuals or groups to promote the common good. Sometimes, certain levels of giving is referred to as charity and there is a good number of people everywhere that give a lot of charity to a huge of people around them.

A recent study concluded that Microsoft’s Bill Gates was number one on the list of the world’s top philanthropists with $27 billion in lifetime donations, followed by Warren Buffet with $21 billion, George Soros at $8 billion, Azim Premji, the Indian-American of Wipro, $8 billion down to Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg.

In Nigeria, Wealth writers agree that Aliko Dangote. Rochas Okorocha, Tony Elumelu, Jim Ovia, Theophilus Danjuma, Emeka Ofor and Oba Otudeko in this particular order are among top philanthropists in Nigeria. How much each of the above Nigerian free givers has given out over time is, however, not known or documented.

Yet, there are hundreds more Nigerian philanthropists that remain anonymous and will never reveal the extent of their giving to several causes and charities. For instance, Engineer Taiwo Oludotun who is so passionate about his people and their development has poured millions of naira into his community’s development, to the point that his community in Abeokuta North Local Government in Ogun central district of the Gateway state has witnessed a huge transformation from a totally inconsequential community to a giant, well-developed town.

Recently, he taught it expedient to give the primary 1—6 pupils free holiday coaching to improve their knowledge and understanding of what they will eventually be taught in school whenever they resume back to their various schools of study

The free holiday coaching to the pupils will prepared them towards their school curriculum and fasten their knowledge in their various departments.

This level of philanthropy is totally unknown not only in this part of the world but even worldwide. For a man or woman to take up the facilitation of infrastructure – roads, bridges, primary and secondary schools, churches of different denominations for his own people is probably the height of giving.

This has not included the number of people he has rekindled their hope in futhering their studies through scholarship scheme, Notable also is the fact that many of those that have benefited from his largesse are not necessarily his relations.

If you witness how he bring relief to people in need you will begin to ask yourself, is this man a Nigerian? Due to his golden heart of giving back to the society.

Engineer Taiwo Oludotun’s huge charitable giving is extraordinary and certainly dwarfs that of other philanthropists in this part of the world. His philanthropy gesture has earned him hundreds of awards from groups, associations in a way of encouragement to do more.

“I never contemplated this idea of politics when I began caring for my peoples’ welfare, but I was just interested in developing the place and by extension, the whole Ogun state populace and Nigeria ultimately”, Some of my friends and associate do ask me question about venturing into murky water of politics in Nigeria “ Up till this moment, many of my friends always wondered why I am venturing into the murky waters of Nigerian politics, but I believe that if good people abstain from the affairs of the land, there will be no future for our children, particularly the unborn who could be left with no meaningful future in the years ahead.” he said.

Engineer Taiwo Oludotun feels that he cannot sit idly by when his people are enveloped in misery and severe poverty while God has made the kind of provisions he gave him. He said that he cannot wallow in wealth while the bulk of his people are wallowing in poverty, adding, “For God has given me more than I need for my immediate and extended family members and it was only fair that I distributed the huge extras for the welfare of my people.”

In the nearest future, if mandate is given to Engineer Taiwo Oludotun, he will boost his philanthropy gesture through increase in welfare projects that will ease people of his community and beyond.

His recent representation as commissioner for rural development has further widen his idea in the area of development in each and every area of Ogun state. Also, he served meritoriously as the honorable commissioner of forestry where he made sure our reserve is protected and aforestation of trees are implemented to avoid future dangers.

– Solanke Ayomideji Taiwo writes from Abeokuta, Ogun state.

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Business

Jumbo Emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

Published

7 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Sahara Weekly

*Jumbo Emerges Rivers Assembly Speaker

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Rt. Hon. Oko Jumbo representing Bonny Constituency has emerged as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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Oko becomes the third Speaker under the current administration after Edison Ehie and Martin Amaewhule.

Details later…

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Business

A New Dawn As CREDICORP Engages Financial Institutions On Consumer Credit Initiative By Ifeoma Ikem

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2024

Sahara Weekly

A New Dawn As CREDICORP Engages Financial Institutions On Consumer Credit Initiative

By Ifeoma Ikem

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There is enormous hope on the horizon for businesses in Nigeria as the Consumer Credit sector comes alive with the commencement of engagements with Nigeria’s lending ecosystem.

No fewer than 19 commercial banks were at the first session convened recently by Nigeria’s apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) during which CREDICORP shared its mission and its unique offering of wholesale capital and credit guarantees for lenders who are committed to accelerating consumer credit access to Nigerians at scale.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during his presidential campaign leading to the 2023 elections, among other things, had promised to rejuvenate the Consumer Credit Sector. In fulfillment of the promise, he established the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) with a specific focus on facilitating the rejuvenation and operation of Consumer Credit services.

Consumer Credit serves as the lifeblood of modern economies, enabling citizens to enhance their quality of life by accessing goods and services upfront and paying responsibly over time.

Consumer Credit also facilitates crucial purchases such as homes, vehicles, education and healthcare, essential for ongoing stability to pursue their aspirations.

According to the Chief Executive Officer of CREDICORP, Mr. Uzo Nwagba in a statement to the media on Friday, through responsible repayment, individuals build credit histories and unlock more opportunities for a better life., adding that the increased demand for goods and services stimulates local industry and job creation.

Sequel to the convening of the first session of the financial institutions by the CBN with respect to Consumer Credit Initiative, CREDICORP has reportedly received important feedback which would enable it fine tune its rollouts of financial products. For this development, CREDICORP has remained appreciative of CBN’s effort for convening the session in Lagos with the Chief Risk Officers and leaders of Consumer lending across the banks.

The financial institutions which are critical partners with CREDICORP include deposit money banks, microfinance, fintechs and cooperatives. CREDICORP intends to achieve its mandate through strengthening Nigeria’s credit reporting systems, ensuring every economically active citizen has a dependable credit score. This score becomes personal equity they build, facilitating access to consumer credit.

Another way is through offering of credit guarantees and wholesale lending to financial institutions dedicated to broadening consumer credit access currently and promoting responsible consumer credit as a pathway to an improved quality of life, fostering a cultural shift towards growth and financial responsibility.

Notably, the dawn of the consumer credit services is in sync with President Tinubu’s belief that every hardworking Nigerian should have access to social mobility with Consumer Credit playing a pivotal role in achieving this vision.

Meanwhile, the CREDICORP portal for expression of interest has been opened to Nigerians. Interested citizens can visit www.credicorp.ng to express interest and inform the Corporation of their credit needs.

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Business

NNPC cautions motorists, others against panic buying

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2024

Sahara Weekly

NNPC cautions motorists, others against panic buying

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Limited has warned motorists and the public against panic buying of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol.

In a statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, on Tuesday, he said the corporation emphasised that the supply and distribution of petrol across the nation have witnessed significant improvements.

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According to Soneye, NNPC officials have conducted thorough monitoring of filling stations in various states, including Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where the queues have notably decreased.

He reassured the public that this positive trend will continue to expand to other states in the coming days.

The statement reads, “The Company wishes to state that at the moment, it has over 1.5 billion litres stock of PMS, which is equivalent to over 30 days sufficiency.

The NNPC Ltd. is also collaborating with relevant downstream agencies, such as the Nigeran Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), labour unions in the sector and security operatives, to address hoarding and other unwholesome practices.”

The move, according to Soneye, underscores NNPC’s commitment to ensuring a steady supply of petrol across the country and mitigating any potential disruptions in the fuel distribution chain.

Earlier, NNPCL said it has addressed concerns that surround the current scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit.

It added that the scarcity in certain regions of the country stems from logistical challenges, which have since been resolved.

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