The Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun,have hailed philanthropy gestures as a way of defeating poverty and growing economy in the process.
He made this known at Forbes Award ceremony and Philanthropy Round Table Discussion, organised by Foreign Investment Network, FIN.
Recipients of the prestigious Forbes ‘Best of Africa’ award were :Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First bank, Adesola Adeduntan, CEO of Ocean Marine Security Ltd, Idahosa Wells Okunbo and Founder and Executive Chairman of Online Integrated Solutions Ltd, Mahmood Ahmadu.
The Chairperson of International Emirate Business Group, H.E Badria Al Mulla was also a recipient of FIN award.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abiodun stressed the importance of giving to societal development, adding that donors should strive at making giving effective.
Abiodun who was a special guest of honour at the event encouraged corporate organisations to be socially responsible but also to direct their gesture to the specific needs of beneficiaries.
In her address, Chairman of FIN, Mrs Olayinka Fayemi stated that FIN is exploring how philanthropy can marshal financial resources and social capital to make a lasting impact now and beyond.
Speaking on the theme “Harnessing the Financial Resources and Social Capital of Philanthropy to Making a Lasting Impact” recognised the crucial role of philanthropists.
“The importance of philanthropists in today’s lives cannot be overemphasised. The global community is now plagued by the novel corona virus pandemic which has upended human lives with catastrophic consequences like never before.
“Philanthropy can be directed to address today’s most pressing social issues and meet the challenges of tomorrow,” she said.
She congratulated the awardees and encouraged them to continue to remain responsible to the society and the nation at large.
In his remarks, First Bank’s Adeduntan expressed that the award was an incentive that will further push the bank to offer more in corporate responsibility and sustainability.
He said, “I am gratified that we have exemplified corporate leadership by providing seamless digital banking services, and by championing the safety and wellbeing of our society without let or hindrance. We achieved these because we have always worked to accentuate sustainable practices for over 126 years”.
