Otunba Femi Okenla has donated an entrepreneurial centre to Olabisi Onabanjo University, OOU, Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State.
The centre was commissioned on Thursday and was declared opened by founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo.
Speaking at the event, Otunba Okenla, an entrepreneur and alumnus of OOU, attributed his business acumen to his experience in the school arising from a life-threatening spinal injury in his second year, which forced him to find a creative means to survive by selling bread and screening films to fellow students.
He also recalled that the N350m project was conceived when he turned 59, adding that the centre would be delivered in three phases, while he planned to equip it with N50m, with another N100m earmarked for maintenance.
“By September, the first batch of 20 students will be admitted, ten of whom will be from the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences and another 10 from my church,” he announced.
The philanthropist also pledged N20m in seed capital for student-led startup, of which N5m will be awarded to each of the first four graduating students.
“Let us ensure the next generation of Nigerian students that graduate do not leave university with just a certificate in hand, but with business in motion, a product in development, or a vision already unfolding,”he stated.
Continuing, Otunba Okenla added that the credit of embarking on the philanthropic gesture was owing to Pastor Ashimolowo, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs) Yemisi Ashimolowo, saying he was inspired by them.
