By Stephen Ubanna
At 50. Mrs. Dupe Olusola, who as attained the peak in the nation’s Hospitality sector of the economy as the Managing Director of Transcorp Hotels plc, a subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, appears to have taken a cue from Tony Elumelu, Chairman, United Bank For African, uba plc, a Pan African Bank, Aliko Dangote , President Dangote Industries and other multi-billionaire business mogul , both locally and abroad, to Launch a Foundation ‘’to educate undeserved Nigerians’’.
She may not have patterned her foundation after the duo, and other such other Foundations across Nigeria but after Lagos Food Bank Initiative, LFBI, Drean Catchers Academy, Slums to School Africa, Dolly Children Foundation and Arilearn, that are working hard to give more Nigerian children the education access they deserve.
Mrs. Olusola, may not have been a Multi-billionaire or a Chairman of a company of her own but an employee of Transcorp Hotels, but have considered necessary that despite her limited sources of income that the less privileged in the society deserve to be educated to compete with other Nigerians from the rich homes.
She was said to have announced the Launch of ‘’the Next Generation Foundation’’, a philanthropic Fund dedicated to improving the lives of undeserved vulnerable children through education.
With the Foundation, the beautiful and good-looking Chief Executive Officer, CEO, of Transcorp Hotels, who , many believe has taken the top class Hotel operations in Nigeria to a new level , where it can compete with similar big Hotels abroad, is extending her lifelong commitment to empowering others driven by a deep belief I transformative power of education that should be applauded.
According to a close associate of the Transcorp CEO, the founder of the Next Generation Foundation, Mrs. Olusola, aims not only to provide access to education ‘’to support broader education reform initiatives across Nigeria’’.
Given an insider information, the hardworking Transcorp Hotels boss had said that the Foundation’s vision is for every child to have access to quality education and a chance for better life. Reflecting on her motivation to establish the Multi-billion naira Foundation, she had said that ‘’Education changes life, it opens doors to a future filled with opportunities, particular, for children who might otherwise be left behind’’.
Mrs. Olusola, who could not hide feelings was said to have told those that cares to listen that Nigeria which is facing severe economic down-turn also faces one of the highest out of -school populations globally. There are indications that Nigeria, which is the most populous country in the African Continent has up to 20%, out –of-school children attributed to financial constraints.
noting that with the Next Generation Foundation the story will be different. Hear him: I hope we can make a meaningful difference in changing the trend by ensuring that such underserved vulnerable children who drop out of school due to their poor background return back to school to join their mates and contemporaries in getting good education for the good of the society.
A close source told The Value News online Magazine that that the Transcorp Managing Director, has introduced the Foundation’s Flagship initiative, described a’’ the 50 by 50, multiyear scholarship program’’, expected to commence in the 202/2025, academic session, for the first 50 children, between the ages of six and 18, from low income families.
The 50 by 50 proect, which an insider had said will provide free tuition, books, school uniforms , nurtrition programs, access to health services and mentorship to the beneficiaries, has been planned inn such a way that it will starting from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and the Seat of power, , Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre , and Ogun, home state of former President Olusegun Obasano before extending to other states of the Federation. Mrs. Olusola, may have known that she does have all the Funds to execute such a multi-billion project, but she is optimistic that this effort will be powered by partnerships with the private sector and leading social impact Organizations that are focused on education like UBA plc and others.
Education aalysts believe that the steps that have been taken Mrs. Olusola and other Philantropist like him to give quality education to the children of vulnerable Nigerians will go a long way to address the dropout challenge in schools as well as help combat suicidal tendencies and deter desperate poor students from engaging in crimes or giving informations to the Islamic Fundamentalist Group , BokoHaram and the Islamic State of West African Province, IWAP , operating in the nor Eastern states of Borno, Yobe or the Bandits Group, operating in the north western states of Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina and the north central state of Nigeria, about the movement of security operatives for a fee.
