Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation Moves to Raise Indigent Ijesa Entrepreneurs... Plans to give out N250,000 to N3,000,000 grants support

The Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation has launched a programme aimed at raising a new breed of entrepreneurs across Ijesaland.

To realize this vision, the Foundation launched the Folorunso Awomolo Mentorship and Entrepreneurship Project (FAME Project) under which applications will be drawn across the six Local Government Areas in ljesaland which are Oriade LGA, Obokun LGA, IIesa East LGA, Ilesa West LGA, Atakumosa East LGA and Atakumosa West LGA.

The project was born out of the passion of the founder: Late Pa Folorunso Awomolo; an Ijesa patriot, an icon of humility per excellence, and a symbol of excellence in service to humanity and God who passed on to eternal glory in 2023, aged 91.

The Chairman, Board of Trustees, Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation (MAF), Mr. Olugbenga Awomolo told the participants at the Project Declaration Press Meeting held at MAF Secretariat, Imo Hill, Off Dispensary street, Imo quarters, Ilesa, Osun State on Wednesday that the FAME project aims at creating a culture of entrepreneurship in young people primarily in Ilesa and other ljesaland townships through capacity building and grant support, by developing business skills through training; providing grants as start-up capital (new businesses ); or providing grants to support expansion of existing businesses; and providing mentoring support for the beneficiaries.

He stated that the project was born out of the passion of the founder, Pa Folorunso Awomolo (1932 to 2023) to achieve the resurgence and growth of youth entrepreneurship in Ilesa; return Ilesa to being a bedrock for the growth of private sector and contributing to the economy of Osun State and Nigeria; and Support the upliftment of potential entrepreneurs amongst ljesa youths for the growth of Ilesa and Ijesaland, and contributing to Osun State and Nigeria's economy.

Dr Olu Olujide, the CEO of Ilesa Business School, the official implementing Agency for FAME Project, while presenting the implementation strategy said that the would-be beneficiary must be an Ijesa youth of age range 18 years old to 35 years old who must possess a minimum of secondary education, Post-secondary qualification is an advantage; Understand the culture, language and ready to reside and operate business in Ilesa; Must have at-least a business knowledge/skill that requires funding support to start; Must be ready to run the business on a full time as two or more qualified applicants may form a joint venture.

"The FAME Project shall fund business proposals with preferences in Agro and Food Processing; Manufacturing; Hospitality and Creative Services; Basic Education and Technology based or backed initiatives.

"In principle, only business proposals that require a total (initial or expansion) capital of a minimum of N250,000; and a maximum of N3,000,000 will be considered. Fame Project reserves the right to accept projects that fall outside these guidelines if other features of the project are particularly exceptional. This will be determined at the sole discretion of the FAME Project Secretariat." Dr. Olujide remarked

Applications are available online.

For further details, visit www.maf.org.ng the official website to learn more about the application process and get started on your journey to being selected.

Application is free and it opens on 10th March and closes on 30th April.

Chief Akin Akinola , (Sawe of Ilesa/ Chairman, Ijesa Elders Forum), cautioned the initiators and implementor of the project against being strict on education requirement as basis for the selection of the beneficiaries while citing the examples of Ijesa Osomalos that left iconic legacies behind, even then, with little or no education.

Distinguished royal fathers that graced the event included, HRM Oba Adewale Ojarotade, Alaa of Ila Ijesa, HRM Oba Segun Akeju (Arojo of Irojo, Ilesa) and HRM Oba Olaniyi Agunbiade (Onimo of Imo, Ilesa)

Bishop Timothy Olatunji, of the Methodist Church Nigeria led a contingent of clergymen

Representatives Of Mofolorunso Awomolo Family included Mrs Monisola Awomolo (First wife of Pa Folorunso Awomolo), Mr Olugbenga Awomolo (Chairman, Board of Trustees), Mr Afolabi Awomolo (Member, Board of Trustees) and Mr Francis Omodaigbe, (Coordinator, Mofolorunso Awomolo Foundation) amongst others were in attendance.