It is often said that the heroes of an epoch must be recognised as its clear-sighted ones. Their deeds, their words are the best of that time. Unlike some great men who have formed purposes to satisfy themselves and not others, famous business tycoon, Femi Otedola doesn’t care much about his good deeds. The billionaire —with a long and storied history in business and philanthropy— thinks more of the ordinary people and strives to make his heartfelt gesture useful to them. In fact, Otedola’s most glaring weakness is his eagerness to reduce, through kindness, the sum of human challenges. His widely known and recognised philanthropic efforts are geared towards improving lives. He has made phenomenal fortune, yet understands that his wealth comes with a measure of responsibility to give back. And Otedola has been using his financial resources to spread change and contribute to areas he’s passionate about. In recognition of his good deeds, Otedola was recently announced as the new chancellor of Augustine University —the Catholic University of Lagos Archdiocese located in Ilara-Epe, Lagos.
The appointment of the Geregu Power Plc Chairman as the second chancellor of the Catholic private institution took effect from April 7, following the expiration of the tenure of the pioneer chancellor, John Aniagwu. The notable business mogul’s appointment has been described as well deserved having been an untiring benefactor to the University’s structural development project, which has aided the institution’s rapid growth.
According to the billionaire, who donated a N2 billion complex to the University’s Engineering Faculty as part of his contributions to the seven-year-old institution, education is the most powerful weapon which anyone can use to change the world. More so, it was in furtherance of his late dad’s passion for education thus rather than spend money on acquisition of more properties or luxury private jet, Otedola has decided to spend his money to support the laudable cause of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese.
Before this new assignment, Otedola, about ten months ago, accepted to serve as Vice President of the United Kingdom-based global NGO, Save The Children. Prior to Otedola’s appointment, he has funded the NGO’s projects of preventing and treating malnutrition and provision of access to quality education to Nigerian children in Adamawa, Borno, and Katsina states.