By Vivian Onyebukwa
Intellectual Icons for Sustainable Impact and Development (IISID), a recently registered Non-Governmental Organisation by the Corporate Affairs Commission in Nigeria, conducted its inaugural press briefing to elaborate on its mission and sets to tackle a multitude of challenges across Africa starting from Nigeria.
Dr Muritala Shuaib, IISID’s President and a lecturer of French language at Babcock University in Nigeria, emphasised the unique challenges faced by each continent and asserted that addressing these challenges is crucial for sustainable impact and development.
This was buttressed by Dr Muideen Gbadamosi, a UK-Coventry University lecturer and the group’s secretary who clarified that IISID comprises intellectuals dedicated to providing lasting solutions to Africa’s socio-economic and environmental challenges. In their words, ‘’IISID aims to collaborate with the government, private sectors, and other stakeholders committed to instigating positive change. The group currently consist of 30 members, and prioritises transparency in its selection process, focusing on integrity, discipline, research passion, patriotism, and honesty’’.
Dr Olaiwola Ogunpaimo, the group’s Director of Publicity, highlighted various programs initiated by IISID in a short period. He stressed the group’s eagerness to collaborate on community engagement, empowerment, and educational initiatives. He hinted that the group has researched and found solutions to the power generation and distribution problems in Nigeria and this is contained in a yet to be released 45 pages document.
Dr Doris Akinpelumi, the Vice President of IISID and a lecturer at Babcock University in Nigeria, underscored the group’s openness to suggestions and contributions from interested individuals. She emphasised the organisation’s engagement in seeking diverse perspectives and urged relevant stakeholders to embrace the initiatives when they are released to the public.
The former President of the group, Fagbohun Michael and a researcher at the British Columbia University in Canada stressed the readiness of the group to align its mission with AU Agenda 2063 to achieve its aims.
In the concluding remarks, Dr Abayomi Agbeyangi, a lecturer at Chrisland University, Nigeria and the Director of Strategy and Innovation, urged the public to follow up with the activities of the group on the association’s website and social media profiles.
The Executive members of IISID1 comprises of Dr Muritala Shuaib, President; Dr Doris Akinpelumi, Vice President; Dr Muideen Gbadamosi, Secretary; Afusat Ladejobi, Assistant Secretary; and Dr Abayomi Agbeyangi, Director of Strategy and Innovation.
Others are Dr Ejike O. Okpala,Treasurer; Dr. Bashir Ibrahim, Financial Secretary; Dr. Olaiwola Ogunpaimo, Director of publicity; and Michael Fagbohun, Former President.