OIFN Founder Receives Recognition Award At PR/CSR Forum

Stakeholders in both the public and private sector in Nigeria on Thursday, converged at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, at Lekki, Victoria Island, Lagos State, Nigeria for the 2024 Public Relations Forum/Exhibition and Awards organized by AS + A Communications. A forum put in place for knowledge exchange and policy development intended for pioneers of CSR in Nigeria and other key players in within the public and business sectors.

The occasion which had in attendance a diverse blend of technocrats was also to give recognition awards to corporate entitities and individuals for their work with the Founder and President of OIF Nigeria/ OIF Network receiving the Humanitarian Star and CSR Award.
According to the organizers aside the objectives of discussing such key areas of: Public Relations Perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR responses from Government in a Democratic Dispensation, Positive CSR impact to Private Sector Investment and General CSR Perspective cutting across Sector; that gathering is to identify new ways to further cement bilateral relationships between government of Nigeria and her sister countries, as well as helping to foster better understanding of CSR relations that will enable bilateral business relationships get more profitable.

In her welcome address at the CSR forum the MD/CEO of AS + A Communications, Yeye Adenike Agnes Shobajo declared: “This is an important edition for us obviously, because of the period and time in Nigeria that it is being held. My hope is that at the end of it all, the organizers, as a corporate and socially responsible entity, would have been able to contribute our own social responsibility quota to the society.
By showcasing good, honourable people of moral integrity and high societal standing to the generality of Nigerians, so that through what we hear them say today, they would be able to influence others, who are well placed and endowed like them, but sit in their closets, to come out and join them to build a just and egalitarian society”.

Yeye Adenike Shobajo told the gathering that as organizers of the CSR forum pushing the boundaries and innovations in the CSR sector, have noticed the efforts of some state governments and their grassroots moves in areas of social responsibilities.

“We recognise the CSR efforts of some state governments and their grassroots moves in areas of social responsibilities. Even though they are there to respond to us, we take it for granted that they are in one way or the other being socially responsible. As we did years back with the Rivers state government, our host State Government led by Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has, through the supervising Commissioner of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, to join us to participate in our CSR exploit as they give back to society”.

The Convener also gave glowing remarks about Mrs Tarela Aghanti, Founder/President of Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Nigeria (OIFN) for the remarkable work she has been doing in helping people with brittle bone disease in Nigeria.

Yeye Shobajo revealed that recently, Mrs Aghanti came into Nigeria and distributed 300 wheelchairs to people living with brittle bone and other forms of disabilities in Lagos and Delta states respectively.

According to her: “Tarela, is a wonderful lady who is moving seriously to propagate the concept of CSR in the midst of the physically challenged people who are spending their lives on the wheel chair. She gathered us together in Lagos and Delta States, where she shared 300 wheelchairs to give a better life of mobility to some who could never have been able to move around on their own. I gave of my time to join this great humanitarian endeavour, it was a good experience”, Yeye concluded.

The highlight of the CSR/Awards Forum was the presentations of award of excellence by AS + A Communications to deserving individuals and corporate organizations that has distinguished themselves within the CSR space and so immensely contributing to the growth and development of society.
The list of awardees at the 24th Edition of the PR/CSR Forum include but not limited to the following: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Waziri Aminu Tambuwal, Mr Gabriel Idahosa (FCA), Rev Gbenga Oshokoya.
It all became ecstatic when after her presentation to the distinguished gathering, the organizers pulled a cat out of the bag and presented Tarela Aghanti and her daughter, Valarie Aghanti with awards of recognition.

The OIFN founder was given the Humanitarian Star and CSR Award, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the society, while Valerie aghanti got the Excellent Mental Health Champion award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the society.

Corporate organizations who received awards includes; LASG, NCF, Sterling Foundation, NTA, NIMASA, Toyota Nig. Ltd, Nestle Nig. Plc, OVATION, Lady Bird Nursery & Primary School, Mercy & Love Orphanage amongst others.

The event which has as its theme: Boosting Sustainability, Social Impact, and Return on Investment, is in its 24th year with organizers informing the gathering that for next year they are in discussion with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation UK, as an organization they committed to engage with people living with brittle bones.