The Prowess University, Delaware, in the United States of America, alongside the Esther Thelfid Foundation, on Sunday, conferred awards on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among other Nigerians for their contributions to community development in Abuja.
Speaking during the award ceremony, the founder of the foundation, Chinwe Aganekwu, spoke on the need to reach out to the less-privileged in the society while also emphasising the need to ensure that women were well trained in areas of entrepreneurship.
She said, “As a foundation, one of our core duties has to do with women entrepreneurship. We have trained over 500 women in that area. There is a need for women-to-be to be empowered, and that is why we are focused on them.
“We work alongside government agencies and parastatals and this has helped us to reach out to women even in hard-to-reach areas.”
Speaking further, Aganekwu noted that the decision of her foundation to honour the Ooni of Ife among other notable Nigerians was as a result of his community service.
“When you talk of the Ooni of Ife, you talk about a father, a serial employer of labour, especially in the real estate sector. He is someone who is passionate about community development and that is why we are honouring him today.
“The Prowess University, Delaware, partnered with us so that we will be able to help highlight community shapers and we have done just that.
Some of the other Nigerians awarded include the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo; President of Skywood community innovation transport Africa limited, Dr Kristiaan Vyver, among others.