And the star of the day was the founder of MBBOV
Co-operative Society and the CEO of the company, UK-based Valerie Ayodele (Mrs.) who stormed the
venue, with an array of top business people, from the UK.
Mrs Valerie Epkitete Ayodele
hails from Uwvie local Government Area of Delta State, the second child in a
family of five children. The only girl child of the family, she showed signs of
being industrious early in life.
A seasoned entrepreneur, she
attended St. Ita's Girls Grammer school where she acquired her secondary school
education and thereafter in her educational pursuit proceeded to London South
Bank University where she bagged degrees in banking and finance as well as
Urban and Environment Planning.
Dignitaries at the event on
Friday were: Honourable Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora
Commission (NIDCOM). She was ably represented by Ayodele Akinribido, a Chief
Diaspora officer based in Lagos; Charles Khiran, UK-based
Inspirational/Leadership Speaker; Barrister Festus Keyamo (SAN), the Minister
of State for Labour and Employment who was also ably represented by a Senior
Professor of Law at the University of Lagos, Professor Joseph Abugu; Chief
Bimbo Roberts, Chairman, Nigerian Diaspora Direct Investment Summit (NDDIS),
the Iyaloja of Computer Village with her entourage amongst others.
At the event, Mrs Valerie
Epkitete Ayodele told the story of how she conceived the idea after working in
finanicial insututions in the UK and how she stepped out to begin despite the
various discouragements she faced. Among which was that she was told that it is
not safe to give loans that people hardly repays. But here she is with her 14th
branch and fully 90% loans fully collected.
The General Manager of the
Co-operative, Ugbewanko Odafe also spoke of the strides that the organization
is making. He said that more and more places are calling for new branches which
will all come to pass. He confirmed what the CEO said that they were giving out
loans throughout during the Covid-19 period and were also getting payments.
Chief Bimbo Roberts also
spoke and recalled the first time that Mrs Valerie Epkitete Ayodele made her
presentation to Nigerians in Diaspora at the Nigerian High Commission event in
London, and how bold and convincing she was and the takeoff of MBBOV
Co-operative Society.
There was also a royal touch at the event with the royal presence of HRM Kabiyesi Oba Isiaka Olajide Ajede Royal Monarch of Ilodo town,in Ijebu Mushin, Ogun State, who stayed throughout the event despite his tight schedule. The royal father also seized the opportunity to invite Mrs Valerie Ayodele to Ijebu to establish her business there.
Valerie is married to Mr.
Bolaji Ayodele, she is a mother of four who has been in the diaspora for about
34 years now has contributed in no small measures to the development of the
society through her numerous NGO's which have culminated in bringing many out
of penury into financial freedom. She is already looking forward to opening
more branches in Nigeria.
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