Olabisi Akanbi calls for more investment in creative industry

Olabisi Akanbi calls for more investment in creative industry calls for more investment in creative industry

September 3, 2020 6:18 PM

More humanitarian interventions by young successful Nigerian businessmen has been identified by a philanthropist, Olabisi Akanbi as one of the critical factors that would help reduce underemployment and liberate the potentials of Nigerian youths.

Olabisi Akanbi

According to the 36-year-old real estate maven and creative industry, young successful entrepreneurs need to take responsibility of their primary constituencies.

“No one understands young people or speak their language better than themselves. I’m playing my part and I wish other young successful can join me,” Akanbi said while receiving an award in Lagos.

The honours came which came recently was received separately from youth organizations including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Congress of Nigerian Youth (CONYO) and the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS).

The award comes in a year when the awardee through his subsidiary, Labo Entertainment signed musician Dotman and gave him a new lease of life.

He had also made humanitarian interventions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic among slum-dwellers in Oworonshoki, Lagos as well as Nigerian creatives at Artiste Village, National Arts Theatre, Iganmu both in Lagos. Since 2004, he has played a part in the career of artistes such as Konga, Sideone, Ecoman and Smapee.

While making the presentation, Comrade Showunmi Emmanuel, The Zonal Treasurer of NANS, South West commended the award of service to the nation represented the voice of Nigerian youths. According to him, the award is presented “in recognition of your passionate professional capabilities, outstanding leadership acumen, commitment, integrity and professionalism, various youth empowerment programmes, extensive knowledge in job creation and employment and selfless service to humanity.”

Comrade Olasunkanmi Ijaduoye, President of NAPS said; "The leadership award is conferred in recognition of your administrative and business acumen, your professional capabilities as well as your unrelenting commitment to youth developmental and philanthropic projects in the nation."

In its commendation, Ambassador Abd'Mumeen Ibraheem, National Chairman, Congress of Nigerian Youth (CONYO) while presenting Icon of Excellence in Leadership Award and Certificate of Excellent Business Development singled out the awardees’ entrepreneurship skills. “Indeed, you have demonstrated unwavering commitment to the Nigerian economy and have become a reference for other indigenous companies.”

Describing his recognitions as a pat on the back, Akanbi restated his commitment to continue to impart the society especially through Labo Foundation and Labo Entertainment.