A real estate firm, KSI Group, Monday in Ondo State, officially unveiled the Funke Fadeni Foundation, in celebration of the 10th remembrance anniversary of Late Chief Adefunke Fadeni, the mother of popular real estate investor, Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni.

Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director of KSI Group, Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni, said the Foundation had informally embarked on humanitarian interventions before deciding to formalize the interventions with the unveiling of the foundation.

He said: “KSI Group is a group of companies that the Funke Fadeni Foundation is under. The only thing that I believe that make me happy in my life is when everybody is okay. We have been doing this thing for over 10 years. We have been raising people, giving them hope in Abuja and here in Ondo.

“Our governments have been trying their best with regards to curbing insecurity, but they need support. This is why we are engaging in the empowerment of Ondo people, to help get them engaged and to curb insecurity. Also, as a wealthy individual, you can do better for society. Even if it means constructing 10 kilometers or 10 metres of road.”

Also speaking, the Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji Olamide Adesanmi (aka Landmark), said the empowerment of Nigerian youths will help curb insecurity in Nigeria, praising the Foundation for taking the initiative.

Hon. Adesanmi, however, said that the issue of insecurity is multifaceted and not for the government alone to tackle, saying it requires the collaboration of community members.

He said: “Security is not mainly a government affair. The issue of security is a major one. All hands must be on deck in solving it. Security agencies work on information provided by community members. They’re humans and need support of community members to tackle the issue of insecurity. The state governor is doing his best in tackling insecurity. We recently employed about 500 Amotekun to support the existing ones.

“Therefore, with the unveiling of the Funke Fadeni Foundation today, which has been in the business of empowering youths over the years, the crime rate will reduce in Ondo State as those who are gainfully employed cannot go into crime. It is important in solving some of the problems, especially vocational training and all that. I’ve seen the number of children that the foundation has really empowered so I want to thank Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni for this initiative.

“This type of empowerment will go a long way in reducing insecurity in our community because by the time these children or youth move to their work places, they will be gainfully employed and won’t think of crime. Therefore, I’ll employ well meaning Nigerians, especially Ondo people, to emulate the Funke Fadeni Foundation in the empowerment of Nigerians to curb insecurity.”

On his part, the Executive Chairman of Ondo East Local Government, Ogunduyilemi Kola Joshua, lauded the GMD of KSI Group for the initiative of unveiling the foundation, saying it complements the effort of the council in curbing insecurity as youth empowerment is critical in human development.

Also speaking, the Operation Manager of Funke Fadeni Foundation, Mr Desmond Okunware, said the foundation will be different from other similar foundations with programmes it has mapped out for the empowerment of women and the youth.

Highlight of the event was the cutting of the 10th year remembrance cake by dignitaries and family members at the event and donations to the foundation.