OSAYI ALILE

Vol. 22, No. 8900 Sunday, September 15, 2019 Osayi Alile is the CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) a Foundation created by Access Bank. ACT is a grant making nonprofit organisation established in 2016 to support local, national and regional non – profit organisations working to address challenges and associated vulnerabilities across the African Continent. ACT Foundation is determined to contribute to the global vision of eradicating social issues in their four core areas of impact, Health, Environment, Entrepreneurship and Leadership to contribute to the achievement of the sustainable development goals.

From 2017 to date, compelled by the goal to “promote broad-based participation/partnership with other institutions and/or donor organisations aimed at building sustainable communities and to provide innovative solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges;” the Aspire Coronation Trust (ACT) Foundation has partnered with 51 nongovernmental organisations (NGOs).

ACT Foundation’s funded projects have influenced directly on a minimum of 220,000 persons, over 150 communities and 100 training centers across 36 states, and the FCT in Nigeria. There is a significant increase of sustainable enterprises, increased awareness on environmental sustainability through proper waste management, and rebirth of new enterprises accompanied with passion and actions towards national development and civic responsibility. The foundation took the initiative, on a large scale, to redefine the sphere of grant making in Africa.

ACT Foundation has so far, reached over 20,000 people who have been educated on environmental sustainability with specific focus on recycling, upcycling and proper waste disposal, ACT Foundation has taken giant strides to ensure that mental health, maternal and child health in Nigeria is accorded the deserved attention and within the stretch of 24 months. Cancer and malaria programs are core to our work due to the increased negative effect it has on vulnerable communities; recognizing that these health issues have severely slowed economic growth and social development in Africa. They have also successfully contributed to training and equipping over 10,000 young and aspiring entrepreneurs. Many of these aspiring entrepreneurs are contributing significantly to the growth of SMEs in the country.