D. O. Fagunwa Foundation gets new board members

By: Wole Adedoyin

The DO Fagunwa Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of its new Board of Trustees. The new Board members bring a wealth of experience, expertise, and diverse perspectives to the Foundation's governance. Their appointment is part of the Foundation's commitment to strengthening its governance structure and promoting the life and works of late D.O. Fagunwa.

The new Board of Trustees includes Mr. Oladiipo Fagunwa as Chairman, Hon. Femi Kehinde as Secretary, and Chief Olu Falomo as Adviser/Consultant. Other members of the Board include Mrs. Ibukunade Sijuwola (nee Fágúnwà), Mrs. Folasade Okunronmu, Mrs. Yejide Ogundipe (nee Fágúnwà), Ms Diwura Fágúnwà, Prof. Kolawole Kazeem, and Mrs. Alice Mejeriwotai (nee Fagunwa).

Mr. Oladiipo Fagunwa, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board is a writer and the son of the late Chief DO Fágúnwà. He expressed his excitement at the opportunity to serve on the Board and promote the legacy of his late father. Mr Fágúnwà said, "I am honored to serve as the Chairman of the Board of the DO Fágúnwà Foundation. My father's work has had a significant impact on the literary world, and I am committed to preserving and promoting his legacy."

Hon. Femi Kehinde, the newly appointed Secretary of the Board, brings years of experience in governance, law and policy-making to the Board. He is an accomplished publisher and historian. Hon Femi Kehinde is a charismatic lawyer with over forty years of legal experience and practice a thriving and successful law firm. He would be useful to the administration of the new Board as Secretary promoting the life and works of D.O. Fagunwa.

Chief Olu Falomo, the Adviser/Consultant to the Board is the adopted first child of Chief DO Fágúnwà. Chief Falomo is a well-respected elder statesman, a doyen of advertising industry and former President of APCON with vast experience in public relations governance and management. This eminent patrician is the Lófòṣán of Ìjèsà land, a philanthropist and dedicated man of values. He is always to be found in the forefront of projects in the service of humanity and shall be an asset to the new Board to ensure the success of the Foundation. Other members of the Board bring diverse skills and experiences to the table that would make the Board a formidable team and take the Foundation to greater heights.

The DO Fágúnwà Foundation was established in 2006 to promote the life and works of the late Chief D.O. Fágúnwà, a renowned Nigerian author and doyen of Yorùbá literature. He was one of the hundred renown Nigerians honoured as part of the centenary celebrations of Nigeria in 2014.

DO Fágúnwà died on December 7, 1963. The DO Fágúnwà Foundation was established in his memory and aims to preserve and promote his legacy by organizing literary events, publishing his works, and supporting research and scholarship in African literature.

The appointment of the new Board members is part of the Foundation's commitment to enhancing its governance structure, improving its programs and activities and ensuring the Foundation's sustainability. The new Board will oversee the Foundation’s operations and provide direction to ensure that its programs and activities align with its mission and objectives.