By Olusegun Adeniyi
Remarks at the commissioning of Adem Baba Hostel, built and donated to the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, on 22 February 2024 by Vento Furniture)
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen,
About six months ago, on 7th August 2023 to be specific, I was on this campus to witness the groundbreaking ceremony of the edifice that we are all gathered here today to commission. On that occasion, we were told that despite its in-resident undergraduate students’ population of over 25,000, University of Abuja has only been able to provide accommodation for just about 6,000 students. But the challenge is not only in the shortage of space. Available reports across the country indicate that most of the hostels where our young men and women are sheltered are no longer fit for purpose. This is one of the issues negatively impacting on the quality of education in Nigeria which we must address. With this modern edifice that should serve as a model, today marks the fulfilment of a dream by the management of this university and for Vento Furniture, a promise kept.
Since many people know me to be a journalist, it is legitimate to ask why I am here. My association with Vento Furniture is that of a brand ambassador but for me, it goes beyond that. As I have had to explain in the past, my father, now of blessed memory, was a carpenter. And he was very good at his vocation. So, when I was approached by Vento Furniture, I saw it as an opportunity to promote the same craft with which my late dad was able to send me and my siblings to school. I am sure a few people here must have seen my photograph on Vento promotional materials with the same message.
Meanwhile, the idea that people in the media/intellectual space could represent their brand brought out the dynamic nature of Vento Furniture and the forward-thinking of its management. Ever since I became a brand ambassador of the company three years ago, I have seen genuine efforts to give back to society in a meaningful and targeted way. It is then little surprise that we are gathered here today to commission a hostel facility to ease the accommodation challenge of students at this university. But it is not the first intervention in the education space. In November 2021, I was at the Junior Secondary School Idu-Koro here in Abuja where Vento constructed modern toilet facilities and a borehole for the students and teachers. And in June last year (2023), I joined Vento management at Government Science and Technical College, Garki where the company donated essential sanitary materials for all the female students.
While the history of furniture manufacturing can be traced back to ancient civilisations, cutting edge technology, innovation and creativity have combined to change the face of the industry globally. In Nigeria, Vento Furniture is at the top of the range, creating products that meet the needs and preferences of our society. In the process, Vento is now the most visible furniture brand in our country with their products of the same quality that you can get anywhere in the world. But the real appeal for me is that the company has devoted substantial resources to corporate social responsibility initiatives. For every item you purchase from Vento, a fraction goes into its CSR programmes such as this.
As part of its CSR initiative, Vento Furniture plans to establish a vocational school that would train young Nigerians interested in learning a skill to better their lives. Such vocations include painting, plumbing, welding, carpentry, etc. Beyond formal education, young Nigerians must begin to learn to work with their hands, so that we do not have to be looking for artisans from Togo and Benin Republic. Plans are also underway towards establishing a world-class furniture manufacturing complex in Nigeria.
Today’s event is epochal as we witness the commissioning of the Adem Baba Hostel. For those who may not know, Adem Baba is the father of Hasan Yigit, the amiable chief executive officer of Vento Furniture. Perhaps more interesting is that Adem Baba and wife (Hasan’s mother) are Nigerian residents who love and see our country as their own. In a way, the honour Hasan is doing to his dad with this project is what I have also done to mine, with my association with Vento Furniture that employs more than 200 Nigerians.
Ladies and gentlemen, please permit me to also express my appreciation to Mrs Mubera Yigit, the chief driver of Vento Furniture’s CSR operations. What I find rather remarkable about her efforts is that beyond the general commitment to uplifting infrastructure in critical social sectors like education and health, she has also devoted considerable attention to the most vulnerable of our society: the girl child. Yes, Hasan and wife are proud of their Turkish heritage. But so are they of their Nigerian citizenships. Let me also commend the management and staff of Vento Furniture who work tirelessly, especially in the CSR programmes nationwide. They have indeed done well.
As I take my seat, may I also use this opportunity to call on public-spirited individuals and corporate bodies to join Vento Furniture in the efforts to rebuild our social sector. Together, we can make Nigeria a better country for all of us.
Thank you very much for listening and God bless.
