A former Director General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Professor Bola Akinterinwa has said he is determined to create a lasting positive impact on the Ile-Oluji community, in Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
He started this on Saturday at the commissioning Bolytag Topfun Coca-cola Depot in Ile-Oluji.
Prof Akinterinwa who hails from the town said that as part of his investment drive, the community is benefiting from the new Coca-Cola depot, which he said will boost local economic growth and create job opportunities, aligning with his and the company’s commitment to community well-being.
Particularly, the Prof of International Relations said the depot which he’s the founder, will create a lasting positive impact on Ile-Oluji community and other communities it will serve in many ways
His words: “By way of job creation, secondly, by bringing the people together, it will foster unity, more importantly, it will highlight the beauty and goodness of the whole community. Because this time, Coca-Cola is an international, renowned business name. And having a depot reduces the high level tension of having to travel to Akure, to Ondo, to Ibadan, to get them. So it’s now life made easy for the people.
“More importantly, in terms of impact, it is our policy to be the cheapest available. Not just in this community, in Ondo State as a whole. If any customer can find anything cheaper than our own, we will pay the difference. We will be the cheapest available dealer in Coca-Cola.”
“Our interest is not strict money making, but to make life of people easier, to make it cheaper. If you can buy something cheapest, nearest to you, why do you have to travel out? You save a lot of money there. And in this case, we are certainly going to recruit people.”
President/Director-General of the Bolytag Centre for International Diplomacy and Strategic Studies (BOCIDASS) said the investment will also create jobs for the people of the community.
“We are going to begin with about 10 people. It may look a little bit insignificant, but I can tell you, it goes further, as we will be going beyond Coca-Cola. We are going to look at other areas of business investment, to see what the people need and that’s what we want to be trading in, to ensure that what is not available is precisely what we will continue to look for.
“If we are buying Coca-Cola, a crate for N6,000 and if we know that we can have profit margin, why do we have to sell at N6,000 like others? Our own is to be different. We need money, but not the money that will require exploiting people. The moment I can pay salaries, pay for social services, that’s my own satisfaction.
“The beauty now, as a retiree, you can just imagine a professor selling Coca-Cola. That’s the beauty of it all. We need to serve our community. And we thank God for everything.”
Besides, he noted that the company has partnered with Achievers University, Owo with an intention to train people on business skills.
“We have the intention of training people, TTT, that is ‘Train The Trainers’. People who will be useful to the community, we are going to link up with Achievers University, Owo, where people who want to trade will be taken to Achievers University, and they will learn more, acquire more skills, and then the community will at least be there to celebrate God for the good things we’ll be doing.”
Earlier, his wife, Mrs Fehintola Akinterinwa said the depot is more than just a place for business but it presents growth, empowerment and prosperity, not just for their family but the entire Ile-Oluji community.
Jegun of Ile-Oluji, Oba Julius Adetimehin thanked Prof Akinterinwa and his family for birthing the initiative for the socio-economic development of the community.
“What he has done is for humanity. He’s an illustrious son of Ile-Oluji, a prominent person in this community and the world as a whole. Certainly, he means well for the people of Ile-Oluji community. I am optimistic that this is phase one, I know definitely that phase two will come by God’s grace.”
Also, the representative of Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited, Olawale Azeez, emphasised the importance of collaboration to create a stable operating environment.
He said the company’s partnership with the depot demonstrates its dedication to fostering economic growth and creating job opportunities in the country.
