Draft:Kola Oyeneyin

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Kola Oyeneyin (born 24 October, 1980 in Lagos) is a Nigerian pastor, entrepreneur and activist. He was appointed to the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity by Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osibanjo in 2021.[1][2]

Background[edit]

He is the CEO and founder of Venia Group, a venture creation and development company founded in 2011,[3] and co-founded Volition Blue and Volition Capital Investment Limited.[4][5] He is also the founder of the KO Foundation.[6] He was a Business Analyst at Hewlett-Packard for 3 years in the United Kingdom, then joined Lekki British School in 2011 as the Business Manager.[7] He got married to Topsy Kola Oyeneyin on May, 2015 in Italy,and their marriage is blessed with 2 children.[8]

Early life and education[edit]

He was born on October 24, 1980 into the Oyeneyin family. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, and a Master of Public Administration, from the Harvard Kennedy School, as a Mason and Gleitsman fellow and fellow of the Harvard Center for Public Leadership in the UK, and received a certificate in Management Leadership and Decision Science.[9]

Career[edit]

Oyeneyin is a serial entrepreneur, he built the Venia Group in 2011, a venture creation and development firm with subsidiaries which includes: Venia Business Hub, a Nigerian startups and SMEs serviced offices and co-working spaces provider; and the AutoGenius, a Nigerian digital insurance platform, amongst others.[10] He also co-founded Volition Blue (USA) and Volition Capital Investment Limited (Nigeria), a licensed global fund aimed at bridging the wealth gap and creating unique investment opportunities for middle-class and diaspora Africans. In 2018, he was appointed to the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity by Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osibanjo. He was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 2012 by the Future Awards Africa.

Community Development and advocacy[edit]

He is an advocate for community development and empowerment. Through the Adullam Network, he committed to the mentorship and fostering the growth of young men to guide and inspire purpose-driven lives. Additionally, his brainchild GenVoices, a non-partisan organization, aims to equip young individuals for political engagement and nation-building. The endorsement of GenVoices by the United Nations and its presence with over 49 chapters globally reflects Oyeneyin's global impact on shaping the next generation of leaders.He is the founder and convener of GenVoices, a non-partisan group established in 2012 through a telethon, aimed at preparing the African youths for political inclusion.[11][12] Before this time however, he founded Sleeves Up, a youth empowerment foundation launched in 2010, through this platform, he led the Nigerian first Youth-Led Presidential Debate and Vote Register Campaigns in 2011.[13] He was also the pioneer that led sections of the Occupy Nigeria movement in Lagos during President Goodluck Jonathan regime in 2012.[14] In 2020, during the EndSARS protest, he was spotted protesting alongside other Nigerians at the deputy governor of Lagos' residence in Lagos State.[15][16]

Religious life[edit]

He is a serving pastor at Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Joshua Ville Church, Victoria Island, Lagos Nigeria.[17] He is a youth pastor in RCCG. He was featured in the 2018 RCCG Young Ministers Retreat, and the 2022 Youth Convention where he was a spokeperson who spoke on youth growth and responsibilities.[18] He was one of the RCCG pastors at the funeral of pastor Dare Adeboye.[19][20]

Personal life and family[edit]

He is married to Pastor Mrs Topsy Kola Oyeneyin (formerly Eyitope St. Matthew Daniel). They are married since May 30, 2015, and have 2 children.[21]

Recognitions and awards[edit]

  • He was recognised as a proponent of purposeful capitalism and wealth inequality reduction, hence awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year by Future Awards Africa in 2012.
  • In 2018, he was appointed the member of the Advisory Group on Technology and Creativity by Nigeria’s Vice President Yemi Osibanjo.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Here are 28 tech entrepreneurs that made the presidential advisory group". 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  2. ^ "VP Osinbajo At The Inauguration Of The Advisory Council On Technology And Creativity On 12/06/2018". Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). 2018-06-12. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  3. ^ "Venia appoints Banjo as CEO". Punch Newspapers. 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  4. ^ BellaNaija.com (2022-05-02). "Kola Oyeneyin, Eric Idiahi & Jude Feranmi Among This Year's Tutu Leadership Fellows". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  5. ^ "Volition Blue - Bridging Africa-US Investment Opportunities". Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  6. ^ "About Us - The Kola-Oyeneyin Foundation". 2018-11-17. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  7. ^ "Kola Oyeneyin Steps Down As GenVoices Convener To Drive #IHaveDecided Campaign for Buhari/Osinbajo". OMOJUWA.COM. 2015-01-19. Retrieved 2023-04-22.
  8. ^ Man, The New. "Biography of Pastor Kola Oyeneyin". The New Man. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  9. ^ "Man Crush Monday (MCM): Kola Oyeneyin | Duke International Magazine". www.dukeintmagazine.com. 2021-05-31. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  10. ^ "Biography of Pastor Kola Oyeneyin (Age , Wife)". 2023-03-23. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  11. ^ TFAA (2013-02-18). "TFAA 2012 NOMINEES". The Future Awards Africa. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  12. ^ "97 Nigerian firms listed among companies to inspire Africa". Punch Newspapers. 2019-01-17. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  13. ^ ""What About Us?": Nigerian Youth Organizations Ask Nigerian Presidential Candidates For A Debate | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  14. ^ "Social media widen the impact of Nigeria fuel protests". NBC News. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  15. ^ Akinwotu, Emmanuel; correspondent, west Africa (2021-11-01). "'The lights went out and the shooting started': #EndSars protesters find no justice one year on". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  16. ^ "Nigeria's #EndSars protests: What happened next". BBC News. 2021-10-06. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  17. ^ "PRINCIPAL OFFICERS". RCCG ADMINISTRATORS. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  18. ^ Pastor Kola Oyeneyin @RCCG 2022 YOUNG MINISTERS RETREAT, retrieved 2023-04-16
  19. ^ "[PHOTO] RCCG Holds Farewell Service As Dare Adeboye Is Laid To Rest – Independent Newspaper Nigeria". independent.ng. Retrieved 2023-04-16.
  20. ^ Discovery Media Crew (2021-05-14). "nothing-pastor-kola-oyeneyin-sermon-at-the-farewell-service-of-pastor-oluwadmilare-temitayo-adeboye/".
  21. ^ BellaNaija.com (2015-06-04). "Enterprising Couple Eyitope St. Matthew Daniel weds Kola Oyeneyin". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2023-04-16.


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