Introduction
On January 9, 2025, a meeting was held to discuss AREF’s objectives and strategic plans for 2025.
The meeting began with an introduction by AREF’s CEO, Olujimi Olusola III, who also shared a brief history of the foundation.
The author of the Country Plan and presenter, Mr. Adebayo Olowo-Ake, elaborated on AREF’s mission, focusing on its role in assisting refugees amidst growing global immigration challenges.
Key Highlights from the Meeting:
- Overview of AREF:
AREF is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting refugees.
The organization has a proven track record in humanitarian work across Africa.
Key roles include mobilizing volunteers to strengthen the foundation’s initiatives.
- Strategic Goals for 2025:
Repackaging and Branding: Improve outreach and visibility to attract and retain volunteers.
Funding and Salary Support: Develop strategies for securing sufficient funding for operational costs.
Resource Generation and Mobilization: Strengthen efforts to acquire and effectively utilize resources.
Visibility and Orientation: Focus on raising public awareness and providing proper orientation to support AREF’s mission.
- Suggestions and Recommendations:
Prioritize increasing visibility to broaden the foundation’s reach.
Conduct thorough needs assessments before initiating food outreach programs to ensure targeted and effective efforts.
Ensure proper investigation and planning for resource distribution in specific areas.
Focus on sourcing funds to hire an efficient and capable Projects/Programs Officer.
Develop a comprehensive database of volunteers, consultants, and advisers nationwide.
The intention is to secure a touch Partners with International NGOs for them to assign roles to AREF with a view to boost the status of the vulnerable persons.
We need to go to Donors this 2025 with our areas of deliverance for them to consider us for funding as from 2026.
AREF needs visibility, actions oriented attempts and modification of our identity to reflect IDP and Migrants. Our policy change must go beyond Refugees for good mileage. The intention is to secure Partnership with International NGOs that will collaborate with AREF.
AREF intends to improve and expand our Volunteer data base with emphasis on social inclusion, climate Mitigation, Internal displacement and children.
AREF will key into the Kampala IDP Convention which has little recognition and ownership, but the Foundation can aspire to be a lead actor in it’s operations.
AREF can’t work alone. Our operational strategies need to embrace – Intervention, Advocacy, Mobilisation (Mitigation & Humanitarian Diplomacy).
We need to go to Donors this 2025 with our areas of deliverance for them to consider us for funding as from 2026. AREF needs visibility, actions oriented attempts and modification of our identity to reflect IDP and Migrants. Our policy change must go beyond Refugees for good mileage.
Participants:
Mr Bayo Olowo-Ake (Guest Speaker), Professor Kola Raheem , Mr Niyi Ayeni, Mr Bode Oyawoye , Mr Segun Akinde , Mr Patrick Bawa , Mr Henry Ijoma , Mr Segun Adenekan , Mr Olumide Arooro , Mr Sola Adeleke , Mr Akinyemi Famakin , Mrs Adebisi Kuforiji , Miss Ayisamuel , Mr Benjamin Onini , Mr Adebayo Adesoye , Mr Jimi Olusola iii (CEO), Miss Dolapo Adeola , Mr Isiaka Babatunde and Aroole Wole Adediran (Projects Executiv
Wole Adediran/Dolapo Adeola, AREF’s Corporate Headquarters, Surulere, Lagos
