Newly elected President of Africans in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, ( ADICC) Ambassador Dr. Edward Olutoke says that he'll use his tenure to fight poverty  not only in the continent but among Africans in the Diaspora, with a declaration that the continent is richly blessed with both human and natural resources and as such is not supposed to experience hunger or poverty.

Olutoke who recently emerged the President of the body in Tampa, Florida, USA made the declaration while delivering his acceptance speech.

He noted that, in accepting the new role, he was guided by the belief that sustainable economic development is the key to lifting people out of poverty and he's committed to making a tangible difference in the lives of Africans and ensuring that their efforts lead to lasting change.

According to Olutoke who also doubles as President of Ikeja Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, 
part of his plan is to  prioritize economic empowerment by supporting African businesses with essential resources, mentorship, and access to capital noting that his goal  will be to foster enterprises that generate employment, drive innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic growth. If the world unites to fight poverty like we fought covid, we would not have this prevalent high rate of poverty in the world with Africa taking the front seat.

"This honor bestowed upon me is not just a personal milestone but a pivotal moment for all of us committed to transforming the economic landscape for Africans both on the continent and in the diaspora.

"We cannot continue to romance poverty in Africa while experiencing the same struggles among Africans in the diaspora. Something needs to give way and today,  I declare war on poverty", he said 

The ADICC helmsman who has changed Ikeja Chamber into poverty fighters squad expressed regrets that Africans leave their homelands to develop other nations but  unfortunately, most of them find it very difficult to connect to the real economies of those host communities, he was emphatic that when they decide to work together, economic barriers will be broken.

"We will prioritize economic empowerment by supporting African businesses with essential resources, mentorship, and access to capital. Our goal is to foster enterprises that generate employment, drive innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

"In doing this, we'll open doors to international markets for African products and services by  organizing trade missions, business forums, and forging strategic partnerships that will enable our businesses to compete globally and expand their reach.

" We will also invest in capacity building through comprehensive training programs that will enhance the skills of African entrepreneurs and professionals. 
"These programs will cover vital areas such as financial management, digital marketing, and export-import regulations which will  ensure that our members are well equipped to succeed.

He further explained that part of his plan is to ensure that African businesses thrive by influencing policies and creating an enabling environment that will attract investments into African countries where the real market is.

"Our aim is to connect investors with promising projects, fueling economic growth and creating a ripple effect of prosperity. In doing this, we will build a robust network of African professionals and businesses, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing relationships.

Olutoke while acknowledging that the war on poverty is a collective endeavor appealed to governments, international organizations, the private sector and civil society organisations to join the body in the mission of transforming the economies of Africans and reduce poverty amongst them.

"Let us remember that the fight against poverty is not just about improving economic conditions; it is also about restoring dignity, hope, and opportunities for all Africans", he stressed.

He posited that the body will soon announce a new web address on which members can find resources, get empowered, earn residual income from their efforts and easily network across the globe. 

"What we're about to do is creating a world where every African can realize their full potentials and contribute meaningfully to society. We will soon announce a new web address on which members can find resources, get empowered, earn residual income and easily network across the globe. "We are surely hitting the ground running and I believe that together, we can create a future where the color of the skin is no longer a barrier to success for Africans, whether at home or abroad".

"Thank you all for your confidence in me. Together, let us embark on this journey with resolve and unity, determined to make a lasting impact on our world" he concluded