MD/CEO LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi

Managing Director of Lagos Deep Offshore Logistic Base LADOL, Dr. Amy Jadesimi, is one of the distinguished global leaders recently invited to join the inaugural Advisory Group for United Nations Children’s Fund UNICEF.

Meanwhile, the LADOL- boss in accepting the invitation says she is elated to be appointed, insisting that she is committed to improving the lives of young people, especially being a Nigerian where 41 per cent of the population is made up of people below 15 years.

UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, to defend their rights, and to help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence. Their work covers a range of areas and initiatives including working with partners around the world to promote policies and expand access to services that protect all children helping to reduce child mortality all over the world by working to reach the most vulnerable children, everywhere.

The agency also works around the world to support quality learning for every girl and boy, especially those in the greatest danger of being left behind, being on the ground before, during and after emergencies, working to reach children and families with life-saving aid and long-term assistance and working all over the world to empower girls and women, and to ensure their full participation in political, social and economic systems.

Others include working with partners in every sector to co-create innovative solutions that accelerate progress for children and young people, delivering sustainable access to life-saving supplies where they are most needed, accelerating results for the most vulnerable children and carrying out rigorous research and thoughtful analysis about the situation of children across the world

 Dr. Jadesimi was selected by UNICEF to join its Advisory Group as they recognised her as an important partner with unique expertise, who could help to expand UNICEF’s vital work to address the enormous challenges and rapidly changing environment faced by children across the world. The Advisory Group will serve as an independent sounding board and “think-tank,” to explore lessons learned and exchange fresh ideas and perspectives on top-line global issues and developments affecting children and young people worldwide.

The inaugural meeting of the Advisory Group was held in New York at the United Nations Headquarters last week.

While commenting on this new appointment, Dr. Jadesimi said: “It’s a great honour to be asked to join the UNICEF Advisory Group. Coming from Nigeria, a country where 41 per cent of the population is below the age of 15, I’m particularly keen to focus on improving the lives of young people. The innovations that UNICEF is already working on can transform billions of lives and help us achieve the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals SDGs. I’m happy to assist in any way I can.”

The MD, who has received scores of international appointments and recognitions, including the recent selection of LADOL by London Stock Exchange LSE as one of its companies to inspire in Africa 2019, has grown the company in leaps and bounds.

Currently LADOL is building the world’s first Sustainable Industrial Special Economic Zone SSEZ, in addition to using the UN SDGs to build a unique circular ecosystem, servicing a range of industries.

The Zone was developed out of a disused swamp and has been operational since 2006. Every year since then the infrastructure and facilities have grown and expanded. The Zone now provides a 24/7 efficient, safe and secure location from which local and international companies, in a range of sectors, can start operating immediately.

In 2017 LADOL disrupted the local oil and gas market, halving the costs of local support, and creating thousands of local jobs. LADOL is now focused on attracting and servicing a range of non-oil and gas companies, in sectors ranging from technology to agriculture. The sectors identified will work together to create a circular economy within the Zone.

Since West Africa remains one of the largest under-served markets in the world with the fastest growing population, industrial companies working in LADOL can service this market sustainably and profitably, while creating tens of thousands of jobs. As the local market grows there will be higher demand for locally produced products, a larger skilled workforce and cheaper domestic operating costs.

LADOL is also fast becoming a blueprint for the sustainable industrialisation of Africa, turning Africa’s demographic dividend into a global wealth creation.