Mr Dapo Olugbodi is a graduate of Dramatic Arts from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife. He also obtained MBA from The Open University, United Kingdom. He is the CEO of Arrowshot Care Solutions, a care service provider in Nigeria. In this interview, Olugbodi says his company is prepared to bring cutting edge care services to Nigeria and collaborate with government to ensure proper legislation of the industry
Can you explain the essence of Arrowshot Care Solutions?
Arrowshot Care Solutions was established in Nigeria for two primary reasons — to bring professionalism to the growing care sector in Nigeria, which will come through quality training and standards setting to carers, and encouraging the topmost integrity as all our carers are background-checked.
What assurance do you have that Nigeria is prepared for such a service?
Nigerians are now largely international citizens who are aware of quality standards that exist in diverse sectors across the world. Many of them believe it is time to expect such standards of Nigeria and Nigerians and not settle for less. Most of Arrowshot Care Solutions’ potential clients will be Nigerian expatriates in countries like the UK, the United States and Canada along with sophisticated Nigerians living in Nigerian cities while our service users will be their retired parents and relatives now living on their own in their old age. That is not to rule out the fact that other service users will be younger people with learning disability and mental health issues.
What is the distinguishing factor of arrowshot care solutions?
The standards we are aiming to achieve and maintain are at the levels of the UK’s 15 Fundamental Standards of Care set by the UK’s Care Quality Commission. These are standards that have been developed over time as the care sector developed in the UK. This is the level of training we are providing to our staff. Not all of the standards will be applicable in the Nigerian context but most will be adaptable and will represent the hallmark to aim for.
What is the impact of legislation by government for the care industry?
Not much, as regulations are currently minimal or non-existent in the industry in Nigeria. Part of what Arrowshot Care Solutions aims to bring to Nigeria is collaboration with government in developing the whole sector and helping in bringing regulations that will foster innovation and accountability while ensuring the industry is not hamstrung with bureaucracy and red tape.
Does Care service have a future in Nigeria
The future is indeed bright, I would say. Our culture is rapidly changing. It used to be that once our elderly citizens retire, they went back to their home towns and villages where they would have extended relatives and neighbors to care for them. That is no longer the case. The retirees tend to find themselves living alone, struggling to meet their own personal care themselves. Where relatives or neighbors get involved, this has resulted in many cases in elder or financial abuse. With services like Arrowshot Care Solutions, you will be able to rest assured that your loved one is getting quality care provided by people with integrity. It also means there will be immediate cover if one carer leaves as a new carer trained to the same level can immediately take over. We will even provide care in the hospital if your relative is admitted. The future is rosy indeed.
