By: Adeboye Ado
It was a moment of making history in the ancient town when a non-governmental organisation, Oba Kolapo Adedoyin Foundation (OKAF), was on Wednesday, launched in Ikare Akoko to immortalise the immediate past Owa-Ale, even as writing materials were donated to over 2000 indigent students from various primary and secondary schools within Ikare-Akoko in Akoko NorthEast Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The beneficiaries who were mainly primary and secondary school students from Ikare got books, pencils, biros and other needed materials.
The ceremony which was held in honour of the late monarch of the community, Oba Kolapo Adedoyin who joined his ancestors last year, was attended by top educationists, community leaders, students and their teachers.
Speaking at the epoch making event, the Owa-Ale of Ikareland, Oba. Adeleke Adefemi, said the donation became imperative due to the poor state of the economy that has negatively affected all and sundry, adding that many parents and guardians couldn’t afford basic needed items of their wards.
The monarch who was represented by one of his traditional chiefs, Chief Bisi Babajide, noted that the gesture was meant to complement the efforts and sustain the good legacies of the late traditional ruler.
According to Oba Adeleke Adedoyin, the late Oba Samuel Kolapo Adedoyin who was passionate about education, facilitated many secondary schools to be established in Ikare between late 1970s and early 1980s which had produced prominent persons.
A stakeholder of the foundation, Adeola Olayinka, on her part, said the indelible feats of Oba Kolapo Adedoyin engendered the donation aimed at putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden.
She explained that the foundation was established with the aims of fighting injustice, protecting the rights of children against assault, providing for the less privileged among others.
Olayinka advised the students to imbibe the kernel of hardwork, saying that commitment and perseverance would give them edge over their contemporaries.
Adunbiode Similoluwa, a student of Osele High School, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, appreciated the foundation for the huge donation, adding that it would go a long way in reducing burden of their parents.
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