The Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family Foundation has announced plans to support community development in Lagos through healthcare services, environmental sanitation, education and youth empowerment programmes.
The foundation’s chairman, Alhaji Hakeem Amode, announced the initiatives at a news conference in Lagos on Saturday while outlining preparations for the forthcoming Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family Reunion.
Amode, who was represented by his vice, Chief Dehinde Onimole, said the foundation was established to enable family members to contribute to community welfare while preserving their cultural heritage.
He explained that its programmes would focus on healthcare, education, environmental responsibility, youth development, family welfare and cultural preservation through practical and sustainable interventions.
“Our philosophy is simple: Our heritage should inspire service, and our family unity should translate into positive impact,” he said.
Free Medical Outreach and N1.5 Million Drug Donation
As part of its planned activities, the foundation will organise a free medical mission in partnership with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Eko Club International.
Amode said the outreach would take place at the Olorogun Adodo Family Palace, where sufficient space was available to accommodate the exercise and community members seeking basic healthcare services.
The foundation will also donate N1.5 million towards the purchase of drugs for the Isale Eko Health Centre.
According to Amode, the contribution is intended to strengthen healthcare delivery in the community and support an existing health facility beyond the reunion programme.
“In addition, the Foundation will be making a cash donation of N1.5m to purchase drugs and donate to the Isale Eko Health Centre as part of its contribution towards supporting healthcare delivery within the community,” he said.
He added that supporting established community health facilities was an important part of ensuring the foundation’s interventions continued after the reunion.
Refuse Bins and Cleaning Equipment for 20 Traditional Compounds
Environmental sanitation is another key area of the foundation’s planned intervention.
Amode said the foundation would work with the Ministry of Health to promote a cleaner and healthier environment, including the distribution of refuse bins and cleaning equipment to 20 traditional compounds, known as Iga.
The initiative is intended to improve waste collection and storage across the compounds.
He said maintaining a healthy environment required the participation of residents, traditional leaders, institutions and organisations.
“We believe that good health is closely connected to a clean environment. Environmental responsibility must therefore be a collective effort involving residents, community leaders, institutions and organisations,” he said.
Twelve Schools to Benefit From Education and Sports Initiatives
The foundation also plans to support six secondary schools and six primary schools in Isale Eko through programmes combining education and sporting activities.
Amode said the initiative would include support for inter-house sports competitions, with one sports house in a participating school to be named the Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) House.
Participating schools will receive fully equipped first-aid boxes and trophies as part of the programme.
The foundation also intends to encourage pupils to participate in sporting activities and academic competitions, including spelling bees.
Amode said the activities were designed to promote discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence and healthy competition among schoolchildren.
“This initiative is more than the branding of a school house. It is an opportunity to introduce our family name to a younger generation in a positive way while encouraging discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence and healthy development,” he said.
He added that the foundation hoped the programme would encourage young people to embrace community service, participation and responsibility.
Foundation Seeks Long-Term Community Partnerships
Amode said the foundation intended to continue its community interventions beyond the reunion by developing partnerships with government agencies, community organisations, schools and other stakeholders.
He identified healthcare outreach, environmental sanitation, education, youth development, sports, community welfare, support for local institutions and cultural preservation as the foundation’s principal areas of focus.
The forthcoming reunion will also feature activities aimed at strengthening family relationships, promoting cultural awareness, encouraging youth participation, recognising family members and increasing community engagement.
“The Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family Reunion is an occasion to remember our past, celebrate our present and invest in our future,” he said.
Family Head Calls for Unity and Heritage Preservation
Earlier, Chief Elizabeth Mobolaji-Alabi, head of the Aina Onimole (Oju-Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family of Lagos and chairman of its Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the family’s commitment to preserving its heritage and supporting community development.
Mobolaji-Alabi said the reunion would provide an opportunity to honour the family’s ancestors and uphold values including integrity, hard work, leadership, service and respect for tradition.
She urged family members in Nigeria and the diaspora to remain united in protecting their heritage and establishing a lasting legacy for future generations.
“Let us look beyond our history and work together to empower our youths, promote excellence, and serve our community,” she said.
Family Member Highlights Collective Responsibility
Another family member, Mr Kayode Adegboye, said the foundation was driven by love, family unity and the desire to preserve the family’s heritage.
Adegboye stressed that cultural preservation was a shared responsibility and urged Nigerians to demonstrate similar commitment to protecting their traditions.
He also expressed pride in the family’s royal heritage in Lagos State, saying efforts would continue to ensure its history and traditions were passed down to future generations.
By Adeyemi Adeleye (NAN)
