From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The families of late Chief Joshua Adedeji and Chief Racheal Ogunkeyede, have instituted an annual educational support scheme for 30 orphans and indigent students across Nigeria in honour of their late parents.
The initiative, tagged “JolaDejiKeyede Sept30 Educational Support,” is held every Sept. 30 to commemorate the wedding anniversary of the deceased couple.
Speaking with newsmen, the family spokesperson, Mrs Olubunmi Oni (mni), a former Head of Service in Oyo State, said the initiative was established by her siblings to preserve their parents’ legacy of compassion and generosity.
“My siblings and I instituted the initiative, and we have been celebrating the memory of our late parents with education support for 30 orphans and indigent students annually,” she said.
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Oni said beneficiaries were selected from across the country irrespective of religion, background or ethnicity.
She stressed the importance of supporting indigent children, saying the intervention would help reduce the number of out-of-school children, promote equity and secure the nation’s future.
“Such interventions also complement government efforts at providing inclusive and quality education for all, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” she said.
Describing her parents as “silent philanthropists,” Oni said they instilled in their children the values of charity, compassion and commitment to educational advancement.
“Our parents were charitable, compassionate and committed to educational advancement in their community,” she said.
She pledged that the programme would continue annually as part of efforts to sustain the philanthropic legacy of the late couple.
According to her, reaching out to orphans and indigent students reflects the values of generosity, compassion and selfless service which their parents bequeathed to the family.
