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By Christopher Oji
May 9, 2026 will remain indelible in the hearts of many who witnessed how AKEM Foundation changed the lives and fortunes of five youths by helping them to upgrade in education and entrepreneurship.
The youths, who scaled through rigorous tests to qualify for the programme, went home with substantial sums as the overall winner was given N1.5 million by the AKEM Foundation. This is in addition to the gesture of some people in the gathering who contributed another N500,000 to raise the gift to N2 million; second-place winner got N1.25 million and another N500,000 was added to her prize money; the third prize is N1 million but more money was raised to increase the prize; the fourth prize winner got N750,000, with additional money; while the fifth prize winner got N500,000, in addition to extra money handed over to her.
Founder of the AKEM Foundation, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, executive secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), said the foundation started four years ago when he and siblings decided to turn their late parents’ memory into a social institution.
At the event, a visibly elated Ogunsan said: “What began four years ago as a heartfelt tribute by four siblings determined to immortalise the values of their late parents has today blossomed into one of the most inspiring family-driven impact initiatives in Lagos.
“Today’s event, the fourth anniversary of the AKEM Foundation, is not just celebratory; it is visionary and deeply symbolic of what legacy truly means in a society increasingly searching for moral direction and sustainable philanthropy.
“Founded by my siblings, Abiodun, Aduke, Folorunsho and myself, AyodeleOgunsan, the AKEM Foundation was conceived as a living memorial to the late Akinola Ogunsan and Madam Emiola Ogunsan, whose passion for education, discipline, enterprise and compassion shaped not only their children but countless lives around them.
“From supporting just four organizations at inception in 2023 to widening its intervention into education, entrepreneurship and business empowerment in 2025, AKEM Foundation has steadily evolved into a structured humanitarian platform touching education, social welfare, enterprise development, youth mentorship and community transformation. But beyond the grants, scholarships and empowerment programmes lies the deeper story: the deliberate institutionalization of family values.”
In his remarks, Ogunsan recalled that his late parents passed into eternity two decades ago.
“Twenty-two years ago, May 5, we lost our mom, Mrs. Emiola, and four years after our father died. If one of a couple dies, except there is no love, that is the day the other half also dies. I remember how he would tell me, ‘Ayo look at the time, is it right for a woman to leave home and not be back by now’. I was naive and not well-informed about how to be mature in such circumstances. I would just tell him straight, ‘Dad, our mother is dead.’ It was later that I realized that I should have used wisdom to talk to him at such emotional moments.
“That was why, about five years ago, myself and my siblings decided that we must keep this legacy alive, having been tutored by these wonderful beings. We are a product of good parenting. The parents we are celebrating today got it right. We are four children and we are all doing what they taught us to do.
“One of my parents, my dad, was passionate about education and the other, my mother, was passionate about entrepreneurship. So, we started this journey by putting our resources together to help people who do not have opportunities to progress either academically or sustain their business. It is an open competition, we don’t try to influence it. This year, we got 71 applications, which were reduced to 46 then to 21 and now five finalists. These are young Nigerians not known to us. We have never met them. We just threw the opportunity into the public space and now the first prize winner will go home with N1.5 million, the second prize is N1.250 million, the third prize is N1 million. The fourth prize is N750,000 and the fifth prize is N500,000″
On his part, the MD/CEO of the AKEM Foundation, Abiodun Ogunsan, expanded further on the organizational impact of the AKEM Foundation. He said: “We are not just building an organization. We are building hope, transforming lives and shaping a future where no dream is limited by lack of opportunity. Our mission is noted in education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable empowerment to ensure that the youths are equipped to rise above challenges and become catalysts of change in their communities. At AKEM Foundation, we remain committed to creating pathways for growth, dignity and self-reliance; we believe empowerment is not just about giving. It is about enabling people to stand tall, thrive and impact others positively.”
The five finalists who emerged out of 71 initial applications were present at the anniversary event to pitch their business ideas before a four-man panel comprising Ezekiel Ishola, manager at Standard Chartered Bank, Prof. Festus Ope Davies, Dr. Wunmi Alabi from LUTH and Dr. Moses Oladimeji, the LSSTF-CACCOV Lagos State coordinator, and an engaging audience with over 300 in attendance. The pitch competition produced Adetolani Amokaye as the winner, clinching the grand prize of N1.5 million, upgraded to over N2 million by some dignitaries in attendance; Adeola Deborah Agboola emerged first runner-up and her N1.25 million was upgraded to almost N2 million; the third prize winner, Nkechi Gift, had her N1 million prize upgraded with an immediate 100 orders of her sweet potato products from the Chinese community, including access to agricultural products, sales and packaging, courtesy of Chinese business leader, Madam May Ma; Ekom Gideon Fidelis, who came fourth, got N750,000 plus the Chinese community’s support for his home rental business, and Ajala Tiyinoluwa Busola, who emerged fifth, got a N500,000 prize.
Dignitaries drawn from the security sector, academia, business, the diplomatic community, faith organizations and civil society converged to celebrate with the Ogunsans, including the MD/CEO of First Bank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu; Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Sam Egube; patron of AKEM Foundation, AIG Lanre Bankole (retd), and his wife; board member of the LSSTF, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover (retd); DIG Bode Adeleke (retd) and his wife, Mrs. Modupe Adeleke; and AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd).
In their respective goodwill messages, the dignitaries shared their perspectives on the amazing impact of the AKEM Foundation on society.
Mr. Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, said, “I am excited about the AKEM Foundation because it shows that we can all contribute to society and it does not matter how much or less you are doing as long as you are bringing change. Well done, AKEM Foundation, as you continue to do what you do. We look forward to having others do similar things so that, when we connect it all together, it becomes a fresh ocean of very good deeds, changing lives and building enterprises. Thank you very much.”
Retired senior law enforcement officers also shared their thoughts. DIG Adeleke (retd), remarked that, “AKEM Foundation is a brilliant initiative. May everyone contributing to it continue to be blessed. It is good to start something beautiful. I will encourage everyone here to start something, no matter how little.”
DIG Oshodi-Glover (retd) added: “This kind of foundation is what we need to grow our young ones. I pray that many more people will benefit from this AKEM Foundation. Maybe I will think of starting a foundation myself too.”
Patron of AKEM Foundation, AIG Lanre Bankole (retd), gave his perspective: “I am very happy to be here today. This is a noble idea, thinking about immortalizing your parents and in the same vein helping the downtrodden to navigate their way in life. Dr. Ayo and siblings, I thank you on behalf of all those that have benefited from this initiative and I know it will go from strength to strength.”
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AIG Odumosu (retd) expressed gratitude to the promoters of the foundation, saying: “I want to thank Dr. Ogunsan and his siblings for doing this. My prayer for them is that they will grow older in good health so that their children and grandchildren will do the same for them.”
AIG Yetunde Longe (retd) said: ‘I was here when it all started and I am happy to be here today. I am happy that they have sustained it. This is what we should all strive for, and that is to be able to build a legacy.”
CP Saadat Ismail (retd) added: “I want to congratulate the Ogunsans for sustaining this foundation. I pray that God Almighty will continue to bless the family and uplift the foundation.”
Several senior servicemen, including the military, the police, paramilitary and other agencies, were also in attendance.
Brig. Gen. A.O. Owolabi, Commander of 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, told the gathering: “I celebrate the Ogunsans and acknowledge what they have done to sustain the legacy of their parents. Their idea is targeting youths in a wonderful way. We should endeavor to key into it with our support.”
Air Commodore Imam, Commander of NAF 651 BSG, stated that, “Sometime ago, I was discussing with Dr. Ogunsan and I told him that the reason for his success was his humility and resilience. I saw the third leg today, which is his family. I congratulate them for doing this for our youths, especially in this season where capital and mentoring is a challenge. I congratulate the winners.”
Commodore Adams Aliyu, Commander of NNS Beecroft, Apapa, shared: “I am pleasantly surprised that a Nigerian family will initiate this kind of foundation and be consistent. Your parents really impacted you and I will want to say that you have challenged us all. I look forward to seeing more than five people getting awards next year when we all put in our support.”
AIG Moshood Jimoh, Zone 2, Onikan, said: “I have witnessed significant improvement in what AKEM Foundation did last year and now. They have modified and improved upon last year’s achievement. Let’s not get tired of supporting the AKEM Foundation.”
AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom, Force CID Annex, Lagos, shared: ‘We are here because of the legacy of godly parenting and to assert that we are blessed to be a blessing. We appreciate the efforts of the Ogunsans for the society, the lives you have touched are generational. It is awesome.”
CP Fatai Tijani, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, noted that he was impressed but not “surprised by what I am seeing here because Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, who is the chairman of AKEM Foundation, is an impact-driven person. He impacts the lives of everyone who crosses his path. I pray that this foundation will go from strength to strength.”
CP Toyin Agbaminoja, CP of Western Ports Authority Police Command, added: “I want to congratulate Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and the family for this feat. Thank you for having feelings for the vulnerable in society. This is something I wish to replicate in my family too. I will always support this foundation.”
Senior Immigration officer, Comptroller Christopher Uzoma, the comptroller of (NIS) Murtala Muhammed International Airport appreciated Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and family “for all you do for Nigeria. May God continue to bless you. May this Foundation continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Prince Ifalade Oyekan, general manager of Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, hailed the family for the idea of AKEM Foundation noting that, through the initiative, they are doing remarkably for the youths in the society.”
From the business community, Mr. Alebiosu, MD/CEO of First Bank Nigeria Plc, declared that “the heart that gives is the heart of gold. Everything that we have is useless if we don’t give out. We are going back with nothing, and the people will spend the money after us but when we give out on earth, the joy remains. I pray that the Spirit of God will be with this family and joy will perpetually be with them.”
Madam May Ma from the Chinese community added: “We appreciate the AKEM Foundation for all the good work they do. We will continue to support you.”
Dr. Mrs. Abiola Olorede née Adebutu, founder of Diamed Hospital, Lekki, stated: “Dr. Ayo is someone who amazes me every time because in every aspect of life that he enters, he strives to excel there. I pray that the grace of God in the family will not cease.’
Managing director/CEO of Infinity Paints Int’l Ltd, Sehinde Johnson, said: “I see AKEM Foundation as a double-edged sword to empower lives and to honour parents. Even after their parents’ death, the Ogunsans still continue to honour them. I pray that they will be honoured themselves.’
Pastor Andrew Umoru prayed fervently for the family, “I pray that God will continue to protect this family. Those who do good to others have many who pray for them. Because they have been sustaining others, God will sustain them to do more.”
In an era where remembrance ceremonies are often reduced to lavish displays, the Ogunsans have chosen an enduring path to immortalize the memory of their parents into a legacy of social impact. It is affirmed that the Ogunsans will continue to present a transformational narrative rooted in shared purpose, mutual respect and collective stewardship of legacy.
