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With Funsho Arogundade
For Chief Mrs. Olajumoke Abegunde, she believes development begins with cheerful giving. For years now, she has stayed true to this powerful idea, building a legacy with remarkable gusto. Abegunde insists that caring for the downtrodden should never be left to the government alone. Her relentless work within her locality has not only transformed thousands of lives but also earned her global recognition for her charitable efforts across Nigeria and beyond.
Abegunde’s operating philosophy is unmistakable; when affluent members of society invest in their immediate environment, the entire community becomes better and more secure. This belief has driven her to continuously fund life-changing programs aimed at ensuring holistic development for all. At the heart of her impact is the ‘Jummy iCare Foundation’, which she founded to systematically address poverty, vulnerability, and gender inequality. To date, the foundation has donated humanitarian relief and social assistance to over 3,000 widows and elderly individuals in Ondo State.
An alumna of the National Open University of Nigeria, where she earned a degree in Criminology and Security Studies, Abegunde applies the same strategic thinking to youth development. She has sponsored essay competitions and entrepreneurship contests across Ondo State, creating platforms for young people to excel. Her community interventions include medical outreaches, orphanage visits, Iftar and Easter entrepreneurship programs, and regular feeding of the less privileged.
Beyond immediate aid, Abegunde has galvanised long-term support structures for orphaned and vulnerable children. Her women’s support programme has empowered over 5,000 women through skills acquisition and income-generating activities. By promoting self-reliance and entrepreneurship, she provides start-up seed capital that enables women to establish sustainable businesses. But what started as a local passion has blossomed into an international movement.
In a strategic move to intensify her developmental impact internationally, Abegunde’s foundation entered into collaboration with the Habeeb Okunola Foundation and the MakeMee Elegant Foundation. Together, they organized a free skill acquisition training for residents of Brampton, Canada. The curriculum was comprehensive; resin bag production, photo book crafting, picture otter design, resin key holder and frame holder fabrication, ornamental flower vase creation, rhinestone artistry, and fabric image printing. The initiative equipped participants with hands-on entrepreneurial skills.
The Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown officially welcomed Abegunde and her delegation to his office, where he personally thanked her for her consistent support. He commended her dedication to entrepreneurship development and philanthropic work, presenting her with a personally signed certificate of appreciation.
During her acceptance speech, Abegunde declared that her commitment to touching lives remains unshakable. She vowed to press forward, ensuring that more lives are touched, more support reaches the people, and greater stability is achieved while vigorously nurturing the spirit of entrepreneurship among women and youths.
