Primate Ayodele donates N2m to support YABATECH students with disabilities

By Vera Wisdom-Bassey

In a remarkable show of compassion and commitment to education, the leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, recently donated N2 million to students of Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), particularly those living with disabilities and sickle cell disorder.   

The donation was announced during the Voice of Resilience Symposium held at the Yusuf Grillo Auditorium of the college. The event, organized by the Students’ Union with the theme: “Building a Culture of Care: Promoting Inclusion, Empathy, and Support for Students with Disabilities and Sickle Cell Disorder.”

Speaking at the symposium, Primate Ayodele called on the federal, state, and local governments to pay attention to the realities faced by students living with disabilities and chronic health challenges.

He lamented that public officials rarely attend such important programmes, which would have given them a firsthand understanding of the struggles these students endure.

His words: “I always give back to the society, especially to students who are determined to pursue their education despite difficult circumstances. Education has become increasingly expensive and unaffordable for many, particularly for the physically challenged. It is important for those of us who can help to step in and support them.”

The cleric emphasized that disability or financial hardship should never be a barrier to education.

“The fact that someone is disabled or less privileged doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to be educated. When people are passionate about learning, money should not be a hindrance to their dreams. Someone has to support them, and that’s why we are doing this, to help students attain their dreams in life,” he noted.

The donation is part of the cleric’s ongoing empowerment and scholarship initiatives.

Speaking at the events, the Students’ Union President, Morakinyo Olaolushola, explained that the symposium was designed to raise awareness about the challenges faced by students with disabilities and to encourage empathy and inclusion among the general student body.

“This programme focuses on promoting a culture of care and understanding.

“We want to sensitize the campus community about the experiences of students with disabilities and sickle cell disorder. Many of them face stigmatization and isolation, and we’re trying to change that by fostering empathy, love, and support,” said he.

Olaolushola also acknowledged that Primate Ayodele has consistently shown support to YABATECH students.

He added: “Prior to this event, 50 of our students attended a symposium at his Church, where each received ₦45,000, totaling ₦2.25 million.

“Now, he has donated another ₦2 million. We are sincerely grateful for his continuous humanitarian service and generosity. That initial gesture saw each student receiving financial support to ease their academic burden.”

Representing the Rector of YABATECH, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, the Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Ibrahim Alaba, expressed gratitude to Primate Ayodele for his generosity and goodwill toward the college community.

He described the gesture as a rare act of philanthropy that should inspire others to emulate.

“We deeply appreciate the benevolence of Primate Ayodele. May God continue to bless him abundantly, and may more philanthropists follow his example in supporting education,” he started.

In his lecture, Omishola Ajala, called for a review of the education system to include inclusion in the school curriculum, stating, “Inclusion is not a privilege but a responsibility, our school system must adopt an inclusive curriculum.”