BRIDGING HOPE, EDUCATION & CHARITY: OKG Foundation Launches Christmas Day 1 Outreach in Ilesa – 180 Students Get WAEC Fee Cover, 6 Undergraduates Get Scholarships

‎The OKG Foundation on Monday 8th December , 2025, inaugurated its Christmas Community Welfare Outreach at the Ilesa Social Elite Club, Isokun, Ilesa, Osun State with a day‑long programme of academic support, scholarship presentations and charitable visits to vulnerable children.

‎The event, hosted by the foundation’s directors, Pastor (Dr.) Olatunji and Pastor Kikelomo Gbotosho, opened with a prayer from Pastor Benson Adekunle and was emceed by Babalola Fashipe, an alumnus of Methodist High School (class of 1989) where Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, Asiwaju of Ijesaland was the Chairman of the occasion.

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In his remarks, Asiwaju Fasuyi thanked the organisers for their “good Samaritan attitude” and urged the Osun State government to reverse the extra levy imposed on WAEC registration fees.

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‎The main focus of the programme was education.

During a Keynote Address, titled “Academic and Career Advice,” Dr. Aluko Adegboyega Lawrence remarked that the OKG Foundation’s long‑standing mission is to invest in the nation’s youth, viewing them as the brightest hope for Nigeria and the world. Through scholarships for secondary‑school WAEC candidates and university students across various fields, the foundation underscores that every dream matters, every child counts, and every destiny deserves a chance.

The Speaker reminded beneficiaries that the scholarships are a bridge between current circumstances and future possibilities, and that opportunity must be met with responsibility. Recipients are called to excel, stretch their minds, strengthen character, and own their futures.

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OKG FOUNDATION CHRISTMAS COMMUNITY WELFARE OUTREACH PUTS SMILES ON THE FACES OF ILESA PEOPLE. (PHOTONEWS )

Overall, the OKG Foundation’s empowerment programs go beyond financial aid, nurturing well‑rounded individuals ready to lead in a complex, evolving society.

Earlier, Pastor Mrs. Kikelomo Gbotosho outlined the foundation’s mission that is rooted in empowering youth, alleviating hardship and fostering holistic community development. This includes promoting access to qualify education, supporting small scale entrepreneurs, addressing hunger and poverty and offering health care assistance.

"At the heart of it all is our desire to share the gospel and reflect Christ's love in action." She said as she announced that the foundation will be paying the 2025/2026 WAEC fees for 180 students from Ilesa – a mix of public‑school pupils and those from some selected churches – and presented scholarship awards to six university students.

‎The foundation distributed “Good Time Scholarship” promissory notes to principals and representatives of participating schools.

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Beneficiaries students of Ilesa public schools were drawn from Ilesa Grammar School, Methodist High School, African Church Grammar School, George Button Memorial College, St. Margaret's Girls School, United Anglican/Methodist Grammar School, Ogedengbe School of Science, Obokun High School and Hope Grammar School.

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‎Beneficiaries spoke of their experiences.

Registered nurse Oladele Oluwasogofunmi Joseph, a final‑year student at Obafemi Awolowo University, advised peers to stay focused, choose marketable fields, continuously build skills and actively pursue opportunities rather than waiting for them to appear. Engineer Abiodun Oluwadare, an alumnus of Ogedengbe School of Science, also expressed gratitude and encouraged fellow students.

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In his words of exhortation at the event, Pastor (Dr.) Olatunji Gbotosho encouraged the students, representatives of the principals, teachers and invited guests to always hold on to God in all that they are passing through.

‎The day concluded with closing remarks from Mr. Kehinde Alake and a final prayer by Pastor Adekunle Joseph. Organisers said the outreach, part of the foundation’s broader effort to support students and the vulnerable across Ijesaland , Osun state and Nigeria at large, will continue with similar events throughout the festive season.

VIDEO: Click 👆 on the image to watch

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Beyond the symposium, Pastor (Dr.) Olatunji and Pastor Kikelomo Gbotosho, led the OKG staff and volunteers on a visit to a local orphanage and less‑privileged children at delivering gifts, promising a monthly support of N250,000 at the Grip of Salvation orphanage home. ‎

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‎The OKG Foundation’s Christmas Community Welfare Outreach aims to reinforce the values of education, community service and holiday generosity in Osun State and beyond—it’s a platform for students to rise, believe, and gain the tools they need to succeed. It aims to shape leaders, innovators, problem‑solvers and citizens of character, empowering them to build lives of purpose, excellence and impact. The OKG Foundation serves as a bridge between what is and what can be, recalling how a simple chance—whether a teacher’s encouragement, a parent’s sacrifice, or a mentor’s generosity—can change a life’s direction.

Distinguished personalities at the event included, Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, Mrs Abimbola Bolarinwa, Pastor Dr. Adekunle Benson, Pastor Dr Adekunle Joseph, Dr. Lawrence Aluko, Mr. Emmanuel Olatunji, Mr. Samuel Olatunji, Mr. Seun Olatunji, Mrs. Bolarinwa Abimbola, Dr. Oluwole Fadipe, Pastor Jacob Awonusi, Mr. Bukola Fadipe and Olori Adeola to mention but a few.

The program Day 2 continues on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 by 11am with the official Commissioning of a new borehole, providing clean water to the Isokun neighbourhood to be held at the Isokun Community House, Ikoti Road, Ilesa and by 12:00 Noon a Follow‑up Welfare Programme at the OKG Foundation office, A 155, Isokun Street, Ilesa featuring Christmas Food Support Program (distribution of staple food parcels), equipment Distribution for Farmers, workshops on digital skills and entrepreneurship, health check‑ups and community outreach.