Foundation offers succour to female students, women in Ogbomoso – head teacher hails initiative as ‘glorious’
Lanre OKE
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The principal of Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomọsọ, Mr Joseph Abiodun Olowe has described as “glorious” the Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi (COA) Foundation’s Women Empowerment and Vocational & Educational Scholarships Programme, held at both Ogbomoso Baptist High School, Ogbomọsọ South local government area and Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomọsọ North local government area on the 27th September, 2024.
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Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi (COA) Foundation empowered female students, distributing to them some of their needs in school, and promising to further sponsor those of them that are able to make it to higher institutions in medically related courses like Nursing, Midwifery and Medicine though other courses may be accommodated.
The Foundation also covered the registration fees of ten students for the 2024 West African Examination Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) examinations. The beneficiaries were selected from the Community High School, Idi-Araba in Ogo-Oluwa local government area, Oyo state. About 20 girls were also selected from the Ogbomọsọ Baptist High School, Ogbomọsọ South local government area and Anglican Grammar School, Ogbomọsọ North local government area as recipients of the Secondary Education Scholarship (SES) programme.
Furthermore, in Ogo – Oluwa local government area, two milling machines were presented to two (2) women and business grant was given to three women under the Foundation’s Women Economic Empowerment Grant (WEEG) programme. In addition, three girls were registered for hairdressing training and two girls for fashion designing and tailoring training under its Vocational Training Scholarship (VTS) programme.
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Dr Dorcas Adebayo, a member of the Board of Trustees of Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi Foundation, stated that the mission of the organisation is to empower the girl-child to have a strong footing through access to equal opportunities as their male counterpart so they could have a robust future. She went further to clarify that the Foundation is not pushing for the superiority of any gender.
Dr Dorcas, who hails from Foyanmu compound Taraa, Ogbomọsọ, whose father, Late Chief John Adeyemi Alamu, was a brother to the Late Chief Ogundare Foyanmu (world renowned Ijala exponent), said they decided to immortalise their mother, Madam Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi (who is alive) by naming the Foundation after her because of her invaluable sacrifices for her children. Dr Dorcas added that their mother sacrificed all pleasures to ensure that both her male and female children received formal education. She mentioned that, their mother’s insistence informed the WEEG programme, an empowerment programme for women especially widows.
“Our motivation for empowerment, especially at this time, is deeply rooted in the importance of education for the girl-child. We’ve observed that unequal access to education is one of the key reasons why girls are often denied the same opportunities as boys. But when we talk about gender equality or feminism, it’s not about competing with men or engaging in any battle. It’s about providing equal access and opportunities for all. Our goal is simple: ensure that girls have the same educational opportunities as boys. After all, when you educate a child, you educate a nation – and when you educate a girl, you empower an entire generation.” Dr. Dorcas said while speaking with ogbomosoinsghtonline.com. She also informed us that her sister, Professor Adetoro Adeyemi Adegoke is the Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation.
Answering a question on why the Foundation is named after a living person, their mother, she explained, in her keynote address, the Founder shared that “the establishment of this Foundation is a way to honour our mother while she is still with us, showing how deeply we appreciate her sacrifices. Our mother selflessly gave up many personal comforts to ensure we received an education. While some mothers wait for fathers to provide, often to the detriment of their children, our mother took the initiative, making sacrifices such as forgoing aso-ebi and social events. This Foundation is evidence of Madam Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi’s commitment to giving her daughters the same opportunities as her sons’.
“This is her legacy, and it’s one we are committed to sustaining. We don’t need to wait for people to come to us, pleading for help. No, as the principal said, we don’t know any of the girls receiving scholarships today, but if we are in a position to give back, we must do so. When we discussed the foundation with our mother, she reminded us, ‘ẹ má gbàgbé àwọn opò náà o’ (don’t forget the widows) ‘ẹ sì mà gbàgbé àwọn opò alàyè náà o’ (and especially, don’t forget widows of the living too).
“When we asked her who she meant by “widows of the living,” she explained, “Ah, there are some women whose husbands are alive, but it’s as if they aren’t really there. These women are left to do everything on their own. They are the ‘widows of the living. When we shared the idea of the foundation with her, she was glad, and even offered suggestions on how to move forward.
“Our focus on women and girls is based on the existing gender gap. For many years women and girls have been marginalised and we are focused on bridging this gap. Our mother is also a shining example for mothers. Mothers, make sacrifices for your children, both male and female, deprive yourself if needed, and most importantly, pray for them.”
Dr. Dorcas highlighted the foundation’s openness to collaboration with serious, like-minded partners, stating, “If God directs us and we find well-meaning individuals or organisations willing to partner with us, we will certainly consider it. As I mentioned earlier, we now have a digital hub partnering with us to train recipients of our Digital Training Scholarships (DTS) programme. So, if there are individuals or groups interested in what we do, whether in skills development or financial support, why not? If you can sponsor a girl or provide the resources we need for training, we will put it to good use.”
Also, Dr. Dorcas expressed her confidence in the foundation’s continued growth and global impact, stating, “We aspire to make a global impact, expanding our reach across the world, organising programmes, breaking boundaries and barriers, and reaching communities far and wide. We are non-political, non-religious, and non-ethnic, and we are committed to making a difference wherever we go.”
Arc. Femi Lawal, a close friend of the foundation, also emphasised its core mission, saying, “The essence of the foundation is to give back to society. Today, we are here to support indigent students, providing them with opportunities to pursue their goals and achieve their dreams.”
Mrs. Saida Zainab Abdulrasheed, mother of one of the beneficiaries, Rukayat Abdulrasheed, expressed appreciation, “I am happy that my daughter announced me in celebration not in sadness because many parents are called to police stations in respect of their children’s wrongdoing. I thank the organisers and I pray for more strength for them so that they will be able to assist more people.”
Abdulrasheed’s daughter, Rukayat, similarly said, “I am happy to be a beneficiary. Thank you to the organisers. This is a motivation to study harder.”
Principal of Anglican Grammar School, Mr Olowe, stated, “I am overwhelmed, never thought it would be in this glorious way. I am indeed very happy, it is a glorious day for some of our students who are beneficiaries, their future is bright as the Foundation is able to meet some of their needs.”
This was as the national president of Old Students Association, Anglican Grammar School, Professor Olugbemiga Solomon Bello, enthused, “It is a very good initiative because they are touching people’s lives using their God-given abilities and resources to bless humanity. There are some of our students who are indigent students, who don’t have money or have basic needs like bags and they have come up with this initiative, they are promoting excellence, to be good at what they do.”
Prof Bello added, “I charge the benefactors to continue in this manner. I thank them for giving back to humanity, I pray God will continue to bless them. This is a succour to the students and to their parents, I pray God will continue to enlarge their coast. And give them the grace to continue.
Meanwhile, the Foundation can be contacted on their social media handles:
Facebook – Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi Foundation
LinkedIn – Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi Foundation
Instagram – @thecoafoundation
