By Constance Adaurie
The AKEM Foundation awarded ₦6 million in grants to five startups on Saturday at its 4th anniversary event in Lagos.
The foundation, established in 2023 by Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan and siblings Abiodun, Aduke, and Folorunsho Ogunsan, honors their late parents, Engr. Akinola Ogunsan and Madam Emiola Ogunsan.
AKEM Foundation has steadily evolved into a structured humanitarian platform touching education, social welfare, enterprise development, youth mentorship, and community transformation.
This came from supporting just four organizations at inception in 2023, to widening its intervention into education, entrepreneurship and business empowerment in 2025.
Beyond the grants, scholarships, and empowerment programmes also lies the deeper story: the deliberate institutionalization of family values.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of AKEM Foundation, Dr. Ogunsan recalled his late parents, Engr. Akinola and Mrs. Emiola Ogunsan, “22 years ago, 5th May we lost our mom, Mrs. Emiola and 4 years after, our father died. If one couple dies, except there is no love, that is the day the other couple 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 matured in such circumstances, I will 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, such emotional moments. This is why about 5 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.”
On the thrust of the AKEM Foundation, he continued: “One of my parents, my dad is passionate about education and the other, my mother, is passionate about entrepreneurship. So we started this journey by putting our resources together to help people who do 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 5 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 NGN1.5million, the second prize is N1.25 Million, the third prize is NGN1 million,the 4th prize is NGN 750,000 and the 5th prize is NGN 500,000”
On his part, the MD/CEO of AKEM Foundation, Mr. Abiodun Ogunsan expanded further on the organizational impact of 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 physically present at the Anniversary event to pitch their business ideas before a 4-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 State Coordinator and an engaging audience with over 300 in attendance. The pitch competition produced Adetolani Amokaye as the First place winner with her grand prize of N1.5 million upgraded to over 2 million by some dignitaries support; Adeola Deborah Agboola emerged 2nd place winner and her NGN 1.25 million was upgraded to almost N2million; the third prize winner Nkechi Gift had her NGN 1 million prize upgraded with immediate 100 orders of her sweet potato products from the Chinese community including access to agricultural products, sales and packaging courtesy Chinese business leader, Madam May Ma; Ekom Gideon Fidelis who came 4th position got 750,000 plus Chinese community support to support his house rental business, and Ajala Tiyinoluwa Busola who emerged 5th position got NGN 500,000 prize.
Dignitaries drawn from the security sector, academia, business community, diplomacy, faith organizations, and civil society converged to celebrate with the Ogunsans include 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 LSSTF, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover (retd); DIG Bode Adeleke (retd) and his Wife, Mrs. Modupe, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd).
Others are AIG Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, AIG Force CID Annex Alagbon, AIG Simeon Udofia Akpanudom; Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani; Commander, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. A.O Owolabi; Commander, 651 Base Services Group, Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Mohammed Asuekome Imam; Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS BEECROFT, Naval Base Apapa, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliu; CP Western Ports Authority Police Command, CP Toyin Agbaminoja; CP Saadat Ismail Rtd; Comptroller, MMIA Command, Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS, Comptroller CC Christopher; General Manager, Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Prince (Dr.) Ifalade Oyekan; DCP Bayo Suleiman; DCP Olugbenga Adeoye; DC Admin, Lagos Command, DCP Khan Salihu; ACP Aka Shittu; ACP Mary Ayim; Chief Security Officer, CSO to Governor of Lagos State, CSP Kunle Fagbemi; Commander, RRS Lagos, CSP Shola Jejeloye; DPO Man Center Division, CSP Ayo Elijah; DPO Denton Division, CSP Komolafe Solomon; DPO Lekki, CSP Owoseni; CSP Awe Kayode.
Also present are Founder/CEO, Diamed Hospital Lekki, Dr. Mrs. Abiola Olorede (nee Adebutu); Deputy Leader, Chinese Community, Mrs. May Ma; Territorial Director, South West, National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Ministry of Interior, Barr. Frank Dix Unuigboje; Founding Director, Centre for Digital Humanities, University of Lagos, (CEDHUL), Prof. Tunde Ope-Davies; Founder, Greenspring School, Mrs. Lai Koiki; MD/CEO, Infinity Paints Int’l Ltd, Pastor Johnson Sehinde; Founder, The Mantle Prayer Ministry, Pastor Isaac Olaomo; Consultant Ophthalmologist, MeCure, Dr. Sunday Alabi; SSA on Infrastructure to Lagos State Governor, Hon. Siji Adegoke; SSA to Lagos State Governor on Students’ Union Affairs – Tertiary Education, Comrade Kappo Olawale among other business and government persons.
In their respective goodwill messages, the dignitaries at the event shared their perspectives on the amazing impact that they have observed that AKEM Foundation is having on the society.
Mr. Sam Egube, the Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor – 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 of lives, and building of enterprises. Thank you very much.’
Further Retired senior law enforcement officers also shared their thoughts.
DIG Bode 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 Agboola 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.’
The Patron of AKEM Foundation, AIG Lanre Bankole (retd) shared: ‘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.’
AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd) stated ‘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 serving senior law enforcement officers including the military, the Police, paramilitary and other agencies were also in attendance.
Brig Gen A.O Owolabi, Commander of 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army shared: ‘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 ‘sometimes ago I was discussing with Dr. Ogunsan and I told him that the reason for his success is his humility and Resilience, I have seen 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, Nigerian Air Force 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 5 people getting awards next year when we all put in our support.’
AIG Moshood Jimoh, AIG Zone 2 Onikan shared: ‘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, AIG 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 shared: ‘I am 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 (NIS) Murtala Mohammed 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 Agency, LNSA hailed the family for the idea of AKEM Foundation noting that through the initiative, they are doing remarkably well for the youths in the society.’
From the business community, Mr. Olusegun Alebiosu, MD/CEO of First Bank Nigeria Plc indicated 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.’
Dr. Mrs. Abiola Olorede nee Adebutu, Founder Diamed Hospital Lekki, stated: ‘Dr. Ayo is someone who amazes me every time because 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.’
The Managing Director/CEO of Infinity Paints Int’l Ltd, Sehinde Johnson stated: ‘I see AKEM Foundation as a double edged sword to empower lives and to honor parents. Even after their parents death, the Ogunsans still continue to honor them. I pray that they will be honored themselves.’
Pastor Andrew Umoru prayed heartily 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.
