A frontlineEeducationist, prolific writer, motivational speaker and versatile entrepreneur, Mr. Fatai Ajalogun, has lamented that the late statesman, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who pioneered free education in the old Western region, and other late Nigerian patriots, will be weeping in their graves over the rot and corruption in the nation’s educational system.
Mr. Ajalogun, also a long serving Director in the Lagos State Government and a proprietor of a popular nursery and primary school in Ikorodu, (Ajalogun Memorial School), told over one hundred (100) single girls and about thirty (30) parents and journalists present at the 2nd Anniversary of Dobrecaf Foundation Single Girls summit held at Destiny Castle Hotel, Ikorodu on Saturday, August 27, 2016 that Chief Awo, who bemoaned the decay in the nation’s polity and education before his death about thirty (30) years ago, will now be weeping with other patriots of sound education like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, that majority of parents, teachers, students, government agencies, individuals and groups have colluded to corrupt education. He complained that many proprietors of schools are after the money they get and not the promotion of sound and qualitative education affordable to the majority.
Addressing the girls at summit, which attracted mostly single ladies from the secondary and tertiary institutions, Mr. Ajalogun, who is a Pastor in Christ Apostolic Church, revealed that he wrote a book titled, “The Broken Bridge” because the present generation had broken off from the beautiful ideals of our forefathers and the good past. He narrated his past to the young girls, encouraging them with his life history. He said that if he, a nobody in the past whose parents left not a dime to start life with, could succeed in life by passing through all the ladders of education (and still studying at an old age for his doctorate degree at the University of Lagos) to become a hotel and school proprietor, author of different books, teacher, civil servant, man of God, and a small scale businessman, then everyone can aspire to succeed in life in a similar way.
Mr. Ajalogun, who co-sponsored this Anniversary with Pastor (Mrs.) Ada Adichie, a Deputy Director of Education in Ikorodu Junior High School, told the summit in his key note address, which lasted over forty minutes, that because of his background and past experiences in life, he had become a strong believer in mentoring; hence, he was excited by Pastor Adichie’s foundation, which aims at giving right tutoring to our young girls on lifestyles and healthy living. He equally rocked the venue when he announced that the more than two hundred and fifty thousand naira (N250,000) rental charge for the conference hall of his Destiny Castle, (the venue of Dobrecaf anniversary), should be free for future events of the foundation, while also urging the Dobrecaf girls to remain focused on their education and maintain good moral upbringing.
Pastor (Mrs.) Ada Adichie, the founder and co-ordinator of the Foundation, in her own speech, affirmed that the organization she is promoting is a non-governmental, non-political, non-religious and non-economic body. It is purely a foundation to guide young girls to live a healthy, morally sound, excellent and successful life away from the decadence in the society and the prevailing impunities everywhere. She narrated the circumstance which led to the birth of Dobrecaf Foundation following her miraculous healing in 2009/2010 of the deadly cancer disease. The healing, she said, was ordained by God through a homeopathic doctor, who used only natural fruits, vegetables and herbs to heal the cancer. Mrs. Adichie said that God saved her to save other people; hence, she decided to give back to society through this foundation, which was launched in 2011.
Initially, she began with delivering seminars, lectures and talks on radio, television and other gatherings in churches, schools etc. In 2014, the Foundation began the Single Girls summit held every two months in different locations, notably schools, churches, mosques and now hotels. She thanked Mr. Ajalogun, his wife and the Destiny Castle management profusely for their kindness in co-sponsoring the anniversary and providing the wonderful venue. She equally thanked all those who had facilitated the previous editions of the summit, especially the resource persons, notably Mrs. Bernic Mark-Uwuruya, Mrs. Francesca Nwalusi, Mrs. Mabel Idehai, Miss Eghosa Umuoruya, Mrs. Obazee as well as the numerous sponsors of the past editions, who provided drinks, food, snacks, venues, clothings and other gift items for their support. She, however, solicited for more support to host future editions and to diversify the activities of the foundation.
The girls, who were led by their pilot, Miss Mercy Thompson, an HND Mass Communication graduate of Lagos State Polytechnic, entertained the audience with the Dobrecaf anthem and pledge before showcasing some cultural and traditional dances from the major tribes of the country. They also had a recitation and other brain tasks. Another highpoint of the summit was the Guest speaker’s talk by a vivacious lady, Mrs. Modupe Gbenga–Adefolarin, a Deputy Director of Education, Lagos State/Vice Principal, academics in Ikorodu Junior High School. Mrs. Adefolarin, a pretty Albino, who spoke with divine confidence, bouncing up and down while demonstrating ability out of what some people would have called a disability, motivated the girls with her speech.
She shared her experience, especially on how people, including one of her teachers, castigated and discouraged her, but she was resilient, resolute and determined to succeed. Today, she is a holder of three master’s degrees, a distinguished lady, who holds her shoulder high among equals. She is also transplanting confidence attribute to her daughter, whom she named after Agbani Derego (the most beautiful girl in the world some years ago). The guest speaker challenged the girls to remain focused and not to allow themselves to be distracted by anyone, especially boys and men, phones, television, etc. She also urged them to embrace healthy life styles, the type Mrs. Adichie has become a strong promoter of
The Chairperson of the occasion, Mr. Blessyn Sapele, a Health/Medical Practitioner, also counseled the girls on the virtues of good upbringing and the positive value of discipline and morality in all they do. The Spiritual Father and Mother of the Day, Apostle Friday and Pastor Grace Idawor of Grace and Mercy Assembly respectively, prayed for the girls and for the Founder of Dobrecaf, Mrs. Adichie as well as her husband, Mr. Chuma Adichie, tracing the background of Dobrecaf Foundation and how God answered the fervent pray of the body of Christ to same, Mrs. Adichie, who today is giving her best back to the society, the church and the community.
Other dignitaries at the anniversary included Eze Igbo Paulycap Uhegbu, who was the Royal Father of the Day. He praised the initiative of Dobrecaf Foundation and encouraged the girls to make their parents and society proud by being obedient, respectful, and morally upright children. Other notable personalities at the event included Dr. & Mrs. Ade Vincent Oyewole, Mrs. Chinwe Onyema, Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Uzoegbu, Evang & Mrs. Gabriel Ekpo.
Speaking to parents after the entertainment session, Mr. Ajalogun said Nigeria, as a nation, is still searching for the kind of leader, who will be ready to die for his people, the like of Jerry Rewlings of Ghana, who can sacrifice everything he has for the upliftment of his people. Whether it is the fight against corruption in the educational, economic, governmental and other sector or the struggle to come out of recession, Mr. Ajalogun believes in collective effort, collective determination and sincerity of purpose by Nigerians, spearheaded by a true leader ready to die for this country.