Inside Kith and Kin: Our schools, our pride, our foundation our scholarships

At the commissioning ceremony of the ultra-modern Mile 12 to Ikorodu expanded highway last November, the political god father of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the presence of  Governor Ambode of Lagos State, Governor Aregbesola of Osun State and other dignitaries present, unveiled a man he described and presented as the political  man of the future in Lagos State.

Just as Oba Rilwan Akiolu of Lagos  did for Ambode in 2014, Asiwaju Tinubu publicly presented Asipa Kaoli Olusanya as a faithful, loyal, tested and trusted leader from Ikorodu division, upon whose shoulders greater responsibilities will fall in the years to come. In short, he showcased Kaoli that day as an annointed son for higher grounds.

Oriwu Sun has not failed to keep watch on this influential politician from this division. He was commissioner for Agriculture in Lagos State under Governor Tinubu for two terms between 1999 and 2007.

In 19 years, he and his wife have successfully pioneered four giant schools under the name ‘Kith and Kin Educational Schools’ in Ikorodu division, which today stand out as the Hawards and Oxfords of this part of Lagos State.

Chief Olusanya is not only a notable Community leader, an educationist and a farmer, he is also a member of the Advisory Council of the 19th Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Shotobi. He is also a Deacon and the Most Senior Evangelist in the Celestial Church of Christ, among others.

Excited by the scholarship scheme he instituted, amazed by the tremendous progress of the four schools run by Kaoli and his wife Kemi, and impressed by the impact Kaoli and his establishments are having, especially in Owode/Ibeshe communities and Ikorodu division as a whole, this newspaper decided to xray all of these in this four page supplement, which will serve as a fore runner to the 20th anniversary of the Kith and Kin Educational Project in 2017. Enjoy the menu.

THE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (KOOEF) KAOLI OLATUNJI OLUSANYA EDUCATION FOUNDATION

A good number of the world’s greatest inventors, leaders, news makers, and successful people were not particularly brilliant at the onset of their lives. They may not have started the race of life well enough but they later pursued, over took and even recovered all they lost in the beginning of their lives.

Ask nobel laurete, Prof. Wole Soyinka; ask Chief Kaoli Olusanya, Proprietor of Kith and Kin Educational schools. Such people, who started late or did not start well, often remember their background when they eventually succeed in life. They want to help those who share their fate and those brilliant ones who are hindered by poverty and other deprivations.

This is the story Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya’s Education Foundation has initiated in this supplement. About thirty (30) students from different tribes but living in Owode/Ibeshe axis are beneficiaries of this free education worth N1million annually. Enjoy the story.

INTRODUCTION

Kaoli Olatunji Olusanya Education Foundation was established in 2010 as a nonprofit organization funded by Chief Kaoli Olusanya in partnership with Kith & Kin Educational Schools. The core mission of the Foundation is to inspire the children of the vulnerable families within Owode/lbeshe community to attain enviable heights in areas of their innate potentials, through opportunity to quality foundation education. It is also envisaged that extraordinarily brilliant beneficiaries of the Foundation may be sponsored to tertiary education levels.

The concept behind the Foundation was captured in the mind of Chief Kaoli Olusanya consequent to his life story and experience. He was not a particularly brilliant pupil in his primary school years. However, under his pervasive mother’s love, he grew to imagine a harmoniously fulfilling and peaceful living. To promote harmony within the community in which he lives, he conceived the idea of giving education opportunities to brilliant pupils of indigent families to inspire community social well being and life fulfillment.

THE OBJECTIVE

1. The Foundation is established to give hope to the vulnerable and help light a fire in their imagination for greatness.
2. The mission of the Foundation is to partner with Owode/lbeshe community to enrich the lives of scholar students by providing free education from Basic 6 to Grade 12.
3. The Foundation intends to engage the community in support of public education, provide ancillary resources for programmes and activities that elevate the quality of education and extend learning opportunity for the beneficiaries.
4. The Foundation will collaborate with public primary and secondary schools within the community to enhance the opportunity for quality education and promote pursuit of excellence.
5. The Foundation intends to help light a fire in the imagination of the young scholarship beneficiaries for a successful and fulfilling living.
6. The Foundation intends to create awareness within the community about the potency of education to overcome poverty and squalor.
7. The Foundation shall strive to motivate parents and the community’s involvement in children uprightness and forthright thinking.

MODALITIES

1. Though the Foundation describes Owode/lbeshe as the focus of its activities, it will not be limited to it.
2. Scholars will be selected from public primary schools within the community through examination and interview of the prospective beneficiaries, accompanied by their parents.
3. The scholarship for these categories of pupils will cover their education for six years. i.e. JSI to SS3.
4. The scholarship will provide:

• Free uniform
• Free stationeries
• Free tuition
• Free boarding
• Free access to use school facilities and educational aids.

5. The Foundation also intervenes in the public schools within the community by donating of desks, benches, sets of drum, and sponsorship of events.

BEST PRACTICES OF THE FOUNDATION

1. The Foundation is incorporated with the corporate affairs commission.
2. The Foundation is managed by a Board of Trustees.
3. Members of the Board comprise seasoned educationists and professionals.

RESOURCES

1. Kith & Kin Educational Schools:

• Kith & Kin Nursery and Primary School.
• Kith & Kin Montessori School.
• Kith & Kin International College.
• Kith & Kin Academy.

2. Chief Kaoli Olusanya