The Lotus Initiative is a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) initiated by Ms. Abimbola Adejumo and duly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission on the 9th of May 2018 with a mission to enhance the quality of life of vulnerable children and women from disadvantaged backgrounds through improved access to education, better social welfare opportunities with the view of alleviating poverty amongst women in grass root communities through empowerment programs.
The initiative has a scholarship program called, ‘Lotus Scholar Program’ targeted at the children who are out-of-school due to financial constraints or parent’s inability to afford them the opportunity to acquire basic education.
As at September 2018, the initiative has enrolled nine (9) children its the scholarship program, seven (7) from Ikorodu led by Mrs. Ajibola Babalola (Asst. Director/Program Coordinator). and two (2) from Dopemu led by Mrs. Omoladun Ricard-Taiwo (Asst. Director Head of Operations). The names of the seven beneficiaries from Ikorodu, area of Lagos state are: Master Wisdom Olaoti, Master Wisdom Solomon (both enrolled in De-Young Comprehensive College, Ikorodu), Master Adeniyi Anu Jeremiah (Trainers Private School, Offin), Master Ricard Ghartey (Kiddies Realm Montessori School), Miss Favour Adole, Master Seyi Adewunmi and Master Godwin John (All freely enrolled in Adtaj Comprehensive College, Oko-lto) while the two beneficiaries from Dopemu area of Lagos are Miss. Felicia Oga and Master Semilore Olatunde, both of whom are pupils of the Redeemer’s Covenant School.
Moreso, the initiative recently completed her first phase of the 500 free new uniform project out of which three hundred and fifty (350) writing materials were distributed to less privileged pupils in seven (7) Government primary schools in Ikorodu namely: Community Primary School, Itowolo, Cherubim & Seraphim Primary School, AUD Pry Sc. Ebute-lbob, Salvation Army Pry Sch, Farm Settlement Community Pry Sch. Anglican Pry Sc. Ijede, Ansar UI-Islam Pry Sc., Ijede. The second phase of the project will commence early this year.
Another program of the initiative is the Social Development Program which is focused on sharing and showing love to the women and children during the Christmas season in underserved communities. The program also serves as a medium to provide welfare materials such as foodstuffs, clean fairly used clothing and others for them.
The Theme for the last edition of the Social Development Program was ‘Caring and Sharing’ and it was held on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at the palace of the new Baale of Oke Lisa; Ikorodu. The residents of the community were not disappointed as the well-organized NGO brought along Santa Claus and mascots to entertain the children, food and clothing items were also distributed to the indigent women and children.
At the event, the Assistant Director/Program Coordinators of the NGO, Mrs. Ajibola Babalola, delivered a health talk tagged, ‘Health is Wealth’.
She counseled them on need to promptly report any strange discovery health to appropriate authorities as well as eating of balanced diets and regular exercise.
Meanwhile, in a brief interview with Oriwu Sun, Mrs. Babalola explained that the initiative specifically chose rural communities around Gberigbe namely Oko-Ito, Oke-Agbo and Oke-Lisa.
She said that the NGO is African based with office in Ikotun, Lagos, while its services are targeted at addressing the welfare of indigent women and children in rural communities in Africa.
According to her, the gifts shared were donated by MS. Abimbola Adejumo and friends and families of the organization.
As part of its mission, Mrs. Babalola said Lotus Initiative is set to transform Nigeria and Africa as a whole by taking baby steps and giant strides in fulfilling the United Nations Sustainable goals by ending poverty in all forms (UNSDGI), End hunger (UNSD2), promote lifelong learning opportunities for all (UNSDG4) and empower the women (UNSDG5) and (UNSDG8).
Some beneficiaries were also given standard medically certified walking aid crutches. They included 65 year old Muibat Jimoh, Grace Ayenitaju and Miss Blessing.
A representative of Oko-Ito neighbouring community, in his brief remarks thanked the NGO for its benevolence to the three communities.
