Foundation raises N250m endowment fund for vulnerable residents in Ekiti

A renowned chartered accountant and indigene of Aramoko Ekiti, Ekiti West Local Government Area of Ekiti State, Laolu Akinluyi, has set up a sum of over N250 million in relief packages for students, youths, the aged, widows and others in the town in honour of his late wife, Kikelomo Akinluyi.

His late wife died in April, 2024 at the age of 59.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony in Aramoko-Ekiti, the philanthropist said Kikelomo Christianah Akinluyi Charity Foundation, with the acronym ‘The Kaycee Foundation’, was established to celebrate the life and times of the deceased by keeping her memories fresh, evergreen and alive.

According to Akinluyi, the foundation will focus on intervening and giving succour to humanity in four major pillars, such as health, education, empowerment and feeding.

He stated clearly that all the activities of the foundation are in memory of his late wife and not a precursor to softening the ground to join politics.

He said, “On health, the foundation will focus on water supply, medical bill payments, preventive treatment, minor surgeries; with empowerment scheme focusing on skill acquisition & set up, support for small women traders, IT training support & placement management.

“Under Education includes scholarships, Laptop supply, book supplies, library supports while Feeding comprises food supplies to widows, old & aged, food to motherless homes, feeding during festive and special periods and occasions, among others.

“To mark the NGO’s first outfit, The Kaycee Foundation has installed hand-pump boreholes to five primary schools in the town, as well as distribution of 250 packs of 25kg assorted food items to 250 widows and aged women in Aramoko.”

He added, “The plan to establish a foundation by my family has been in the works in the last 15 years when I told my wife that I would be retiring to Aramoko-Ekiti by December 2023.

“The Kikelomo Christianah Akinluyi Charity Foundation (KCACF), The Kaycee Foundation, is an Incorporated Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) established to celebrate the life and times of Kikelomo and keep her memories fresh, evergreen and alive. The Foundation will be an entity that strives to encapsulate and replicate the essence and beauty of her life.

“The Foundation will focus on impacting, supporting and giving succor to humanity in four major areas called Four Intervention Pillars such as: Health, Education, Empowerment and Foods/Feeding. It is important to state clearly that all the activities of the Foundation is in memory of my dear wife and mother of my children and NOT a precursor to softening the ground to join politics.

“Today, the family has committed to start the Foundation with an endowment fund of N250m (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira Only). With this amount, the Foundation will be able to spend about #50 Million (income/dividend profits/interests earned from the endowment fund) annually on the four pillars and its administration/secretariat. We shall continue to grow this principal endowment fund as we are blessed and have support in future.

In his goodwill message, the Bishop of Anglican Church, Ekiti West Diocese, Rt. Rev. Cornelius Adagbada described Akinluyi’s gesture as a rare honour for a deceased, adding that such action would bring succour into the lives of many in Aramoko.

Also speaking, a foremost Professor of Choreography and Performance Aesthetics, Rasaki Ojo-Bakare, hailed the husband for the thoughtful project, saying the gesture would impact the lives of the beneficiaries positively.