33 Widows, 23 Schoolchildren Benefit as Aibana Unveils Imole Foundation

Hon. Dr. Sherif Alade Aibana has unveiled the Imole Aibana Foundation in Abeokuta North Local Government Area of Ogun State, committing more than N25 million to an initiative aimed at supporting widows, schoolchildren and other vulnerable members of the community.

The foundation was officially unveiled at Ago Ika in Abeokuta North, where 33 widows and other vulnerable persons received cash empowerment, while 23 schoolchildren were presented with school bags.

Aibana said the initiative was driven by his passion for humanity and commitment to improving the lives of people within his immediate community.

He disclosed that the foundation also plans to support students across Abeokuta North Local Government by assisting with the payment of National Examinations Council (NECO) and General Certificate of Education (GCE) examination fees.

According to him, the foundation, which is currently solely financed by him, had expended over N25 million on the current intervention, exceeding its initial N20 million budget.

His words "Everything about me is humanity. I believe in adding value to my immediate community, and that's why I'm doing this. We have the needy among us that need help"

He added “We are better together. If we come together and add value to one another, it makes us better as a community. I believe in rebuilding people's lives and ensuring that we restore hope.”

Aibana explained that the organisation had previously operated in Lagos State as the Imole Alimosho Foundation before its activities were extended to Abeokuta and subsequently renamed the Imole Aibana Foundation.

He said the foundation would sustain its humanitarian interventions through quarterly empowerment programmes, with the September event marking the beginning of activities in Ogun State.

Another empowerment programme, he disclosed, has been scheduled for December.

“This is September, we have done one in September, and we are doing another one in December. Then, every quarter, we want to impact our immediate community, no matter how small,” he said.

The foundation's interventions, according to Aibana, will focus on education, healthcare, empowerment and other community-based initiatives.

He added that the organisation had, before its official unveiling, carried out outreach programmes at orphanages and provided healthcare support to members of the community.

Aibana said the vision of the foundation was built around light, illumination, love, peace and togetherness, stressing the need for residents to work collectively towards building a better society.

On politics, the APC chieftain said he had remained a committed member of the All Progressives Congress, having previously participated actively in politics in Alimosho, Lagos State.

He explained that his relocation to Abeokuta represented only a change of location and had not altered his political affiliation.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Aibana pledged his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Ogun State, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

Meanwhile, the APC Chairman in Abeokuta North Local Government, Alhaja Faheedat Sarumi Akintunde, commended Aibana for extending support to vulnerable members of the community.

Akintunde said although she had known the foundation's founder for only about a week, she had observed his commitment to humanitarian service and urged residents to identify with the initiative.

The event was attended by political actors, traditional and community leaders, including Alhaji Saburi Adebayo, the Councillor representing Ward 7 in Abeokuta North, Hon. Mutiu Akeem Sanni, APC Women Leader, Abeokuta North, Alhaja Olope, APC Secretary, Mrs. Funmilayo Olaonipekun; Supervisor for Health, Lukman Adepegba, Vice Chairman of Abeokuta North Local Government, Tayelolu Egbeyemi; and the Iyalode of Owu Kingdom, Chief Mrs. Funmilayo Adesina.