Family, friends float foundation in memory of late Adekoya

Young Nigerians have been encouraged to exhibit the trait of love and care for one another and their environment. This formed the objective of the newly established Wuraade Adekoya Foundation, which held its maiden programme in Adekoya’s memory on what would have been her 21st birthday.

The late Adekoya had successfully put out a fire that broke out from a burning vegetable oil, the smoke emission of which eventually led to her death because it was in a very enclosed kitchen, where she stopped the gas from exploding and wreaking further havoc.

Family members, relatives, friends of the deceased from University of Lagos (UNILAG) and staff members of Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) were on ground in solidarity with her parents to visit the Triple Passion Home Initiative (orphanage) Magodo, Lagos, and extend their hands of charity to children with special needs.

On how the orphanage was chosen as a first point of call among others lined up, Mrs. Bisola Branco-Adekoya, late Wuraade’s mother, said the maiden edition of the foundation was a way to fulfil her promise to the deceased that she will celebrate her birthday although she never expected it will be a posthumous one.

She added that the posthumous celebration of Wuraade was made possible by support from LSHA, contributions from family, friends and her colleagues from the Mass Communication Department of UNILAG.

One of the founders of the home, Mrs Adedoja Omikorede, a renowned specialist child caregiver, who received the visiting team at the facility in Magodo, appraised the operational modes of the home, while stating that the purpose of Wuraade’s death is fulfilled in the number of help that can go round to the less able ones.

There is ability in disability; we are all created for a purpose so that people like you can show us compassion.
The team also visited the Trauma and Burn Centre Gbagada and Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), where Wuraade was taken after the domestic fire incident, before her unfortunate demise, with gifts for patients.

Some of her coursemates at the Mass Communication Department of the University of Lagos talked so much about her kindness, brilliance, eloquence, sociable mien, and selflessness among other qualities.

Miss. Oluwapelumi Ogungbe, one of her coursemates, said: “Wuraade was an accommodating, quiet, jovial and friendly person; no matter who you are she will greet you. We had to show benevolence like she normally does while was still alive.

“I remembered she was one of those I met the first time I gained admission. We both attended the same church before, which made us get a little closer. I could not believe that she was the one when I first learnt she died.”

Also speaking, Abeni Adelaja, said: “Wuraade was a well-behaved and selfless lady, who loved everyone. She is not the type that looks for trouble and she will be sorely missed.’’

The team also visited the Makoko community where Wuraade’s mother, Mrs Bisola Branco-Adekoya, Head, Public Affairs Directorate of Lagos State House of Assembly, had fond memories of her lovely daughter, whom she described as a passionate, bold and selfless personality while inaugurating the foundation in her memory.

She, however, narrated the essence of the foundation while urging others to go out of their way to help change society in their own little form just like Wuraade.