The Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family Foundation has stressed the need for family unity, community development, and the preservation of cultural heritage, unveiling plans to provide free medical services, support schools and promote environmental sanitation in Isale Eko, Lagos.

The Chairman of the Foundation, Hakeem Amode, stated this at a briefing held to announce activities lined up for the forthcoming Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family Reunion.

Amode said the reunion would go beyond celebrating the family’s heritage to include initiatives aimed at improving residents’ welfare and contributing to the development of the community.

He explained that the foundation was established to provide a platform for family members to contribute to healthcare, education, youth development, environmental sanitation and the preservation of cultural heritage.

“Our heritage should inspire service, and our family unity should translate into positive impact,” he said.

As part of the initiatives, Amode announced that the foundation would organise a free medical mission in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Health and Eko Club International at the Olorogun Adodo Family Palace.

He added that the foundation would donate N1.5 million to support the purchase of drugs for the Isale Eko Health Centre, noting that the intervention was intended to strengthen healthcare delivery in the community.

“We believe that supporting existing community health facilities is an important part of ensuring that our contribution continues beyond the reunion itself,” he said.

On environmental sanitation, the chairman said the foundation would collaborate with the Ministry of Health to promote a cleaner, healthier and safer environment.

He disclosed that refuse bins, long-handled brushes and long-handled parkers would be donated to 20 traditional palaces, known as Iga, to support waste management and environmental cleanliness.

“Good health is closely connected to a clean environment. Environmental responsibility must therefore be a collective effort involving residents, community leaders, institutions and organisations,” Amode said.

The foundation also announced plans to support six secondary schools and six primary schools in Isale Eko through educational and sporting activities designed to encourage academic excellence, teamwork and youth development.

According to Amode, the initiative would include the establishment of an “Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) House” in participating schools, alongside support for inter-house sports competitions and academic activities, including spelling bees.

He said the foundation would also donate fully equipped first-aid boxes, trophies and other items to the participating schools.

“This initiative is more than the branding of a school house. It is an opportunity to introduce our family name to a younger generation in a positive way while encouraging discipline, teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence and healthy development,” he said.

Amode added that the initiative would encourage young people to appreciate the values of service, community participation and responsibility associated with the family.

The chairman said the forthcoming reunion would bring together family members from Nigeria and the diaspora, traditional representatives, friends and well-wishers to strengthen family ties and promote cultural awareness.

He explained that activities at the reunion would include family interactions, cultural engagement, youth participation and recognition of members, while providing an opportunity to renew the family’s commitment to community development.

Amode stressed that the foundation intended to sustain its interventions beyond the reunion through partnerships with government agencies, schools, community organisations and other stakeholders.

He identified healthcare outreach, environmental sanitation, education, youth development, sports, community welfare, support for local institutions and cultural preservation as key areas of focus.

“We are celebrating our heritage, but we are also investing in people. We are celebrating our family, but we are also serving our community,” he said.

He urged members of the public, traditional leaders, community stakeholders and the media to support the foundation’s initiatives, stressing that family heritage should translate into meaningful contributions to society.

The chairman expressed appreciation to the Chairman and Olori-Ebi of the Aina Onimole (Oju Iyewa) Chieftaincy Family, the family’s elders, the Board of Trustees, the Management Executive Committee and the Reunion Planning Committee for their contributions to the initiative.

He also acknowledged the support of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Eko Club International, the Olorogun Adodo Family, the Isale Eko Health Centre, participating schools, volunteers and other community stakeholders.