By Aderonke Ige
It was a double celebration on Sunday, April 13, 2023, when Olakunle Oladehin (MD), fondly called ‘’Kunlala’’ by his family and friends marked his 50th birthday and launched a fundraiser for his alma mater, Adeniyi Jones Primary School, Lagos in a well-rounded celebration.
The event which was held at an event centre on Lagos Island gathered an impressive number of well-wishers who turned up to celebrate and support the quintessential medical doctor and philanthropist.
Starting with a thanksgiving session, the birthday celebration later progressed into a night of tributes as friends, contemporaries and family of the celebrant extolled his virtues. Leading the line-up, his wife, Dr. Yewande Oladehin eulogised her husband, describing him as ‘’extremely generous’’ and a great husband and father to their three daughters: Omotoyosi, Omotolani and Omotoke.
Others who testified to the philanthropic spirit and kindness of Dr. Oladehin included General Manager of Premier Records, Michael Effiong; the celebrant’s cousin, Olakunle Akindunjoye.
Following sequentially was a documentary viewing session, which showcased the state of Adeniyi Jones primary school and the past interventions of the alumni. ‘’Kunlala’’ who was also the chairman of the 1984 alumni set of the school had earlier provided electricity and potable water facility for the school.
He therefore used the occasion of 50th birthday celebration to call on his colleagues, other members of the school’s alumni as well-meaning Nigerians who know the value of education to join him in his mission to turn around the fortune of the school for good.
According to Dr. Oladehin, “I am doing the fundraising to create awareness around the impact on our individual and collective contributions to the public school system and while we wait for the government every time to do this and that I believe as indi- viduals we have a lot also, we can do.”
While answering questions on his hopes for the future, Dr. Oladehin said he hopes never to see again the Nigerian child roaming around the streets instead of being in school. In his words, ‘’My long-term goal and hope for the future is that every child will get access to qualitative educational services in a conducive environment to produce the leaders of tomorrow’’.
