Ooni of Ife’s NGO Builds Free School for Seven Local Communities

In a philanthropic gesture aimed at transforming education for underserved children, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has launched a fully funded primary school in the Eyinogbe community of Adamo, Ikorodu, Lagos.

The initiative, undertaken through his non-governmental organisation, HopesAlive Initiative (HAI), is expected to serve pupils from seven surrounding communities. The free school, designed to run from Primary 1 to 6, will include modern facilities such as a sick bay, library, ICT centre, and an event hall—all within the same complex.

The ground-breaking ceremony, held over the weekend, was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, and education stakeholders. Olori Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Deputy Convener of HAI, described the project as divinely ordained, revealing that the land had been in her family for 18 years before being repurposed for humanitarian work.

“The land was acquired for me by my late mother, Mrs Adebisi Iyabosola Adesegun. Though it remained undeveloped for years, I now believe that delay was divine—meant to serve this greater purpose,” Olori Temitope said.

She credited her husband, the Ooni of Ife, for his steadfast support and vision. “Kabiyesi’s support has been the backbone of everything we do at HAI. His goodwill opens doors and brings help to the initiative across Nigeria.”

The school project is a prototype of a similar one planned for Ile-Ife, the monarch’s kingdom in Osun State. Construction is expected to be completed within three months, with all necessary resources already secured.

Olori Temitope emphasised that the school would cater specifically to street children and those from low-income backgrounds. In addition to free education, pupils will receive meals, healthcare, and vocational training.

“This school is for the vulnerable, those who deserve a better future. We are committed to giving them not just education, but dignity and hope,” she said.

To ensure sustainability, the complex will include revenue-generating facilities such as an event centre, which will serve the local community. The ICT centre, developed in collaboration with the federal government, will also serve as a JAMB examination centre.

The school will be managed by a Board of Management and serve as a satellite study centre for Ojaja University, offering short courses and sandwich programmes to students in the region.

Renowned cleric Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who laid the foundation and consecrated the site, praised the monarch’s commitment to humanitarian causes beyond his immediate domain. “This is a clear signal that the Ooni of Ife is a global figure with a heart for service,” he said.

Traditional leaders present at the event echoed similar sentiments. Baale of Eyinogbe, Taiwo Olowo, expressed gratitude to the royal family, noting that the school would bring development to the area.

Oba Adebowale Adekunle, Agbolu of Agbaje Ife, commended Olori Temitope’s continued dedication to community service, describing her as a reflection of the king’s values.

Other dignitaries at the event included Oba Fayemi Johnson Olumuyiwa, the Elerefe of Erefe Ife, and Oba Adedire Adewole Solomon, the Onifegunwa of Ifegunwa, Ile-Ife.