FirstBank MD, Senior Security Chiefs Honour AKEM Foundation at 4th Anniversary, Empower Five Start-ups with N6m Grants
LAGOS — The Managing Director of First Bank of Nigeria, Olusegun Alebiosu, alongside retired and serving senior police officers, military commanders, business leaders, and government officials, gathered in Lagos on Friday to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the AKEM Foundation, where five young entrepreneurs received business grants totaling over N6 million.
The foundation, established by Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan and his siblings — Abiodun, Aduke, and Folorunsho Ogunsan — was created to immortalise the legacy of their late parents, Engr. Akinola Ogunsan and Madam Emiola Ogunsan, whose values of education, discipline, entrepreneurship, and compassion continue to inspire the initiative.
Speaking during the anniversary event held on May 9 in Lagos, Chairman of the foundation, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, recounted the inspiration behind the organisation and the desire of the family to sustain the values instilled by their parents.
According to him, the foundation was built around the passions of their parents, with their father deeply committed to education while their mother championed entrepreneurship and empowerment.
“What we are doing today is beyond remembrance. We are building opportunities for people who ordinarily may not have access to support either academically or in business,” he said.
Dr. Ogunsan disclosed that 71 applications were received for the 2026 entrepreneurship competition, which were later screened down to five finalists through a transparent selection process.
The competition saw Adetolani Amokaye emerge as the overall winner, clinching the N1.5 million grand prize, which was later upgraded to over N2 million through additional donations from dignitaries at the event.
Adeola Deborah Agboola won the second prize of N1.25 million, also upgraded to nearly N2 million through further support.
The third-place winner, Nkechi Gift, received N1 million and secured additional support from members of the Chinese business community, including immediate bulk orders for her sweet potato products and access to packaging and agricultural support facilitated by business leader Madam May Ma.
Ekom Gideon Fidelis, who finished fourth, received N750,000 and additional support for his rental business, while Ajala Tiyinoluwa Busola emerged fifth and received N500,000.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AKEM Foundation, Abiodun Ogunsan, said the organisation remained focused on empowering youths and building sustainable opportunities for economic growth.
“We are building hope, transforming lives, and shaping a future where no dream is limited by lack of opportunity. Empowerment is not just about giving; it is about enabling people to thrive and impact society positively,” he stated.
The event attracted several high-profile personalities from the security sector, government, academia, business community, and civil society.
Among those in attendance were Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, Dr. Sam Egube; retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Lanre Bankole; retired Deputy Inspectors General of Police, DIG Agboola Oshodi-Glover and DIG Bode Adeleke; retired AIG Hakeem Odumosu; AIG Zone 2, AIG Moshood Jimoh; AIG Force CID Annex Lagos, AIG Simeon Akpanudom; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani; Commander, 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General A.O. Owolabi; Commander, 651 Base Services Group of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Mohammed Imam; and Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Adams-Aliu.
Others present included CP Toyin Agbaminoja of the Western Ports Authority Police Command, retired CP Saadat Ismail, Comptroller Christopher Uzoma of the Nigeria Immigration Service, General Manager of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, Prince Ifalade Oyekan, as well as several senior police officers and government officials.
In their goodwill messages, many of the dignitaries commended the Ogunsan family for transforming a memorial initiative into a platform for youth empowerment and social impact.
Dr. Sam Egube described the foundation as an example of how individuals and families can contribute meaningfully to societal development regardless of scale.
Retired DIG Bode Adeleke praised the initiative as “a brilliant foundation” and encouraged others to establish similar interventions to support vulnerable Nigerians.
AIG Lanre Bankole noted that the initiative successfully combined the immortalisation of parents with meaningful humanitarian impact, while retired AIG Hakeem Odumosu commended the family for sustaining the vision over the years.
Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Fatai Tijani, described Dr. Ogunsan as “an impact-driven personality” whose efforts have positively touched many lives.
Speaking at the event, FirstBank MD Olusegun Alebiosu emphasised the importance of giving back to society.
“Everything we have is meaningless if we do not impact others positively. The joy that comes from giving remains long after material possessions are gone,” he said.
The anniversary celebration also featured business pitches before a four-member panel comprising banking, academic, and healthcare professionals, with over 300 guests in attendance.
Observers at the event noted that the AKEM Foundation has continued to expand its interventions from supporting a few organisations at inception in 2023 to broader programmes focused on education, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and youth empowerment.
The organisers said the foundation would continue to strengthen its impact initiatives while encouraging more individuals and families to embrace philanthropy and community development.
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