The 2022 winner of Mr. Nigeria International, Ajewole Odunayo has opened up on the reasons for starting an NGO.
According to the reigning king, some of the challenges he experienced while growing up, motivated him into introducing the new NGO, Make-A-Difference initiative.
In a chat with The Nation, Ajewole highlighted the three categories he intends to focus on with the M.A.D Initiative; “I decided to narrow the M.A.D Initiative down to three categories because we have loads of negative vices in the society that need urgent attention. Under M.A.D Initiative the three major focuses are free medical checkups for senior citizens, visitation to correctional facilities, and free written materials for primary school students. I choose free medical checkups for senior citizens in society because no child deserves to lose his or her parents at an early stage, this was my story, I was two years old when I lost my mum.
“She’s a learned individual but she wasn’t aware of her medical status which led her to an early grave and caused me motherly care at an early stage. For this reason, I choose to use my platform to advocate and create awareness and possible solutions by giving free medical checkups and health sensitization.”
Continuing, he said, “I chose correctional facilities because I did a survey and I realised that a few people visit the correctional facilities, thousands of NGOs concentrate or will rather visit the orphanage, children hospice, and less privileged homes than visiting the correctional facilities. I am changing the narratives by visiting these prisons to let them know that someone of note cares and values their genuine repentance.
On funding, Ajewole said, “But I fell head over heels with this project actualisation. I have been writing and seeking intervention from stakeholders including private organizations to help me achieve this service to humanity through their corporate social responsibility. I am full of hope that all these aforementioned will come to reality soonest. I am using all the philanthropists and humanitarians out there to please support the actualization of this great initiative.”