The Agbelebu Foundation has activated a free health insurance scheme for elderly citizens and people living with disabilities, expanding access to essential healthcare services for vulnerable members of society.
The rollout fulfils a prior commitment by the foundation, enabling registered beneficiaries to begin using their insurance coverage for already-paid months at their preferred hospitals.
The initiative officially took effect in January and is designed to eliminate financial barriers to medical care for selected participants.
Speaking on the development, the foundation’s founder, Gbenga Abiola (Agbelebu), described the programme as a targeted intervention aimed at restoring dignity and guaranteeing consistent healthcare access for underserved populations.
He reaffirmed that healthcare is a fundamental right and pledged the foundation’s continued support for individuals facing economic and physical challenges.
Hon. Abiola explained that all beneficiaries were enrolled during the scheme’s unveiling in December, adding that the complete list is available for verification at the Agbelebu Foundation Secretariat.
He noted that beneficiaries, comprising elderly persons and people living with disabilities, were selected through a transparent and inclusive process.
Community leaders and beneficiaries have commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.
They said the programme not only addresses urgent healthcare needs but also reinforces the foundation’s track record of people-focused interventions in healthcare, social welfare, education, and empowerment.
The Agbelebu Foundation on Sunday unveiled its Family Adoption Project, describing it as a long-awaited commitment to uplift vulnerable households through deliberate, consistent and compassionate support.
Speaking at the launch, Founder Hon. Oluwagbenga Abiola, the immediate past Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government in Lagos, said the initiative was the fulfilment of a burden he had carried for years.
“When the idea of this foundation came eight years ago, it didn’t arrive as an organisation. It came as a burden — a burden for unseen struggles and quiet tears,” he said.
Abiola, a former Sole Administrator and Secretary to the Local Government, said welfare should never be treated as a mere agenda item but as “a calling that demands responsibility, empathy and commitment.”
He explained that the Family Adoption Project was created to walk side-by-side with struggling households through sustained empowerment and long-term care.
“Today, we unveil a project that commits to families not for a moment, not for a season, but with intentional love,” he said.
The foundation aims to adopt 1,000 families, beginning with 500 households in the first phase.
“Every great journey begins with a first step. For us, the first step is embracing 500 families into our circle of care,” Abiola stated.
He stressed that the initiative was neither charity nor a publicity drive but a genuine expression of shared humanity.
“This is family meeting family. When we adopt a family, we are saying: we see you, we hear you, we are here for you,” he added.
The project will support families in health, education, empowerment and financial stability. Abiola said the foundation plans to partner with institutions, service providers and influential personalities to deliver youth training, health checks, insurance, food banking and scholarship assistance.
“Our goal is not just to support families, but to equip them and position them to rise,” he noted.
The initiative will run for at least one year, during which adopted households will receive continuous support.
“Their challenges become our challenges, and their victories become our victories,” Abiola said. “Progress should never be accidental; it must be intentional.”
He added that the foundation exists to serve the vulnerable, including children, widows, youths, the elderly, people living with disabilities and struggling parents, likening each adopted household to a seed that requires nurturing, attention and resources to flourish.
“Impact is not in noise but in consistency Leadership is not in titles but in service,” he said.
Abiola expressed appreciation to volunteers, partners and donors, describing them as “the heartbeat and wind behind the vision.”
He assured the newly adopted families that they were not statistics but part of an ever-growing community bound by dignity and compassion, adding, “Once we call you family, we don’t let go.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Obasa, who applauded Abiola’s vision and passion toward the less privileged, said that the welfare of the people should be the priority of every government.
Obasa commended the founder and former council boss for joining hands with the government, describing it as great initiatives.
A traditional ruler, Ologba of Ogbaland, Oba Oladimeji Egbeyemi, who praised Abiola, said, ”Your continuous efforts in bringing succor to the people of his community, Agege and Lagos at large are commendable”.
It was reported that no fewer than 500 families were given 500 food boxes, while health insurance was provided for 100 people living with disability in partnership with Ilera Eko.
Also, health tests and on the spot treatment was carried out for over 200 elderly and people living with disability at the event.
The beneficiaries, who include,
Mrs Sekinat Abolaji, the Chairman of the Association of People Living With Disability, Agege, commended the former council boss for the project.
