Former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun who resigned from the cabinet of President Muhammed Buhari 2018 following scandal of not participating in the mandatory one-year National Youth Service Scheme, but instead forged an exemption certificate many years after graduation has returned to public attention.
Adeosun who was also a former Finance Commissioner in Ogun State under the administration of Senator Ibikunle Amosun launched herself back to public attention with establishment of a foundation aimed towards welfare of orphans
The Nigerian former Finance Minister while launching her new Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), known as DashMe Foundation explained that the social enterprise was created to transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, disadvantage youths and victims of domestic violence.
‘I have had the opportunity to interact with people across different spheres and social backgrounds, and one thing I have observed is the will and desire in people to be helpful and give to the needy’.
‘Nigerians in the diaspora are constantly looking for ways to give back and help those in need back home. It is little wonder that 70% of what is available in the #DashMeStore today was donated by the UK Nigerian community, many of whom have never been to Nigeria but still identified strongly and enthusiastically with an opportunity to do good. We think this sentiment is exciting and we intend to create a bridge for generous giving between Nigeria and her Diaspora’, Adeosun stated.
‘We have an obvious problem of poverty and lack in Nigeria. Statistics from the Ministry of Women’s Affairs tell us there are 17.5M orphaned and vulnerable children in Nigeria. That is 1 in every 12 Nigerians’, she said.
‘Our indigenous charitable sector is well-meaning but fragmented and struggles to attract the resources needed. Nigerians are naturally generous and helping others comes naturally but needs to better organized and formalized’.
‘Nigeria has a lot of charitable work going on all across the nation and its good work, by dedicated people. Small groups or families decide to help alleviate the suffering of our most vulnerable, and they do so as an act of faith, with few receiving predictable revenue inflows’.
‘This uncertainty in funding can adversely affect the quality of their work and the people they are able to help. Research has shown that up to 20% of orphanages are funded solely by their founders.
‘DashMe Foundation is a social enterprise that has been established to have a transformative impact on the lives of orphans and vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth and the victims of domestic violence’,Adeosun added.
‘ We plan to solve the problems of these groups of Nigerians by raising funds that will go directly to them through the people who work closely with them. Funding will come from innovative fundraising activities, sponsorships and partnerships with corporate and global foundations who have interest in Africa’.
The foundation launched on Monday via a post on the former Minister’s Facebook account was chaired by Nigerian Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, while former Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun who she(Adeosun) served under before her appointment as Minister was conspicuously absent at the event.
The former Ministers while appreciating all guests who graced the occasion said her prayer is that the future leaders and partners of our foundation, will reflect on the day as one of a humble beginning that has led to her vision to create a blueprint for sustainable social enterprise and accountability in charitable donations for Africa’s orphaned and vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and victims of domestic violence
Thank God for the successful launch of DashMe Foundation I would like to thank everyone that made yesterday’s event possible; my husband and my family, the entire DashMe family, our partner-organizations, friends, and well-wishers. I cannot thank you enough’.
‘I would like to specially thank the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, who gracefully chaired the occasion and has shown enormous support for DashMe throughout our journey so far’.
‘It is my prayer that the future leaders and partners of our foundation, will reflect on this day as one of a humble beginning that has led to our vision to create a blueprint for sustainable social enterprise and accountability in charitable donations for Africa’s orphaned and vulnerable children, disadvantaged youth, and victims of domestic violence’, she emphasised.
Meanwhile, it is recalled following the registration of Adeosun on September 14,2018 and accepted by the President, she (Adeosun) left Nigeria soil, and remained incommunicado to general public.
