Akin Fadeyi Foundation Inaugurates ‘Impact Series’ Debut with Afe Babalola

Funmi Ogundare

Akin Fadeyi Foundation is set to kick off it’s ‘Impact Series’, a digital footprint celebration of living icons with the Founder of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).

The initiative is aimed at celebrating excellence, benevolence, as well as fostering the culture of appreciation for living legends.

Speaking at the virtual inauguration yesterday, the Founder of Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), Mr. Akin Fadeyi, explained that he was motivated by Afe Babalola’s exceptional qualities and achievements, adding that part of his accomplishments was how he donated £10 million to establish a learning centre at King’s College, London, in March last year,  to enable young Africans to access education and opportunities which they might not be able to achieve.

Fadeyi recalled how one of the projects he handled ran into murky waters with a former minister in Nigeria, saying that the minister had brought state machinery on him and even wrote several institutions, including the Inspector General of Police (IG), to blacklist and tag him an enemy of the state.

Fortunately, he stated that four people, including Afe Babalola, had intervene during his travails.

According to him,”Four different people were raised by God to erect the pillars of intervention for me. I never granted media interviews nor made any statement in public.

“The powers that be were granting interviews against me. The four people who stood for me were Simon Kolawole, publisher of the Cable; Dr. Kole Shettima, director at the MacArthur Foundation; Mr. Adebayo Adenipekun of the Afe Babalola Chambers, and Chief Afe Babalola himself, who got interested in the story and ensured that his chambers defended me  pro bono.”

The founder explained that his project did not only survive, but has been able to rescue a lot of domestic violence victims and defined the need for behavioral change in the society.

“As at today, we have partnered countless institutions in Nigeria. It has been a story of forbearance and tenacity of purpose and not giving up.

“There is no better way to talk about other people’s story. We are going to produce four digital series starting with Are Afe Babalola. My law suit then was close to N13 million, but himself and Adebayo Adenipekun ensured that I paid no dime.

“On November 20, 2018, after fighting for me at the law court, they ensured that I got victory as the case was struck out for lack of merit,” Fadeyi stressed.

He stated that the impact series will also showcase other unique Nigerians who are positive impact, as well as needy communities, adding: “This programme will be very unique. I have never met Chief Afe Babalola before, but I admire his story. We shall ensure that the initiative becomes a model for Nigerian youths to embrace the culture of diligence and hard work, ensure mutual respect and forbearance within our ecosystem.”