Alumni Group Breaks New Ground with Africa’s First Alumni-Powered Advocacy Platform

 Alumni Group Breaks New Ground with Africa’s First Alumni-Powered Advocacy Platform

In a powerful demonstration of alumni-driven social innovation, the GDSS Oke-Aluko Golden Mates 2001 Set, Ilorin, Kwara State, have launched the Every Child Under Care Advocacy Initiative (ECUCAI), Africa’s first alumni-led Advocacy platform (NGO) dedicated to address the societal concerns like parenting and child welfare.

The event, which drew a diverse audience of educators, alumni, and community leaders, marks a transformative moment in the fight against the root causes of Nigeria’s most pressing social ills. In his stirring presidential keynote, Mallam Bashir Ademola Yusuf, President of the Golden Mates (GDSS Oke-Aluko, 2001 Alumni), declared, “Today, we are not just making history; we are building a legacy. ECUCAI is a beacon of hope, a testament to our unity, and a call to action for all who believe in the power of nurturing every child. This initiative belongs to us all, and together, we will create lasting change for generations to come.”

Yusuf’s address painted a vivid picture of the urgent need for community-based parenting support. He recounted the story of a young boy, alone and overlooked, whose quiet resilience mirrors the plight of millions of Nigerian children. “There are benches across Nigeria where children wait not for handouts, but for guidance, not for money, but for mentors. That moment is why ECUCAI was born. Because no child should walk alone. Parenting is no longer a two-person job, it is a community calling,” he emphasized.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Mariam Alwajud-Adewusi of the University of Ilorin’s Department of Educational Guidance and Counselling, reinforced this message, stating, “Parenting is the first school every child attends. When we empower parents with knowledge, empathy, and support, we are investing in the very foundation of our communities and our nation. Effective parenting is not just a private responsibility; it is a public good that shapes the destiny of society.” Dr. Alwajud-Adewusi highlighted the direct link between the breakdown of parenting and the rise in social vices such as banditry, ritual killings, cybercrime, and corruption, urging a renewed partnership between schools and communities to nurture responsible, well-adjusted citizens.

Comrade Ajadi A. Abdulazeez, the second keynote speaker, who doubled as an old student of the same school, 1993 set, delved into the unique challenges facing Nigerian families, from economic hardship to changing family structures. He called for sustained, community-driven advocacy to ensure that no child is left behind, stressing that “the collapse of parenting and family values is at the root of our national crisis.”

Hajia Rasheedat Yusuf, a Golden Mates alumna, delivered a passionate appeal for collective responsibility in raising children. “Every child’s well-being is a shared commitment. We must all become secondary parents, alumni, educators, and neighbours, so that no child is left out,” she said.

ECUCAI is designed as more than a program it is a blueprint for sustainable change. The initiative mobilizes alumni as mentors, provides counseling and support for broken homes, and partners with schools, governments, and NGOs to shift the national conversation on parenting. By addressing the root causes of youth vulnerability, ECUCAI aims to reduce crime, promote positive values, and build a more resilient society.

The launch was made possible by the collective efforts and generous support moral, financial, and physical of the Golden Mates alumni. President Yusuf expressed deep gratitude to all contributors, especially the Advocacy Steering Committee, and called on those yet to contribute to join in sustaining this groundbreaking vision.

With ECUCAI, the GDSS Oke-Aluko Golden Mates 2001 Set have not only made history, they have ignited a movement. As the first alumni group in Africa to formally address societal challenges through an organized advocacy Initiative, they invite all Nigerians and Africans to rally behind this cause, ensuring that every child, every family, and every community has the chance to thrive.

For more information on ECUCAI and how to support this initiative, contact the GDSS Oke-Aluko Golden Mates 2001 Set on info.gdssokealuko2001@gmail.com or call Mrs Adejoke Adelufosi 

on +2347030055825.