GC4W Founder award 30 students scholarships, unveils innovation hub at Holy Child College, Lagos
KEHINDE EMMANUEL, ILORIN
Founder, Global Connection For Women Foundation (GC4W)Ambassador Dr Lilian Ajayi-Ore, has awarded scholarships to 30 students of Holy Child College, South-West, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.
She also placed the institution on global limelight as she unveiled the Global Connection For Women Foundation (GC4W) leadership and innovation hub in the school after renovating a hall to international standard and artificial intelligence compliance..
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Recognising Ajayi-Ore, the founder of (GC4W), who through the foundation has positively impacted women, the girls child and education, the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), United Nations Peace Volunteers at the event on January 19, 2025 decorated her, a retired Comptroller, Nigeria Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, Ambassador Muhammed Aliu Akadri and Administrator, Holy Child College, South West, Ikoyi, Lagos, Rev Sister Ambassador Christiana Oluwafunmike Olagunji, as global peace ambassadors.
Ajayi-Ore, according to a statement on Thursday, also said giving out scholarships is her family’s legacy as her brother, Sean Ajayi has also been giving out scholarship.
She canvassed support and incentives for students to advance in their academic pursuit.
She said: “My organization has always provided scholarships. We gave 30 students who are part of the schoolwork scholarship as well. And I’m so grateful that my brother is doing that. We grew up in a household where my mom always say there’s goodness in helping people. His organization is a little green. It’s still young, but I’m happy that he’s doing it. And I’m not surprised that my siblings are doing already worked. I’ve always been doing this.”
Ajayi-Ore who co-authored “The Power of Learning Mindset,; with Marshall Goldsmith which was also launched during the ceremony, said the book is very important especially now when learning is becoming less attractive such that people needed to be reminded that learning is an opportunity to not only grow their skills, but to also transform their future.
She stated that learning is very much the beginning stages of how people make the impossible possible.
Speaking on why she unveiled the leadership and innovation hub at the school, Ajayi-Ore said: I did this because of three reasons: I wanted to give back to a school that started with me. I was a Holy Child student for one term, but the impression that this particular educational institution left on me made me who I am today. And because of that, with the launch of my book:’The power of the Learning Mindset, I decided to do something different. And this establishment was my start to really engage in my own knowledge capacity. And the fact that it was coupled with my relationship with God, which got stronger when I was a student here, was something that was worthy of this very moment.
The educationist said Nigerian education is appreciable, adding that there are minimal distrations compared to some other educational system especially in advanced countries..
She said: “I think we’re on target. What’s different about here, which I really like, is the fact that there’s no telephone policy, which I’ve noticed. I think there’s a lot more distraction in a more developed environment than an undeveloped environment, which is what we have now. But I think in terms of the tenacity, the intelligence, the motivation, the attitudes and the desire to want more for oneself, and of course in our community, they align in that sense. There’s an alignment there. And then the academic institutions here and over there are set up to help our students win, which is the focus of the buck.”
She however said there are still the need to upscale Nigeria’s educational status.
Ajayi-Ore said though there is the much desired need to continue to educate the girl-child, it should also be balanced with the education of the boy-child.
She said: “Well, mine was personal.I chose Holy Child College because it is where I got started. I was less than 10 years old when I started here. This was my journey.This was my way of giving back to school that invested in me as well.
“In terms of balancing the scale, there’s a strong focus on women, because for a long time, women were underserved in a way. The truth is, the environment of women and power men and girls’ education has expanded. We’ve seen a tremendous amount of growth. But what we need to do now is to balance the scale, bring the boys into the picture. My organization, yes, is focused on global connection, but we try to provide access to girls and boys, male and female.”
Ajayi-Ore’s mother, Chief Ambassador Temitope Ajayi said it is important for people to give back to the society including their alma-mater, as according to her, she and her children have learnt the importance and benefits of giving back to the society.
She called on other Diasporans to give backl to their alma-mater through scholarships, renovations of school building and other investments that would upgrade educational standard in the country.
She said their philanthropy is also another way to support the Renewed Hope of President Bola Tinubu.
She said: “I’m happy with what my daughter has done. More of my daughters will do the same thing. I thank God, it is in our little way of giving back to the society. She has made an impact in life. She has done this for 10 years in America every year. Now, home is home. Rain or shine, let them come here.We doing all these things in many schools in Nigeria.
“This is also to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. It is also a joy of her being a global citizen It is an achievement of a lifetime. The people you do good to or you’re aware of, they are the ones that are going to take care of you when you come down.”
The Director of Education, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr Jerome Oduntan who represented the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, His Grace Archbishop Alfred Martin commended Ajayi-Ore for her investments and philanthropy.
He noted that quality education is important for societal development.
Administrator, Holy Child College, Rev Sister Christiana Olagunju commended Ajayi-Ore for her investments in the school.
She noted that some alma maters of the school had as a group invested in the school, she said that Ajayi-Ore’s singular investment was unique and overwhelming.
She said: “To God be the glory of this only event that took place. What God has used Dr. Lilian, to do in our school. She has spent a lot to make this happen. And to have this type of facility for the children and the guests to make use of. Not just for the premises alone, but on an international level, at the United States and other countries. It’s going a long way to enlighten the students and to broaden their mind. So they are not just students of Holy Child, but also they are international students. This wouldn’t have happened if it’s not for God using Ambassador Dr. Lilian to make this to come to pass.”
The beneficiaries of the scholarship expressed happiness and thanked Ajayi-Ore for her magnanimity.
One of them, Miss Francis Osude said: “ I feel really happy and honour for the scholarship. It will help me further my education and ambition of becoming a software engineer. I thank her very much for it.”
(DEMOCRACY NEWSLINE NEWSPAPER, JANUARY 29TH 2026)
