Morenikeji Adebayo
The Founder of Household of Love Foundation, Mrs. Antonia Akinlawon, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to rehabilitating and empowering street boys in Nigeria, as the foundation unveiled a new home for the initiative on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Speaking at the house dedication ceremony, Mrs. Akinlawon disclosed that the foundation is set to provide shelter, mentorship and educational opportunities for 14 street boys, in a bid to reintegrate them into society as successful and responsible citizens.
She said, “This started five years ago during my search for what I could give back to God. I have nurtured boys in the past on a smaller scale—one is now a lawyer, another a medical doctor. These were once street boys who had no direction.”
The new home, according to her, has the capacity to accommodate 14 boys, who would be enrolled in a private university and fully supported through their academic journey.
Mrs. Akinlawon clarified that the foundation seeks not just homeless boys, but those in desperate need of a stable and nurturing environment. “We want to raise men who will in turn raise others, creating a ripple of positive change across the country,” she added.
Also speaking at the event, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Adewale Martins, lauded the initiative and announced the Archdiocese’s plan to establish a technical institution.
He said the proposed centre would offer vocational training in areas such as IT, electronics, POP design, and block making, aimed at reducing the rising trend of youth emigration.
“This collaboration has the potential to offer young people skills that are not only useful in Nigeria but also competitive globally. Whether they go to university or not, they will be empowered,” he said.
The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who also graced the occasion, praised Mrs. Akinlawon’s commitment to social upliftment and pledged his support to the foundation.
“Those who give back to humanity will always be remembered. It is not an easy task, and I commend her selflessness. I will be a frequent visitor to this home,” the monarch said.
The ceremony attracted stakeholders from religious, traditional and civil society circles, all united in their call for more initiatives aimed at rehabilitating and empowering vulnerable youth across the country.
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