Photo: QYO Foundation’s founder, Queen Yetunde (second from left) presenting an award to HRM King Lawal-Bello (middle) confirming him as a ‘Life Patron,’ in picture with Durojaye Kafayat (first from left), Olofinyokun Adeyemi (second from right), and High Chief Idowu Erinfolami (first from right) / © QYO Foundation.
Nigerian-based nonprofit, Queen Yetunde Olofintade (QYO) Foundation faces a new milestone after an endorsement from His Royal Majesty, Dr. Ibrahim Olasunkanmi Lawal-Bello (CoP), King of Isheri Olofin Kingdom, Alimosho, Lagos State, Nigeria, and his palace chiefs on Wednesday, May 7.
The nonprofit honoured the king with the role of its foundation’s “Royal Father and Life Patron,” during its official visit to the palace; a first of its kind for the monarch since his coronation ceremony in April. His Majesty accepted the role, endorsing and expressing his admiration for the foundation’s mission and vision.
He acknowledged the organisation’s efforts and “encouraged us to continue with pure intentions, assuring us that, in time, growth and relief would come,” according to a statement from the foundation. He emphasized that “perseverance will lead to the realization of even greater impact than we can currently imagine.”
The newly founded nonprofit by Queen Yetunde Lawal-Bello, is dedicated to empowering children, especially the girl child, promoting education, healthcare, and community development. Its commitment is about “making a meaningful difference. This is represented in our vision ‘Give a Hand, Change a Life,’ which we think is both inspiring and necessary in today’s world,” stressed Queen Yetunde in a post-event statement to theafricandream.net.
QYO Foundation announced last month that its first event as a nonprofit will hold on May 28, a program it has called “Pad-A-Girl Initiative.” It is designed to empower and raise awareness about menstrual hygiene, break the stigma surrounding menstruation, and provide free sanitary pads to female students.
As stated by the foundation, providing girls with free sanitary pads in Nigeria is a significant and impactful endeavour. It mentioned that over 37 million women and girls of reproductive age lack access to menstrual hygiene products due to cost, as noted by former Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs Pauline Tallen in 2021.
This leads to significant school absenteeism, as supported by a UNICEF 2022 estimate that 23% of girls in Nigeria were absent from school due to their period. This was primarily due to lack of access to menstrual hygiene products, stigma, and inadequate sanitation facilities.
“Lack of sanitary pads force many Nigerian girls to use unhygienic alternatives like rags, leaves, or newspapers, increasing risks of urinary tract infections,” emphasized QYO Foundation. “This is why we are starting out with Pad-A-Girl Initiative.”
The foundation will host the program in collaboration with schools in Isheri Olofin Kingdom, with plans to extend nationwide over time. The announcement intrigued His Majesty, who endorsed the Pad-A-Girl Initiative at the event, recognizing it as a commendable initiative that will contribute meaningfully to community development.
He encouraged the team that they should not allow challenges, especially financial constraints, deter them from their purpose or discourage their spirits. He made his pledge to support the foundation and fulfil the purpose of his new role as a Life Patron and Royal Father to the organisation.
“His Majesty offered heartfelt prayers for the entire QYO team, including the founder and all dedicated volunteers. We are deeply honoured and encouraged by this royal endorsement and look forward to a fruitful partnership in service to our communities,” said Queen Yetunde to theafricandream.net.
Written by Abeeb Lekan Sodiq.
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He’s as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
