VAHAL FOUNDATION: Beyond YAHOO YAHOO, Harnessing Internet For Good Use
VAHAL FOUNDATION is a registered Non Profit Organization and it is an initiative put together by the children of Late Princess Victoria Ademubipo Akinmoladun to reach out to the less privileged in the society. This is one of the many things she was given to, as a way of paying it forward, before she passed on to glory on April 20th, 2019.
On Tuesday, May 2nd 2023, Victoria Ademubipo Hope Alive Foundation celebrated Princess 4th year remembrance, the foundation which was created in honour of Victoria Akinmoladun, the foundation aims to empower young people, the less privileged and orphans. The foundation has 3 centres at the moment which are in Ibadan, Lagos and Ondo and each has its coordinator.
The Ibadan centre commemorated the 4th year remembrance with a symposium and quiz competition for 10 public secondary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State. The programme which was held at St. Luke’s College, Molete, Ibadan. The schools in attendance were; Yejide Girls Grammar School, St Luke’s College, Senior School 1, Molete, St Luke’s College, Senior School 2, Ibadan Grammar School , Anglican Grammar School , St Anne’s College, Molete, St David’s High School and also a private school in the midst Ibadan South Diocese Comprehensive College.
The programme started 10 a.m. with volunteers of VAHAL Foundation from different walks of life in attendance, the students were made to know about VAHAL Foundation and why it was created. Then the anchor of the programme Hon. Adebayo Akinola who represents Ogbomosho South Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly Youth Parliament, enlightened the students about academics and how to focus on their main priorities which is their academics. He also said he hopes very soon, more people with the well withal will learn to impact on the younger ones more.
The 2023 VAHAL Foundation Symposium themed; BEYOND YAHOO YAHOO: HARNESSING INTERNET
FOR GOOD USE. The speaker was Timothy Olusegun Ayodele, the co-founder of Sheda House which was founded in 2020. An organization whose primary business is branding, marketing and skill acquisition. Using unique methods, and leveraging on a mentor system has trained hundreds of young people to become software developers, designers photographers, managers and so on.
He told the students to harness opportunities on the internet and should always use the internet for learning, he made emphasis that a Google search, is the best way to use the internet, through this they can learn and add value to themselves. Timothy who works as a Software Engineer told the students to explore opportunities in the world of tech and while they are in tertiary institution, they should read well and pass their exams and at the same time add value to themselves. He told them not to go through the corners, no looking for shortcuts, but do the hardworking that is expedient of them and be able to impact other people by their achievements. Question and answer session was also held and it was a great one.
The quiz competition was also held and the question were general knowledge and IT related questions. 7 public secondary schools participated in the quiz competition. Each school was represented by a student, the students were given 20 seconds to answer their questions, eventually Yejide Girls Grammar School came 1st in the competition with Ibadan Grammar School coming 2nd. The two winners were given a Chromebook Laptop and each of the other participants were given a chess which was sponsored by VAHAL Foundation and OneWay Entertainment, USA.
The laptops were present to the winners by the Principal of St Luke’s College. Students gave their feedback about the programme and they were positive about the event, the joy in hearts of the student was palpable, the winners expressed their joy as being a beneficiary of the foundation and they also hope to harness opportunities that come their way, by believing they can be anything as long as they are willing to put in the hardwork and energy.
The sponsors of the foundation promised to increase the number of participating schools and also increase prizes to be won in the next edition.The closing remark was given by the coordinator Mr. Oluwasegun Akinmoladun, he thanked the host school, principal, teachers, sponsors and also the volunteers.
Taiwo Adeyinka-Omoleye
