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In a landmark event that sets a new standard for alumni engagement and social responsibility in Africa, the GDSS Oke-Aluko, Ilorin, Kwara State, 2001 Set have officially launched the Every Child Under Care Advocacy Initiative (ECUCAI), the continent’s first alumni-powered advocacy platform that address societal concerns, like parenting and child welfare.
The historic launch, attended by alumni, educators, and community leaders, is more than a milestone; it is a movement to address one of the most urgent roots of Nigeria’s social challenges: the crisis of parenting. As Mallam Bashir Ademola Yusuf, President of the union, declared in his opening remarks, He identified that “the banditry in the North, ritual killings in the West, cybercrime in the South and corruption everywhere. All of these are not random symptoms, they are the fruits of a deeper root: the collapse of parenting and family values.
If we want to stop the chaos, we must start with the home. And if we want to rebuild the home, we must first redefine parenting.”
He added that “ECUCAI is a strategic model, built to be replicated, scaled, and sustained. Through ECUCAI, we are:
We are not just reacting, we are rebuilding. We are not just giving back, we are giving forward.”
The event’s keynote address, delivered by Dr. Mariam Alwajud-Adewusi of the Department of Educational Guidance and Counselling, University of Ilorin, powerfully underscored the link between parenting and societal wellbeing. Dr. Alwajud-Adewusi noted, 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. She emphasized that the breakdown of parenting is at the heart of rising social vices, and that school-community partnerships are essential in nurturing responsible, well-adjusted citizens.
Comrade Ajadi A. Abdulazeez, the second keynote speaker, explored the unique challenges facing Nigerian families today. He highlighted how economic hardship, absent parents, and shifting values have left many children vulnerable to negative influences. He called for community-driven advocacy to bridge the gaps left by changing family structures, stressing that “no child should walk alone, and no home should raise a child in isolation.”
Hajia Rasheedat Yusuf, a proud Golden Mates alumna, delivered a heartfelt address on the transformative power of positive parenting. She urged alumni, educators, and the broader community to see every child’s wellbeing as a shared commitment, reinforcing the core values of empathy, unity, and service.
ECUCAI stands as a pioneering response to the evolving needs of Nigerian families, offering programs, resources, and advocacy that support parents and caregivers. The initiative is a strategic model, built to be replicated, scaled, and sustained, mobilizing alumni as mentors, providing counselling for broken homes, and partnering with schools, governments, and NGOs to shift the national conversation. Research has shown that parenting styles with high expectations and support reduce the risk of crime and social vices, while neglect and lack of guidance increase vulnerability to negative peer influence and criminal behavior.
The launch was made possible by the collective efforts and generous support, moral, financial, and physical of the Golden Mates alumni. President Yusuf expressed profound gratitude to all contributors, with special appreciation to the Advocacy Steering Committee, whose passion inspired others to give. He encouraged 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 parenting advocacy, they invite all 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.
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