At TOKAN Foundation and the Child Rights & Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC), we honour the fathers, brothers, mentors, and advocates who stand as pillars of strength and compassion in our communities. Positive male role models are vital in shaping healthier families, promoting child rights, and fostering a brighter future for all.

#TOKANFoundation #CRJJC #InternationalMensDay #PositiveMaleRoleModels #MensMentalHealth #SupportingMen #ChildRights #Lagos #Nigeria

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Thank you for standing with us, carrying our mantle from month to month, and helping us meet our goals. Your generosity, commitment, and shared vision have empowered us to support hundreds of children in need, secure justice for the vulnerable, and create brighter futures together.

Together, we have achieved so much this year, and it’s all thanks to your unwavering support. As we look ahead, we are inspired by the collective impact we can continue to make. For our new supporters, you can read about our activities in 2024 and previous years at https://tokanfoundation.com/blog/ and on social media. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey with us.

The journey ahead is filled with possibilities, and with your continued support, we will keep making a lasting difference in the lives of children who need it the most. You can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s Zenith Bank Account No. 1015972986 or paystack. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government.

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With the September back-to-school season, we made sure our beneficiaries were well-prepared for the new school year. The 1st Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year commenced on 9 September 2024 for millions of students across Nigeria. Ahead of resumption, TOKAN Foundation purchased and delivered school bags, shoes, sandals, stationery, and other requested supplies to students in four Children’s Centers across Lagos State. Payments for academic tuition for our beneficiaries are ongoing.

3D Printing Summer Boot Camp for Teens

From the 2nd to the 6th of September 2024, ten of our beneficiaries participated in the 3D Printing Summer Boot Camp for Teens in Yaba. Sponsored by Evon Labs, the camp provided a unique learning experience, while we covered transportation and meal expenses for all attendees.

CRJJC Know Your Rights Phase II

Please mark your calendars—the second phase of the CRJJC Know Your Rights Initiative is scheduled for November. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Fundraiser: 2024/2025 Academic Year

For the 2024/2025 Academic Year, we are dedicated to making a lasting impact, ensuring our beneficiaries have the tools to thrive both in and out of school. Your donations are crucial to our mission, and we invite you to continue partnering with us to bridge the gap and create a future filled with opportunities for every child and young person.

You can support our efforts by donating to Account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or online at Paystack. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and government bodies.

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For many girls in Nigeria and around the world, their dreams of a bright future are too often overshadowed by challenges such as limited access to education, violence, child marriage, and unequal opportunities. These barriers prevent girls from fully realizing their vision for themselves and their communities.

At TOKAN Foundation, we recognize that investing in girls’ education, rights, and well-being today will unlock a brighter, more equitable tomorrow. Girls are not merely beneficiaries of change; they are its catalysts. That’s why we continue to prioritize programs that empower girls to take ownership of their futures. Through financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal aid provided by CRJJC, we are committed to making girls’ visions for the future a reality.

A Call for Collective Action

As we celebrate the strength and vision of girls, we call on governments, organisations, communities, and individuals to join us in removing the barriers that stand in their way. Let’s work together to create environments where girls’ voices are amplified, their rights are protected, and their visions for the future are realized.

Let’s commit to empowering every girl to dream big and achieve even more.

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You can support TOKAN Foundation and CRJJC with donations to the foundation’s bank account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or via Paystack. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and the government.

For more information about TOKAN Foundation, CRJJC, or to discuss ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com, and engage with us on social media.

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Today, we celebrate your dedication and recognize the profound difference you make in every student’s life. May you continue to be a guiding light and a source of inspiration.

Happy Teachers’ Day!

#TOKANFoundation #charity #Nigeria #education #scholarship #equity #donations #NGO #nonprofit #students

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Thanks to the generous support of our donors, volunteers, and partners, we were able to deliver life-changing programs that provided hope, education, and essential services to children and their families.

You can read our full report at: 2023-24 Academic Report

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In ensuring that our beneficiaries continue to have access to quality education and welfare, we provided the following support valued at ₦2,950,454 (Two Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty-Four Naira) in the 3rd Term and Long Vacation of the 2023/2024 Academic Year:

• Tuition scholarships and Textbooks – 8 students

• Daily lunch stipends – 26 students

• School bags, shoes, and other supplies – 40 students

• School lessons – 5 students

• Graduation fees and school party clothes – 16 students

• UTME fees – 2 students

• Medical support – 3 students

• Secondary school class teachers – Monthly Salary, teachers at SCC Girls and SCC Boys

• Legal support – 9 child offenders

Other activities:

• Donation of essential drugs and supplies to the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”), and the Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”) in partnership with Drug Aid Africa.

• Donation of TV to Correctional Center for Junior Boys in Birrel, Yaba (“CCJB”).

• Purchase of CRJJC t-shirts and roll up banners for the Know Your Rights Initiative.

• Celebration of graduates at the Correctional Center for Junior Boys in Birrel, Yaba (“CCJB”), and the Correctional Center for Senior Boys in Isheri (“CCSB”).

• Purchase of anniversary t-shirts for 6th Anniversary benefit sale.

Social and Other Support:

We continued our weekly social visits to both CCJB and CCSB. In addition, we purchased a smart television for CCJB with the support of an anonymous donor. For the older boys in CCSB, we worked with the center to ensure that the older children obtained NIN, BVN, and bank accounts. We also secured phones for 4 boys who recently turned eighteen. These phones were donated by our sponsors and is part of our mission to adequately empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and positively-impacting members of their communities. We have also committed to support the older girls at CCG with similar provisions.

6th Anniversary Celebrations and Benefit Sale

To celebrate our 6th Anniversary on 14 June, we commissioned two paintings by Victoria Oniosun, titled Mother, Provider (2024) and Graduation (2024). Proceeds from this auction will go directly into our work, funding the welfare of more children in Nigeria. The auction is managed by June Creative Art Advisory(JCAA). To place a bid, kindly contact Seun Alli at +2348179830800, hq@jcaalagos.com, or jcaalagos@gmail.com.

Our commemorative t-shirts of “Mother, Provider” (2024) and “Graduation” (2024) are also available for sale at ₦20,000 each.

Legal Support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”)

Court Representation

Between April and August, CRJJC’s volunteer lawyers represented 9 children in Court for various offences and secured the release of 2 children (a boy and a girl). We also secured bail for 2 other children ensuring that they returned to their families and were able to resume their education during the trial. In this period, our volunteer lawyers appeared in court 19 times, expending dozens of pro bono hours on behalf of our clients whose parents only have to pay for filing fees. Filing and other court fees are paid for by TOKAN Foundation for children whose parents are unable to afford same.

Know Your Rights Initiative 

In June and July 2024, CRJJC hosted the Know Your Rights Initiative across five correctional centres for children in Lagos. The first event was held on 15 June 2024 at the Special Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Oregun (“SCCB”); a combined event was held on 22 June 2024 for the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”); another combined event was held on 13 July 2024 for CCJB and CCSB. The events were coordinated by a team of experienced lawyers, law students, and other volunteers. The lawyer-speakers discussed Child Rights (under the Nigerian Constitution and laws) and Child Justice Administration.

Tope Tokan-Lawal receives the Distinguished Merit Award

Our founder and Chair was, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, presented with the Distinguished Merit Award by the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (“NANNS”) for her work at TOKAN Foundation. She was inducted to the NANNS 2024 Hall of Fame as an Icon of Hope in recognition of my immense contribution towards national development, educational upliftment, youth engagement, and relentless service to humanity.

Donation of Essential Drugs and Medical Supplies with Drug Aid Africa

On Saturday, 17 August 2024, we again joined Drug Aid Africa to donate essential drugs and medical supplies, including items like paracetamol, dewormers, antimalarials, antibiotics, and sanitary pads to Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCG”). This is the second round of donations made in partnership with Drug Aid Africa, the first of which was done in March 2024.

Fundraiser: 2024/2025 Academic Year

For the 2024/2025 Academic Year, we hope to continue our impact and ensure that our beneficiaries can thrive in and out of school. Your donations remain crucial to our work, and we hope you will continue to work with us to bridge the gap and ensure that every child and young person has a future filled with opportunities and growth.

You can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s Account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation. We also welcome partnerships from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government.

About Us

TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People is a registered charity dedicated to providing financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”). We believe that every child and young person deserves a future filled with opportunities and growth. Through our various programs, we strive to one day create a world where no child or young person is denied a future of possibilities.

For more information about TOKAN Foundation or to discuss other ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com, and engage with us on social media.

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We are happy with this recognition and celebrate with her and our team at TOKAN Foundation, as well as our donors, volunteers, supporters, well wishers and partners. This award celebrates us all!

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The Initiative was aimed at informing the children about their rights and its sources, helping them recognize when these rights are applicable, and helping them understand how to leverage those rights. One pertinent goal was to ensure that the children understood that they were humans with inalienable rights, just like the adults. We believe that children who know their rights can better speak up against violations and even educate their parents, children, and adults about them. The Initiative also sought to raise awareness about CRJJC’s mission and services and encouraged children to seek assistance when needed.

The event was coordinated by a team of experienced lawyers, law students, and other volunteers. The lawyer-speakers discussed Child Rights (under the Nigerian Constitution and laws) and Child Justice Administration. Individualised breakout sessions were held to mentor and engage with each child on a personal  level. The event also included icebreakers, game sessions, and giveaways. At the end of each event, a child was invited to “Be My Lawyer,” an interactive game where they were provided with a set of facts and asked how they would legally represent another child with the knowledge gained from the event.

The breakout sessions provided lawyers with more insight into issues faced by children in each centre. A recurrent issue at SCCB was the prosecution of only boys for underage sexual conduct with girls, i.e., defilement. A recurrent issue at the SCCG and CCG was child labour (working as house girls) and defilement by adults. Note that under the law, the term “rape” is used when the survivor is an adult and “defilement” when the survivor is a child. In Nigeria, boys are prosecuted under the laws of defilement. In contrast, other jurisdictions recognise that children engage in sexual conduct and have special “Romeo and Juliet” laws to address these through guidance and counselling, instead of prosecution.

The events of June/July marked Phase 1 of the Initiative, which we hope to repeat in subsequent quarters. We appreciate our team of trustees and volunteers who ensured that these events were educational and impactful. In no particular order we appreciate CRJJC’s Trustees – Tope Tokan-Lawal and Akorede Adelupe; our volunteer lawyers, Abayomi Osuntuyi, Lolade Ayeni, Raphael Irenen, Seun Alli (a trustee of TOKAN Foundation), Yosola Diya; and our student volunteers – Oluwatunmise Lasisi (LASU), Oluebube James (UNILAG), Christabel Chika (UNIZIK), Sharon Ogunjiofor (UNILAG), Fathia Adetola (LASU). Special gratitude goes to our patrons, Itselela Omo-Ikirodah and Ogranya Jable Osai.

Support Our Mission

The Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (“CRJJC”), registered as the Child Rights and Juvenile Advocacy Center with CAC/IT/No/193337, is the legal services arm of TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People inspired by the TOKAN Initiative. We provide legal support to children and juveniles in Nigeria. Our wholistic approach to child rights advocacy and juvenile justice helps to ensure that children and juveniles receive needed support in and out of the court room.

How You Can Help

Donations remain crucial to our work and you can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s bank account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation (for Nigerian and International donations).

For more information about CRJJC or to explore other ways to support our work, please reach out to us at crjjc@tokanfoundation.com and engage with us on social media. We warmly welcome partnerships with individuals, businesses, religious organizations, and government agencies.

Thank you for your continued support!

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Promoting Healthy Development

We recognize the importance of play in children’s healthy development. That’s why we organize group activities and excursions that benefit their growth and well-being, ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive.

Advocacy and Juvenile Justice

Child rights advocacy and juvenile justice remains a critical, yet often overlooked, issue in Nigeria. As a result, many children fall through the cracks, with hundreds stuck in correctional institutions without legal representation. In November 2022, TOKAN Foundation launched the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Centre (CRJJC). Since then, we have secured the release of six children from various reform centers across Nigeria, and more children are now receiving legal representation from our Foundation.

Heartfelt Gratitude

Our achievements would not be possible without the support of YOU, our dedicated supporters. Your belief in our mission—that  no child or young person should be denied a future of possibilities—fuels our efforts. Your ongoing support and donations make this challenging work easier and more impactful.

We also extend our gratitude to our trustees, executives, volunteers, donors, and partners. Special thanks go to caregivers, social workers, teachers, proprietors, magistrates, and judges for their tireless commitment to prioritizing children’s welfare.

6th Anniversary Special Benefit Sale

To celebrate our 6th Anniversary, we commissioned two paintings by Victoria Oniosun, titled Mother, Provider (2024) and Graduation (2024). Proceeds from this auction will go directly into our work, funding the welfare of more children in Nigeria. The auction is managed by June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA), and proceeds will support the Foundation’s mission and various outreaches slated for the year. To place a bid, kindly contact Seun Alli at +2348179830800, hq@jcaalagos.com, or jcaalagos@gmail.com.

Can’t bid? No problem!

You can also buy our commemorative t-shirts of “Mother, Provider” (2024) and “Graduation” (2024) for  ₦20,000. Place an order by sending an email to hello@tokanfoundation.com or tokanfoundation@gmail.com.

Support Our Mission

TOKAN Foundation for Children and Young People is a registered charity dedicated to providing financial, educational, and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people across Nigeria, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (CRJJC). Through our various programs, we strive to one day create a world where no child or young person is denied a future of possibilities.

How You Can Help

Donations remain crucial to our work and you can support our activities with donations to the foundation’s bank account No. 1015972986 (Zenith Bank Plc) or https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation (for Nigerian and International donations).

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