1^st Term (September – December 2024) Report

With your help, in the 1^st Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year, we provided educational, social, medical, and legal support through the Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Centre (“CRJJC”). We also  partnered with We Run the World Girls (WRTWG) for Painting Smiles 2.0; celebrated CRJJC’s 2^nd Anniversary which also hosted phase II of its Know Your Rights Initiative for over 200 children in three correctional centres across Lagos.

At TOKAN Foundation, we believe that access to quality education is a basic human right, and no child should be so denied because of their or their parent’s socio-economic status, disability, gender, amongst other factors. Further, education can only be impactful when a child is fully supported in all the ways that they need. Since 2018, we have ensured that hundreds of marginalised children have access to quality education by providing tuition scholarships, daily lunch stipends, school supplies, after-school and national examination preparatory lessons, social support, and legal representation in court through our Child Rights and Juvenile Justice Center (@CR_JJC). We also established the Special Approved School in January 2023 for secondary school-aged girls within the Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG) in Idi-Araba, Lagos.

To continue our important work to fullfil our goal of  providing children everywhere with access to quality education and welfare, we provided the following support valued at ₦5,762,200 (Five Million, Seven Hundred and Sixty-Two Thousand, Two Hundred Naira):

• Tuition scholarships and Textbooks – 43 children
• Daily lunch stipends – 43 children
• School bags, shoes, and other supplies – 102 children
• Monthly Salaries for Secondary School Class Teachers – 4 teachers at Special Correctional Center for Girls (SCCG)
• Legal support – 6 children

We also ran and sponsored other activities for hundreds of children across Lagos:

• Painting Smiles 2.0 collaboration with We Run the World Girls foundation in December 2024 to provide catering and baking training to 50 girls
• Donation of Signposts/banners to the Children’s Correctional Center for Girls, Idi-Araba (CCCG)
• Skills Acquisitions trainings for Children’s Correctional Center for Girls, Idi-Araba
• Payments for school end-of-year parties, because every child has a right to play!

Social and Other Support:

We continued our regular social visits to all the Children’s Correctional Center across Lagos. We also purchased phones for our first University beneficiaries who recently graduated Secondary School. This support is part of our mission to adequately empower our beneficiaries to become self-sufficient and positively-impacting members of their communities.

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

Court Representation

Between September and December, CRJJC’s network of volunteer lawyers represented 6 children in a total of 14 court appearances for various offences, expending dozens of pro bono hours on behalf of our clients. 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 November 2024, CRJJC hosted Phase II of the Know Your Rights Initiative across three correctional centres for children in Lagos. The first event was held on 16 November 2024 at the Special Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Oregun (“SCCB”); a combined event was held on 23 November 2024 for the Special Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“SCCG”) and Children’s Correctional Centre for Girls, Idi Araba (“CCCG”). The events were coordinated by a volunteer team of experienced lawyers, law students, and other volunteers. The lawyer-speakers explained Child Rights and Child Justice Administration laws to keep them informed and protected as they continue to pass through the Nigerian justice system.

Back to School – 2^nd Term

 School Supplies for School Children

The 2nd Term of the 2024/2025 Academic Year commenced on 6 January 2025 for millions of students across Nigeria. It was no different for the children we support. Within the first 2 weeks, TOKAN Foundation purchased and delivered school bags, school shoes and sandals, stationary, and other supplies to students in four Children’s Centers across Lagos. Supplies were made based on specific requests from the children and their guardians, who have a greater understanding of their needs.

Tuition Scholarships and Fundraiser for 2^nd Term

The new term has commenced and so has payment for school fees for our beneficiaries. This is where you, our loyal donor, come in. We were able to do so much with your help last year. We would like to help even more children until our goal of ensuring every child has access to education, regardless of their socio-economic status, is realised.

As always we appreciate your support via donations to the TOKAN Foundation’s Zenith Bank Account No. 1015972986. If you prefer to pay online, you can donate through https://paystack.com/pay/tokanfoundation. We also welcome partnerships and collaborations from individuals, businesses, religious organisations, and the government. Anyone who shares our dream of educating young minds is welcome.

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 ways you can support our work, please reach out to us at hello@tokanfoundation.com or on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

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

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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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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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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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TOKAN Foundation also partnered with Dr Oluwaseun Ayotola of DOOA Health Services Limited to provide free medical consultancy services to the children at the correctional centers in Birrel and Isheri. DOOA Health Services is a health care service provider dedicated to delivering prompt and effective health care to clients at home. At the centers, Dr. Ayotola reviewed and evaluated each child’s health status and formulated effective treatment plans. The prescribed medicines were then provided through the collaborative effort of TOKAN Foundation and Drug Aid Africa, thus further ensuring that the children have access to the necessary medications. Dr. Ayotola also engaged with the children on proper hygiene by educating them on the importance of maintaining good health practices. Additionally, he committed to providing monthly routine health checks and on-call services. This holistic approach to healthcare not only addresses the immediate medical needs of the children but also empowers them with knowledge and resources to take charge of their health in the long term.

The partnerships align closely with TOKAN Foundation’s commitment to providing medical and social wellness support to vulnerable children and young people. By collaborating with organizations like Drug Aid Africa and individuals like Dr. Ayotola, the foundation is able to fulfill its mission of empowering children to become self-sufficient and positively impacting members of their communities.

Through these partnerships, we are not only addressing the immediate medical needs of the children but also working towards their long-term well-being and development. By providing essential medical services, including consultancy, treatment, and follow-up care, we are ensuring that the children receive the support they need to thrive physically and emotionally. Furthermore, by focusing on empowerment, the foundation is helping to break the cycle of vulnerability and dependence, equipping the children with the tools and resources they need to build better futures for themselves. This approach reflects a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of health, education, and social support in enabling individuals to reach their full potential.

Overall, TOKAN Foundation’s commitment to partnerships and holistic support underscores our dedication to making a lasting and positive impact on the lives of vulnerable children and young people.

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