Heart of Gold 2026 Awards: Monarch Commends Foundation, Calls for Urgent Release of Kidnapped Nigerian Children
Lagos, June 29, 2026
The Heart of Gold Foundation is being hailed as a lifeline for Nigeria’s vulnerable, after the 2026 edition of its awards and fundraising luncheon brought together traditional, government, and community leaders in Lagos to back its 12-year mission of “teaching people how to fish.”
Held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, the event centered on the theme _“Beyond The Handout 2026 Luncheon and Fundraising.”_ The focus: sustainable empowerment over temporary palliatives.
“I Was a Beneficiary” – Ekiti Monarch Speaks
His Royal Majesty, Oba Ogundana Adewale, the Oba of Ikoyi Ekiti, led commendations for the foundation and its convener, Erelu Yeyemeso of Ikoyi Ekiti, Ehiagwina Joy Patrick.
Speaking from personal experience, the monarch said, “I was a beneficiary of the foundation’s benevolence in my town.”
He praised the foundation’s community support for youth and vulnerable persons, noting that sustained efforts like this could transform Nigerian youth “from poverty to prosperity.” He urged the foundation to double down on education and skill acquisition so young people can “become somebody in life.”
Oba Ogundana also used the platform to make a direct appeal to the Federal Government. “Government must improve security across Nigeria and fast-track the release of Nigerian children still in the den of bandits and kidnappers,” he said.
He further advised young people to stay alert and maximize opportunities like the ones Heart of Gold provides.
“Investing in Humanity is the Greatest Investment”
Keynote speaker Mr. Daramola Olanipekun Solomon described the foundation’s convener as a “visionary leader, accomplished administrator, farmer, and philanthropist per excellence.”
He said the Heart of Gold and Patrick Ejedawe Foundation have created “seamless lifelines” for the downtrodden across Edo, Ekiti, and Lagos States, with interventions capable of pulling many out of the poverty line.
The convener, Ehiagwina Joy Patrick, explained the foundation’s model: “We don’t just give people fish to eat. It’s really good to teach people how to fish.”
She said Heart of Gold focuses on sustainable living. For children, that means covering tuition, uniforms, sandals, and textbooks. For youth, it means trade and skill training, plus startup packages to launch businesses.
“We have a body that knows the parents of the children,” she said. “We monitor their progress at their training facilities to ensure accountability.” She noted the foundation is not women-only, but serves all vulnerable groups, and revealed a target of *₦250 million* to scale programs into more communities.
Government and Community Backing
Executive Chairman of Ikeja LGA, Comrade Akeem Olalekan Daudu aka “Lagbaja,” said governance cannot be done by government alone. He confirmed Heart of Gold’s impact in Ikeja, citing a recent outreach at Anifowoshe Primary School where students received items during inter-house sports.
“If one child is educated, therefore the whole is educated,” he said, while commending the foundation’s scholarships from primary to tertiary level.
Others who spoke included Mr. Stanley Samson, representing his father Bishop Dr. Tom Samson of Monarch University. He shared how empowerment changed his family’s story, from his grandfather’s death due to lack of medical funds, to today, with a world-class hospital and scholarships under his father’s foundation.
Dr. Antoinette Lecky, Special Adviser on Tourism to the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, said Heart of Gold is “really impacting humanity positively” and improving lives across the nation.
Panelist Captain Matthew Ijiachi urged young people to embrace patience, planning, and mentorship. “Success does not come by accident, but by careful planning and effective implementation,” he said, commending Ehiagwina and her husband, DCP Patrick Ejedawe, for their work.
The panel session was moderated by Mrs. Ifeoma Adefemi, with contributions from Mark Isimemen Idiahi and Omolara Oluisave.
Bottom line: From scholarship to skills, monitoring to mentorship, Heart of Gold says its mission is to move people beyond handouts into self-sustaining futures.
