Adepeju Babatunde Olukokun is an amazing young man who is making waves right now on the amount of his philanthropy. Over the last 7 years, he has been feeding the poor and needy.
So popular is he that many don’t know his real name, but are familiar with only the name of his organisation, KOKUN Foundation. He was recently our guest on City People TV Instagram Live Chat, where he spoke about what motivates him to give and help the needy. Below are excerpts.
How has it been in the last 3 months, touching lives, and helping people and making happy?
It has been a stressful time for me but extremely nice. I have been able to reach out to people in Abeokuta and Ibadan to touch lives. I have been working strenuously. I have been able to reach out to thousands of people in general places. I am happy that God has used me and some other people to touch many lives.
How did you get the inspiration to start your Foundation?
This is like my 7th year and I have been registered for 4 years. I have been to 19 States in Nigeria to reach out to people. It depends on my mood. We are reaching out to more states.
How do you go about it? How do you determine who will benefit next from your large heart? What do you try to do?
For now, in Lagos, everybody knows me. But in other states, I can say I am coming. And people will tell me, Mr. Kokun, go to this area, there are a lot of people who need help here and there. I go to where I can find poor people.
You spend a lot. How do you cope with the huge funding? How do you raise the money you spend?
I don’t fund it all alone. God has been doing it. I have a lot of individuals, companies and anonymous donors who support us and like what we are doing. It is not my money. I don’t spend my money. A lot of people donate to us and we thank God for them. May God continue to provide for them.
At the time you started, how did you get the call? What made you start?
My mummy is a spiritual person. My mummy taught me how to give. My mum is my inspiration. About 6 years ago she used to send me out to distribute food in Ogba for people at the Railway. Since that time I have been trying my best. So, it has been part of me.
I also know you cook food and distribute…
I cook daily. For the food it is not only the people on the street who are hungry. Those who live with you also can be hungry. Our neighbours may be hungry. I just felt cooking is the most important thing and essential commodity. That is why I make sure I cook daily.
Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Sagamu, Ogun State. I grew up in Oke-Ira area of Ogba in Lagos. From Sagamu I came to Lagos. As for schooling, I schooled in Ogun Sate. That is where I did my SSC and Junior School. The rest was in Lagos.
How do you cope with the pressures of doing what you do? You are always busy day in, day out?
The reason for pressure is because I am a popular and the volume of food I share. They see my bus and so crowd gathers easily. I am used to it. Every day, we cook. Every day we reach out to the poor. Every day I reach out to the widow and single mothers. My office is open to people. People come to my office to collect foodstuff at Ogba, Oke Ira Shopping Complex. I have stores where I keep raw foodstuff and we give foodstuff out to people. We cook there. We give out raw food every day. During Ramadan I cooked every day, we gave out food. My workers are there to give them food. After Lockdown, I plan to go around other states.
Are you a Christian or a Muslim?
I am both. Hunger knows no religion. Both Christians and Muslims are hungry. Because of the kind of thing I do, I don’t want to take sides. I am both. I reach out to all of the Christians, Muslims and even Traditionalists only God knows who is really worshipping him or not worshipping him.
How do you relax?
I use to travel abroad to rest. But we can’t travel for now. For now, we are in work mode. We are working now.
What sort of a person is the founder of Kokun Foundation?
I am a very gentle person, honest, humble, easy-going. I don’t talk. I am just looking for the best.
For how long are you willing to do this?
To be touching lives and making people happy.
Till the day I stop breathing?
Do you know how many people you’ve touched their lives? And how many people are following you on your IG?
I have 391,000 people follow on I.G. As for people whose lives I have touched, I can’t count. I can’t just count. I have lost counting, it is not possible to count.
What is your ultimate ambition in life?
To make sure nobody goes to sleep hungry and wake up hungry. That is just it
What is your message to our viewers watching us now?
Be truthful to yourself. Stay true to your self. Let your Yes be Yes and your No be No and I am also assuring you that things will be ok. That is the way to succeed in life.
READ ALSO: MANY PEOPLE ARE NOW SUFFERING FROM COVID-19 PSYCHOSIS – LAGOS STATE HEALTH COMMISSIONER, PROF. ABAYOMI
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