In a heartening turn of events, three-year-old Abayomi Michael, a pupil at Christ-Mitots School in Ikorodu, Lagos, who was recently subjected to physical abuse by his teacher, has been awarded a comprehensive scholarship by Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd. The scholarship will cover his education from primary school through university.
The distressing incident, which involved Abayomi being repeatedly slapped for struggling with numeracy lessons, was captured on video and quickly went viral, eliciting widespread condemnation. In response, the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development intervened, leading to the teacher’s arrest and arraignment. 
Recognizing the family’s vulnerable situation, Abayomi’s mother, Mrs. Nike Okunlaya, is a widow and a cleaner at the same school, Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd. extended their support beyond the scholarship. The company provided a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment for the family and a monetary gift of one million naira to address immediate needs.
Recognizing the family’s vulnerable situation, Abayomi’s mother, Mrs. Nike Okunlaya, is a widow and a cleaner at the same school, Gidi Real Estate Investment Ltd. extended their support beyond the scholarship. The company provided a fully furnished two-bedroom apartment for the family and a monetary gift of one million naira to address immediate needs.At a formal ceremony organized by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development to finalize the scholarship agreement, Commissioner Mobolaji Ogunlende lauded the company’s generosity and urged other organizations to emulate such benevolence. He emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in alleviating the burdens on citizens. 
This incident, though tragic, has catalyzed a community-wide commitment to child welfare and education, turning a moment of adversity into a beacon of hope for Abayomi and his family.
By Fikunmi Sokoya