Lukman Awoyode(1975-2007)

Lukman Awoyode Memorial Foundation (LAM Foundation) was named after a young Nigerian man whose life was cut short at the tender age of 32 years due to medical complications. Nigeria is a country where government officials take pride in traveling to developed nations like the United States for medical treatment but don’t invest in accessing those same treatments in their own country. Lukman’s death could’ve been prevented if there had been proper medical resources available to him in Nigeria. This is one of the reasons why Lukman Awoyode Memorial Foundation was set up—to provide medical supplies to hospitals in poor communities. 

Lukman Awoyode grew up in a financially poor and polygamous family, where fathers didn’t care about the well-being and future of their children. It was left to the mothers to take care of the home and their children. If suddenly it happened that the father died, the mothers and children usually face extreme financial and life-style challenges. Polygamous families are still very common in Nigeria. LAM Foundation will work with local churches to establish small-scale businesses for mothers in this type of situation and provide food and educational support for their children.

Lukman had a strong desire to obtain a college education but due to lack of resources, he could not achieve this dream. Most of the days when he was growing up his parents were not able to afford two meals. And even if his father had thought of sending all 19 of his children to school, he certainly did not have the resources to do so. Most of the children dropped out of school. Somehow, Lukman started elementary school.  Each day after school, he would join his mother to sell food along the street. Despite the financial difficulties that made him unable to have the books and materials students needed, and the responsibility of working with his mom everyday, Lukman graduated  high school. Unfortunately, there was no financial support available to help him achieve his dream of a college education. After high school, Lukman managed to get a job as a Petrol Attendant at a local filling station and determined to use the money he was making to support young children in the community with food and school supplies. This he continued until his untimely death. One of the founders of the LAM foundation is Lukman’s sister. She eventually made her home in Portland, Oregon, and wishes to continue her brother’s legacy wherever there is need. It is our desire for the LAM Foundation to do this by helping low-income communities, in Portland and wherever else our services take us.

President
Moshood K Morakinyo

Dr. Kayode Morakinyo obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry at Portland State University in 2010. He is happily married to Mrs. Onaolapo Morakinyo and together they have 3 lovely daughters. During his spare time, he can be found gardening, watching soccer, or taking his daughters out to get a treat. He enjoys mentoring and connecting new immigrants on a path toward a successful career and smooth integration into the community. As part of LAM Foundation's language preservation initiatives program in partnership with De Rose Bridge & Holistic Wellness, he teaches Yoruba language weekly.