By Esther Onyegbula

For residents of the Makoko community in Yaba, Lagos, Christmas arrived early this year, courtesy of the Oyinkansola Serah Ogungbemi Foundation (OSO).

The Foundation hosted Christmas with a Difference 5.0 on Friday at Adekunle Primary School, touching the lives of over 1,000 underserved women and children.

The outreach catered to women from the Makoko Fish Market, Better Life Market, and Ayotoro communities. Participants received food packages, clothing, and enjoyed a festive atmosphere. Each participant was gifted a Christmas box containing rice, garri, groundnut oil, and Ankara fabric.

The event also featured a vibrant Christmas party for children. Activities included a bouncing castle, candy floss, and ice cream. The highlight of the day was the joyful atmosphere, as children played, danced, and celebrated the season.

Speaking at the event, the founder of OSO, Oyinkansola Serah Ogungbemi, said: “Christmas with a Difference 5.0 is about making Christmas happen for people every year. Christ is the reason for the season, and we are here to make a difference.”

Highlighting the harsh realities faced by the community, Oyinkansola added: “We are here to make a change, to give them something to eat for Christmas. We know this period has been very difficult for many people. Life is tough for so many here, which is why we chose Makoko to share love and bring Christmas to them. There are a lot of underserved people in this community.”

Oyinkansola also emphasized that OSO’s efforts go beyond the festive season.

“We pay school fees, organize book drives, and train teachers to bridge the education gap in underserved communities,” she said. The foundation reportedly spent over ₦20 million on this year’s initiative, relying on self-funding and support from partners.

Celebrating the event’s success, Oyinkansola called for more partners to join the cause. “We are reaching out to partners everywhere to support us. Together, we can continue to transform lives in underserved communities,” she appealed.

Also speaking at the event, one of OSO Foundation’s key partners, Mrs. Modupe Adeyinka-Oni, founder of the iAfrica Cloud School, said:

“I’m thrilled to have collaborated with the OSO Foundation on its Christmas with a Difference 5.0 charity event. Despite economic challenges and donor apathy, Oyinkansola’s resilience and faith in God shone through, making this year’s event a resounding success. I congratulate her on this achievement and look forward to future collaborations.”

Expressing heartfelt gratitude, one participant, Mrs. Williams Justina, said: “This Christmas package and party mean so much to us. Many in this community cannot afford food or clothes for the season. I am truly grateful to OSO. May God bless and uplift them.”

For Makoko’s residents, the event was more than just a celebration—it was a lifeline in challenging times and a reminder of the true spirit of Christmas.