GoFundMe for late Odekunle’s family surpasses initial C$30,000 goal in 15 hours, continues to C$50,000 as netizens maximise generosity

Checks by Peoples Gazette on the account at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday indicated that C$35,492 had been raised from 564 donations.

Olumayowa Samuel • December 31, 2023

A Christmas photoshoot of Ayo Odekunle and his family

The GoFundMe appeal for the family of late Canada-based Nigerian lawyer Ayokunle Odekunle has surpassed its initial C$30,000 target after 15 hours.

The account, set up by social commentator Japheth Omojuwa, started around 2:00 p.m. Nigerian time on Saturday, and by 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, donations had increased to C$50,000.

Checks by Peoples Gazette on the account at 1:50 p.m. on Sunday indicated that C$35,492 had been raised from 564 donations.

Born in Nigeria before moving to Canada, Mr Odekunle was projected by doctors to be dead in six months after he was diagnosed with stomach cancer in March 2022.

The cancer was in stage four, as doctors have said his condition had become impossible to save. He, however, defied the medical projection for 15 months until he finally passed on Friday night, December 29, 2023.

In a blog post Sunday morning, Mr Omojuwa said there were no plans to increase the limit once the C$50,000 goal has been met, but he anticipated the campaign would continue for another 40 days.

The creator and the contributors to the GoFundMe account hope the support will help mollify the situation for Mr Odekunle’s wife, Halima, and their two children, Kamilah and Khalil.

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