[Press Release] The Guardians of Ahmed on Tuesday, December 16, 2024, announced a major milestone in honouring the legacy of the late journalist, Rafat Salami, the devoted mother of Nigerian vlogger Ahmed Salami. Rafat passed on December 20, 2024.
Ahead of her first death anniversary, the group has successfully raised over ₦5.5 million, opened the AHMED SALAMI TRUST FUND with Fidelity Bank, and formally handed over the bank statement to Jameel Salami, Ahmed’s elder brother and current caregiver.
Ahmed, who lives with autism, cerebral palsy, and ADHD in Abuja, is a confirmed signatory to the Trust Fund (Account No. 5601613076), alongside:
• Dr. Jumai Ahmadu (Chairman, Board of Trustees)
• Dr. Badewa Adejugbe-Williams
• Mr. Francis Oko Mohie (Secretary)
The total funds transferred stand at ₦5,528,105.43, mobilized through selfless contributions including:
• ₦3,472,436.70 from Ms. Lara Owoeye-Wise, coordinator, Guardians of Ahmed
• ₦2,055,668.73 from Mrs. Daisy Jonathan, coordinator, Warrior Mums Africa.
During the brief ceremony meeting chaired by Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, Acting Director of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Ahmed Salami Trust Fund, she presented the Fidelity Bank statement to Jameel Salami and she was supported by:
• Evelyn Mensah Agu (Executive Director, Patsilver Educational Support and Therapy Centre)
• Mrs. Rabi Usman Awobajo (Founder, Natural Care Therapeutic Services, Abuja.)
• Dr Habiba Usman Aliyu (Lecturer, Federal University Kashere, Gombe State)
• Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye (Deputy News Editor, The Sun Newspapers) and
• Fidelity Bank representatives Abigail Udume and Loveth Ossai.
Jameel Salami received the statement with heartfelt appreciation, applauding the team, friends, and colleagues of his late mother for their transparency and commitment to honouring her memory.
He stated: “I trust this group of people… you haven’t been doing this for a year but see what you’ve done, so I don’t want anyone saying that things are happening that are not happening, so I can definitely offer a statement to (allay) people’s fears.”
Dr. Jumai Ahmadu commended all involved for their selfless sacrifices in raising the funds and opening the trust fund. She specifically praised Jameel and the family: “for not dropping the ball in caring for Ahmed and prays that God gives him the wisdom and enablement to be as sacrificial as his late mother, who was selfless despite facing challenges of her own.”
She added, “I’m really impressed with what I am seeing and with what I have heard. Rafat was a dear friend to all of us and I’m happy she’s being honoured this way. She lived an impactful life.”
Mrs. Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Deputy News Editor at The Sun Newspapers and a key Guardian, emphasised the core purpose of the meeting: “The meeting was about transparency—especially since it has taken so long to set up the trust fund. This is to clear all doubts for those who were already questioning whether we would carry out our promise,” underscoring the unwavering commitment to open accountability in all funds management.
Jameel also shared an update on Ahmed, who is managing well amid grief, eager to resume vlogging, with stable caregiving support in place.
Donations are now welcomed directly to:
Ahmed Salami Trust Fund, Fidelity Bank,
Account No. 5601613076.
Friends, colleagues are encouraged to make at least ₦12,000 annually to the account to sustain Ahmed’s needs.
Contact:
Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
Deputy News Editor, The Sun Newspapers
On behalf of Guardians of Ahmed Team and Board of Trustees
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