Wife of Oyo Deputy Governor re-assures widows higher standard of living, says Makinde’s administration prioritizes their needs 

As the general elections in 2023 approach, widows in Oyo State have been reassured of the current administration’s dedication to them a higher standard of living and making sure they receive the benefits of democracy. 

The wife of the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Ajibola Lawal gave the assurance on Tuesday at the commemoration of Oyo State Widows Day held at the secretariat of Ibadan Northeast local government on Tuesday, Chief (Mrs.) Ajibola Lawal. 

Mrs. Lawal, who was the special guest of honor at the event hosted by Ambassador Binta Ajoke, expressed sympathy for the widows and said that some of their plights were palpable.

She also said that the governor Seyi Makinde administration would continue to support them in any way they needed assistance.

Lawal stated that from the time she worked in the banking industry until her retirement, she was at the forefront of helping widows in all capacities, adding that she has continued to support widows in various ways since her retirement. 

She went on to say that the current administration prioritizes their needs and would keep putting policies in place to provide them a happier, more fulfilling existence. 

However, she asked widows in all 33 local governments to turn out on election days to support PDP candidates, including governor Seyi Makinde and all state assembly candidates, on February 25 and March 11, 2023. 

She mentioned that their Permanent Voter Cards PVCs are the means by which they elect credible candidates on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, adding that Omituntun 2.0 will usher in sustainable development.

The program coordinator, Ambassador Binta Ajoke, said earlier in her welcome speech that it had been noticed that several widows had suffered greatly from the mistreatment of their in-laws, hunger, physical abuse, loneliness, and many other things. 

“So many widows who had lost their husbands are in the struggle to survive cater for their children and some have gone to forceful prostitution.

“The intention to empower our co-widows especially the less privileged within our capacity through the support of the worthy philanthropists that were invited to today’s event.

She however commended Chief (Mrs.) Ajibola Lawal, the deputy governor’s wife, for taking on the responsibility of helping widows in Ibadan and elsewhere on her own initiative. She urged other prominent members of society to imitate her kind deeds. 

If elected as a senator of the federal republic, Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, the PDP candidate for the Oyo South Senatorial District, promised to work on legislation that will seek to improve widows’ lives. 

Erelu Lateefat Jayeoba, who was Tegbe’s representative, pledged N500,000 for the program.

Similarly, Yeye Remi Olarinde Adenike who reiterated the position of Mrs Lawal said there is a silver lining for all widows in the state if Governor Makinde is reelected for a second term. She pledged the sum of N100,000 as her widows mite for the programme.

The patron of the Seyi Leekansi Movement, Elder Kayode Makinde, the Executive Chairman of Ibadan Northeast Local Government, Hon. Ibrahim Akintayo, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Kafilat Olayiwola, and Engineer Johnson Olabode all praised the initiative to assist widows in various areas of need in their remarks. 

Olori Adejoke Adegbayibi, Chief (Mrs.) Aderonke Bello, and other dignitaries were present at the ceremony.