PHOTOS: Wife of Oyo Deputy Gov hosts over 150 Widows and Less privileged to lunch
…. Pledges continuous humanitarian support
The wife of Oyo’s deputy governor, Chief Ajibola Lawal welcomed more than 150 widows to her Bashorun home on Wednesday to congratulate her on Governor Seyi Makinde and her husband, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, who were successfully inaugurated on Monday.
The widows thanked Mrs. Lawal, who was in company of her friends including Mrs. Olayinka Balogun, the Olori Olubadan of Ibadanland; Olori Adejoke, and Yeye Adenike Fauziat, for her continuous support to enable them become economically self-reliant.
Speaking on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Adewale Adebumi, president of the Onimole Widows and Less Privileged Forum of Oyo State, said they were fortunate to be gathered in Her Excellency’s home to thank God and also to thank her for her support and for the way she has been able to show them care over the years.
She gave the following reasons as part of the decision behind the formation of the association which include:
- To identify with the widows and the less privileged
- To reach out to the widows and the less privileged through selfless services and sacrifices
- To put smiles on the faces of the widows and the less privileged in form of palliatives
- To encourage and educate the populace on the importance of supporting the widows and the less privileged.
- To empower the widows and the les privileged through vocational training and self reliant programs
The widow advised her colleagues to drink water first thing in the morning and to eat more vegetables and fish, while also cautioning them against participating in late-night eating.
She also encouraged the widows to constantly be aware of the medications they purchase and to stop eating anything that might cause them to purge, as well as to always go to the hospital anytime they felt unwell.
She continued, “You must always monitor your blood pressure and consume a small amount of palm oil to improve your health.”
However, on her part, the group coordinator, thanked the wife of the deputy governor for her continuous support, as she said that Mrs. Adeyemi and Aunty Funke, among others, were the association’s founders, adding that Mrs. Ajibike Lawal’s ongoing financial and material support were what allowed them to sustain the association.
She described how Mrs. Lawal had shown much concern for them, particularly during the implementation of the Cashless Policy, which allowed the wife of the deputy governor to secure employment for a nursing widow who had already given birth to four children and support the widows by providing them with food, among other things.
Olori Olayinka, however, stated that Mrs. Lawal is a philanthropist, commending her for her support and the way she has been caring for the widows.
While urging the widows not to go in depression, she also tasked them to always assist their colleagues also try to check on them to know if they were having any problems.
As she distributed some goods to energize the widows, she promised to start making her own contributions as well to assist the organization.
Yeye Adenike Fauziyat pledged to help the widows at all times, so she urged them not to be depressed and to have faith in God’s unfailing care. She then donated a whooping sum of N100,000 for the program.
In her appreciation, the wife of the deputy governor of Oyo, Chief Ajibola Lawal, prayed for the widows as well as preached love among the widows and urged them to continue helping themselves.
She asserted that the current government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde was dedicated to restoring widows’ dignity and eradicating the stigma frequently connected with widowhood.
She equally thanked them for their work during the March 18th governorship election and assured them that she would keep her pledge to them.
She also emphasized that she would continue to support them, reiterating that the purpose of the forum was to help one another and not for embezzlement.
Lawal continued by saying that she is still working on Garri industry as means of empowerment for the widows as well as other ways or through job opportunities.
She suggested production of plantain powder and grinding machine, among other things, will be taken into consideration to improve the welfare of widows.
Those present at the event include Olori Olayinka Balogun, Olori Olubadan of Ibadanland; Olori Adejoke; Yeye Nike; Hajiya Binta; Mama Bola Ali; Chief (Mrs) Aderonke Bello; Mrs O.A Olunuga; Mrs Kadiri O Bosede; Mrs Alabi Oluwatoyin; Mrs A.O Yusuf and Mrs Adeyemi M.A.