In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership and community development in Oyo State, one name has continued to resonate for her compassion, generosity and genuine concern for the welfare of traders, artisans and the vulnerable – Princess Folashade Azeezat Abeo Nurudeen, the Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
Beyond her revered title as the mother of all markets in Oyo State, Princess Abeo has distinguished herself as a philanthropist of uncommon grace, a woman whose heart beats for the progress of the ordinary trader and artisan. Her philanthropic journey is not defined by occasional gestures, but by a consistent and deliberate effort to uplift lives across all geopolitical zones of the state.
A chronicling of her interventions reveals a leader who understands that true empowerment goes beyond words – it requires action, resources and presence.
Her humanitarian voyage gained significant momentum in November 2023. On November 16, 2023, she stormed the historic Oja Oba Market in Iseyin where she put smiles on the faces of over 100 traders through cash palliatives, while also distributing 6 sewing machines and 6 hairdryers to artisans to boost their businesses.
Barely 24 hours later, on November 17, 2023, the Iyaloja-General took her traders’ empowerment programme to Ado-Awaye in Oke-Ogun during the celebrated Iyake Festival, where she again empowered market men and women, reinforcing her resolve to leave no zone behind.
The train moved to the ancient city of Ogbomoso on November 18, 2023. At the Soun Palace and Odooba Market, Princess Abeo extended cash palliatives of N10,000 each and business-support materials to traders, a gesture that was widely applauded by beneficiaries who described it as timely and impactful.
In December 2023, her philanthropic spirit reached new heights. On December 2, at Okaka Baptist School, Okaka in Oke-Ogun, she empowered over 50 traders and artisans with grinding machines and hairdryers, providing them with sustainable means of livelihood.
Abeo, who equally distributed about 16 sewing machines in Iseyin to artisans during her visit to Oke-ogun zone, also launched palliatives distributions to market women in Ijaya hometown in Ibarapa zone.
The climax of her 2023 interventions came on December 21, 2023, in Oyo Town. At the Akesan Market and other adjoining markets, the Iyaloja-General empowered over 500 traders and artisans with cash, generators, sewing machines, grinding machines and hairdryers in what remains one of the largest single empowerment programmes by a market leader in the state.
Two days later, on December 23, 2023, she took the same spirit of giving to Idere, Igboora and other communities in Ibarapa land, where over 300 traders and artisans benefited from cash palliatives and business equipment.
Princess Abeo’s compassion is not limited to markets alone. In December 2023 at the Felicia Hall, Jogor Event Centre, Liberty Road, Ibadan, she demonstrated her support for youth and culture by donating N50,000 each to 21 contestants of Miss Oyo, amounting to a total of N1,050,000.
In September 2023, she also showed her commitment to youth development and nation-building when she donated 500 bags of cement towards infrastructural development at the NYSC Orientation Camp in Iseyin, a gesture aimed at improving the welfare of corps members serving in the state.
Her humanitarian touch further extended to the Inner Wheel Club of Bodija, Ibadan, in July 2024, where she made a significant financial contribution towards the organisation’s humanitarian projects.
Her philanthropic gestures go beyond the regular distribution of palliatives to market women. She also extended cash support of N800,000 to plank traders after a fire incident that destroyed properties worth millions of naira.
Not only that, during festive periods including Ramadan and Christmas, Princess Abeo has consistently put smiles on the faces of market women and artisans through cash distributions, staple foods, clothes, generators, sewing machines and other support items for artisans and widows, distributed on Agidigbo FM and Success FM.
To mention but a few, she also carried out physical food distribution and other relief interventions across all markets in Oyo State during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For Princess Folashade Azeezat Abeo Nurudeen, philanthropy is not an act but a lifestyle. Through these interventions, she has not only empowered traders and artisans but has also redefined the office of the Iyaloja-General as a platform for service, compassion and inclusive growth.
It is on account of these sterling qualities and selfless contributions that stakeholders across Oyo State continue to celebrate her as a true mother, leader and symbol of hope for the market community.
