Wife of Oyo Deputy Gov, Ajibola Lawal Hails Late Justice Aderemi, Says ‘Project 250’ Keeps His Legacy Alive

The wife of the Oyo State Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Ajibola Lawal, has described the late Justice Pious Olayiwola Aderemi as an incorruptible and truthful jurist of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, saying the ‘Project 250’ empowerment programme held in his honour is proof that his legacy lives on despite his death in 2018.

She stated this on Friday at the JAALS Foundation Empowerment Programme, Project 250 Cohort 1, held at the NBA Chamber, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

The event drew notable personalities, government officials, captains of industry, lawyers and hundreds of small-scale business owners.

Chief Mrs. Lawal, who was the Special Guest of Honour, said Project 250 was an initiative everyone should be part of. She commended the organizers for sustaining the late Justice Aderemi’s philanthropic gesture through the laudable empowerment programme.

“When you empower a woman, you have empowered a family, a community, a state, and a nation,” she said.

The wife of the deputy governor asserted that the sewing machines distributed would enable tailors and fashion designers to be self-reliant, cater for their needs, and support their husbands and families.

She urged the beneficiaries to make adequate use of the tools, which she said were enough to start and grow a business, and to also assist the less privileged in the future.

She warned them against selling the items or using the opportunity to buy clothes or attend parties. “Rather, make adequate use of the items to benefit yourselves. By doing so, the organizers will be encouraged to do more and it will allow you to help others behind you,” she said.

“Once again, I thank the organizer for this laudable and impactful initiative. I am proud that Justice Pious Olayiwola Aderemi lives on. Thank you,” she concluded.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Joke Sanni, however described the late Justice Aderemi as a philanthropist who consistently extended his hands to the less privileged while alive.

She commended JAALS Foundation for the initiative, noting that empowerment is about equipping people with knowledge, opportunities and resources that make them self-reliant.

“When women are economically empowered, families become stronger and society becomes more prosperous,” the commissioner said, urging beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items.

In his own remarks, the Group Head, Financial Inclusion, FCMB, Mr. Luyi Olajide, who was the keynote speaker, spoke on credit discipline and the importance of understanding why loans are taken to support businesses and the need for repayment.

“Any debt incurred will haunt you in the future,” he warned.

He also advised participants on savings and business planning, adding that communities grow when women are empowered with loans or grants.

“Your money is in your hand, and you can multiply it if you choose to,” he said.

The Director of JAALS, Dr. Tolu Aderemi, said Project 250 was designed to produce results, not promises.

“When we launched Project 250, we were clear: this was not going to be another white elephant project. That is why, barely two months after the launch, we are here with Cohort 1,” he said.

He explained that the Justice Aderemi Foundation has no affiliation with any government or political interest, and that its mandate is to empower vulnerable Nigerians, particularly women, and to advocate for a reformed, accessible and fair justice system.

“Economic empowerment and justice reform are two expressions of the same conviction: that no Nigerian should be permanently excluded, whether from opportunity or from fairness, because of where they started in life,” he said.

Dr. Aderemi disclosed that in partnership with FCMB and the Atilade Oluokun Foundation, about 80 women entrepreneurs were being empowered with sewing machines, vocational training, and access to capital.

“On the capital component, this access is provided by FCMB. Every one of the 80 women here today can access it once they meet the criteria set by the bank. The FCMB desk is right at the back of the hall,” he said.

He added that the goal is to reach 250 women in total, and called on government, development partners and the private sector to invest in women’s empowerment and justice sector reform.

“In closing, on behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend our heartfelt appreciation to our partners who made today possible: FCMB and the Atilade Oluokun Foundation,” he said.