The Wife of the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Mrs Tamunominini Makinde has organised an empowerment programme for two hundred widows selected from the thirty-three local government areas in the state.
The Oyo First Lady who made this empowerment through her Omituntun For Life Foundation gifted the selected widows bags of rice, filled 5kg Gas cooking cylinders and cash gifts.
In her remark, Makinde described the widows as the “strongest of the women race” who bare the pain of losing their spouse, adding that the society is aware of the hardships and this is why the empowerment is done.
Her words: “We are here to acknowledge and support the strongest of the women race. Those who bare the pain of losing their spouse.
“We’re aware of the case of hardship where a full family could not afford a 3 square meal not to talk of a widow.
“In the past few years, the Omi Tuntun for Life Foundation has supported widowers with foodstuffs, household goods, empowerment projects and cash gifts.
“We are aware of what you’re going through. Keep doing your best to take care of your children and I pray God be with you.
“We however appreciate everyone that had taken it to heart to support the widows, the philanthropists, homes, traditional rulers, spiritual leaders and health organisation that has adopted the responsibility to take care of the widows”, she added.
Also, speaking at the event, Commissioner for Special Duties, Alh. Fausat Joke Sanni appreciated the Oyo Governor’s wife for her endless and endearing support for the Governor and for the women community most especially the widows in Oyo State.
Alh. Sanni added that she had been the brain behind all the projects and programmes done in Oyo not only for women, but also for the disabled and the less privileged.
One of the widows while speaking with newsmen, Mrs Funmi Omoloye expressed her excitement towards the support and love for the widow in the state since the emergence of Governor ‘Seyi Makinde as the Governor of the state.
Another widow in her reaction stated that some of the widows from her widow organisation that has been supported by the first lady are now building two-bedroom apartments for themselves.
Other dignitaries present at the empowerment were representatives of the Channel for Widow Relief Initiative, Alh. Balogun Fadilat, Dr Juan Agunloye, Christian Care for Widow and others.