…..WAOH Beneficiaries putting empowerment materials to use
Wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Olayemi Oyebanji, has paid a surprise visit to an aged widow, Madam Alake Ayodele, in Otun Ekiti in Moba Local Government donating food items and cash gift the the old woman.
The widow, who is about 90 years of age, was one of the beneficiaries captured for assistance under Dr. Oyebanji’s pet project, Widows and Orphans Hope (WAOH) Project but she was unable to attend the unveiling of the project held on October 19 in Ado Ekiti to personally receive the materials due to her health status.
Madam Ayodele’s inability to attend the WAOH unveiling held in Ado Ekiti necessitated the decision to visit her in her residence and some beneficiaries of WAOH in Otun Ekiti and other communities in Moba Local Government to see how they are putting the empowerment materials received under the project into to use.
A good number of the beneficiaries who received empowerment materials like grinding machines and using them to earn a living and contributing to the grassroots economy hailed the First Lady for giving them a lift and adding value to their lives.
The nonagenarian who had lost her two children, was full of prayers for Dr. Oyebanji saying she was surprised by the gift of a bag which contained various food items and the financial largesse from the First Lady.
A neighbour to Mama Ayodele, Madam Omoladun Bamiteko, who was not one of the beneficiaries intended for the visit and other aged widows received cash gifts from the First Lady.
The First Lady who was represented by the WAOH Coordinator/Program Officer, Mrs. Oluwakemi Dairo, said WAOH was established to give succour to widows and orphans and make life easier for the vulnerable segment of the population.
She said the state government is determined to make impact in the lives of the less privileged especially widows by giving them necessary support and saving them from the claws of poverty, want and misery.
“WAOH was targeted at the poor widows and orphans to give them the succour they need. We won’t relent in paying visits to all nooks and crannies of the state to ascertain the level of their wellbeing so as to give them more support in the areas where they need such,” she said.
Dr. Oyebanji however assured that those who have not benefited or captured in the first phase of the distribution of empowerment materials would be assisted in subsequent ones because the the materials are being distributed in batches.
The First Lady therefore used the opportunity of the visit to move round the shops and houses of other beneficiaries most of whom got grinding machines to know how they have been making judicious use of the facilities.
The Governor’s wife urged the beneficiaries to develop a maintenance culture while using the machines so that it would last long.
Apparently impressed by the gesture, Madam Ayodele prayed for the prosperity and successful tenure of the Biodun Oyebanji administration which she described masses-friendly.
Others including Mrs Elizabeth Morenikeji Famiroti in Osan Ekiti, Mrs Felicia Atolagbe, Mrs Florence Tinuola Oloyede, Madam Folasayo Agnes Babalola who received feeding allowances thanked the Governor’s wife for assisting the needy.