By Babatunde Ayedoju
As part of efforts by the current administration in Ondo State to alleviate the economic hardship in the country, the Honourable Abiola Makinde and Dr (Mrs) Rhoda Makinde Initiative (HANDROMI), in conjunction with the O’datiwa Political Movement, distributed food items such as rice and vegetable oil to women in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State on Friday.
The programme, sponsored by the House of Representatives member representing Ondo East/Ondo West Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiola Makinde, and his wife, Dr (Mrs) Rhoda Makinde, covered women in locations such as Igoba, Itaogbolu, Iju, and Ayede-Ogbese, among others.
Addressing the beneficiaries, an official of HANDROMI, Mrs Ruth Lawal, said that the programme was borne out of a desire to cushion the effects of the prevailing economic hardship on women, not only in Ondo East and West Federal Constituency but also in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Lawal, who mentioned that a similar exercise had been carried out previously, also admonished the women to continue supporting the incumbent administration at all levels to receive more dividends of democracy.
In his address to the women, the All Progressives Congress (APC) Youth Leader for Ondo Central Senatorial District, Mr Paul Olakunle Adeniyi, disclosed that the palliative distribution was borne out of love for the women in the sponsor’s constituency and Akure, the state capital, adding that the present administration is committed to finding a lasting solution to the current hardship in the country.
Speaking with The Hope, Mrs Modupe Akande, the APC Chairperson for Igoba/Isinigbo Ward 5, commended Hon. Makinde and his wife for the kind gesture.
She encouraged the women to continue supporting the current administration and to be more active politically, saying, “Women have a very crucial role to play in the political development of the state and even the country at large.”
Mrs Temitope Olorunlogo, APC Women Leader Ward 7, Itaogbolu, and Local Government Supervisor for Special Duties, described the event as a welcome development.
Mrs Olorunlogo, who said, “He who waters shall also be watered,” added that women should reciprocate the kind gesture by turning out to vote in the forthcoming Ondo State governorship election and encourage their fellow women to vote as well, to enjoy more dividends of good governance.
Her words: “This is a sign of the love and concern that the sponsors of this programme have for women. It shows that they recognise the place of women as a major force in democracy.”
Also speaking, a party chieftain in Iju, High Chief (Mrs) Arinola Enikanoselu, described the programme as a sign of the passion and love for a better life that the organisers have for the masses.
She commended HANDROMI for extending such a kind gesture to women in the community and urged women to continue to contribute their own quota to the political development of the state and the country at large.
Various beneficiaries who spoke with The Hope thanked Hon. Makinde and his wife for the noble gesture extended towards them and prayed for more of God’s blessings on the sponsors.