By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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No fewer than 80 widows and the aged were at the weekend empowered by the Ondo state government with cash donations and grinding machines to ameliorate their plights.
The items and cash were donated to the beneficiaries through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development at the Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium of the ministry in Akure,the state capital.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner of the ministry, Hon. Princess Omowumi Olatunji Ohwovoriole commended the Akeredolu-led government for being proactive and passionate about the issues of women and vulnerables in the state.
According to her, it is important for government to always give back to the society hence the reason the present administration in the state has always shared in the plight of its citizenry, especially the widows, aged and the vulnerables.
“This is a programme we have been doing over the time, we believe government’s presence must be felt, this is what we have been doing in all the local governments, the ministry’s programmes and other programmes like FOWOSO championed by the wife of the governor, Arabinrin Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu are complementing one another in terms of women empowerment.
“I believe this would go a long way in alleviating the current situation confronting them as a family, about 80 people benefited from the benevolence, all this shows that this government believes so much in women and affecting their lives is important to us.
“When you empower a woman, you have empowered the family and in return the environment and the communities will be peaceful for government to operate successfully.
The Commissioner who affirmed that the influx of women and vulnerables to the ministry daily for help is a source of concern to government assured that the state government will not rest on its oars towards ensuring that the living standards of women are improved and equally create wealth for the poor.
While saying that the programme is a continuous one, she urged the beneficiaries to utilise what they got judiciously in order to improve their economic viability.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke in separate interviews with The Hope, Mrs Kemi Jayeoba and Mrs Nike Alex commended the state government for the gesture saying with the donations, they will be able to put foods on their tables.
According to them, the concern of the state government and the commissioner to the plight of women in the state is acknowledged and appreciated.
The beneficiaries who described the commissioner in the ministry as a woman with the heart of gold posited that she is a compassionate mother who will do everything at her disposal to put smiles on the faces of women and the vulnerables.