Ondo State empowers 600 widows, aged

By Josephine Oguntoyinbo
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About six hundred aged  people and widows across the eighteen local government areas of Ondo State have been empowered by the state House of Assembly Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.

Speaking at the empowerment programme held at the Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium, Akure, the Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Mr Bamidele Oleyelogun appreciated Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and all members of the house for their support towards the programme.

He explained that the empowerment programme is an annual event designed to provide palliatives to the aged and widows in form of relief in their own little way.

Oleyelogun, who encouraged politicians and well meaning Nigerians to always  care for  the less privileged posited that it should be part of their culture to give these categories of people hope and that they have not been forgotten.

“It is sad to see the vulnerables suffer in the midst of those who are well to do. We will always replicate this in our different constituencies as a way of showing love to them ,” he stated.

The chairman of the committee, Mrs Favour Tomomewo stressed the importance of reaching out to the vulnerables as a way of showing love and care for them.

Tomomewo who is the only woman in the 9th assembly assured the people of the state of quality representation.

She said: “It is a way of giving these sets of people a sense of belonging. Some a disabled equally benefitted from the empowerment. We selected beneficiaries from constituencies and local governments across the state. We have various programmes to be carried out in our different constituencies that will benefit the populace.

“Being the chairman of this committee, a lot more will be done to empower the women of the state,” she assured.

She however advised women to be security conscious and always report any case of rape, strange faces or other crimes to security agents to curb the trend.

Also speaking, the Majority Leader of the House who is a member of the committee, Mr Jamiu Maito averred that the main objective of the programme is to give back to the society, make the set of people happy and bring them out of their shells.

The Whip of the House and a member of the committee, Mr Toluwani  Borokini said that most of the beneficiaries struggle to survive, hence the need to encourage them.

Cash and foodstuffs were distributed to the beneficiaries at the event.