Oba Saka Matemilola foundation empowers single mothers, widows in owu kingdom
Abdu-Baaqi Adenekan (Intern)
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Oba Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta Foundation(OMOOF) on Saturday empowered women from Owu Kingdom, who are single mothers and widows.
Penpushing reports that the empowerment was held at Olowu Palace in Abeokuta, under the supervision of Olori Kadijat Matemilola, who is the wife of Oba (Prof) Saka Matemilola, Olowu of Owu kingdom.
The empowerment items provided for the beneficiaries to start trading at their various levels include food items such as rice, beans, garri, cooking oil, soft drinks, bottled/sachet water, toiletries, charcoals, provisions and flours among others.
Penpushing further reports that the twenty beneficiaries who falls under another phase of the empowerment programme after the previous empowerment exercises, aside from items and goods provided for them, were also handed cash to augment their trade.
The Olori in her speech explained that the general objectives of the foundation is to empower, advance and support women and youths through the establishment of various impactful and people oriented educational.
‘I would like to thank God who has brought us here today alive and well. I would also like to thank his royal majesty Oba (Prof) Saka Adelola Matemilola for all he has been doing for his kingdom. We started Oba Matemilola Oluyalo Otileta VII foundation 2 years back where family, friends and others sat together and thought about how to support his majesty in ensuring the well-being of our community’, she stated.
‘We provided educational support to youths and also gave out scholarships to a certain number of students. We ensured these students are taught properly and also made sure they got the proper training they needed’ she added
It is not only educational support but also organising a free medical, this initiative is to ensure the community get access to quality treatments and to provide specific health needs. We also organised training sessions for some of our youths and women’.
‘This training involved Adire making, learning of how to make candle and so many other craftsmanship. We have gotten a lot of support from various stakeholders. I would like to thank our chiefs for making it a success, most especially Chief Michael Ogunseye who brought the man who taught our people adire making process and all candle making process’,Olori added .
‘This empowerment scheme is just to support the business of these women and also serves as an opportunity for them to establish themselves. So, I will encourage us all to continue being hardworking’, she stressed.
Penpushing also reports that Matemilola accompanied by notable women leaders of Owu, added that these include health and socio-economic community outreach programmes/initiatives and in collaboration with other platforms and other stakeholders
The community women leaders which include Princess Kehinde Adelanwa Sobayo, Chief (Mrs) Jolaoluwa Opaleye,Asiwaju Iyalode Owu, Iyabo Akinoso, as well as the only male among them, who is the Ashipa Owu, Chief Moruf Egbeyemi in their separate goodwill messages commended the foundation for the offer to uplift the needy
Penpushing reports that they encouraged the beneficiaries to consider the gestures as relevant opportunities to lift them up, and used the donations judiciously to turn around their welfare for better, adding that if they were able to transform themselves positively, the foundation will want to show further commitments to their course
The ceremony which was concluded with appreciation delivered by one of the beneficiaries, Taofikat Adeoye on behalf of others expressed appreciation to the Olori and the monarch for the platform provided for them in addressing challenges against their living standard.
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