A non-political women organisation, popularly known as the Ife-Ooye Elegant Women Association, has donated assorted food items and money to indigent persons in Osun to celebrate this year’s Christmas.
The group based in Ile-Ife and in the Diaspora, also promised to make immeasurable changes and development among the widows, aged and less privileged women in Ile-Ife, Osun.
The Founder of the association, Mrs Temilomo Lawal, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of its annual Elderly Welfare and Empowerment Programme held in Ile-Ife on Sunday.
NAN reports that the event, also featured the association’s annual general meeting and investiture of its founder as the Yeye Alatunse of Lujobokun Emukoje Kingdom, Owena, Ile-Ife.
Lawal, a retired Nurse, founded the association with the aim of improving the living standard of women in Ile-Ife.
According to her, the aim of the association is to bring the women, both at home and in Diaspora together to harness its visions and resources as a group with the aim of giving a new lease of life to women in Ile-Ife.
The Yeye Alatunse said the association belong to daughters of or married to Ile-Ife indigenes.
“This association was founded to create and sustain economic empowerment and social rapport for the advancement of Ife-Ooye Women worldwide.
“Our primary goal is to take care of the less privileged, widows and the aged in Ile-Ife. We therefore appreciate those that identified with our programmes to put smile on the faces of our women.
”We particularly thank the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja III, for donating six acres of land for the construction of the association’s Home, which when completed will comprise a Day care centre and resident homes,” she explained
The president said that Ife women are socio-economically marginalised as a direct outcome of the negative economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this programme, we reached out to 100 widows, aged and the less privileged women in Ile-Ife,” she said.
Lawal called on all well-meaning Ile-Ife indigenes and good spirited Nigerians to partner with the association in its visions and missions.
NAN reports that widows and less privileged women were given foodstuffs and cash gifts to enable them celebrate the Yuletide.
CHESTRAD Global, a network of African-led social enterprise, has partnered with the association to give economic support to 15 women to boost their petty trading and small scale enterprises.
Mrs Munirah Abiola, a widow and recipient, who responded on behalf of other beneficiaries, thanked the founder for reaching out to them at this festive period and prayed for the association and her partners.
Source: News Agency of Nigeria