Eid-el-fitr: Oko Opo Foundation, Customs provide rice, cash palliative for 150 widows

To commemorate the end of the month of Ramadan, the Okó Opó Foundation and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) have provided 150 widows with rice and cash palliatives in seven communities in Ogun State.

The items were distributed to widows, indigenes and residents of Isa-Laderin, Masa, Ekiti, Abule-Egbeda, Sokenu, Okotuntun and Agbese communities spread across two local governments in the state.

Representatives of the NCS, who came to Pelican Valley Estate Laderin, one of the venues of the distribution, supported the drive with 500,000 after initially providing the foundation with 30 bags of rice.

The beneficiaries applauded the foundation and its promoter, Ambassador (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo, for putting smiles once again on their faces, even as they prayed for God’s protection and blessings upon him, his family and his real estate business.

50-year-old Sherifatu Akinwunmi, an indigene of Masa community, who benefitted from the programme, said the foundation has become their pillar of support during celebration.

“May Allah continue to bless Alhaji Babatunde Adeyemo for supporting us with food items and money at this trying time. His family and business will continue to witness progress. This is not the first time he has been wiping away our tears,” she said.

Also, the 67-year-old traditional ruler of Masa community, Baale Masa, Chief Sabiu Sotunde, who coordinated the distribution of the palliatives in his domain, commended Adeyemo for his kind gestures through the foundation, praying that God will continue to keep him, the family and bless his business as well.

Speaking earlier, Adeyemo who is also the CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, described the experience as another wonderful opportunity for the widows to be lifted once more.

While thanking donors, especially men of the NCS for supporting the cause of rekindling the hope of widows, Adeyemo said the drive empowered over 150 widows and underprivileged members of the society in subsequent outreach.

He said, “It is another wonderful opportunity for the widows. A day to empower them. We got some bags of rice from the Nigeria Customs Service. I feel it would be good to also share it with a cash palliative to rekindle the hope of the widows so that they can use it to break the fast and celebrate Sallah.

“And to the glory of God, we have been able to distribute rice and cash palliatives to about 150 widows today (Friday) who were drawn from six communities in two local governments of Ogun State. Representatives of the Nigeria Customs were around.

“We are looking forward to doing more. We want to use this medium to encourage all and sundry to join this project of rekindling the hope of widows and underprivileged members of the society.

“We are fulfilled and very happy today. And the Nigeria Customs donated an additional N500,000 to the coffer of the foundation and we really appreciate this collaboration from men of the Nigeria Customs.

“We are looking forward to a more robust and mutually beneficial relationship. We are in for this and we believe with God and the support of our benefactors, donors and the beneficiaries, we will get there. We thank others who have donated graciously to this cause. We want to assure them that we shall not disappoint them.”