The emotional status of hundreds of widows in Ilora Town, Oyo State, received a boost at the just-concluded Yuletide festivity as joy radiated on their faces when a legal practitioner, Barrister Modupe Aderemi, decided to put her law books aside and host them in an end-of-the-year party.
At the event, held in the hall of Ilora Grammar School, Ilora, the widows – aged, middle-aged and young – trooped in, colourfully dressed in the same Ankara cloth design purchased for them by Barrister Aderemi, who is the Founder of Owonikoko Foundation set up to take care of women who have lost their husbands.
The name Owonikoko, it was learnt, was that of the legal practitioner’s father which she bore before her marriage, and which she still cherishes by immortalizing it.
From the way the widows chatted animatedly among themselves and also danced when music was played, one could see their cheerfulness in having a course to celebrate the season, not burying their heads in their homes with no spouse and hope of getting attention.
Welcoming guests to the event, Barrister Aderemi said that it was specifically organized to celebrate widows in Ilora Community and make them happy during the festive season.
She said: “It is part of our objectives to support and empower widows, according to a saying that ‘Charity begins at home.’
“We have commenced our support and empowerment for widows in Ilora Community since March 2024. We are gathered this day, surrounded by an atmosphere of joy of the season.”
Feeling proud of the widows and exhibiting gratitude, the legal practitioner thanked all those present at the event to lift their spirits, saying that the women showed remarkable strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
She also thanked those who had worked tirelessly with the Foundation throughout the year to make it successful.
“I’m proud of the work our organisation has done to support the widows, and we are committed to continuing in our efforts to make positive impacts on their lives, with the help of God who is our source of hope and comfort for the widows.
I encourage all of us to take a moment to reflect on the true spirit of Christmas. It is a time of giving, sharing and coming together with those we care about,” she stated.
She enjoined the gathering to continue living with purpose and meaning. She also urged the widows to eat, rejoice and put aside worries, promisingly help in the little she could to emancipate them.
Barrister Aderemi disclosed that the Foundation had been involved in taking care of widows in Lagos State for some years, but started empowering widows in Ilora town, her place of birth, since March 2024, and is also doing same in Ibadan, the state capital.
She said that the Foundation is divided into three parts, including supporting widows, taking care of homeless children on the streets and giving free legal representation for indigenes who are unable to afford getting lawyers to handle cases for them.
In his goodwill message, the representative of Akinbio of Ilora, who is also the President of Ilora Descendants’ Union, Mr Remi Olaniyan, appreciated Barrister Aderemi’s gesture towards the widows, likening her to her late father, Mr Tajudeen Owonikoko, whom he said was his senior in Ilora Grammar School in the past years, and whom he described as a very kind personality.
He praised the lawyer’s efforts in emancipating the lives of widows and the needy, enjoining all who are well to do to also join the positive move.
He said that Barrister Aderemi has gone beyond being a lawyer to becoming God’s servant.
He also encouraged the widows present to be strong and courageous, telling them to continue to strive for their children’s success.
He also appealed to the Founder to help in providing legal representation for indigenes being troubled by herdsmen destroying their farms with the cattle.
Also, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, who was represented by Dr Temitope Owoeye, urged the widows to always check their health status at government health centres or hospital to ensure their wellbeing.
In his remarks, Hon Olatosho Akinrinola said that the widows were blessed with receiving such help from the Foundation.
He admonished them to set aside their plight, be cheerful and optimistic of a brighter tomorrow.
He advised the mothers to take care of their children so that they would not be involved in vices and crimes.
In his exhortation, Apostle Daniel Oguntope, who is the Christian Association of Nigeria chairman in the town, enjoined well-meaning individuals to take up the task of helping the less privileged, and not turn deaf ears to their cries.
He quoted Proverbs 21:13 which says “Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered.”
He prayed for the uplifting of the Foundation to enable it take care of more people in need.
Also in attendance were the Commander, Oyo Area Command, Nigeria Police Force, ACP Olufunmilayo Oke; the chairman, Agbeloba, Mr Olawuwo Babarinde; the town’s Chief Imam; the Aseri Ifa and Mr Idowu Ajeigbe, an Ilora indigene.
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