Market leader seeks more support for widows, others
By Oluwatope Lawanson
The Iyaloja General (Leader) of Somolu and Oyediran markets, Mrs Modupeola Olufojude, on Thursday called on Nigerians to lend more helping hands to widows and other less privileged in their communities.
Olufojude made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the distribution of food items
to widows and other less privileged people in Somolu.
NAN reports that a non-governmental organisation, Women Liberation and Transformation Group (W-LIT), distributed the food items and other essentials at the Alarape and Oyediran markets in Somolu.
Olufojude said that welfare programmes targeted at widows were always memorable.
“We need to support our widows because of their condition; they are the ones left as the bread winners of their families after the demise of their partners.
“Sometimes, things can be too tough for them; so, welfare programmes, aimed at them, register quickly in memories,” she said.
Olufojude said that the welfare programme by W-LIT was commendable, adding that it was the first of its kind in the community.
She said that the community needed more of such programmes.
Olufojude said that the beneficiaries of the W-LIT programmes were excited.
“We are all aware of the present economic hardship in the country, many cannot afford to pay the skyrocketing food prices.
“We need to come to the aid of widows to put smiles on their faces.
“The type of programme held here in Somolu should be encouraged, with more rich people emulating such gestures.
“I can see smiles on the faces of the beneficiaries today.
“Aside from infrastructure development, government can provide soft loans and grants,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Kudirat Olaleye-Hassan, commended the group for the kind gesture,
“We are all excited to have benefitted from this programme, and we appreciate the organisers for the worthy initiative.
“This is a pleasant one to begin the year with; we are glad that we still have some Nigerians who care about us,” she said.
Earlier, Mrs Olanike MicTaiwo, the Executive Director, W-LIT, praised Lagos state Government for efforts toward the welfare of the residents.
She urged the government to do more in the area of social protection for widows and other less privileged members of the society.
She said: “Beneficiaries of the food items were collated by our community mobilisers and market leaders who were mandated to get the names of residents truly in need.
“This initiative was earlier done for the Ayobo community, a suburb in Lagos.
“In total, we provided rice, vegetable oil and seasonings for 10,133 beneficiaries who are either widows, aged or physically challenged in both Ayobo and Somolu.”
(NAN)
