Wife of Ekiti State Governor Dr Olayemi Oyebanji has empowered another set of Four hundred indigents under her poverty alleviation pet project; ‘Widows, Aged and Orphans Hope Project (WOAH)’ as part of the activities commemorating the second anniversary of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji administration in Ekiti state.
Speaking during the empowerment programme in Ado Ekiti on Monday, Dr. Oyebanji noted that the beneficiaries included three hundred widows, fifty Orphans in both primary and secondary schools and another (50)fifty orphans across various tertiary. institutions in the state.
Highlighting the achievements of WOAH initiative, the Governor’s wife, who is the visioneer, observed that the project had touched many lives through the empowerment of different groups of people with working tools, food stuffs, training in Adire making, among many others.
“We are empowering another set of widows today and we prioritize their needs, we don’t just give out tools but we do background checking to know what they do for a living and whatever they do guides us on what to provide for them.
Not only that, fifty pupils who are either single or double orphans, will be given scholarship for their education from primary to university, courtesy Managing Director, Premium Trust Bank Mr Emmanuel Emefienim”, a brother and family friend, the first lady stated.
Speaking further, the first lady expressed her appreciation to Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Governor Oyebanji, kind hearted individuals, family and friends for giving adequate support to WAOH project to enhance food security, to support the vulnerable in the state and to award scholarships to students.
In a reaction, Ekiti State Governor Mr Biodun Oyebanji promised to personally assist the WAOH project the more, by giving scholarship to 38 orphans in public primary schools in the 38 local government areas and LCDA of the state and 2 persons living with disabilities, from primary school to the university level, making a total of 40 beneficiaries altogether.
Also, one student (who is an orphan) per
tertiary institutions across the state were awarded a scholarship from the first year of their courses to the final year, by the governor on her late mother’s foundation.
He encouraged well-to-do individuals to support the project by adopting vulnerable, saying there is a need to make an impact on every life for the betterment of the society.
Earlier in her address, the Coordinator WOAH project, Mrs Kemi Oni itemized the working tools giving out to beneficiaries during the ceremony to include; Grinding Machines, Sewing Machines,Freezers,Hair-Dryer with washing Hand Basing ,Generating Set and Cash support with transport fare.
The programme was attended by members of the State Executive Council, House of Assembly members, Religious leaders, Traditional rulers among others.