For the fourth consecutive time, a Lagos lawmaker, Hon. Adewale Temitope Adedeji, has empowered over 500 widows within the Ifako-Ijaiye area of the state.
Adewale, who is the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly, also distributed 1,500 JAMB forms through his initiative which aims to reduce illiteracy level in his Ifako-Ijaiye constituency I.
Noting his passion for poverty alleviation, the lawmaker said he was particularly drawn to the widows and widowers because of how society isolates them.
“The set of Nigerians are mostly unhappy. They are isolated, deprived and only a few of them have enough to keep them going. It is a terrible experience with many of them,” he said as he distributed cash gifts and food to the widows on Monday during the 4th edition of the empowerment programme titled ‘Widows’ Valentine Special’
Speaking at the event held at the Unity Centre, Ajuwon Road-Iju Lagos, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Nurudeen Olaitan Akinwunmi, commended the lawmaker for his efforts at assisting the widows.
He urged the beneficiaries to ensure a judicious use of the money they received from the lawmaker
“For those yet to benefit, do not lose hope or be discouraged because soon it will reach your turn no matter how the selection and the sharing criteria will be,” he advised.
The chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye local government council, Prince Usman Hamzat, commended the lawmaker adding that his administration had continued to engage women in different vocational trainings.
In his remark, Deacon Banjo Omole, chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area, said the initiative is expected to reach out to every widow in the area without discrimination.
According to him, about 250 people benefitted from the third edition while the lawmaker is preparing to empower 10,000 students in the constituency.
In his address, a leader in the constituency, Engr. David Olanrewaju Dada, urged the widows to always pray for the lawmaker
Expressing appreciation, some of the beneficiaries urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate the lawmaker.
Mrs. Josephine Ijagbuiro, one of the beneficiaries, said aside the initiative, Hon. Adewale had done much for the needy in the constituency. She said the women in the area would continue to support him.
