By Boluwatife Adedokun
The First Lady of Osun State, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adebusola Adeleke, on Tuesday empowered 200 young widows across the state with financial grants, urging them to use the support to expand their businesses, become self-reliant and improve their families’ standard of living.
The empowerment programme, organised through the Imole Osun Development and Rekindled Hope Foundation in collaboration with the Osun State Government, was held to strengthen the economic capacity of young widows and promote financial independence.
Addressing the beneficiaries, the First Lady said the initiative was designed to provide more than immediate financial relief, describing it as an investment in the future of widows across the state.
“This programme is designed to provide not just immediate relief, but also an opportunity for economic growth. Today, we are not just distributing financial grants; we are reaffirming our commitment to improving the lives of widows across our state. Every woman deserves the opportunity to live with dignity and become economically self-reliant,” she said.
Mrs. Adeleke urged the beneficiaries to make prudent use of the grants by investing in businesses capable of generating sustainable income.
“I encourage our beneficiaries to make good use of this support. Let it serve as a stepping stone to expand your businesses, provide for your families and build a brighter future,” she added.
She commended the Imole Osun Development and Rekindled Hope Foundation for partnering with the state government to implement the initiative, describing the programme as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to empowering women and supporting vulnerable groups.
The First Lady also appreciated Governor Ademola Adeleke for supporting programmes aimed at improving the welfare and economic prosperity of residents of the state.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Gender Affairs, Lola Adewale, described the empowerment programme as a significant intervention that would improve the livelihoods of young widows across Osun State.
She encouraged the beneficiaries not to see themselves as vulnerable despite the challenges they had experienced, urging them to remain determined, seize available opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.
Adewale also commended the First Lady for championing initiatives focused on women’s empowerment and social inclusion, describing the intervention as a reflection of the administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable residents.
Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Widows Affairs, Mrs. Adenike Adeleke, praised the First Lady for her sustained support for widows in the state.
She said the initiative would provide many beneficiaries with the resources needed to expand existing businesses or establish new means of livelihood, while encouraging them to utilise the financial support responsibly.
One of the beneficiaries, Raheem Adizat from Ede North Local Government Area, expressed appreciation to the First Lady and the Osun State Government for the intervention.
She said the financial support would help improve her business and ease the burden of providing for her family, describing the programme as timely and impactful.
The empowerment programme forms part of the Osun State Government’s efforts to strengthen social protection initiatives and promote the economic inclusion of women and other vulnerable groups across the state.
