Ekiti First Lady takes step to alleviate widows, orphans sufferings.

By Ayo Ajofoyinbo 

The training for data collection of widows and orphans in Ekiti State in preparation for poverty alleviation of the vulnerable groups has begun in Ekiti State.

The programme tagged "Widows and Orphans Hope Project" is the wife of Ekiti State Governor's Pet project.

Declaring the training session open, wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji said the project was borne out of the desire to make meaningful impacts in the lives of widows and orphans across the length and breath of the state regardless of political affiliations, status and creed.

She explained that the project was designed to contribute to overall advancement of widows and orphans,assist them to achieve self reliant, sustain livelihood, promote gender equality, and strengthen the socio-economic indices in the community they live.

The Governor's wife therefore expressed optimism that the project would  provide them with the resources they needed to bring them out of poverty and live fulfilling lives. 

"I believe through education, knowledge sharing, training, job Creation, skill acquisition and access to loans and grants for small and micro businesses to build better future and  provide basic necessities of life. She added

Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Chief Monisade Afuye and the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaja Abibat Adubiaro said the situation of widows are in most cases pethetic as it also varies depending on the tradition of their late husband's families while the children without parents could be exposed to banditry and other crimes.

In their good will messages, the programme consultants Dr Abayomi Oshatimi and Dr Jimlas Ogunsakin said that  creation of data for the vunerable group became imperative so as to provide assistance to them where necessary.

Representatives of religious groups, Including Government House Chief Imam, Alhaji Abdulfatai Olorunkemi and Christian Association of Nigeria chairman in the state, Reverend Emmanuel Aribasoye called for the support of the project, saying that it would make the vulnerable groups self reliant, reduce poverty among them as well as stem the tide of incidence of crimes being perpetrated by children without parents. 

The programme was attended by the Onimesi of imesi Ekiti Oba Olatunde Adetunji, State ALGON chairman, Mr Sina Ogunleye, among others.