ABEOKUTA — Chief Promoter of the Oko Opó Widows Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Ambassador Babatunde Adeyemo, has pledged to deploy his professional goodwill, corporate networks and business connections towards creating sustainable economic opportunities for widows across Ogun State.
Adeyemo made the commitment on Friday during the inauguration of the Ogun State chapter of the WAZOBIA Widows Welfare Association, where he was honoured as a Special Guest of Honour and decorated as the association’s Life Patron.
Speaking at the event, Adeyemo described the inauguration as a significant step towards protecting, empowering and improving the welfare of widows in the state, noting that widows remained resilient women who play critical roles in sustaining their families.
He said although the Federal Government had continued to demonstrate commitment to social investment and welfare programmes, non-governmental organisations and foundations must complement government efforts by ensuring that policies translated into tangible benefits at the grassroots.
“Governance is a partnership. Organisations like WAZOBIA Widows and Oko Opó Widows Foundation bridge the critical gap between public policy and grassroots impact,” he said.
The real estate entrepreneur, who also extended financial support to the association, urged the widows not to allow their circumstances to define their future.
Addressing the members, he said: “To our indefatigable widows: your tears are seen, your struggles are acknowledged, and today, your hope is officially rekindled. You are not defined by your loss, but by your incredible strength.”
Adeyemo stressed that genuine empowerment must go beyond charity, insisting that sustainable structures were needed to enable widows attain lasting economic independence.
He disclosed that his foundation would prioritise skills development, mentorship and financial inclusion as part of efforts to turn the vulnerabilities confronting widows into opportunities for economic growth.
“True empowerment cannot rely on charity alone; it requires sustainable structures. I pledge to leverage my professional goodwill, corporate networks, and business integrity to create viable economic pathways for you,” he said.
He added: “We will transform your vulnerabilities into economic strength through skills, mentorship, and financial inclusion. My reputation is your shield, and my network is your platform for emancipation.”
Adeyemo further called for collective action to build a society where widows would not be exposed to oppression and economic vulnerability.
He congratulated the newly inaugurated executive members of the Ogun State chapter and expressed optimism that the association would expand its programmes and positively impact more widows across the state.
Earlier, the State Coordinator of the association, Pastor (Mrs.) Adesola Oluwatoyin Adesola, identified financial hardship, unemployment, lack of business capital, funding of children’s education and limited access to government empowerment programmes as some of the major challenges confronting the association’s over 3,000 members in Ogun State.
Adesola explained that the challenges informed the decision of the widows to unite, support one another and seek sustainable solutions to their socio-economic difficulties.
The WAZOBIA Widows Welfare Association, which has chapters across Nigeria, was founded by Ambassador (Mrs.) Binta Adejoke Aminu.
