*Move to sustain late governor’s legacy
From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The widows of the late former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, have extended financial assistance to two women who lost their husbands in the recent kidnapping crisis in Oriire Local Government Area of the state, saying the late governor’s legacy of service must continue to impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.
The intervention was presented by the former First Lady of Oyo State and Chairperson of the Alao-Akala Transformation Movement (ATM), Chief (Mrs.) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, alongside Pastor (Mrs.) Florence Alao-Akala, at the Alao-Akala Country Home, Randa Area, Ogbomoso.
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The gesture came a day ahead of the formal unveiling of the Alao-Akala Transformation Movement, scheduled for Wednesday at the same venue.
Speaking after the presentation, Chief (Mrs.) Alao-Akala, said the assistance was intended to provide immediate relief to the affected families, acknowledging that no financial support could make up for the loss of a loved one.
“We have given them some money and we pray that God will multiply the money and that they will be able to use it properly. It is really nothing compared with what they have lost. Losing a loved one is a big deal,” she said.
She said the intervention reflected the humanitarian values associated with the Alao-Akala family, noting that the family had over the years supported students, widows, visually impaired persons and other vulnerable members of society.
According to her, the Alao-Akala Transformation Movement was conceived as a platform to sustain the ideals of her late husband through initiatives focused on grassroots development, education, healthcare, youth and women empowerment as well as humanitarian assistance.
“We just thought it was right to unveil a political arm of the foundation, which we are going to launch in the future. We came up with Alao-Akala Transformation Movement,” she said.
Explaining the name, she said the initials “ATM” were derived from the late governor’s popular name, adding that the movement would seek to translate his philosophy of service into practical interventions capable of addressing contemporary challenges at the grassroots.
The intervention also comes against the backdrop of the security crisis that rocked Oriire Local Government Area in May, when armed men invaded three schools on May 15, 2026, abducting pupils and teachers, including a two-year-old child.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and intensified security operations involving various security agencies and local security groups.
The victims were eventually rescued on July 10 after 56 days in captivity and taken for medical and psychological attention. The incident, which also resulted in fatalities in captivity, renewed calls for stronger measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.
It was against this wider security and humanitarian challenge that the Alao-Akala widows said their intervention should be viewed, stressing that families affected by violence often face prolonged economic hardship after the immediate crisis.
Pastor (Mrs.) Florence Alao-Akala said the support was not simply about providing money but about standing with families during periods of grief and uncertainty.
She noted that the loss of a breadwinner could expose families to severe economic hardship, urging individuals and organisations with the means to support victims of insecurity and other vulnerable members of society.
Chief (Mrs.) Alao-Akala also appealed to Nigerians who could assist others to do so, saying acts of kindness could leave a lasting legacy.
“The general public should know that what you do today, there is tomorrow for everybody. Whatever you do today is going to be talked about tomorrow,” she said.
She added, “Whatever you can do to help society, help people. Be your brother’s keeper. Whatever you are able to do to help, do it. When you help, you are just loading your clouds.”
On governance, she acknowledged efforts by government but called for greater action to improve citizens’ welfare and provide essential infrastructure.
“The government is taking care of us. They could do better,” she said.
She disclosed that the Alao-Akala family had previously assisted students with Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board forms and carried out other interventions for disadvantaged members of society.
Mrs. Alao-Akala also disclosed that she recently visited students of the Alao-Akala College of Health Sciences and inspected the ongoing Alao-Akala Health Centre in Iseyin, expressing optimism that the facility would be completed despite funding challenges.
“We visited the ongoing Alao-Akala Health Centre in Iseyin and we were happy with how far we have gone. We should have completed it by now, but what we budgeted for has not been enough. By the grace of God, it should be completed,” she said.
Reflecting on her late husband’s legacy, she said his greatest achievement was the goodwill he built among the people during his lifetime.
“One thing about my husband is that he wrote his name in the hearts of the people. When your name is written in the hearts of people, it is there,” she said.
She urged political leaders to see public office as an opportunity to serve rather than a means of personal enrichment, while praying for the success of those currently entrusted with governance.
The two beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Alao-Akala family for the gesture and prayed for continued blessings on the family and the success of the ATM. They also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
The formal unveiling of the Alao-Akala Transformation Movement on Wednesday is expected to shed more light on its programmes, structure and objectives, including proposed interventions in grassroots development, education, healthcare, women and youth empowerment and humanitarian assistance.
For the Alao-Akala widows, the support for the Oriire victims represents more than a financial gesture. It is an early demonstration of their resolve to keep the late governor’s legacy of service alive by responding to the needs of people affected by hardship, insecurity and loss.
