From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Chairperson of the Akala Transformation Movement (ATM), and former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has urged Nigerian leaders to embrace the fear of God and channel public resources towards improving the lives of citizens.
Alao-Akala made the call on Saturday in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, during the ATM Widows Connect programme, where selected widows from the 33 local government areas of the state received cash support.
She said leaders who placed the welfare of the people at the centre of governance would leave behind legacies capable of benefiting future generations.
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“I wish our leaders would follow a leaf from Akala’s book. If they have the fear of God, we’ll be able to do right by the people,” she said.
Alao-Akala, who said the initiative was inspired by the humanitarian values of her late husband, former Oyo State Governor, Senator Adebayo Alao-Akala, described the programme as an avenue to put smiles on the faces of vulnerable women.
“He had a heart for the people. He wanted to provide for the people. He liked to put smiles on people’s faces. So, I think it is just right that we should keep doing this,” she said.
She also advocated greater financial autonomy for local governments, saying direct access to funds would enable councils to respond more effectively to the needs of their communities and execute development projects.
The ATM chairperson urged the beneficiaries to use the financial assistance judiciously, noting that the resources were contributions entrusted to her for the purpose of helping people in need.
“I have told them, people gave me this money, so I’m sharing with them. Let them also share. There is no way you give that it will not come back to you,” she said.
Speaking on the programme, the Director-General of ATM, Mr Demola Akala, said the Widows Connect was established as a humanitarian initiative to provide practical assistance to widows and make life more comfortable for them.
He said the initiative was inspired by Alao-Akala’s personal experience as a widow and her desire to extend the support and privileges she enjoys to other women facing similar challenges.
“She feels that there is a privilege she is enjoying and she wants to extend it to everyone, every other person she feels appreciated,” he said.
Demola stressed that the programme was humanitarian rather than political, religious or military, adding that it was open to widows across different communities.
“It is a humanitarian programme that makes life a little more comfortable for widows. It is not a military thing and it is not a religious thing. It provides and invites everybody from across the spectrum,” he said.
He noted that the growing participation in the monthly programme had increased awareness of its objectives, while stressing the importance of sustained support to enable the initiative reach more beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Rev. Niyi Ojo, described caring for less privileged people as an investment rather than an act of discrimination.
Ojo urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the support, while encouraging the widows to pray for their children and nurture them to continue the legacies left by their late husbands.
He also prayed for Alao-Akala, asking God to reward her generosity and continue to uplift her.
The beneficiaries, including Bamide Adeyemo expressed appreciation for the gesture and prayed for God’s blessings upon Alao-Akala and the ATM leadership.
The programme also featured praise and worship by the True Worshippers Choir, while prayers were offered for Alao-Akala by the Araba of Ogbomoso, the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land and the Zonal Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogbomoso land.
