A non governmental organisation, the My People First Foundation, has donated a newly constructed bungalow to a widow, Mama Mariyamo Audu Azuo, in Inata community, Obeiba, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The intervention is the second house provided by the foundation for vulnerable women in the state within two months. The house was commissioned and formally handed over to the beneficiary at a ceremony attended by government officials, community leaders and other guests.
Speaking at the event, the founder of the My People First Foundation, Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade, said the initiative was part of her efforts to improve the living conditions of vulnerable women in the state. Omade said she had pledged during her first outreach to provide accommodation for at least four widows before the end of the year, adding that the latest project represented progress towards fulfilling that commitment.
“I am delighted to be able to put smiles on the faces of people who may never be able to repay my kindness,” she said. “I am only replicating what God did in my life through total strangers who came into my story and changed it for good. I believe that when God blesses you, He expects you to become a blessing to others.”
She added that her role as State Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of the Kogi State Public Investment Promotion Agency (KOSSIPA) had provided opportunities to contribute to the welfare of women and other vulnerable members of society. According to her, women make up a significant part of the electorate and should benefit from development initiatives. “We cannot continue to talk about development without paying attention to people who are struggling to survive in our communities,” she said.
Omade also appealed to individuals and organisations with the means to support vulnerable people in their communities, saying the impact of wealth should be measured partly by its contribution to society. “The true measure of wealth is not how much you accumulate, but how many lives you are able to touch and transform,” she said. “There are elderly women living in houses that can collapse at any moment. I will continue to do whatever I can to improve their living conditions and restore their dignity.”
Commissioning the house, the Technical Adviser to the Governor on Donors and Multilateral Affairs, Dr Ozomata Abdullahi, commended the foundation for its intervention. “Providing two houses for vulnerable women within two months is not a small achievement,” Abdullahi said. He also encouraged other individuals to support vulnerable members of society.
The Chairman of the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS), Alhaji Sule Salihu Enehe, said housing support should be complemented with measures that could help beneficiaries establish sustainable livelihoods. Enehe donated cash to the widow to support her plans to start a small business. “Giving her a house is a major intervention, but we must also ensure that she has a means of livelihood,” he said. “Our responsibility should not end with providing shelter. We should empower her to become economically independent and live a dignified life.” His appeal prompted additional contributions from other individuals towards helping the beneficiary establish a business.
Receiving the keys to her new home, Mama Mariyamo expressed appreciation to Omade and other contributors for the support. She said the condition of the house where she previously lived had forced her to rent another room while still returning to the family home regularly. “Today, I have a new home. I am very grateful to Hajiya Omade and everyone who has contributed to making this possible,” she said.
The beneficiary also appealed to the government, individuals and organisations to identify and support other widows and vulnerable people in need of assistance.
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