As part of activities to commemorate its 19th year anniversary celebration of Sola Olagunju Foundation (SOF), its Founder and Proprietor, Ambassador Olushola Olagunju has distributed food pack to over 100 persons.
The initiative according to the Foundation, aims to alleviate food insecurity among vulnerable women, children, and persons living with disabilities, as well as ensure their well-being in the society.
The event, held in Ibadan on Monday, September 9, witnessed the distribution of essential food items including rice, beans, and cooking oil, as well as nutritional supplements designed to support the health and development of the beneficiaries.
Those who benefitted from the food palliative distribution tagged’ “Hope of People Living with Disabilities in Times Like This” include children from two orphanages, widows, and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD).
Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun represented by Mr Taiwo Yinusa, commended the Foundation for providing what was described as exceptional service to humanity.
The Commissioner noted that what the Foundation is doing aligns with the vision of Governor Seyi Makinde’s inclusive governance, ensuring that the people’s well-being remains at the centrepiece of all government policies and programs.
She assured that the Ministry of Women AffairsAffairs would continue to collaborate with Sola Olagunju Foundation and other Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the state that are genuinely committed to charity and humanitarian services.
In his address, the Special Guest of honor, Chairman of Oyo State Youth Development Agency, Prince Adebowale Falana, lauded the Foundation for its dedication and selfless commitment towards alleviating the suffering of the less privileged.
Acknowledging the prevailing hardship pervading the entire country, Prince Falana noted that the economic situation has reached a stage where strategic collaboration and partnership between government and privileged members of the society in order to improve capacity to provide succour to the downtrodden.
While particularly commending Ambassador Sola Olagunju for always standing up for the poor, especially with very scarce resources, the Youth Development Agency boss vowed to provide needed support to members of the Foundation through strategic vocational trainings and empowerment to engender self reliance.
He noted that the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde has done and still doing so much through various initiatives and programs including employment opportunities for People Living With Disabilities, creation of access to Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, MSMEs loans among others.
He disclosed that the present government has unprecedentedly created equal access to employment opportunities in the state civil service for all regardless of physical health status of eligible applicants. He added that Governor Makinde has gone further to earmark certain number of employment opportunities specially for people living with disabilities to promote the culture of merit based employment devoid of discrimination.
“We recognize the critical role that reputable NGOs such as Sola Olagunju Foundation play in the lives of these vulnerable people, our aim at the Youth Development Agency is to forge a strong partnership with this Foundation to ensure sustained support and resources for them.” Prince Falana said.
Similarly, former Special Assistant on Community Relation to Governor of Oyo state, Honorable Olufemi Josiah, advised government at all levels to enact a law on Social Welfare Trust Funds to address public issues bothering on special needs of extremely vulnerable people such as orphans, widows, and persons living with physical disabilities.
He explained that the current economic hardship has imposed multidimensional poverty on the people, stressing that vulnerable people are always at the most receiving end. He however, commended the Makinde led administration for its efforts to address some of the economic challenges through its Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER) while calling on privileged individuals in the society to rise up to support government and live above lamentations without any deliberate move to support the less privileged.
Earlier in her welcome address, Ambassador Olusola Olagunju thanked the guests for their show of support to her Foundation and expressed optimism that the existing cordial relationship, partnership with the Ministry of Women Affairs would be sustained.
While appreciating the Chairman of Oyo Youth Development Agency, Prince Falana, for his support and expression of commitment to partner with Sola Olagunju Foundation, she highlighted the potentials of such synergistic collaboration adding that it would significantly impact the vulnerable people in dire need.
Some of the beneficiaries of the Foundation’s empowerments including Mrs. Adetoun Adeniyi, Mrs Tosin Mustapha, and Mrs. Deborah Olatunji, lauded Ambassador Olagunju for her selflessness and motherly role in their lives and offered prayers for capacity to do more.
They equally lauded the initiative as a model for effective humanitarian service based on public-private partnerships in addressing social inequalities particularly among vulnerable people.
