The Ondo State Government has released N18 million succour for vulnerable widows in three Local Government Areas of the State under the second phase of the O’Datiwa Widows’ Care Initiative.
This was disclosed on a statement by the spokesman of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mr, Festus Adeusi, who said that about 1,000 widows benefited.
The programme’s second phase, tagged O’Datiwa Widows Care, was launched on Monday, August 31st, 2026, at the Palace of Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye OON, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko Kingdom, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area, where over 500 widows across the 15 wards of the Local Government were given free medical checks, drugs and financial assistance
Speaking at the event, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, stated that the initiative was designed by the Governoe to support widows and enhance their welfare amid prevailing economic challenges.
She said, ‘The Governor has identified this vulnerable group who, as a result of the death of their spouses, are facing several hardships. We have come to engage with them, providing succour as a Government to alleviate their poverty in a way we think we can,” she said
According to her, “Some of these women have lost their husbands, and the initiative is aimed at showing empathy on the part of the State Government by supporting them, especially considering the challenges of taking care of their children and families alone. As a Government, we need to identify with them and build their resilience. That is what the Widows’ Care Programme is all about.”
She commended the Governor and his amiable wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for their commitment to the welfare of the vulnerable groups in the State, describing the O’Datiwa Widows Care Initiative as a strong testament to the Governor’s love and care for the less privileged in the State.
Earlier, the commissioner paid a courtesy visit to the Olubaka in his Palace, intimating the Kabiyesi about the purpose and focus of the O’ Datiwa Widows Care Initiative taking place at the palace grounds and other social intervention programmes that had been implemented by the State Government through the ministry, most especially the Free medical outreach, which would also be brought back to Oka- Akoko in due course.
In his response, the Olubaka of Oka- Akoko kingdom, Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye OON, who commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for putting in place all these lauded programmes tailored towards providing succour for the vulnerable groups in the State, added that the O’ Datiwa Widows Care Initiative demonstrated his Government’s concern for vulnerable members of society.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Temitope Radiat, who thanked the Governor, his wife and the commissioner for the intervention, added that the initiative has afforded widows in the community access to free healthcare services and, at the same time, financial support from the Government.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has extended the implementation of the O’datiwa widows care programme to Idanre Local Government Area, providing free medical screening and financial assistance to widows in the area.
Speaking at the event, the Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Seun Osamaye, informed that
the initiative was designed by the Governor to identify with widows across the Eighteen Local Government Areas of the State, encourage them and reassure them of his Administration’s support at all times.
The programme, which was held on Tuesday, September 1st, 2026, at the Better Life Hall, Idanre, witnessed a large turnout of participants and beneficiaries, including young widows who had lost their spouses and were facing various challenges.
Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Kayode Kolawole, while appreciating the Governor for the laudable programme, said the Governor had directed the ministry to provide medical care and grants to widows who could not afford healthcare services. He said the intervention was aimed at supporting widows and improving their well-being
Also speaking, Nurse Arinola Adamolekun, who is a member of the Hospital Management Board, commended the Governor for his support for widows in the state.
One of the participants, Olonimoyo Beatrice, described the initiative as commendable, praising the Governor for remembering widows.
At the end of the programme, over 200 participants across the 10 wards of the Local Government Areas benefited from the free Medical health care services, free drugs and financial support.
Present at the event were the Olori Ogunlowo, Community leaders, APC Central Senatorial Women Leader, Alhaja Funmilola Oluwadare, Director of Social Welfare, Mr Adebayo Oyegunwa; Director of Skill Acquisition, Mr Samuel Olumide; Director of Women Affairs, Mrs Folashade Oladiran; Mrs Funmilola Oluwadare, APC Central Senatorial Women Leader ; Mrs
Patience Agbayewa; Mrs Olayinka Afin; Staff of the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission; Officials of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development; and other Aides to the Commissioner and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism.
Also Present at the event in Akoko South West local government were, the Permanent of the Ministry who was represented at the occasion by the Director Social Welfare, Mr Adebayo Oyegunwa, Director Skill Acquisition Mr Samuel Olumide, Director Women Affairs Mrs Folashade Oladiran, Vice Chairman, Akoko North East, Hon. Mrs Folashade Gold, Vice Chairman Akoko North West, Hon Mrs Bello Eunice Bosede, Hon. Mrs Abiola Mary APC Women Leader, for Ond North Senatorial District,, Mrs Ayodele Janet Akoko South West Women Leader, Hon. Nurse Ariola Adamolekun, Board Members, Hospital Management Board, Team from Ondo state Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, Staff of women Affairs Department and Aides to the Commissioner.
