…fetes members, begs govt. for recognition
The premises of Somolu local government was a sight to behold as a women’s group, Voice of widows in the state put together a programme on Thursday 19th January 2023 in support of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential ambition where the group used the opportunity to cater for the welfare of its members with over 200 members in attendance.
According to the Coordinator of the group who also doubled as the Somolu Supervisory Councillor for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Alhaja Adetutu Surakat said the gathering of the widows became necessary to sensitize the women folk ahead of the 2023 general elections about the new voting pattern so as to make their votes count.
She went further, “This programme is being put in place to sensitize them ahead of the 2023 general elections about the new voting pattern so as to make their votes count and as well use the opportunity to help women who have lost their husband, ensure our members are well taken care of so that when next the government call us, we’ll have no choice than to answer them.”
“With the new tactics employed in the electioneering process, there’s the need to educate our women on how things are being done. The process is different from the old ways of voting and with this enlightenment, it saves us a lot.”
“We’re also making a passionate appeal to the government to give 10 percent out 35 percent allocated for women to widows who’re responsible, committed, and capable which she said will not only make life more bearable but also give them a sense of belonging.”
In her submission, the former Supervisory Councillor for Agric and Sports in the Council and currently the Apex Women leader, Hon. Chief Mrs. Bosede Janet Ogunlaja said the programme was a laudable initiative that has been expected in the local government and the state at large noting that the widows needed to be heard while she commended the National President of the group, Hajiya Safiya UK Ibrahim for organizing this kind of programme for the widows.
“In fact, we’re the happiest people today for being recognized and we appreciate the President of the organization for putting together this laudable initiative. We also appreciate the Coordinator of the group at the local government level, Alhaja Hon. Adetutu Surakat who’s a good politician and mobilizer for bringing this project to the local government where widows are now benefitting.” She enthused.
Meanwhile, Hon. Chief Mrs. Ogunlaja described the women folks as a well-organized set of people owing to their disciple and well-oriented status in society.
“No doubt about the fact that we’re the mobilizing vehicle through which the mobilization is been done especially during elections. For instance, it’s only women that can engage those women in Pudah and so many other areas where men cannot handle”.
In her closing remarks urged the women folks to come out en-mass and vote for all the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidates from Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Hon. Ademorin Kuye, Hon. Biodun Orekoya and Hon. Samuel Apata in order for them to come out victoriously at the polls.
