The Oj Ile-Alayo Foundation Nigeria, an international, family and empowerment-focused humanitarian organisation founded by Olufunke Remilekun Jackson, has held its 2026 annual retreat and beach outing for members in Nigeria.
The event, which took place at Barracuda Beach Resort over the weekend, brought together members from across Nigeria for a blend of recreational and educational activities.
Just as it did recently in the United States of America, members were treated to a weekend of engaging lectures, games, music, dance and communal dining, creating an atmosphere that combined leisure with purposeful reflection on family life, character and enterprise.
Speaking about the programme, Mrs Jackson emphasised the central role of character in building and sustaining strong families.
She urged couples to remain united, uphold positive values and guide their children through exemplary conduct, noting that stable families form the foundation of a functional society.
She also encouraged women to embrace entrepreneurship and meaningful economic engagement as a means of supporting their households.
“The global economic climate is challenging. This is a time for greater unity between spouses. Both husbands and wives should be involved in productive ventures to meet growing financial responsibilities.
“Family life today demands partnership. Women should not leave all responsibilities to men, just as men must not neglect their duties to their families. We must complement one another,” she noted.
The Founder identified honesty, fidelity, understanding, tolerance, effective communication, mutual respect and love as essential values for sustaining healthy relationships within the home.
She warned that many societal challenges can be traced to dysfunctional family structures, stressing that such breakdowns often develop gradually due to poor communication, lack of respect and the absence of positive role models.
“Dysfunctional families do not emerge overnight. They evolve where there is a breakdown in communication, tolerance and mutual respect. Poor parental example further compounds the situation, often resulting in wayward children and broader social consequences, she noted.
She concluded that a stable family system is critical to national development, adding: “When families thrive, society thrives.”
The retreat featured sessions on family values, character development, safe use of social media and strategies for leveraging digital platforms for income generation. It concluded with a communal feast, offering a variety of meals and refreshments for members.
