-
With Empowerment Of 200 People
Last week, the much anticipated launching of Unicorn Respite And Rehabilitation Centre, an NGO of Olori Olayinka Balogun, the wife of Late Olubadan Oba Lekan Balogun, held in style.
About 200 persons comprising widows, artisans, unemployed graduates, and the needy benefitted from the maiden edition. It was in memory of Oba Lekan Balogun who, according to Olori Olayinka, advocated for women empowerment. The event held at the Community School, adjacent to the Alarere palace of Oba Balogun was tagged ‘Liberating The Needy 2024: Making Impact In Our Community Through Giving And Serving.
It witnessed a massive turnout of several NGOs from both Oyo and Osun states, top personalities and beneficiaries of the scheme. Items distributed to the beneficiaries were clothing, cash, gift packs, high grade sewing machines, carpentry tools and other equipment. There was also a free health check section as well as jumble sales, among other activities.
In her address as guest speaker of the occasion, Dr. Kofoworola Soyinka described philanthropy as an essential weapon of getting rid of poverty from the society. The renowned medical practitioner emphasized that “The process of setting free the needy will surely impact on our community and this process involves serving and giving by the more privileged persons.”
Soyinka who is a board member of PriHEMAC Home Care enjoined all to get involved in the act of giving and service to humanity so as to have an improved economy and well-being of more citizens. Dr. Soyinka’s stand on the strategic approach to poverty reduction in the society was also corroborated by Dr. Sade Taiwo of CEDAR NGO. According to Dr. Taiwo, no act of kindness is too small as everybody is blessed in one way or the other.
In her own remark, the immediate past President, Association of Women Orientation for Sustainable Development in Nigeria (AWON) and founder of Lifebuilders, Chief (Mrs) Grace Oluwatoye, commended Olori Olayinka Balogun on the beautiful initiative. She charged all participants to always have it in mind that they can do something to bring smile to the face of the next person. Earlier in her welcome address, Unicorn Director, Olori Olayinka Balogun, expressed deep appreciation to everyone who in one way or the other contributed to the success of the program. She specially thanked her co-olori, Olori Olufunmilayo Balogun for her great supports. Olori Olayinka Balogun also used the medium to call on NGOs to collaborate and network in their efforts to eradicate poverty and support those in need. In her words “I was inspired to have an NGO by the philanthropic activities of those around me.
“I saw it as something I could do at my retirement age, to give comfort to other people and to serve humanity. So when I clocked 60 I decided to go into it fully. “Initially, we wanted to empower 1000 people but the sudden death of Kabiyesi changed our plans. “The program shall continue in phases and we plan to reach out to more people God willing.”
Present at the well-attended occasion are Engr (Dr) Ajibola Abiola of MDISK Ibadan; a Human Resources Specialist and PR expert, Mrs Yetunde Alagbe who coordinated the distribution of the free items to the beneficiaries; representatives of over 20 NGOs and Pastor Olusiji, among others.
There are many sides to Olori Olayinka Balogun, each more remarkable than the last. She’s a professional nurse trained in the U.K, a mother, an adorable wife and above all a philanthropist.
What many may not know about Olori Olayinka Balogun is that prior to the official launching of her NGO, she has been serving humanity in her own little way. But she doesn’t make noise about it at all. She has been a silent destiny helper and a bridge builder.
-Dare Adeniran
08057639079
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
