Over 500 widows and the aged have benefitted from the empowerment programme in commemoration of the late Mrs Adetayon Alasoadura, the wife of the Senator representing Ondo Central District at the National Assembly, Chief Tayo Alasoadura.
The empowerment was funded by Adetayo Alasoadura Memorial Foundation for the Aged and Widows across the six local government areas that make up the senatorial district.
There was also a memorial lecture which was delivered by Prof. Olu Aboluwoye of the Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA).
The widower, Senator Alasoadura, who was represented at the occasion by his legislative aide, Kolawole Olasehinde Nicholas in Akue, the state capital, described the late Mrs Alasoadura as a caring, loving and a woman of great virtue, stressing that she was a strong pillar behind his husband.
Alasoadura said the programme was a continuous one to remember her contributions to the needy when she was alive.
He said: “The programme began a year after her death and we are doing it again. By the grace of God, it will continue forever.
The guest lecturer at the event, Prof Olu Aboluwoye, who was represented by a public affairs commentator, Rotimi Ogunleye described Mrs Alasoadura as a role model, comparing her to the Biblical Dorcas.
Aboluwoye said: “It is good to attend where we celebrate and remember the deceased. It affords us the opportunity to assess ourselves and see if we are doing the right thing or not.
He, therefore, urged everybody to learn from the deceased when she was alive, by living an exemplary life.
At the event, cash and food items worth several thousands of Naira were distributed to over 500 aged people and widows across the six local government areas in the Central District.
Also speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Saka Yusuf Ogunleye said the late Alasoadura was a community builder, saying she had contributed her quota positively to the development of Akure North Local Government Area and its environs.
“We will continue to pray for her departed soul, the husband, the Children she left behind and the entire family.
“I represent Akure North at the cabinet, and I think for one of us that had done her part, I think we must continue to play our own role to ensure that we remember her. That is why I said from next year, God being with us, I will contribute to the development of this foundation,” he said.
The first son of the family, Akinloye Alasoadura, described her step mum, as a nice, upright and a virtuous woman of inestimable value, a problem solver, the rock of the family, saying she stood by her husband in time of trouble and in good time. She was always there to make sure that things were always right.
“When we suddenly lost her, we felt aggrieved. It was so painful, but since there is nothing we can do to bring her back, we felt that the foundation she established while alive should not die with her. That is why we decided to continue with it on a yearly basis.”
One of the Programme Coordinators, Dayo Joseph who is also the media aide to Senator Alasoadura said the programme was put together to celebrate what the late philanthropist stood for, saying the woman stood for everything that is good.
He said: “The late Mrs Alasoadura was a virtuous woman, very decent humankind, ready to go to any length to make sure that she put smiles on the faces of the needy.
