From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
Worried by the economic and security challenges in the country, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, has called on the citizens to join forces with the federal government to save the nation, declaring that “Nigeria cannot afford to go into extinction”.
Alake also declared that Nigeria is too blessed to become a failed state despite the lingering hardship.
The monarch stated this in Abeokuta at the Widows Empowerment Programme, organised by the Egba Descendants’ Association, Dallas, USA.
Alake said, “God has blessed Nigeria to the extent that we cannot afford to become a failed State. Nigeria will not become a history. We must give our children a befitting future. God will help us all. So, let us all join forces with the government and ensure that we overcome this current situation in the country”.
Alake commended the association for alleviating the situation of the Widows, calling on similar organisations to emulate the kind gesture.
In her remarks, the president of the association, Elizabeth Oyeniyi, said the empowerment programme targeted widows in Abeokuta as an avenue to support the government in poverty alleviation.
She explained that “the association is a charitable and a non-political organisation that promotes Egba culture, supports community services, provides scholarships, amongst others”.
Represented at the event by Tony Ojurabesa, Oyeniyi insisted that government must continue to strive to make sure poverty is reduced to the barest minimum in the nation.
He lamented that poverty is eating hard into the fabric of Nigeria, adding that women are mostly affected, adding that the need to empower the windows was imperative as all of them have been left alone to cater for their children after losing their husbands.
“I’ll appeal to the Nigerian government to help our people . People are suffering too much . That’s why we are doing what we are doing today. We are doing this for the purpose of our people who have no jobs . We cannot do all, but we will do a little bit we can do.
“I’ll also advise the beneficiaries to make good use of the empowerment tools given to them, and cater for the needs of their families”, she stated.