The Ondo State Government has earmarked N18m to support vulnerable widows in Akoko South-West and Idanre Local Government Areas, under the second phase of the O’Datiwa Widows’ Care Initiative.
The intervention, which is part of the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa’s efforts to provide support for vulnerable and less privileged residents, is expected to benefit about 1,000 widows through financial assistance, free medical screening and drugs.
The second phase of the programme was launched on Monday, August 31, 2026, at the palace of the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko Kingdom, Oba Dr Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, in Akoko South-West Local Government Area.
More than 500 widows from the 15 wards of the local government area benefited from the exercise.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr Bosede Osamaye, said the initiative was designed to provide relief to women who had been left to cater for themselves and their families following the death of their spouses.
According to her, many widows were struggling with the responsibility of raising their children and meeting basic needs alone, particularly amid the prevailing economic challenges.
“The Governor has identified this vulnerable group who, as a result of the death of their spouses, are facing several hardships. We have come to engage with them, providing succour as a government to alleviate their poverty in a way we think we can,” she said.
Osamaye added that the programme was also intended to help widows build resilience while assuring them that the state government had not forgotten their plight.
She commended Governor Aiyedatiwa and his wife, Mrs Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, for their commitment to the welfare of vulnerable groups in the state.
The commissioner also paid a courtesy visit to the Olubaka at his palace, where she explained the objectives of the programme and highlighted other social intervention initiatives of the ministry, including its free medical outreach programme.
Responding, the Olubaka of Oka-Akoko, Oba Adeleye, commended the governor for introducing programmes targeted at vulnerable members of society.
He described the widows’ intervention as an indication of the government’s concern for residents facing difficult circumstances.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Temitope Radiat, thanked the governor, his wife and the commissioner, saying the intervention had provided widows with access to healthcare and financial assistance.
The programme was subsequently extended to Idanre Local Government Area on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, where more than 200 participants across the 10 wards benefited from free medical screening, drugs and financial support.
The exercise, held at the Better Life Hall, Idanre, attracted widows, including young women who had lost their spouses and were facing different economic and social challenges.
Speaking at the Idanre event, Osamaye said the programme was designed to reach widows across the 18 local government areas of the state, adding that the government would continue to identify with them and reassure them of its support.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Kayode Kolawole, said Governor Aiyedatiwa had directed the ministry to provide medical care and grants to widows who could not afford healthcare services.
A member of the Hospital Management Board, Nurse Arinola Adamolekun, also commended the intervention.
For one of the beneficiaries, Olonimoyo Beatrice, the initiative demonstrated that the government had not forgotten widows in the state.
The O’Datiwa Widows’ Care Initiative is expected to cover widows across Ondo State as the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development continues its implementation in other local government areas.
