By Abubakar Yunusa
No fewer than 4,000 indigent residents, mostly women, on Tuesday received food items and financial support in Ondo City, Ondo State, as part of activities marking the 10th remembrance of the late Chief Adefunke Fadeni.
The empowerment programme, organised by the Funke Fadeni Foundation, took place at the deceased’s residence on Ebenezerie Street, Aiyeyemi, where widows and single mothers were given bags of rice and cash to support their livelihoods.
Speaking during the event, the Group Managing Director of KSI Group, Engr. (Dr.) Koleola Emmanuel Fadeni, urged women to embrace entrepreneurship and self-reliance rather than depend solely on government interventions.
He noted that the initiative formed part of a five-day programme organised to honour his late mother, whom he described as a philanthropist devoted to the welfare of the less privileged.
Fadeni said, “What we are doing here today is reaching out to people in need—widows, single mothers and others who genuinely require support. We have done this in places like Bwari in Abuja and Akure, but we decided to bring it home to Ondo to mark the 10th remembrance of my mother.”
He added, “My advice to every woman is to work hard and not lose hope. The country may be challenging, but every woman should find something doing for a living before looking up to the government.”
The real estate developer further disclosed that the foundation had trained youths in various vocational skills for over two weeks, stressing the need for individuals to be economically productive.
“We will continue to provide clothes and funds to help beneficiaries start small businesses. We are committed to doing more for humanity,” he said.
Fadeni also called on government at all levels to intensify efforts in reaching vulnerable citizens, noting that existing interventions were insufficient.
“My advice to government is to do more. While efforts are being made, the best is not enough. Leaders must be supported by the right people to succeed, otherwise their intentions may be frustrated,” he added.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs Florence Ogunduyile and Mrs Blessing Olamide, commended the foundation for the gesture, offering prayers for its continued growth and impact.
