As the holy month of Ramadan draws to an end, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), in collaboration with Okó Opó Foundation, has extended a generous lifeline to widows across seven Ogun communities by providing them with rice and cash palliatives to celebrate Sallah.
The initiative, aimed at alleviating the burden of vulnerable women, saw 150 widows from Isa-Laderin, Masa, Ekiti, Abule-Egbeda, Sokenu, Okotuntun, and Agbese communities receiving much-needed relief.
The distribution, held at The Podium within Pelican Valley Estate, Laderin, was marked by gratitude and prayers from beneficiaries who expressed deep appreciation for the support.
Recognizing the importance of the cause, the Nigeria Customs Service donated an additional N500,000 to the Okó Opó Foundation, complementing their earlier donation of 30 bags of rice. Representatives of the NCS who attended the event reaffirmed their commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts.
Ambassador (Dr.) Babatunde Adeyemo, the founder of Okó Opó Foundation and CEO of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, described the initiative as “a fulfilling opportunity to rekindle hope among widows.” He expressed gratitude to donors, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, for their support.
“We got some bags of rice from the Nigeria Customs Service, and I felt it would be good to also share cash palliatives alongside it to ease the burden on widows,” Adeyemo stated.
“To the glory of God, we have distributed rice and cash to about 150 widows from six communities. This is just the beginning, as we aim to reach more widows and less privileged individuals in future outreaches.”
The widows, overwhelmed with joy, offered heartfelt prayers for the foundation and its benefactors. One of the beneficiaries, 50-year-old Sherifatu Akinwunmi from Masa community, described Okó Opó Foundation as “a pillar of support.”
Speaking in Yoruba, she said, “May Allah continue to bless Alhaji Babatunde Adeyemo for supporting us with food and money at this trying time. His family and business will continue to progress. This is not the first time he has wiped away our tears.”
Baale Masa, Chief Sabiu Sotunde, the traditional ruler of Masa community, also commended Adeyemo, describing him as “a beacon of kindness.”
He added, “His generosity through Okó Opó Foundation is touching lives, and I pray that God continues to bless him and his family.”
With the success of this year’s outreach, Adeyemo is optimistic about expanding the foundation’s impact.
“We are looking forward to a more robust and mutually beneficial relationship with donors and benefactors. We are in this for the long haul, and with God’s grace, we will continue to put smiles on the faces of the less privileged.”
