I wish our leaders would follow a leaf from Akala’s book. If they have the fear of God, we’ll be able to do right by the people
By Kehinde Emmanuel
The Chairperson of the Akala Transformation Movement (ATM) and former First Lady of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Oluwakemi Alao-Akala, has called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the fear of God and devote public resources to improving the lives of citizens.
Alao-Akala made the call on Saturday in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, during the ATM Widows Connect programme, where selected widows from the 33 local government areas of the state received financial assistance.
She said leaders who prioritised the welfare of the people would leave behind legacies that could benefit generations to come.
“I wish our leaders would follow a leaf from Akala’s book. If they have the fear of God, we’ll be able to do right by the people,” she said.
Alao-Akala said the initiative was inspired by the humanitarian values of her late husband, former Oyo State Governor, Senator Adebayo Alao-Akala.
According to her, the programme was established to continue his legacy of caring for vulnerable members of society and putting smiles on people’s faces.
“He had a heart for the people. He wanted to provide for the people. He liked to put smiles on people’s faces. So, I think it is just right that we should keep doing this,” she said.
The ATM chairperson also advocated greater financial autonomy for local governments, saying direct access to funds would enable councils to respond more effectively to the needs of their communities and implement development projects.
She urged the beneficiaries to use the financial assistance judiciously, stressing that the funds were contributions entrusted to her for the purpose of supporting people in need.
“I have told them, people gave me this money, so I’m sharing with them. Let them also share. There is no way you give that it will not come back to you,” she said.
Speaking on the initiative, ATM Director-General, Mr Demola Akala, said the Widows Connect programme was established as a humanitarian intervention aimed at providing practical assistance and making life more comfortable for widows.
He said the initiative was inspired by Alao-Akala’s experience as a widow and her desire to extend the support and opportunities available to her to other women facing similar challenges.
“She feels that there is a privilege she is enjoying and she wants to extend it to everyone, every other person she feels appreciated,” he said.
Demola stressed that the programme was humanitarian and not political, religious or military, adding that widows from different communities and backgrounds were welcome to participate.
“It is a humanitarian programme that makes life a little more comfortable for widows. It is not a military thing and it is not a religious thing. It provides and invites everybody from across the spectrum,” he said.
He noted that increasing participation in the monthly programme had helped to raise awareness of its objectives, while calling for sustained support to enable the initiative reach more beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Rev. Dr Niyi Adebayo Ojo described support for less privileged members of society as an investment rather than discrimination.
“Care for the less privileged is not discrimination. Care for the less privileged is an investment. He who gives to the poor never lacks,” he said.
Ojo urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the assistance and encouraged them to pray for their children and raise them to preserve the legacies of their late husbands.
He also prayed for Alao-Akala, asking God to reward her generosity and continue to uplift her.
The beneficiaries, including Mrs Abass, Bamide Adeyemo and Adeta, expressed appreciation for the gesture and prayed for God’s blessings upon Alao-Akala and the ATM leadership.
The programme featured praise and worship by the True Worshippers Choir, while prayers were offered for Alao-Akala by the Araba of Ogbomoso, the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land and the Zonal Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Ogbomoso land.