By Anthonia Soyingbe, Senior Reporter Lagos.
From time immemorial, societies despite discriminations have relied on the prowess of women and the moral foundation provided by women has proved uniquely beneficial to the common good of humanity.
Though the sacrifices are challenging but oftentimes, the society is not conducive for them to discharge their entire God-given goals. The many roles of contemporary woman were some of the issues discussed recently at the 7th annual empowerment program powered by Oasis Women Organisation (OWOG) in Lagos recently.
Members of Oasis Women Organisation and Prof Kolawole Raheem presenting refrigerator to one of the beneficiary
Speaking on womanhood and the many sacrifices, Founder of OWOG, Erelu Mojisola Adams agreed that gender issues are integral part of the many sacrifices women make.
She maintained that despite the many challenges, an ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will project womanhood in negative light.
“Women bear the larger share of the problems of unrest. The society is not conducive for women to perform the roles nature bestow on them but in the face of all these, the ideal woman should champion womanhood and detest anything that will not promote womanhood. Women’s moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt than in the home. There is no better setting for rearing children than the generational home where the parents live in harmony,” she noted in her address.
Also highlighting the many roles of women in the society, retired Philosophy Teacher, University of Lagos Professor Sophie Oluwole stressed that women who are nation builders should always engage in positive ventures so as to augment their husband’s income and for them to be economically viable.
“No society can survive without women because we are not just homebuilders, we are agents of change. I want to encourage women not to be onlookers but they should be agents of positive change in the society,” she said.
The highlight of the occasion was the economic empowerment of 12 indigent widows and five orphans. The widows who according to Adams were selected without favouritism explained that OWOG is committed to alleviating the many sufferings of widows in the society.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Gbenga Fayombo who got an embroidery machine at the occasion said her husband died in April 2014 after being sick for many months. The mother of four who since then has been living from hand to mouth said the machine will help her to feed her children.
Another beneficiary who identified herself as Mulikat Lawal after receiving her gift pack from OWOG said, she has being longing to purchase a refrigerator for over 18 months to aid her in selling sachet water but she has not been able to raise the needed sum.
“This is a big relief and I can’t thank God enough for counting me worthy to be a partaker of these great blessing. I sell Pure (sachet) water and I have been trying all this while to raise money so as to purchase a refrigerator, all my efforts have been fruitless, this is a big relief. I will live the rest of my life to cherish OWOG.”
Speaking with Daily Independent shortly after the presentations, Adams said OWOG was born out of her passion for putting smiles on the faces of the less-privileged in the society. “I live my life for the under-privileged and this is what makes me happy. It is not easy doing all these annually without the backings of government or donor agencies but I am a fulfilled woman because we are opportune to make some people happy. From time to time we assist women and children. I work with a wonderful team and I am over joyous because we have achieved a lot since inception. We won’t relent in doing more and assisting humanity in whatever way we can.”
National Coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Gani Adams who is the spouse of the founder of OWOG, was on hand to lend support to the group.
Addressing the participants and beneficiaries of the gifts enjoined members of the group to look beyond accolades and gratifications but carry out their humanitarian acts diligently without seeking any reward.
Adams charged the women beneficiaries to be prudent in the use of the wares and materials given them to support their families and leave a mark of difference to humanity.
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