COVID-19: EPWA Provides Succour To Less Privileged Women In Epe Division

As part of its efforts to ameliorate the suffering of womenfolks and cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on them, Epe Professional Women Association EPWA, gifted cash palliatives to 250 less privileged women across Epe division.

The event took place on Saturday, May 16th, 2020, at about 10 am in the Epe Local government Secretariat, Ita-Marun.

Speaking while addressing beneficiaries, the President who also doubles as the First Female Professor in Epe division, Prof. Olusola Oladipupo, stated categorically that the association is apolitical.

Also read: Over 250 Women In Epe Division To Benefit From EPWA ₦5000 Cash Palliatives

The astute scholar also briefed the gathering about the essence of the association, the achievements so far, challenges, and the need to organize the event.

According to her, this noble association was founded by Daughters of Epe ancestry in September 2015 as a non-political organization.

Our members, 56 in total, are all graduates with a minimum of OND. The objective of coming together as an indivisible entity is to give back to our people in the division covering Epe central, Eredo, Agbowa, Ejinrin, and Ibeju and Lekki.

“Our association embarks on up to four programs in a calendar year, some of which include, health campaigns, career talks, and counselling for students. In 2016, this noble association donated various health materials to Hospitals and Primary Health Centers across the division.

“Asides that, we mentor young girls, adopt pregnant teenagers and integrate them back into the society”.

“The challenges we have are inevitable just like every other legally registered association. We are financially incapacitated despite the fact that we levy our members. Most of us are Civil servants and we wish to do more by expanding via collaboration with Lagos state government and NGOs around to touch lives together”.

“We chose to carry out this event during post-lock down for petty traders, artisans, fish farmers, and other less privileged ones for the reason being that, most of these women must have exhausted their savings during the lock-down.

“This is an opportunity for them to revive their petty trade. As we all know that women are at the receiving end of the COVID-19 crises, we are certain that whatever we have given here today will surely touch various homes, ” she said.

The erudite academician stated further that Agbowa, Ejirin, Ibeju, Lekki all had 40 beneficiaries each while Epe central had 70 slots in the sharing formula.

She also used the medium to appeal to women across the division to get their children educated.

She admonished those who have pregnant teenagers to encourage their wards to study further as such is not the end of life.

The event progressed with various cultural songs, eulogizing members of EPWA while distributing the cash palliative of Five thousand naira only by elegant members of the association to the delight of beneficiaries despite the scorching sun.

The program also witnessed strict maintenance of the physical distancing practice which was strictly monitored by gallant officers of the Lagos Neighbourhood Security Corps.

Beneficiaries were mandated to leave the venue immediately after getting their cash gifts.

Mrs Olusola Alade-Raji, one of the founding members of the association spoke with Eko Hot Blog Correspondent while sharing her views on issues bothering on how the association raised funds for the project.

“This project has been in the pipeline and we know it is imperative for us as daughters of this ancient town to give back to our people.

Members of this reputable association made financial contributions and it is pertinent to also state that some well-meaning individuals from this town gave us their unflinching financial support.

“I advise our teeming youths to get higher education and desist from begging for money from politicians.

“This association pushed for Part-Time or Sandwich degree program at LASU Epe campus and I am happy the program is doing fine.

“We are presently speaking with the Dean of Post-Graduate Studies at LASU Ojo campus for the kick-off of Masters degree programs but the COVID-19 crises are slowing things down, ” she said.

Earlier, Wife of the Balogun-General of Epe land, Mrs Olajumoke Rasak (KLM), who is also a member of the association corroborated what was said by other members.

In her remarks, she noted that helping the people was necessary and that people should strictly adhere to preventive measures to fight the deadly virus.

“We have decided to help our people, the government can not do it alone. I will advise that the government should distribute palliatives towards the right channel.

“Practicing physical distancing and preventive measures is paramount for us to defeat coronavirus, ” she said.

Some of the beneficiaries, in their ecstatic mood, also found it worthy to speak with our correspondent.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Lateefat Ogunkoya, a self-employed entrepreneur from Odo-Egiri, Eredo LCDA said,
” I am happy to benefit from EPWA palliatives and I pray to God almighty to repay them in million folds.

On the COVID-19 crises, Mrs Ogunkoya said that she has never seen anything like this in her life.

“It is sad, we can only obey the government’s preventive measures and double up our hygiene to fight the virus because we need back our freedom.

“Schools, churches, mosques, hotels, bars are needed back”, she said.

Another beneficiary, Mrs Omolola Eshinlokun from Ibeju-Lekki gave kudos to the organizers of the event, EPWA.

She expressed elation at being chosen to get the cash gift.

She also harped on obedience to government directives as enshrined in the two holy books, The Quran and the Holy Bible.

“I am here to benefit from the cash palliatives distributed by EPWA. I so much appreciate what I have gotten here no matter how little.

“Lagos and Nigeria shall be free from COVID-19 by God’s grace.

“The two Holy books admonish us to obey our government and adhere to all preventive measures, this is for our own good, ” she said.

Other beneficiaries include; Mrs Shakiratu Giwa, Mrs Risikat Edu, Mrs Yahya Bisola, and Alhaja Ebola.

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