Foundation empowers students, women in Oolo, Ogbomoso, as Oba calls for higher institution in domain

Rasak BELLO

The ancient Oolo town in Oriire local government area of Oyo state came alive recently as a non-governmental organisation, Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi Foundation (COAF), held an empowerment programme for students, women and others.

The programme which encompassed scholarships, payment of school levies, gift of educational materials such as textbooks among others to 10 students of Oolo Community Grammar School, business grants to seven women and digital training opportunities for three young ladies, was held at the palace of Oloolo.

This is as Oloolo HRM Oba Michael Oyebunmi Ajayi Oyegbami IV, called for the siting of a higher institution in the community assuring of availability of land.

In her keynote address, Dr Dorcas Adefunke Adebayo a member of the Board of Trustees, who represented the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of COAF, Professor Adetoro Adeyemi Adegoke, said the foundation was a vision conceived by Prof Adegoke, who is her sister, to honour their mother, Madam Comfort Ogunbola Adeyemi of Foyanmu compound, Oke-Taraa, Ogbomoso, who is still alive, “as a testament of her sacrifices in training us her children, though not that our father did not train us.”

“The reason we are honouring her is because at that time when she gave up everything to ensure we are trained, girl-child education was not all that recognised,” adding that the Foundation is imbued with a vision of equipping and empowering women and girl-child.

Dr Dorcas Adebayo highlighted that the programmes of the NGO are hinged on the pillars of scholarship programme for students in secondary schools; medical education support for students studying medicine, nursing and midwifery; digital empowerment grant (digital and vocational training); and women economic empowerment grant.

“If we train our students, the girl-child, and empower them educationally and empower women with money, there is gain in it. We should give everything to focus on our children. We want the women to start businesses and scale up their businesses. That is why we are empowering the women,” assuring those enrolled for digital training will be supported with the necessary equipment to set up their businesses at the end of their training.

Oloolo lamented the stunted development in the town, “It is obvious that the development in the town is not commensurate with its historical importance, but we are working to uplift her.”

Expressing gratitude to COAF for supporting women and girls in Oolo community, Oloolo made a passionate appeal, “We want higher institutions here, and we believe God can use anyone, we have land that will attract no disputes, hundreds of acres. We don’t mind if you can facilitate higher institutions here, we will gladly support the initiative, we have adequate security – we have a Police Station, Civil Defence post, Mobile Police base, Amotekun Corps office, FRSC unit, and adequate facilities. Oolo is strategically placed, on a major highway, we have water, electricity etc.”

Oba Ajayi commended the COAF visionaries for honouring their mother while alive, calling on other public-spirited individuals to emulate the gesture and support the Foundation.

He charged parents to ensure their children are properly educated in formal settings, “It should not be farming alone. If education is not vital COAF will not have come here going the extra mile to support education initiatives for these children and help them to achieve their aims in the future.”

Prince Sunday Ajayi the guest speaker; principal of Oolo Community Grammar School, Mrs. Nurat Olayiwola; as well as Oloolo chiefs all commended COAF for the initiative.

Some Oolo chiefs present were High Chief Adegboye, Abese; High Chief Azeez Ogungbami, Basorun; and High Chief Oyedele John, Aare Ago.

Some others are High Chief Ilufoye Ajala, Ikolaba; High Chief Emmanuel Ogunbola, Jagun; Chief Mrs Onibiyo Abebi, Iyalode; and Chief Mrs Falilat Ejide Ayansokan, Otun-Iyalode.