The wife of the Oyo State governor, Mrs Tamunominini Makinde, has encouraged women in the state to continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state and the country at large, particularly for political leaders, in the running of government affairs.
Mrs Makinde made the appeal while presenting Christmas gifts to women across the state at a ceremony held at the Presidential Lodge, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
According to the Oyo First Lady, the job of a mother is to keep her home by praying for her family, community, as well as her state, for unprecedented progress, saying people, especially women, need to be prayerful and continue to be watchful.
She affirmed that prayer would go a long way if it is not just from the mouth but from the heart, quoting the portion of the Bible:”if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and seek my face and stay away from their wicked ways, then I will come down and heal their land”.
Mrs Makinde said Christmas brings the opportunity to gather and celebrate with one another, therefore people should spread love and kindness to all and not forget to thank God for the gift of His son Jesus Christ, who is the reason behind the Christmas celebration, adding that everyone alive has reasons to celebrate and be thankful to God.
She stated: “Some were attacked by Covid-19 and they did not see today, while some people have tested positive twice or thrice and are still alive and doing well. We appeal to our women to continue to pray for us, pray for our political leaders, pray for the state and the country as a whole. With prayers and support, we can go a long way. We must continue to pray for the peace, progress and prosperity of the state and the country and we all will be better for it.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs Kafilat Olayiwola, described the Oyo First Lady as a fortunate mother and a special gift to mankind, especially in Oyo State.
She recounted that the distribution of food items and cash to women during the Christmas season, in a bid to put smiles on the faces of women across all political divides in the state, started in 2019, identifying the wife of the governor as the brain behind all the remarkable successes recorded by the present administration in the state under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde.
She, however, urged women across the State to reciprocate the gesture by voting for Governor Makinde for a second term in office and support his wife to do more, as she just concluded the 2021 Women Empowerment Programme for over 3,000 women across the state.
Some of the food items distributed include rice, vegetable oil as well as cash gift to women across the 33 local government areas of the state.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include the Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs Faosat Joke Sanni and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Diaspora, Mrs Bolanle Sarumi, among others.
Nnenna.O
