X-raying Six Years In Office Of Oyo’s First Lady, Engr. Tamunomnini Makinde
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – Tamunominini Makinde can best be described as a woman with a unique character, whose interest for emancipation of women and the girl child cannot be overemphasized. Her burning passion for human oriented programmes in the state has no rival.
As the first Lady of the Pacesetter state, she understands the mandate of her office which centered on women empowerment, child welfare advocacy, advocacy against Gender Based Violence, social welfare for widows and pensioners, among other people’s oriented programmes. She has been driving her burning passion for human development with positive change.
The humanitarian activities of Her Excellency in the last six years include Healthcare Initiatives, Easter Outreach to orphanages, Independence Day celebration, support for
vulnerable groups, Advocacy for Gender Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, International Day of the Girl Child, Breastfeeding, Oyo State Agency for Control of Aids, and Educational support empowerment scheme for indigent students in the state.
Others are Capacity Development Initiatives, Women Leadership Connect Forum for Local Government Chairmen’s Wives in Dubai, Leadership and Strategic roundtable meeting with Local Government Chairmen’s wives, Staff Development Training at Ibadan Business School, Media Retreat at Fashola Farm Settlement, OYSACA social activities among others.
Each year, the First Lady champions the cause of exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of a baby’s life. The fight against Female Genital Mutilation and Gender Based Violence is another phenomenon Her Excellency is passionate about. She actively campaigns against hydra headed monsters that undermine the rights of the girl child and women.
Women emancipation and Empowerment, the Oyo State First Lady feels very strongly about the independence of women, being an independent woman herself. To this end, she periodically organizes various empowerment programmes, especially for women, so that they can be economically self-sufficient and support their various households. Tailoring and make-up training are some of the ways she has empowered women of the state. She not only trains them, but also gives them start-up capital and equipment to start off their businesses.
On healthcare, part of Her Excellency’s philosophies is that a healthy nation is a productive nation. It is based on this notion that Her Excellency Engr. Tamunominini Makinde is committed to improving access to quality healthcare. The office of the First Lady of Oyo State is at the forefront of health campaigns, supporting medical outreaches, and advocating for maternal and child health. Periodic medical check-up for the elderly is another way of taking care of the aged and vulnerable groups in the state.
On welfare, through her constant and various outreaches to widows, orphans and others less privileged, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, through her Office has shown that the government can have a human face, with the periodic donation of mobility aid to the physically challenged and food items to the underprivileged. Her tenure as the First Lady of Oyo State is distinguished by her unwavering commitment to service and the welfare of the state’s residents. Humanitarian activities of the First Lady encompasses a wide range of efforts aimed at providing assistance and relief to people in crisis situations. These activities are often driven by principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence, ensuring aid is provided solely based on need and without discrimination.
Advocacy Initiatives of the First Lady centered on Gender Based Violence, the Gender-based violence is a pervasive issue that disproportionately affects women and girls, which is rooted in societal norms and power imbalances. The consequences of gender-based violence are far-reaching, affecting victims’ physical and mental health, economic well-being, and overall quality of life. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, protection, and support services for survivors.
Under the stewardship of Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, Oyo State has witnessed a remarkable shift in attitudes toward FGM. The domestication of the Violence against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act in 2020, which was formally presented to the public in February 2022, has fortified the legal framework protecting women and children in the state.
Empowerment Initiatives of Her Excellency, as an ardent believer in self-reliance and sustenance, the First Lady of Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde has championed several empowerment initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of women, and vulnerable groups. These initiatives are designed to equip individuals with the skills and resources they need to become financially independent and contribute positively to their communities. Her Foundation, Omituntun for Life, recently benefited over 500 widows across all 33 Local Government Areas.
As Chairperson for the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS(OYSADA) Advocacy on Curbing the Spread of HIV/AIDS in Oyo State,
Her Excellency, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde recorded giant strides while she was the Chairperson for the Oyo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (OYSACA). Her tenure saw increased efforts to engage youth and community leaders in HIV prevention activities, including peer education and outreach programs to reduce stigma and promote safer practices. Not only that, she collaborated with various health agencies, NGOs and international bodies to secure funding and technical support for HIV/AIDS programs in the state.
In their separate reactions, few of the beneficiaries of Her Excellency’s, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde’s humanitarian activities commended the wife of the governor for her all inclusive style of governance. Hajia Aisha Nana Ismail CEO Matan Arewa for sustainability in her words said a hungry man is an angry man, but if you empower a man or even woman, such person will have something to keep him/her busy and on this note we are thanking madam for doing that, she is a mother, she is a sister and she’s a friend.
“Sometimes she will give us rice, give us beans and sometimes money for transportation. Yes, you give me food it will finish, you give me cloth it will finish but you empowered me and I was able to do it well or utilize it very well, then I grew, so when she gives to them, we as leaders, we try to help them to build themselves up for those who will listen to our advice. Ok, you gave her a keg of groundnut oil, she can’t finish eating it, so she will start selling. A bottle of groundnut oil is 2,500 naira, by the time she sells 10 bottles, you know how much she has gotten there. And thereafter she went to the market to buy, you know the first one was given freely and she will now go to the market and buy again. God almighty bless her for us.”
In her reaction, the National Vice Chairman of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Alhaja Airat Omowumi Ogungbenro, said this is very fantastic, I think the organization has benefitted about 5 or 6 times in which even the old women. There was a time we were asked to bring 5 old women, the elderly people.
The Strong and Able Persons with Disabilities Association of Nigeria (SAPDAN) led by Mr. Adeniji Taiwo Robert, General Secretary of Strong and Able Persons with Disabilities Association of Nigeria (SAPDAN), a Non-Governmental Organization seated in Saki, Oyo State advocating for persons with disabilities within and outside Saki environment with the head office in Garki area 2, Abuja, in his remarks in one of the empowerment schemes where his members benefited said, “In fact, we are praising God Almighty through the wife our governor, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde.”
In his words, Comrade Olusegun Abatan, the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Pensioner, Oyo State Council acknowledged that Her Excellency’s healthcare outreach was a good one, stressing that it is the first in the history of interactions of a First Lady with Pensioners in the whole of the South-West.
Market Leaders Council, Mogaji Salahudeen Qumardeen Adeniyi, who also doubles as the Vice-President Progressive Tradesmen & Artisans Oyo State Chapter, maintained that Her Excellency’s empowerment program is second to none.
Dr. Rosemary Odigbo, also a beneficiary, is a passionate child rights advocate and the Executive Director of Jesus Children Mission Outreach (JCMO), a faith-based non-profit organization based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.
•INDEPENDENTNG.