Pelican Valley Estate drives CSR via widows outreach

Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, a real estate company, through its foundation, Oko Opo Foundation, has reinforced its corporate social responsibility drive on Boxing Day as its flagship Pelican Valley Estate in Abeokuta hosted a large-scale outreach providing healthcare, financial assistance and educational support to widows.

In a statement, it was noted that the Oko Opo Widows Foundation, a non-profit organisation which caters for widows, orphans and less privileged members of society, has been lending helping hands to widows in the last three years, filling the void left by the departure of their husbands, and wives, as in the case of widowers.

It stated, “In carrying out this selfless service, the Foundation has established partnerships with well-meaning individuals and organisations, secured donations and grants and provided support to numerous beneficiaries as it focuses its programmes on education, healthcare and economic empowerment.”

The Founder, Dr Babatunde Adeyemo, who also doubles as the Chief Executive Officer of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, described the gathering as a significant milestone in the journey to empower widows, orphans and the less privileged in society.

He noted that it was a time to celebrate not only the foundation’s achievements but also the resilience and determination of its beneficiaries, pledging to remain unrelenting in making a positive impact in the lives of people.

“We celebrate the widows who have found hope again, the orphans who have discovered a sense of belonging, and the less privileged who have been given succour. Philanthropy is borne out of a passion for lifting widows and the less privileged,” he said, adding that it is devoid of any political undertone.

He pledged to build houses for widows and fund free legal service for any widow facing persecution, injustice or being denied her rights in her matrimonial home due to the loss of her husband.

Adeyemo said, “Over the past year, Oko Opo Foundation, a non-governmental and not-for-profit organisation established to rekindle the hope of widows, has worked tirelessly to provide support and resources to those who need it most.

“As I reflect on our journey so far, I am reminded of the passion and commitment that drove me to establish this Foundation. As a journalist and entrepreneur, I have seen firsthand the impact of poverty and inequality on our society. I have witnessed the struggles of widows and orphans, and I have felt the weight of responsibility to make a difference.

“Oko Opo Foundation was born out of this sense of responsibility. Our mission is to rekindle hope in the lives of widows, orphans and the less privileged. We aim to provide them with the support and resources they need to overcome their challenges and achieve their goals. Let me assure you that the Oko Opo Foundation will not relent in its noble efforts to rekindle hope and advocate for the improved welfare of widows, orphans and the less privileged in our society. I, personally, will continue to work tirelessly, using every resource at my disposal, to empower the needy. We also want to seize this medium to appreciate the contributions of donors, partners and volunteers who have made our work possible. As we look to the future, I am excited about the prospects ahead. We will continue to innovate and expand our programmes, seeking new and better ways to serve our beneficiaries.”

According to the statement, the widows had earlier received free medical screening and counselling for non-communicable ailments such as hypertension and blood sugar level, with necessary drugs provided for them courtesy of the Foundation’s medical outreach, as was the case in 2024.

It added, “Among the women that shared their soul-lifting stories yesterday about how Adeyemo brought succour to each of them through the Foundation was Mrs Titilope Adewunmi, widow of the late Ekiti State indigene, Wale Adewunmi, who practised journalism all his life in Ogun State before his demise in the middle of last year.

“Adewunmi narrated that the help was timely, happening just as she was about to head to a burial ground in Abeokuta with tearful eyes for the interment of her late husband when the call that changed her life and that of her first daughter came from the Oko Opo Foundation, informing her that she had been placed on a stipend for six months with free medical service in any hospital in the town at the expense of the Foundation. To cap it all, she said she was also informed that one of her children would be supported to further his/her education up to the university level.”

– PUNCH