Testimonies abound on the impact of the various programmes and projects executed by Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, the First Lady of Oyo State, in the past six years.
The score sheet has been favourable to her human development and capacity-building programmes, with beneficiaries across the 33 local government areas of the state sharing their testimonies on the impacts of the various programmes on their lives.
Some of the life-impacting programmes include advocacy on female genital mutilation and gender-based violence, health care initiative, support for the vulnerable, advocacy for the girl-child, breastfeeding advocacy, and education support initiative.
The list also includes advocacy on curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Oyo State, women leadership connect forum, leadership and strategic roundtable meeting, and staff development programmes.
Through these programmes, the First Lady has improved the many women, the vulnerable, and other categories of people in the state in the past six years.
Records have it that thousands of women, the vulnerable, and other categories of people, irrespective of their political affiliations, from the 33 local government areas of the state have benefited from her empowerment and other programmes that are aimed at cushioning the effects of the present economic hardship.
Some beneficiaries have been trained in skill acquisitions while others were presented with cash and other gifts items to improve their standard of living.
Sizeable number of children have been taken off the streets to reduce the number of out-of-school children in the state, while campaign for girl-child education has been intensified in the past six years. Statistics shows that girl-child enrollment has increased in both public and private schools across the state.
Also, the fight against female genital mutilation and gender-based violence are other menaces Her Excellency is determined to stamp out. She actively campaigns against these monsters that undermine the rights of the girl-child and women. Through her campaigns, female genital mutilation has witnessed a drastic reduction, while gender-based violence is also on the decline.
On menstrual hygiene management, hundreds of secondary school girls have received sanitary and hygiene products, such as sanitary pads, panties, roll-on and deodorants from the office of the First Lady over the years as part of Her Excellency’s efforts to sensitize the young ladies on the need to take their menstrual hygiene seriously.
Likewise on breastfeeding, Engineer Makinde has always been at the forefront in the campaign on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months.
Her involvement in breastfeeding advocacy includes awareness campaigns, seminars, and community outreach programmes to educate mothers and caregivers about the health benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers.
Every year, during the World Breastfeeding Week, she collaborates with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and organizations to raise awareness about breastfeeding.
Since the inception of this administration in Oyo State, her office has supported close to 2,000 nursing mothers by giving them food items and cash gifts to support them in their breastfeeding journeys while also organizing campaigns to educate women about proper breastfeeding practices and the need for supportive environments at home and in the workplace.
Also, she has been actively involved in various educational support initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education and enhancing learning in the state, particularly for vulnerable children.
In a bid to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged students in Oyo State, Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, through her NGO, Omituntun for Life Foundation, has made significant strides. Over 300 students received scholarships, JAMB fee support, and free study materials. Additionally, 12 outstanding female students, who excelled in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), over the last four years, were each awarded a laptop.
As someone who recognizes the importance of building people, and that effective governance is dependent on well-trained personnel, Her Excellency, Engr Tamunominini Makinde has facilitated a development training programme at the prestigious Ibadan Business School for all members of staff attached to her office.
In furtherance of her drive to impact on people, Her Excellency organized a retreat for members of her media team, both in-house and external, at the Fasola Agric Industrial Hub, Oyo.
Recognizing the vital role that media plays in governance, public perception, and state development, the First Lady organized this retreat to build the capacities and foster oneness of media personnel in Oyo State, particularly those attached to her office.
The retreat provided insights on how to use media as a tool for disseminating accurate information and combating misinformation. It also addressed how media houses and the government could work together to improve transparency and public trust.
The efforts of Her Excellency at shaping the lives of widows, the vulnerable and other categories of people did not go unnoticed as various groups in their various testimonies described her as God sent.
The Chief Executive Officer, Matan Arewa for Sustainable Development Initiative (Widows Association), Hajia Aisha Nana Ismail, did not hide her feelings in an interview with newsmen as she stated that Engr Makinde through her various programmes have put smiles on the faces of thousands of downtrodden masses.
Describing her as a mother, sister and friend, Ismail said her group had benefited immensely from her programmes, hence the reason, “We will continually pray for the
success of the present administration led by her husband, Engr. Seyi Makinde.”
She added that through her programmes, many widows and the vulnerable in the society have been empowered, noting that the beneficiaries have been able to turn around the little that they were given by taking to the counsel of Her Excellency.
Ismail added that one of her members was sponsored on holy pilgrimage to Mecca last year.
She also stated that on their parts as leaders of the various groups, they always encourage their members to utilize whatever is given to them very well. “Insha Allah, we are getting favourable feedback from our members,” she said.
Also, President of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN), Alhaja Airat Omowumi Ogungbenro, was full of praises for Engr Makinde for liberating the women folks from the shackles of poverty.
She disclosed that lives of several young and aged women in the state have been impacted through her programmes. Ogungbenro gave the testimonies of a middle-aged woman whose life has been totally and thoroughly transformed.
The woman, according to her, had nothing before the intervention of Her Excellency but now sells bags of cement in commercial quantity.
Aside the testimonies of this woman, FOMWAN President stated that there was a time 20 members of the Association were given N50,000 each to start their own businesses.
The only way to reciprocate the gesture, according to her, is for the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity that is aimed at freeing them from the shackles of poverty and idleness.
“As women, we need to upgrade ourselves. As long as you have a tangible result, you will be recognized.”
In his own testimony, the General Secretary of the Strong and Able Persons with Disabilities Association of Nigeria (SAPDAN), Mr. Adeniji Taiwo Robert, submitted that Engr (Mrs) Makinde has touched the lives of many people through her programmes.
He said that the present administration accords recognition to the people living with disabilities as this has manifested in the various policies and programmes of the government and support received from the First Lady.
“They have made us to have a sense of belonging and inclusiveness in the ever-dynamic government of Oyo State.