Rural women in Apomu, headquarters of Isokan Local Council of Osun State, converged on the Palace of Alapomu to mark this year’s International Day of Rural Women on Sunday, October 15. The event was organised by Olori Janet Afolabi Foundation.

Addressing the women, the Queen of Apomu Kingdom and Founder of the Foundation, Olori Janet Afolabi, said:” Today belongs to you. It is dedicated to appreciate you for your hard work and  resilience, as the backbone of food production, where you constitute women labour- paid and unpaid.”

She said the essence was to also empower the women because ‘’they work very hard yet they live a hard life.”

‘’ My mission is to provide access to credit to enable them start or grow their business,’’ she said.

In a symbolic gesture of support, a new set of women emerged from the “ No Interest Loan” programme which the Foundation started in October 2020.

Olori Afolabi advised the new beneficiaries to use the loan for the purpose for which it was given. She also told the women to discourage child marriage and encourage their girls to complete their education.

In his keynote speech, Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi,  the Alapomu of Apomu, said “ Today serves as a reminder that millions of women in rural communities need assistance from basic necessities to financial aid .It is good to celebrate them because they toil every day to  contribute to agricultural production and food security.”

Wife of Osun State Governor, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, who was the  Special Guest,  commended Olori Afolabi for the kind gesture. She said empowering rural women was central to improving  rural livelihoods. She enjoined the women to pay back the loans on time so that others could also benefit.