“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’ ” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr
The Managing Director, Wurvicat International Limited, and Founder, Touch of Love and Lifting Hand Foundation, Engr Atinuke Wuraola Agbaje- Owolabi has called on those in authority prioritize welfare of the less privileged and vulnerable in the society.
She made this call during the end of the year party and grand finale of 4th humanitarian week her foundation organized for the less privileged in Ifako Ijaye Local Government Area of Lagos.
The week long Humanitarian week, which is in its fourth edition began on Saturday December 18 and concluded on 22nd December 2021. Among highlights of the event are: free medical checks and counselling, Thanksgiving services, fitness walks and games, Skill acquisition in soap making, baking, catering for selected beneficiaries within the Local Government, and end of the year party which also include distribution of of gifts.
Speaking at the the grand finale, which was themed, “Good Governance with Equity for All Ages: The Role of NGOs, Elected Representatives and Government” Agbaje-Owolabi said the welfare of vulnerable people should be prioritized. She said leaders must evolve inclusive policies to give equal opportunities to women, youths, less privileged and all other members of the society without discrimination.
She used the opportunity to call fore more women in policy. According to her this is necessary step to achieving equitable governance. She said “Most times, women are often excluded from consultation and decision making and have limited opportunities to influence the institutions and policies that determine their lives. ,” she said.
“We appeal to the government to ensure that the voice of the less privileged is heard and their rights must be given to them.” Agbaje-Owolabi
She urged all tiers of government to collaborate with Touch of Love and Lifting Hands Foundation, which already had a data base of widows, widowers, elderly and other vulnerable members in Lagos. She said they were the most hit by the economic downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chairman, APC, Ifako-ijaiye LGA, Deacon Banjo Omole, commended the foundation for its many welfare initiatives in the community. An octogenarian, Mrs Bosede Ogundimu who benefited from one of the empowerment trainings paised the foundation efforts and said the new skill would help her work from home and stop her fresh pepper trade, which was too tasking for her age. Also, a 72-year old widow, Mrs Taiwo Gbadamosi, and others thanked Agbaje Owolabi and her foundation for the empowerment and welfare initiatives.
…Agbaje- Owolabi Receives Humanitarian Award: Charitable personality of the year 2021
During the event, Agbaje-Owolabi also received Buzz News Humanitarian NGO Award for Charitable Personality of the year 2021 which was earlier bestowed on her on 8th December, 2021 in absentia. She thanked the organizers for counting Touch of Love and Lifting Hands Foundation worthy of the award.
The maiden edition of the Ifako-ijaiye Personality Award 2021 which was held on the 8th of December, 2021 at Excellence Hotel banquet hall, Ogba, also had other high profile recipients such as Chairman of Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Hon Usman Akanbi Hamzat, Prince Matthew Ogundimu, Pastor Opajobi, Deacon Banjo Omole, MHR, Hon Owolabi James Adisa, Alhaja Fetuga and Hon Victor Onifade, Com. Sunday Obanubi.
Engr, Atinuke Wuraola Agbaje-Owolabi, a fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, was also a chairmanship aspirant on the platform of APC for Ifako-Ijaiye LGA chairmanship seat in the last council polls. She Founded Touch of Love and Lifting hands Foundation to render humanitarian acts to the society.