The Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN), Oyo State Chapter, on Thursday marked the fourth day of its weeklong 40th anniversary celebration with a massive statewide humanitarian outreach, reaching orphanages, care homes, correctional centres and vulnerable communities across the four zones of Oyo State. The initiative, simultaneously carried out in Ibadan, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa Zones, as well as in several Local Government branches including Ido, Saki East, Oriire and Egbeda, underscored the association’s enduring commitment to compassion, community service and the welfare of the less privileged. During the outreach, members distributed foodstuffs, toiletries, fruits, confectioneries, writing materials, cash gifts and other essential relief items to beneficiaries, reaffirming FOMWAN’s longstanding humanitarian mission and dedication to uplifting vulnerable members of society.
In Ibadan Zone, the team visited SOACED Centre for the Disabled, Olorunda-Aba; Cheshire Homes, Poly Road, Sango; Ibadan Home for Motherless Babies, Omolewa Street, UCH; Agbomojo Homes, Ibadan; WOLACH, Ring Road; Galilee Foundation; and Living World Home, Ibadan, where the donated items were presented to residents and management of the facilities.
Speaking during the visits, the Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State Chapter, Dr. Lateefat Dairo, said the association deliberately chose to celebrate its 40th anniversary by giving back to the society in line with its humanitarian ideals and Islamic teachings on charity, compassion and service to humanity.
According to her, the anniversary celebration goes beyond marking four decades of existence, as it also provides an opportunity to touch lives and extend support to the less privileged irrespective of religion, tribe or age.
Dr. Dairo noted that the outreach demonstrated FOMWAN’s unwavering dedication to community service, women empowerment and the welfare of vulnerable groups, adding that the association would continue to champion humanitarian causes that positively impact society.
She explained that the humanitarian outreach was a reflection of FOMWAN’s mission of promoting compassion, social responsibility and inclusive development across communities in Oyo State.
Responding on behalf of one of the homes visited, a former Amirah of FOMWAN, Oyo State Chapter, Alhaja Sekinat Adekola, expressed appreciation to the leadership and members of the association for the thoughtful gesture.
She commended FOMWAN for choosing to celebrate its 40th anniversary by putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged, describing the initiative as a demonstration of genuine love, compassion and commitment to humanity.
The humanitarian team in Ibadan included the Chairperson of the Central Planning Committee for the 40th Anniversary, Alhaja Sururat Oyero; Alhaja Raliat Ade-Ishola, Chairperson, Planning Committee; Alhaja Abibat Akorede, Assistant Public Relations Officer; Alhaja Sherifat Badmus, Secretary; Alhaja Muinat Akindele, Orphanage Chairperson; Alhaja Bushrah Oyerinde, Chairperson, Welfare Committee and other members of the association.
Meanwhile, in Oyo Zone, members of FOMWAN visited the Nigerian Correctional Service, Abolongo Custodial Centre, Oyo, where relief materials were donated to inmates as part of the anniversary outreach.
In Ido Local Government, members led by the Amirah visited elderly and ailing FOMWAN members in their homes.
They offered prayers, shared words of encouragement, listened to their experiences and presented cash gifts to support their welfare, reaffirming the association’s commitment to caring for its elderly members.
In Saki East Local Government, members paid a courtesy visit to the Chief Imam of Ago-Amodu, Alhaji Abdullateef Abd-Yekeen Kilanko, who congratulated FOMWAN on its 40th anniversary and commended the association for its contributions to women’s empowerment, Islamic education, Qur’an recitation and humanitarian services.
The cleric offered prayers for FOMWAN at the national, state and local government levels and encouraged members to remain steadfast in the service of Islam and humanity.
The Saki East branch also visited elderly FOMWAN member and Iya Sunnah of Ago-Amodu, Alhaja Falilat Muritala, where prayers were offered and fruits presented as gifts.
The team equally extended support to a widow, Mrs. Silifat Fagbemi, through prayers and financial assistance.
Earlier, members carried out environmental sanitation exercises at the Central Mosques in Sepeteri and Ago-Amodu as part of the anniversary activities.
Humanitarian outreach programmes were equally held across Ibarapa Zone, Oriire Local Government and Egbeda Local Government, where members reached out to vulnerable persons and families with relief materials and welfare support in line with the objectives of the anniversary celebration.
Similar humanitarian activities were also held across Ogbomoso and Oke-Ogun Zones, with members visiting vulnerable individuals and institutions in their respective communities, reinforcing the association’s statewide commitment to humanitarian service.
The grand finale of the 40th anniversary celebration will hold on Sunday, July 12, 2026.
