joshuaKogi @ 33: Mrs. Olutokunbo Awoniyi Bags Mother of Orphans Award.
Her Excellency, Mrs Olutokunbo Awoniyi, wife of former Kogi State Deputy Governor, Arc. Yomi Awoniyi has bagged the State mother of Orphans and vulnerable Award.
The award is in recognition of her invaluable contributions to the upkeep of the orphans and vulnerable in the State.
Mrs. Awoniyi has in the last decade played major role providing for orphans and the vulnerable in the State. This she has done through her yearly renovation of the Margaret Ohiani Orphanage home in Zariagi area of Lokoja.
Similarly, Mrs Awoniyi was said to have supported Margaret Ohiani Orphanage home, with beddings, clothing, providing food and water, organising yearly festive party’s as well as assisting with the payment of WAEC fees for the children.
Mrs. Awoniyi was further praised for her motherly support to the Orphanage, with other Kogites urged to emulate her footsteps.
The accolades where showed on Mrs Awoniyi when she bagged the Nigerian Post Newspaper award as Mother of the Orphans and Vulnerable in the State, with Government urged to support her kind gestures towards orphans and vulnerable at the Nigerian Post Newspaper annual public lecture.
Similarly her individual accomplishments, in other fields of endeavor over the years in ensuring socio economic development in the country and State was equally commended.
Participants at this year’s The Nigerian Post Newspaper annual public lecture where the award was presented to the founder and initiator of Mary and Martha Outreach, praised her when she bagged The Nigerian Post Newspaper Kogi @ 33 Award as a Mother of the be UK for the
Speaking at the occasion before the presentation of the award to Mrs. Awoniyi, Sen. Tunde Ogbeha and Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, former Minister for Labour and Employment, urged and commended the wife of the former Deputy Governor pointing out that she remains a positive reference in taking care of Orphans, urged her to sustain the feat that has made her a world brand for positive reference to the Orphans and vulnerable.
They commended and praised Mrs. Awoniyi for her selfless services to the people of the State, praised her in particular for creating the right environment for government and well spirited organization to partner with the wife of the former Deputy.
Speaking at the ceremony, Abu Michael, Publisher, the Nigerian Post Newspaper, added that Mrs. Awoniyi have proven over time that with deliberate efforts, Orphans in the State can be gainfully engaged and promoted to add value to the society and for sustained development. He called on the State Government as well as to public spirited organizations to join hands with Mrs Awoniyi in making Margaret Ohiani Orphanage home comfortable for the children.
In her remarks, Mrs. Awoniyi, represented by Mrs. Idowu Abu assured of more support to orphans, pointing out that she will always strive to provide in her little way support that will cushion their stay at the Orphanage.
The Nigerian Post Newspaper is Nigeria’s fastest growing print and online newspaper, held it annual edition of its Lecture & Gold Prize Award themed:
Sustaining Kogi’s Unbroken Unity – Prospects & Possibilities, This House Must Not Fall.
The event took place at the EdgeDrive Hotel Lokoja, had Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo as the Special Guest of Honour.
The 2024 public lecture wad Chaired by Prof. Stephen Ikani Ocheni, former Minister of State, Labour and employment.
His Royal Majesty, the Ohimegye Igu Kingdom, Alhaji Saidu Akawu Salihu served as the Royal father of the day.
Speakers at the event will includes; Prof. Marietu Tenuche, Vice Chancellor, Prince Abubakar University, Anyigba, Prof. John Alabi, Dr. Salisu Usman Ogbo, Rector , Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja and Ambassador Hamza Aliyu, CEO, Connected Development.
The 2024 edition “aimed at celebrating and critically examining the creation of Kogi State 33 years after, by discussing its unity as cardinal to future prospects and possibilities”.
Mrs. Olutokunbo Awoniyi, was born to the family of late Chief Joel Kolade Bodunde in the moming of 6th April, 1963.
She obtained her first school leaving certificate from St Joseph’s primary school, Ilorin Kwara state in 1974.
She was a student of Federal Government College, Ilorin, obtained her West African school leaving certificate in 1979.
A graduate of now Obafemi Awolowo University, Mrs Awoniyi graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, in 1984, obtained a Masters Degree in Public Administration in 1989, from the University of Lagos.
Her desire to reach out to the needy and disadvantaged gave impetus to the formation of an outreach named Mary and Martha outreach in 2008.
Mary and Martha outreach gives succor to the needy, disadvantaged and under privileged. The outreach has touched the lives of Drug addicts, the homeless, prisoners and Orphans. The outreach makes regular visits to prisons to preach and bring smiles to the faces of prisoners. They have organized visits to hospitals to pray for the sick and gave out gifts.
Years ago, God laid it upon the heart of Mrs Awoniyi to adopt an Orphanage in Lokoja, Kogi State when the proprietress of the Orphanage, Mrs Margaret Ohiani went to meet with the Lord.
Through the help of her husband, children, family members and friends, she has been abie to bring succor to the children. Her prayers is that God Almighty will reward abundantly those that have partnered with her to touch the lives of these children.
Caring for orphans and nurturing them, with the basics like food, clean clothes, and access to education according to Mrs. Awoniyi increases the likelihood of them becoming relevant in the society, thus ending and breaking the cycle of poverty.
