2026 Moremi Festival: Amosun Empowers Ile-Ife Market Associations, Widows with N5m Grant

Yeye Moremi Oodua, Chief Olufunso Amosun, has empowered market associations and widows in Ile-Ife, Osun State, with a N5 million grant as part of activities marking the 2026 Moremi Festival.

Speaking at Ooni Palace, Ile-Ife, on Sunday, Amosun said the initiative was introduced to make a meaningful impact during the festival and support economic activities among members of the community.

The Yeye Moremi Oodua disclosed that the grant was distributed among 15 associations operating within Oja Titu market with some widows and other community members also benefiting from the empowerment programme.

Amosun explained that the funds were provided as revolving loans to enable the beneficiaries to strengthen their businesses and improve their financial capacity.

She urged Nigerians to support those in need according to their financial capacity, adding that even small acts of kindness could make a significant difference in people’s lives.

Amosun also called on traditional rulers and well-to-do Nigerians to support community development, stressing that giving back to society should not be limited to financial contributions.

According to her, “We provided an empowerment grant of N5 million, which was distributed among the market associations to support their businesses through revolving loans.

“The idea is for the associations to pool the money together and decide which of their members would benefit from the loans. We intend to return in about a year to assess the impact of the intervention.

“Apart from the market associations, we also extended the initiative to other members of the community, including widows. So, it was not only market women who benefited.

“Helping others is not necessarily about money. It does not cost anything to be kind. If you do not have money, you can offer your time.

“You do not have to be a wealthy Nigerian to make a difference. You only need to be kind, compassionate and empathetic towards others,” she said.

However, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, has expressed appreciation to Yeye Moremi-Odua, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, for extending empowerment support to women, men and other vulnerable residents of Ile-Ife, Osun State.

Olori Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi said the initiative demonstrated Amosun’s commitment to reaching people at the grassroots, describing the gesture as a significant contribution to improving the livelihoods of residents.

She said, “I just want to say a big thank you to Yeye Moremi-Odua for reaching out to people, both women and men, at the grassroots level in Ile-Ife.

“On behalf of the entire Ile-Ife Kingdom, I want to express our profound appreciation to Yeye Moremi-Odua, Chief Mrs Olufunso Amosun, and His Excellency, Senator Ibikunle Amosun,” she said.

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