By Ralph Agbana.
Eight persons, including seven women whose husbands were killed by bandits or have suffered bodily harms from crimes committed by armed gangs in Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State, yesterday, received gifts of food items courtesy of Tayo Leslie Foundation (TLF).
The distribution of the food items, which include bags of rice, semolina, groundnut oil, red oil, maggi and mall chops, took place at the palace of the Elegbe of Egbe and Chairman, Yagba West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Oba Ayodele Irukera.
Similarly, later on Thursday, TLF Brainbox, a special purpose committee (SPC) comprising 10 members, visited the ECWA Hospital, Egbe, where 30 patients were offered cash gifts of N10,000 each.
In addition, the Foundation took the undertaking to offset the hospital bill for surgery on behalf of one Suliat Abolaji. The cost of surgery is estimated at N276,940.
TLF, a humanitarian, nonprofit, and non-governmental organisation, was founded by Ms Tayo Leslie. TLF is reputed for humanitarian services across Okunland and Kogi State, spanning over a decade.
In July 2015, TLF’s act of humanitarianism gained international media attention after the Foundation offered educational lifelines to underprivileged primary school pupils in Egbe, Yagba West Local Council, Kogi State.
The pupils, numbering 10, were amongst the first phase of TLF education support programme that will see the Foundation assume the responsibility of the payment of school fees of the undeserved children from the cradle to tertiary institutions.
Addressing the eight beneficiaries who assembled at Elegbe’s palace on Thursday, one of the coordinators in the TLF SPC, Chief Femi Babalola, the Ologun of Ijalu, noted that TLF had touched lives in many ways, including offseting of hospital bills and education support to the less privileged.
He disclosed that while the latest show of kindness to the victims and widows whose husbands were killed by bandits would not bring back the dead, it was aimed at cushioning the effect of the loss of their breadwinners and incpacitation as the case may be on their lives.
“The main aims and objectives of TLF are basically humanitarian services. We are here today empowering widows whose husbands were killed by bandits. We’re here to support you. Not that we can bring back the dead, and we also know that these may not be enough but just to play our little part of cushioning the effect of your loss on your lives.”
Babalola enthused that TLF would sustain its support for widows and victims of banditry in the area, assuring that those who did not make the beneficiaries’ list this time will be considered subsequently. He also pledged the extension of TLF educational support to one child in each of the bereaved families in the public schools.
Oba Irukera, in his remarks, described grief as natural and the painful price to pay for love after the loss of loved ones. While he bemoaned the unfortunate loss of able-bodied sons of Egbe and Yagba West in the hands of criminals, Oba Irukera admonished the widows to be consoled by the fact that such acts of wickedness leading to their husbands’ demise could not have succeeded if God had not wished to call the victims home.
He urged the women to continue trusting in God while focusing on a better life that the future holds for them and their children.
Describing the programme as “bittersweet” for him personally, the monarch praised TLF founder, Ms Tayo Leslie, for her heart of kindness, characterized by compassion, empathy, and genuine care for others. Oba Irukera called for the extension of the gesture to other affected victims and more support by all well-meaning citizens in the community.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Mr Ekundayo Alawoniro, a former school vehicle driver who lost his hand after he was attacked by bandits, thanked the foundation for its support. He prayed for the founder and offered supplications to God to bring to an end the menaces of banditry and kidnappings in Yagbaland.
In her appreciation message, posted on the social media, TLF Founder, Ms Tayo Leslie stated: “I want to sincerely and deeply appreciate our Royal Father, His Royal Highness, Oba Ayodele Irukera (Elegbe of Egbe), for his unwavering support, his fatherly role, and for standing firmly with us during the TLF programme held today in support of the distribution of food items to the widows whose husbands were killed by bandits. Your presence, encouragement, and royal blessings added great honour and strength to this noble cause. We are truly grateful, Kabiyesi.
To my great TLF team, I commend your commitment, dedication, and compassionate hearts. Your willingness to go the extra mile — including visiting Egbe Hospital to support the sick with financial assistance — truly reflects the spirit and mission of TLF. Today was a powerful demonstration of love, unity, and humanity in action. To everyone who contributed in one way or another, I say a heartfelt thank you. God bless you all.”
Beneficiaries of Food Items:
●Funsho Adekoya (Husband shot dead by bandits along Ogbe—Egbe road)
●Moses Aduke Iroja (Husband, a vigilante killed on active service)
●Abolade Omolade Kayode (Husband, first of Ogele 2 vigilantes killed by bandits)
●Toyin Oladele Adodo ((Husband, second of Ogele 2 vigilantes killed by bandits)
Iyabo Dele (Husband, a school guard, killed after ransom paid)
●Blessing Ekundayo Alawoniro (Husband’s hand was amputated by bandits)
●Lanlege Adewale Samuel (Attacked by bandits along Ogbe —Egbe road. In the process, he had part of his limb amputated)
●Kehinde Omotayo Elizabeth (Losts her son to bandits)
