Former First Lady of Ogun State and Yeye Moremi Oodua, Chief (Mrs.) Olufunso Amosun, has disbursed N5 million in economic empowerment grants to market women, trade associations, widows and other vulnerable members of the Ile-Ife community in Osun State as part of activities marking the 2026 Edi Moremi Festival.
The empowerment initiative, aimed at strengthening small businesses and improving livelihoods, saw the funds distributed among 15 associations operating within Oja Titun Market, Ile-Ife.
Speaking during the event, Mrs. Amosun explained that the grants were structured as revolving loans to enable beneficiaries to access financial support for their businesses, with the respective associations responsible for determining members who would benefit based on their needs.
She said the initiative was designed to promote economic self-reliance and ensure that more members of the community could benefit from the intervention over time.
According to her, the impact of the programme would be assessed in about a year to determine its effectiveness and explore opportunities for further support.
In a related development, the 11th edition of the Yeye Moremi Beauty Pageant, organised by Mrs. Amosun, also featured prominently at the festival, with Miss Adegoke Nana Aisha emerging winner of the 2026 Queen Moremi Ajasoro Cultural Pageant.
The winner went home with a brand-new car, a cash prize of N1 million and automatic employment.
The first runner-up, Oluwatunmishe Akinyele, received N750,000 alongside an employment opportunity, while the second runners-up were rewarded with N500,000 each and automatic employment opportunities.
Speaking at the event, the wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, commended Mrs. Amosun for her sustained commitment to empowering women, youths and other vulnerable members of the Ile-Ife community.
She described the interventions as a demonstration of genuine commitment to grassroots development and the economic advancement of ordinary people.
Also speaking, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, praised Mrs. Amosun for sustaining the initiative, particularly the opportunities created for the pageant winners.
He noted that the employment opportunities offered to the top four contestants would expose them to international engagements and provide opportunities to travel around the world.
The empowerment grants and pageant rewards formed part of Mrs. Amosun’s broader efforts to celebrate the legacy of Queen Moremi Ajasoro while promoting economic opportunities and recognising young talents during the 2026 Edi Moremi Festival.
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