The Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Saka Adelola Matemilola, Otileta VII, has pledged to work closely with the Phenomenal Strides Foundation, PSF, to advance women empowerment, one of the flagship initiatives under his development agenda.
The monarch made the commitment on Friday while receiving the PSF delegation, led by its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Ibiba Odili, at his palace in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He stressed that true religion goes beyond prayers and rituals, noting that it must also reflect in service to humanity.
“Religion is not only about communicating with God, but about uplifting people, one person at a time, as PSF has begun,” he said.
Oba Matemilola, who is also a professor, congratulated Mrs. Odili on her retirement from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, describing it as a fresh chapter for greater service rather than “a sentence to death.”
He commended her long-standing passion for community development and prayed that she be granted divine wisdom and resources to expand her impact.
In her remarks, Odili said the visit was PSF’s maiden courtesy call to formally inform the Olowu about its mission, as well as to seek his blessings, guidance, and royal counsel.
She praised the monarch’s track record as a development advocate, citing his efforts through platforms such as the Solace Foundation on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Advocacy, where she also serves as a founding member.
According to her, PSF was established to strengthen families, promote social cohesion, and empower youth, women, and children, who she described as the pillars of national development.
She further underscored the importance of collaborative interventions in addressing risky behaviours, particularly those linked to substance abuse, which she said are on the rise.
Odili assured the Olowu that PSF is ready to partner with him in driving community transformation and enhancing sustainable development initiatives.
