Thousands of residents in Ibadanland, Oyo State, benefitted from a large humanitarian programme organised by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, as part of the Ramadan charity initiative designed to support vulnerable people during important religious seasons.
The outreach, which took place on Saturday, brought together Muslims observing Ramadan and Christians participating in Lent.
More than 5,000 beneficiaries received food items and financial assistance aimed at helping families cope with rising living costs during the fasting periods.
The Olubadan distributed several essential food supplies to residents drawn from different communities across Ibadanland.
Items shared during the exercise included bags of rice, beans, semovita, garri, maize and noodles.
In addition to these items, some beneficiaries were also given cash gifts to help them meet other household needs.
Organisers explained that the programme was intended to reduce the financial pressure many families experience during the fasting seasons.
Ramadan and Lent are periods when adherents dedicate themselves to prayer, reflection and charity, and the initiative was designed to complement these spiritual practices by offering practical support to those in need.
Although the monarch was unable to attend personally, he was represented by his wife, Rashidat Ladoja, who spoke to participants and community members on his behalf.
During her remarks, she explained that the Olubadan Ramadan charity initiative did not begin recently.
According to her, the former Oyo State governor had been organising similar outreach programmes for approximately two decades, long before he ascended the throne as Olubadan of Ibadanland.
She noted that the humanitarian project has now continued under his leadership as a traditional ruler and remains one of his key ways of giving back to society.
“Baba Ladoja has been organising this programme for about 20 years,” she said.
“However, this is the first time we are carrying it out since he became the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”
She added that while the concept of the programme has remained unchanged over the years, the number of people benefiting from the initiative has steadily increased.
According to her, the expansion reflects the monarch’s commitment to extending help to more residents, especially those facing economic challenges.
“The only difference this year is that the beneficiaries are more than what we had previously,” she said, noting that the programme continues to prioritise the welfare of vulnerable members of the community.
The Olubadan Ramadan charity event attracted residents from many parts of Ibadanland, including elderly citizens, widows, youths and low-income families who gathered to receive the relief materials.
Many participants described the initiative as timely support, particularly at a time when the cost of food and other essentials continues to rise across the country.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the monarch for remembering ordinary residents during the religious season. They said the assistance would help their families manage daily expenses during the fasting period.
Community leaders present at the event also praised the monarch’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian work.
They described the initiative as an example of leadership that places people’s welfare at the centre of governance and community service.
Beyond providing material support, the programme also highlighted the spirit of unity that exists among residents of the ancient city.
Muslims and Christians stood side by side to receive assistance from the same distribution exercise, reinforcing Ibadan’s reputation as a place where different faiths coexist peacefully.
Observers noted that this aspect of the programme sends a powerful message about tolerance and cooperation in a diverse society.
Organisers revealed that the number of beneficiaries has continued to grow each year.
They explained that around 5,000 people benefited from the distribution in the previous edition, while the current exercise surpassed that number.
One of the coordinators expressed gratitude that the programme was conducted peacefully despite the large turnout.
“Last year, about 5,000 people benefited, but this year the number is higher,” the organiser said.
“We thank God that the programme went smoothly without any disturbances.”
He added that the peaceful nature of the event demonstrated the strong sense of community among residents of Ibadanland.
The organisers also reflected on the monarch’s history of public service, noting that his dedication to people’s welfare has been consistent throughout his career as a former senator, former governor and now the Olubadan.
They explained that charity and generosity are strongly encouraged in both Islam and Christianity, which is why the outreach was scheduled to coincide with Ramadan and Lent.
According to them, the initiative represents the shared values of compassion and giving promoted in both faiths.
Organisers said the outreach will continue to serve as a platform for supporting vulnerable residents while encouraging others to engage in acts of kindness within their communities.
As the event concluded, many participants expressed hope that the programme would continue to expand in future years, reaching even more families across the city.
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