FOMWAN Marks 2026 Week with Health Awareness, Empowerment Programmes and Community Outreach
The Ondo State Chapter of the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) has concluded its 2026 FOMWAN Week celebration with a series of impactful activities focused on health awareness, economic empowerment, environmental sustainability and humanitarian services across the state’s 18 local government areas.
The week-long programme, held from 1 to 7 June, adopted the sub-theme, “Resultant Effects of Climate Change on Human Health: Focus on Women and Inadequate Attention to Preventable Diseases.” The activities were designed to sensitise members and the wider public to pressing environmental and health challenges while promoting self-reliance and community development.
Although the planned press conference to formally flag off the celebration could not hold due to financial constraints, various chapters successfully organised programmes that aligned with the objectives of the week.
Between 2 and 4 June, members participated in skills acquisition and economic empowerment initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and encouraging entrepreneurship. In Akure South, women received practical training in the production of household and cosmetic products, including bathing soap, laundry soap, liquid soap, disinfectants, body cream and petroleum jelly. Members of the Ondo West Chapter underwent training in Aso-Oke weaving, while participants in Okitipupa engaged in palm oil processing activities at the chapter’s plantation centre.
As part of the religious observance marking the week, a special Jumu’ah service was held at the Akure Central Mosque on 5 June. During his sermon, the Chief Imam highlighted the significance of the FOMWAN Week celebration and called for increased public awareness of climate change, environmental sustainability and preventive healthcare, particularly for women and vulnerable groups.
Humanitarian outreach also featured prominently during the celebration. Members visited correctional facilities, schools, mosques and elderly persons in various communities, donating food items, toiletries, educational materials and cash support.
In Okitipupa Local Government Area, FOMWAN members cleaned a major mosque and its surroundings, visited FOMWAN Intellectual Secondary School and Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School, and carried out a humanitarian visit to the Okitipupa Correctional Centre. Donations included a bag of rice, bathing and laundry soaps, toothpaste and biscuits for inmates, while writing materials and biscuits were distributed to students.
Speaking after the visit, officials of the correctional facility expressed appreciation to FOMWAN and appealed for more frequent engagements. The inmates, many of whom were reported to be teenagers, received lectures on repentance and moral values and requested support in securing an imam to lead Jumu’ah prayers within the facility.
Similarly, the Owo Local Government Chapter visited AUD Comprehensive Grammar School, Owo, where students received 120 notebooks, 150 pens and four packs of biscuits. The school’s principal commended the gesture, describing it as a remarkable contribution that would be recorded in the institution’s history.
The week’s activities culminated in a general meeting on 6 June, where products produced during the skills acquisition programmes were exhibited. The gathering also featured health talks and sensitisation sessions on climate change and preventable diseases.
Addressing members, the Ondo State Amirah of FOMWAN, Alhaja Medinat Omikunle, shared insights from a recent Lassa fever training programme in which the association participated. She educated participants on the causes, prevention and control of the disease, stressing the importance of environmental hygiene in reducing health risks.
She also highlighted the causes and effects of climate change, urging members to embrace environmentally friendly practices such as proper waste disposal and recycling to mitigate its impact on communities.
Despite financial limitations, the 2026 FOMWAN Week in Ondo State recorded significant achievements in empowering women, promoting public health awareness and supporting vulnerable groups. The chapter reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the objectives of FOMWAN and contributing to the wellbeing of women, families and communities across the state.
Additionally, the Ifedore Local Government Chapter of FOMWAN joined other chapters in commemorating the 2026 FOMWAN Week through healthcare outreach and religious activities.
As part of the celebration, members visited the Primary Health Centre, Ijare, where they donated liquid soap, detergents and other hygiene materials to the hospital and its patients. The matron of the health centre expressed appreciation for the gesture and prayed for Allah’s continued blessings, strength and protection upon FOMWAN, while wishing members many more celebrations in good health.
The chapter also participated in the Jumu’ah service held at the Igbara-Oke Central Mosque on Friday. The sermon focused on the importance of maintaining cleanliness in mosques as an act of worship. In his remarks, the Chief Imam, Alhaji Adetiloye, commended FOMWAN for its consistent commitment to community service and the upkeep of mosques, describing such efforts as service to Allah. He reminded worshippers of the rewards promised to those who remain steadfast in righteous deeds and prayed that Allah grants all believers Al-Jannah as their final abode.
These activities further reflected FOMWAN’s dedication to promoting public health, environmental hygiene, religious values and humanitarian service within communities across Ondo State.
The successful celebration underscored the organisation’s continued role in fostering social development, education, health advocacy and humanitarian service in Ondo State.
