In a celebration that blended festivity with philanthropy, the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS) hosted its annual Ileya Get-Together, during which prominent businessman and philanthropist, Oloye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke FCA, was honoured for his outstanding contributions to community development.
The event, held in collaboration with Adegoke, the Aare Egbe Omo Balogun of Ibadanland saw the empowerment of hundreds of widows through the distribution of cash and food items.
It also featured the donation of ₦10 million to BCOS by Chief Adegoke to support the station’s developmental projects.
The ceremony, chaired by Chief Adebayo Oyero, Chairman of the Ibadan Muslim Community, marked the first major partnership between BCOS and Chief Adegoke. The BCOS team, led by Chairperson Mrs. Dotun Olaitan, coordinated the impactful gathering, which drew a large turnout from within and outside Ibadan.
In his lecture titled “The Plight of Widows in Nigeria”, Islamic cleric Sheikh Abibullah Buhari emphasized the socio-economic challenges widows face and commended the initiative. “We must appreciate BCOS for organizing such a meaningful event. It is a call to action for at least one million Nigerians to support widows and help fight poverty,” he said. He also lauded Chief Adegoke’s commitment to easing the burdens of widows, describing it as “a divine responsibility to restore hope and bring smiles to the faces of the less privileged.”
In their goodwill messages, notable dignitaries including Chief Lekan Alabi (Maya Olubadan), Alhaji Nureni Akanbi (Babasale Musulumi of Ibadan), Alhaja Modinat Adedibu (Southwest PDP Women Leader), and Alhaji YK Abass (Babalaje General of Oyo State), praised both BCOS and Chief Adegoke for their timely intervention and dedication to social welfare.
While presenting the empowerment packages, Chief Adegoke flanked by his wife, Chief Mrs. Yetunde Adegoke reiterated his belief that addressing the needs of the vulnerable should not be left to government alone. “Giving back is a duty. One of the pillars of Islam, Zakat, teaches us to support those in need. God has blessed us not just to live comfortably but to lift others up as well,” he said.
In her welcome address, BCOS Chairperson Mrs. Dotun Olaitan affirmed the corporation’s readiness to continue partnering with patriotic Nigerians to combat poverty across the state. Alhaji Kola Kiru, Chairman of the BCOS Get-together Committee, also expressed gratitude to BCOS for the support and to Chief Adegoke for his generous sponsorship of the event.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of an award to Chief Adegoke, as well as the distribution of food items and financial aid to hundreds of widows making the 2025 Ileya Get-Together a truly memorable and impactful occasion.
