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Tag: widows

  • Zamfara Dep Gov distributes clothes to widows, orphans

    The Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Malam Ibrahim Wakala has distributed clothing materials to 8,385 indigent persons including widows, orphans and physically challenged.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that thousands of the beneficiaries converged on Deputy Governor’s residence located at at Albarkawa area, Gusau in the early hours of Saturday to receive the items.

    Speaking to newsmen after the distribution of the items, Wakkala said the gesture was aimed at assisting the needy in the Holy month of Ramadan.

    “You know, this is an annual programme. In every Ramadan I provide this assistance to various categories of the needy. This is my own personal assistance to them to enable them celebrate the forthcoming Eid-il-Fitr celebrations in happy mood.

    “This gesture is in line with the teaching of the Prophet Muhammad that give much emphasis on assisting the needy especially during the Holy month of Ramadan”, he said.

    Wakkala noted that the assistance would also go a long way in reducing hardship among the poor in the state.

    He called on the people of the state to use the holy month of Ramadan to pray and seek Allah’s intervention to return peace and stability in the state in particular and Nigeria at large.

  • Foundation empowers widows

    The Lola Akande Foundation has empowered over 80 widows with cash , food stuff and sewing machines.

    At the empowerment programme held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the President and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lola Akande, said the foundation was founded due to her passion to see to the people’s wellbeing, especially women and the less-privileged.

    She said: “This trend became inevitable after the 1995 Beijing conference aimed at achieving greater equality and opportunity for women, which led to increased awareness and consciousness on the negative consequences of pushing women to the background instead of empowering them towards attainment of self-reliance to ultimately actualise their full potentials politically and economically.

    “This has contributed to enhancing the energy and vigour of our collective struggle to give succour to vulnerable women, with specific focus on the widows.

    “While the Lola Akande Foundation was registered as an NGO in 2014, the empowerment programme is a culmination of consistent philanthropic efforts. This explains why we are reaching out to 80 beneficiaries here today.”

    The programme, she said, dates back to 2007 ‘when series of intervention programmes were carried out in my constituency as a member of the Lagos State House of even without constituency allowance. Little wonder the foundation is able to put together such an impactful empowerment programme as this,” said added.

    The sewing machines, Mrs. Akande said, were donated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

    She urged the beneficiaries to pursue their dreams with renewed strength without unnecessarily feeling disadvantaged.

    “In times of trials and travails, look unto God who according to Psalm 68 vs 5 is the “defender of the widows”.  I urge you to tap from the opportunities to engage in profitable ventures by putting to good use, the cash given you today,” she said.

    Three widows got N50,000 each , 80 got N20,000  each and another 20 got sewing machines.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Risikat Alaya, who got a sewing machine and cash gift, said: “I’m the happiest woman on earth today, thank God for Lagos State government and Lola Akande Foundation.”

  • Yaba donates cash to aged, widows

    Executive Chairman of Yaba Local Council Development Authority (LCDA) Kayode Omiyale has appealed to philanthropic organisations, Churches, Mosques and kind hearted individuals to give attention to the aged and widows in their communities.

    He spoke at the distribution of cash to 80 aged persons and 20 widows from “Ward F”, Iyawa, Yaba. The beneficiaries got 10,000 each.

    Omiyale said: “Civil servants retire at 60 years, University Administrators retire at 65, Judges and Professors retire at 70; these group of people constitute the senior citizens and those doing their own businesses in this age bracket. They spend their youth developing the country and the society; they deserve to enjoy social security.

    “We may not be able to do it as it is done in other developed climes, but we shall start from somewhere and build on it. The aged are weak and feeble, we need to lend a helping hand to lift them. Children should not forget their aged parents whatever the circumstance.”

    The chairman also commiserated with the people of Iwaya over the death of the Olu Of Iwaya, Oba Muritala Aremu Ogun-Oloko, who he called the “custodian of the culture and tradition of the people of Iwaya”.

     

     

     

  • Idahosa fetes widows, less privileged at 54

    Founder of God First Ministries AKA (Illumination Assembly) Lekki, Lagos Bishop Isaac Idahosa has presented gift items to widows and less privileged on his 54th birthday.

    He also gave out awards of recognition to icons such Nollywood superstars such as Fred Amata, Zeb Ejiro, Monalisa Chinda, Angela Phlips, Racheal Oniga and Tricial Kirry.

    Some of the artistes who thrilled worshippers at the event include Mike Abdul, Monique, Mamuse twins, Psalm 100, Bishop Praise Machine, Mega Praise, Awesome Crew and Lion Dancers.

    The birthday coincided with the launch of his new book Don’t jump up, grow up reviewed by Archbishop John Osa-Oni and Prophet Chris Okafor.

    Some of the icons who received awards of excellence include Actress Rachael Oniga, Prophet Chris Okafor, Azuh Arinze, Azuh Amatus, Tricia Kirry(Bold faces) and General Michael.

  • VALENTINE FOR WIDOWS

    It was a time to empower, relive Valentine’s fond memories and generally have fun for widows last week, as Head High International Organisation held its 17th Valentine’s Love Feast for Widows. Omolara Akintoye reports

    I’M short of words, in fact I never knew that someone out there could remember me, God bless the organisers of this programme”. These were the words of Mrs. Folashade Salvador, a young widow who lost her husband few months ago, as she was being empowered with cash gift and pop-corn making machine.

    Mrs. Salvador, who lost her husband two years after they got married, was one of the five widows who benefitted from cash gifts courtesy, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation. Start-up equipment such as pepper-grinding machine, Popcorn making machine and fabrics were among the things given out, courtesy Head High International.

    Making the presentation at the occasion, the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State, Dr. Lola Akande, enjoined the beneficiaries to invest the money and equipment on profitable ventures.

    “Be focused, don’t organise pity party, don’t be embittered, brace up for hard work’ she said.

    Akande, who was represented by the Director, Admin. & Human Resources, Mrs. Funmi Blaise, charged widows who are to not doing anything at the moment, to attend its Skill Acquisition Centers nearest to them, where they can be empowered with free skills. “Once you are empowered, you can take care of your children and send them to the best schools”, Blaise said.

    Valentine’s Day is one of those emotional landmines every widow must navi gate. If your grief is fresh, it’s a heart-wrenching reminder of what you’ve lost. Later, when the initial shock and grief wears off, it can still leave you feeling wistful and empty. While others look forward to Valentine’s Day with excitement, for these women, the day casts a smear on their joy because it is a reminder of fond memories they once shared with their husbands.

    While some are still brooding, others have in a way turned their grief into something of worth. In its effort to encourage this group of women to keep their heads lifted up, Head High International Organisation said it was an opportunity to reach out to widows. Speaking on why it organises love feast every February for women and children, the Executive Director, Head High Organisation, Pastor (Mrs.) Tinu Odugbemi, at this year’s 17th edition, held in Lagos, said it is a way of reaching out to, comforting, strengthening and embracing those who might miss their loved ones at a time like this. “It is a time to meet old friends, make new ones, wind down and enjoy, as well as reconstruct love in expression and in pattern; a time to emphasise true love,’ she said.

    Odugbemi also enjoined politicians and religious leaders to endorse policies that will improve the lots of widows, single parents, and orphans. “It is time to be more decisive and proactive in taking care of the less privileged, it is time to empower them body soul and spirit.”

    She added that the organisation is doing all it could to set up a Skill Acquisition Centre, while also using the opportunity to call on government and well-meaning Nigerians to align with the organisation. This, she pointed out, was a follow-up to the demand by the target group for a place to meet regularly and in response to the biting economic challenges.

    “Our women and their children are not lazy, they are willing to work, they only need the necessary support and conducive environment”, she said.

    It was also an opportunity for some of the widows to relive their experiences, especially during Valentine before their husband passed on.

    Mrs. Modupe Adeogun, who lost her husband 20 years ago, said it was the grace of God that makes way for her, while Mrs. Gladys Yesufu said she had to change the structure of her house in order to forget the memories of her husband. Her words “There is a particular area in my house that if I and my husband meet each other there, anything can happen, be it tapping, kissing and so on. I had to change the structure of that area to wipe off the memory.”

    Other side attractions on the fun-filled day included cutting of the Valentine cake, games and talent showcase. Over 2000 widows attended the event.

  • Widows of hanged ‘Ogoni nine’ seek justice at The Hague

    WIDOWS of four of the Ogoni Nine – Esther Kiobel, Victoria Bera, Blessing Eawo and Charity Levula brought their historic case to The Hague yesterday to seek justice for their hanged husbands.

    Nine members of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP), including its leader, the late Ken Saro-Wiwa, were executed in 1995 by the administration of the late military Head of State Gen Sani Abacha, following their controversial trial.

    Esther Kiobel’s husband, Dr Barinem Kiobel, was one of those executed.

    The widows allege that Shell was complicit in the Nigerian government’s policy of brutally quelling protests, and with human rights abuses that were aimed at protecting the company’s staff and infrastructure, actions that ultimately led to the death of their husbands.

    Shell has been accused of complicity in the state execution of nine Ogoni protesters and human right abuses dating back to 1993.

    The allegations concern the 1990s government crackdown in Ogoniland, in the oil-rich Niger Delta, where oil spills inflicted environmental damage on a huge scale.

    According to a report by The Guardian United Kingdom (UK), The Netherlands court will decide whether a case can proceed after hearing arguments from both sides.

    “Over the years, Shell has continually fought to make sure this case is not heard in court. They have the resources to fight me instead of doing justice for my husband,” Esther Kiobel said.

    Unable to seek recourse in Nigerian courts, Esther Kiobel first filed a case against Shell in the United States (U.S.) in 2002. The company denied allegations of complicity in the death of the Ogoni nine or in the widespread human rights abuses, although it acknowledged an awareness of Nigeria’s military action to protect its infrastructure. In 2009, Shell agreed a $15.5 million out-of-court settlement with the families of the dead men, stating that it was to cover their legal costs and recognition of events that took place in Ogoniland.

    The U.S. court declined jurisdiction and in 2017, with the assistance of Amnesty International, the case was re-filed in the Netherlands.

    In a letter to Amnesty International in June 2017, the Managing Director, Shell Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor, refuted allegations of misconduct and said: “We were shocked and saddened when we heard the news of the executions. Shell Nigeria appealed to the Nigerian government to grant clemency.”

    Mark Dummett, a researcher at Amnesty International, said: “These women believe that their husbands would still be alive today were it not for the brazen self-interest of Shell. This is an historic moment which has huge significance for people everywhere who have been harmed by the greed and recklessness of global corporations.”

    Yesterday at The Hague, plaintiffs Esther Kiobel and Victoria Bera gave evidence to the court. Blessing Eawo and Charity Levula were unable to attend. Presenting the response from Shell, Barrister Wemmeke Wisman, stated that the company denied the allegations made by the two women, and argued that the matter should not proceed on the basis of statutes of limitation in Nigeria.

    Besides, they asked the court to consider whether it should decline jurisdiction on the basis that Shell Nigeria operated independently of its parent company, Royal Dutch Shell. The case was adjourned to 8 May, for the judge to decide whether the proceedings should be stayed or whether examination of further evidence was needed.

    Speaking to The Guardian at the conclusion of yesterday’s hearing, Esther Kiobel said: “I am happy that I have had my day in court to tell the judge that I want justice and all the hanged men exonerated.”

  • NGO offers widows more hope

    The Widows Care and Charity Organisation (WICCO), has reassured widows of the group’s  unflinching support.

    The Chairman of the organisation, Pastor James Oni speaking at the annual general meeting of WICCO, urged the widows to expect more support to become self-employed.

    “We are shifting from cash empowerment to material empowerment, this we are sure will lead to economic improvement of widows, it is also self-sustaining.

    “The little efforts and connection we have, we shall continually do our bit to ensure help comes from time to time for you.

    “Our feed the widow’s concept is growing in leaps and bounds to extent that the ministry sent ten widows to us to partake in the gesture and they were catered for.

    “We are not there yet as there many more widows we need to reach out to, so we call for assistance in cash and kind from public spirited individuals, to keep the hopes of these widows alive”. Oni reiterated.

    The Chairperson, Deaconess Busola Oluwadamilare, urged the widows to ignore distractions.

    “Being a widow is not the end of the journey; neither is it the end of the world. Let it be the beginning of the best time for you by facing your children squarely.

    “Train them right let the aids afforded by WICCO improve your lot as well as that of your child let it reflect.

    “You are only recognised for all your efforts when people see your children doing great, always pray for your children early every day, degree what you want for them.

    “Also pray to be a success story in parenting not a disaster, I know of some organisation that are fraudulent but I am convinced that WICCO is genuine.

    “I urge our women out there not to heap all the financial burden of having a functional home on their husbands, they should have a viable venture that will give them some earnings with which they can be of help to their spouse.

    “Let’s team up and nurture our children for the future we desire. A good society starts from the home and women play a pivotal role in building the home, where peace, joy and happiness dwells,” Oluwadamilare asserts.

    WICCO’s Vice Chairman Mrs. Janet Olamiposi Ampitan, said: “The AGM is one we ought to have had in 2018, so as to be able to give a feedback to the state for all the support and chart a new course for WICCO.

    “We have been registered by Lagos State Government and we need to keep them posted about how far we have gone as an organisation.

    Read also: Kano partners NGO’s to provide limbs to 190 amputees

    “Finance is cardinal for greater attainment so we are calling on public spirited ones out there, to support this course,” Ampitan said.

    One of the beneficiaries of WICCO’s care gesture, Mrs. Bola Sanusi, eulogised the organisation.

    “The organisation has been so supportive, two of my wards got admission in school due to efforts of WICCO and I am certain the selflessness of the initiator will yield an enduring fruit, aside that I have also enjoyed some empowerment opportunities from the organisation through skill acquisition programmes and more.

    Another beneficiary also said benefited immensely from the sowing of lunch bag souvenir and

    Souvenir bags, “now I am economically enabled than before.”

    The initiator of Tribute Children Links Initiative Comrade Rotimi Ogunmayowa in his contribution praised all that widows go through but encouraged them not to lose hope.

    “I urge not to relent, please let’s monitor our wards because of the dangers lurking around, help will come, never give up.”

     

  • Lawmaker lifts widows, pupils, others

    Some widows and less privileged women in Iba Local Council Development Area of Lagos have been empowered by a lawmaker in the council.

    Ibrahim Bakare, the Leader of the council’s Legislative, gave them materials and cash to boost their businesses yesterday.

    The empowerment event was held at Okokomaiko Town Hall.

    Bakare also donated exercise books to pupils of FHA Primary School and cash to some members of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Security Watch (LNSC).

    According to him, the gesture was to give back to society and create more wealthy people in the council.

    “Part of my campaign promises is to empower my constituent. It is also to replicate what the Federal Government is doing in terms of Tradermoni and N5,000 stipends given to the less privilege.

    “The money I gave out to the beneficiaries, who are not earning income to start their businesses. They can actually start something to improve their lives,” he said.

     

    He urged the youth to shun violence and join hands with government to build a virile society.

    “The elections are close by. Our youths should not allow themselves to be used as touts during the period. They have their lives and should make it worthwhile. If I can get to this position, they too can make it,” he said.

     

  • Foundation lifts widows, others

    A non-governmental organisation, OVL Foundation, has provided free medical check-ups for widows and market women in Lagos.

    It also distributed free drugs at a special concert and outreach for widows, women and the less privileged at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.

    OVL’s Executive Director Victor Laniyan said God inspired him to establish the foundation aimed at empowering women, especially widows and the less privileged.

    He said: “Today we are remembering women. We have decided to help women, who are in need in our society.

    “I want to encourage women, whether married, single and young girls that there is hope for them. Widows should not give up, irrespective of what they go through.”

    A member of the medical team at the screening, who simply identified herself as Bukola, said those diagnosed with ailments have been given professional advice, while those with minor cases were provided with drugs.

    A widow, Mrs. Ronke Ibirogba, said

    OVL Foundation had put smiles on the faces of many widows with the skill acquisition programmes.

    She said the free medical check-ups have helped a lot, as many could not afford the huge hospital bills.

  • Enact laws to cater for widows, cleric tells government

    •advocates more elective positions for women

    The President/General Overseer of Amazing Grace Pentecostal Church Lagos Bishop Dr. (Mrs.) Chioma Dauji has called on governments to show interest in the plights of widows by enacting laws that will cater for their welfare and wellbeing.

    Dauji, whose ministry runs a foundation which focuses on widows’ empowerment among other programmes, spoke with reporters in her office at the Church premises last Sunday during the 2018 annual convention and Thanksgiving of the Church.

    The foundation Great Changers Foundation International, (GLIFIN) has as its core focus rehabilitation of destitutes/ex-prison inmates/prostitutes; orphanage;  youth empowerment scheme; prison visitation; skill acquisition and scholarship scheme; community based services; educational support and scholarship scheme etc.

    She said widows are suffering a lot because of wrong traditional beliefs.

    According to her: “They are being humiliated and it is high time government started looking into widows matter; they don’t have accommodation or even what to eat, most of their children are on the streets, they should be remembered.

    “Let there be laws against maltreatment of widows, they should be treated fairly, most of them are sickly and they need medical attention but they cannot afford it. The government should put laws in place to take care of them.”

    Speaking on the theme’s convention ‘Reversing the irreversible’, she counselled no matter the situation Christians find themselves, they should not look down on themselves because there is no situation God cannot reverse.

    “Even as a nation no matter what Nigeria is going through now, we must not lose hope. We should look unto God because He can reverse our situation and make it better.

    “Forget about yesterday, as an individual and as a nation, look to the future, don’t look unto any man, look unto God and trust and have faith in Him and God will reverse the irreversible,” she said.

    Dauji also advocated women should be considered for more elective positions because they always perform better.

    “Women know how to organise things better and we are more compassionate. Allow women to surface, give them chance.

    “Women are ready but tradition is keeping them down and that tradition must be done away with so that the women can come up,” she said.