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Tag: widows

  • Alakija hosts widows, orphans

    Alakija hosts widows, orphans

    Widows and orphans were full of smiles when Rose of Sharon Foundation owned by Africa’s richest woman Mrs Folorunsho Alakija held a get-together for them.

    The young and old, uniformly dressed in red white and black  attire, gathered under a massive marquee at the Sports Complex, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos.

    Little orphans were not left out of the end-of-year bash as they made the most of the opportunity.

    The outgoing year witnessed a broadening of empowerment opportunities and advocacy  for indigent women and their families, Mrs Alakija said while receiving groups of cultural dance troupes.

    She said the Enterprise Development and Skills Acquisition Programme presented a wide range of  opportunities to the participants to enable them increase their earning opportunities. She praised their high entrepreneurship, especially with the acquisition of skills in various commercial fields.

    “This year, export opportunities in livestock and crop farming were introduced to the programme.

    Mrs Eno Agada, an agricultural expert, told the participants of the huge demand in the international markets for some agricultural products, such as cassava flour, sesame seed, and shea butter.

    Other vocational skills covered during the event included make-up artistry, outdoor/event decoration, textile making, jewellery making and millinery training skills,” she added.

    Thanking the foundation’s supporters, she reiterated the its commitment to supporting the needy, saying: “We will continually advocate the right of widows and orphans.We call on all stakeholders to join us in this fight as we help them with their plight and wipe away their tears. I launched a new platform to encourage and uplift women and we have facilitators who are older and can move the youths to the next level.’’

    Wife of Lagos State governor Mrs Bolanle Ambode, who was the special guest, said the season was one of love to share, especially with people in special conditions “that do not permit the physical presence of their darling husbands and their beloved parents”.

    Citing Jeremiah 1:5, she urged them never to lose hope of good tidings, noting that God would be available to meet their needs.

    “God has you in His plan as women without husbands and as children without parents. He knows you like the palm of His hands and because He never makes mistake concerning anything that happens in our lives, His plan and purpose for you must materialise,” she said.

    Ambode also commended the efforts of the Rose of Sharon Foundation for its untiring support to improve the conditions of these persons in all areas of life.

  • APC chief’s wife donates clothes to 500 widows

    The wife of an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Mrs. Caroline Enuha, at the weekend donated clothes, valued at N3 million to over 500 widows in Aniocha South Local Government of Delta State.

    She urged governments to address economic challenges facing widows.

    Mrs. Enuha was accompanied to the event in Ogwashi-Uku by her husband, Mr. Hyacinth Enuha, chairman, Delta APC Elders Forum.

    She was the governorship candidate in 2011 general election on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The woman said she gave the gifts “because most widows do not have the means of clothing themselves at a special period like the Christmas.”

    She said she had plans for an empowerment scheme to train widows in skills to make them self -reliant.

    On what informed her philanthropic gesture, she said: “My husband, Chief Enuha and I have been giving succour to the hopeless for a long time. But on individual basis, I feel it will be better to expand it and touch more people at a time like this.

    “Considering the economic situation in the country, coupled with the unhealthy culture that exposes widows to forms of deprivation, I feel they need assistance.”

    Mrs. Enuha urged governments to implement programmes that will address challenges facing widows.

    A 70-year-old beneficiary, Mrs. Caroline Otogbodor, thanked the donor and her husband for their magnanimity.

  • Gani Adams fetes widows as OPC marks Heroes Day

    Gani Adams fetes widows as OPC marks Heroes Day

    Over 150 widows have received cash gifts from the Aare Ona Kakanfo-designate of Yoruba, Otunba Gani Adams, at this year’s edition of Heroes Day, an   annual Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) for remembering deceased members of the group.

    Addressing members of the group from across the country, Adams, who is also the group’s National Coordinator, noted that aside from providing the opportunity for OPC to help the families of its slain members, the occasion is also an opportunity to commune with the spirit of the late members.

    Saluting the courage of the widows for keeping their families going, despite the demise of their husbands, Adams said: “What we do here today is part of the sacrifices we must make for the progress of the group.”

    The OPC chief said the Heroes Day was fixed for November 8 because it was the day “the first honest hero of OPC, Comrade Kola Arowosafe, was killed”.

    He noted that of the widows benefitting from the scheme, fewer than 20 had lost their husbands in the line of duty.

    Adams said the widows were accommodated, irrespective of how their husbands died, because the group had a duty to take care of wives of its late members.

    According to him, about 180 widows were hosted and empowered earlier in the year.

    Adams said the Wednesday’s event was the second time OPC was assisting the widows this year.

    Making a case for the nation’s diverse traditions, especially in the Southwest, Adams said the bane of the society is abandoning its root.

    He said: “We cry about corruption, hunger and the like, whereas the antidote to these ills in our society is in our culture, which we have abandoned as a result of foreign religions.”

  • Ikpeazu’s wife inaugurates homes for widows

    Ikpeazu’s wife inaugurates homes for widows

    The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has commissioned five bungalows she built for indigent widows in three local government areas of the state including a market stall.

    Speaking while handing over the keys of the building to the beneficiaries, Mrs Ikpeazu said that her gesture was borne out of service in partnership with her covenant with God to touch the lives of people positively.

    Mrs Ikpeazu, who commissioned two three bedroom bungalows and a market stall at Amizi Oloko, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state, said that the buildings would help the widows to live a better life devoid of health hazards.

    The governor’s wife said that the present administration under her husband, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is public oriented with the determination to leave its footprints on the sand of time, adding that there is need for public spirited individuals to assist government in alleviating the sufferings of the people.

    She used the forum to announce to the joy of the people that her gesture of building houses for indigent widows will go round the three senatorial zones of the state and urged Abians to remain steadfast to the present administration for more dividends of democracy.

    In his remarks the member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo said that the kind gesture of the governor’s wife towards the down trodden is outstanding and prayed that God will help her to sustain the program.

    Earlier in her speech, the chairman of Ikwuano council area, Ezinne Ngozi Orji expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor and pledged the support of her administration and her people to the government of the day.

    Reacting to the gesture of the Abia governor’s wife, the former minister of state for defence, Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd) commended the efforts of the Abia First Lady, especially her humanitarian services.

    Akobundu appreciated Mrs Ikpeazu for her commissioning Oloko health centre Ahieke and the conference centre which he built for his people, saying that it part of his contribution in helping to open up his community.

    In their response the beneficiaries of the bungalows, Mrs Ngozi Ikpegbu and Mrs Ebere Sunday thanked the wife of the governor for alleviating their suffering by giving them shelter and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon her and her family.

    In the same vain the Abia First Lady also commissioned three bungalows at Mgboko Umuoria for Mrs Edith Nwosu, Obingwa council area, Mrs Rachael Onyeukwu Nwoko from Ihie Ukwu Ugwunagbo council area and Mrs Eunice John Ugwuala also from Ugwunagbo council area.

    It is noteworthy that the three bungalows built and commissioned by Mrs Ikpeazu for the indigent widows makes it the 38th houses that she has built in collaboration with her pet project, Vicar Hope foundation since she assumed office.

    Handing over the keys to the buildings to the beneficiaries, Mrs Ikpeazu said that giving shelter to the indigent was her own way of uplifting their welfare, giving them succor.

    In their speeches, the chairmen of Obingwa and Ugwunagbo council areas, Hanson Amaechi and Eze Nwanganga commended the wife of the governor, Mrs Ikpeazu for her humanitarian activities and pledged their unalloyed support to the present administration.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Edith Nwosu thanked the wife of the governor for putting smiles on their faces as widows and attending to their sufferings and prayed that God should continue to bless her.

  • Alakija’s foundation empowers widows, orphans

    Alakija’s foundation empowers widows, orphans

    Rose of Sharon Foundation (RoSF) owned by  Africa’s richest woman, Mrs Folorunso Alakija has empowered over 1000 wdows with skills.

    The programme was held at the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH),  Lagos.

    Guest speaker at the event, the wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs Bolanle Ambode,  said for widows to survive,   they should have sustainable  income.

    She said widowhood might not translate to be harrowing, if women were equipped with skills.

    She urged struggling widows to shun the  feeling of helplessness and apply the initiative to hold their families together.

    “Widowhood can be a nightmare and a life of isolation when women are unlucky with the harsh realities of life. One of the worse things that can happen to a widow is to lack a means of income and the best is to have a means of livelihood. This initiative is commendable because it is about the best thing that can happen to a widow for welfare development. It is about teaching them to fish instead of serving them the cooked fish. I wish to assure you that the state government will continue to pursue welfare improvement for women,”  said Mrs Dapo Thomas, who represented Mrs Ambode.

    The participants, who included orphans and unemployed graduates, were  introduced to export opportunities in livestock and crop farming.

    The programmes involved  make-up artistry, tie and dye, decorations, fashion designing, millinery, and confectionary catering, among others.

    Mrs Alakija said the trainings have been structured to create the conditions for widows need to lead their lives with some stability, support and resources to assume the role of a principal provider.

    Over 1000 widows, she said, had been rehabilitated since the inception of the programme, noting that they have become bold, assertive and with restored dignity and self-esteem.

    According Mrs Olusola, who represented Mrs Alakija, the introduction of agricultural training and customer relation management skills was targeted at  expanding their revenue windows and empowering them to become practical employers of labour.

    She said: “These women like the proverbial tea bag have been thrown into the hot water of life buy we believe that the little support, emotionally, financially and skill wise will make them thrive and become stronger to achieve their dreams. This is what motivates the foundation. We are living witnesses to the transformation in the lives of some of our beneficiaries who have been empowered in earlier editions of the enterprise development and skills acquisition programme. Women who could barely feed themselves have now become employers and provide for their children.”

    Agric export expert, Mrs Eno Agada, advised the participants to make the most of local products highly sought in some international markets, saying export is a potent revenue spinner.

    She said: “We exposed them to export of some products which they largely lack the knowledge of their usefulness and profit they can make from them. They can do cassava flour, which is locally produced, sesame seeds, bitter kola, coco beans, coco butter and shear nuts.

    In Europe, shear butter is like crude oil. In Malaysia, palm oil is like crude oil. So, export is very lucrative once they get their documentation right.”

    Executive Director, Relate Africa Joseph Ogundare, who spoke on the importance of healthy customer management, said simple ethics of courtesy were crucial to gaining and keeping a good customer base.

    “The message for them is on how to use customer service to improve their business. If you get it wrong with customer service, regardless of your investments, you will continue to lose money and as long as you continue to lose customers. They should learn to treat their customers well, learn to always smile when dealing with them and be very neat and organised because everyone wants to do good business in a disorganised environment,” he said.

  • Lagos empowers widows

    Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to fighting the cause of widows. It vowed to free them from all forms of degrading and dehumanising treatments. During training  organised by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation at The Chapel of Christ the Light, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Speaking at the yearly Widows Entrepreneurial/Skill Acquisition Training Programme, wife of Lagos State governor, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode, said the programme was initiated for the good of widows.

    Her words: “It is an effort by the government to put smile on their faces, to be less dependent on the generosity of people and to also lift burdens off your shoulder.” Mrs Ambode who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola, stated that the move was in fulfilment of the government’s objective to make women in the state to be economically reliant.

    The training, according to the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr Lola Akande, was to further ensure that widows attain financial independence through skill acquisition. “This is meant to further ease the pains of widows in their responsibilities to their children and others whom they are meant to take cater for,” she enthused.

    In her lecture titled Financial Independence: With or without spousal support, Director, Head High International, Mrs. Tinu Odugbemi, declared that to be financially independent, women have to be frugal in their spending, invest in others and themselves by adding to their knowledge and learning other skills, as well as devise means to preserve their incomes. “For you to achieve this you must be humble enough to learn from others and cry for help if need be,” she said.

    Widowhood, according to Professor Oluyemi Obasoro-John while handling Depression and Menopausal Reaction, can lead to depression, but can be overcome by getting engaged in profitable ventures. Obasoro-John therefore pointed out some ways out of depression, which are understanding your own body; getting adequate information; joining support groups; and finally, abiding faith in God.

     

  • Succour for homeless widows in Anambra

    For 22-year old Nonye Igbokwe, an indigent widow in Oraifite, Ekwusigo Council Area of Anambra State and four other widows of similar status, Christiana Chukwugelo, Chinenye Onyekum, Theresa Iwuchukwu and Augustina Oba, fate has at last soothed their heartache since they lost their husbands and breadwinners.

    For these women, who are mothers to between three and six children each, life ground to a halt after they were saddled with the huge responsibilities of catering for their children, as well as contending with the challenges of obsolete traditions associated with widowhood.

    Homeless, helpless and hopeless, some of them were denied their husband’s inheritance and thrown out of their homes, their children denied education and love.

    This was the pitiable condition of these indigent widows before their case was brought to the attention of the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Rochas Okorocha. Today their plight has been lifted and they can once again behold the rays of joy and laughter.

    Moved with compassion, Mrs Okorocha, who has built over 200 bungalows for indigent widows in Imo State, under her pet project, She Needs a Roof Project (SNARP), went on a verification tour to Oraifite, where she was confronted with the heartrending testimonies of the widows.

    She handed over five fully furnished two-bedroom bungalows to the widows in a ceremony that drew tears from the audience.

    The governor’s wife said she was inspired to build the homes for the helpless widows under her pet project, She Needs a Roof Project (SNARP) by the plight of the widows.

    She stated further that the gesture was not politically motivated but was rather spurred by a genuine passion to show love to a section of the society that has been denied joy and fulfilment by happenstance of life.

    She said, “Some of these indigent widows have long forgotten how to smile or be happy. Life for them has become one tortuous journey for no fault of theirs. But with what we have done today, these ones can now smile and know how it feels like to be happy. Today they have become owners of modern buildings which is a clear departure from the decrepit homes they were once used to”.

    Urging wealthy Nigerians to continue to assist the poor and downtrodden with their resources,  the Imo Governor’s wife,  added that,  “we can actually help the poor among us because there is no way we can live in two homes or wear two different clothes at a time. We can actually give put those surplus to lift the plight of the indigent ones, especially these widows that have lost their breadwinners and are left to shoulder the burden of raising the children alone”.

    She said, “For me and my husband, giving is a calling and we will continue to do our best to assist to making life better for the underprivileged people. In Imo State, for instance, we have given out over two hundred such bungalows to widows and orphans and it is still counting “.

    On whether the project will continue after her tenure of office, she assured that,”as you know my family have been involved in philanthropy and I don’t look at money as a barrier when it comes to doing things like this.  It is my passion; it gives me joy to see smiles return to the faces of these people, so God helping me I will continue to the best of my ability to provide succour to the indigent people “.

    Commenting further on the initiative, Mrs. Okorocha, explained that, ”this project was conceived after I visited my husband’s brother and friend,  Sir Emeka Offor when he was hosting a large number of widows under his Foundation,  Sir Emeka Offor Foundation and I was touched and promised to assist my building five bungalows for five of the widows.  Today that dream has come true and I feel so happy that I have assisted in my own little way.“

    Lauding the gesture, wife of Emeka Offor and Vice President of the Emeka Offor Foundation,  Mrs Adaora Offor, thanked the Governor’s wife for alleviating the sufferings of the widows,  “I thank you for what you have done for these widows, even though they are not from Imo State. It is my prayer that God will continue to bless and reward you as you serve humanity.

    One of the recipients, 30-year old Nonye Igbokwe who lost her husband in a motorcycle accident two years ago, while narrating her emotional ordeal, said that she was sleeping in a hut with her six children before she was sent away by her husband brothers.

    She said, “After I was driven away by my husband’s brothers, members of my extended family gave me one room in an uncompleted building where I was staying with my children. At night I hardly slept for fear that reptiles may attack my little children. During the day, I do menial jobs to feed my children.  Life was so tough for me that most times I think of committing suicide.  But thank God today my sufferings have come to an end.  I thank the Imo governor’s wife and others that God has used to rescue me and my children “.

    Apart from the buildings, the widows were also given wrappers and cash to start petty trading to take care of their children.

    The beneficiaries include Nonye Igbokwe, Christiana Chukwugelo,  Chinenye Onyekum, Theresa Iwuchukwu and Augustina Oba.

     

  • Relief for widows in Anambra

    Relief for widows in Anambra

    Relief came the way of widows in Anambra State. They got relief items at Oraukwu in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state. Some of the items were rice, beans, cash and tomatoes, among others.

    The event was organised by the coordinator and founder of Widows Association in the state, Mrs. Hope Nwandu. Former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Sir Victor Umeh, and the chairman of GUO group of companies, Chief Sir Goody Okeke sponsored it. The state government was represented by Governor Willie Obiano’s Special Assistant on Political Matters, Dr Vero Okechukwu.

    It was gathered that the association helps over 10,000 widows in the state every year.

    Those who attended this year’s edition were widows from Dunukofia, Anaocha, Idemili South and Awka South Local Government Areas.

    Umeh, who was represented by his campaign Director General Chief Emeka Udoeme, and Dr Vero Okechukwu urged the widows to have faith in God.

    The duo told them that God had always been a husband to the widows and would never allow bad to triumph against them.

    The founder of the association, Mrs. Hope Nwandu, told The Nation that she would not stop supporting them, since they were in the same boat.

    She however, warned them to be weary of politicians that only use them during elections and dump them after, adding that the God of widows would continue to watch over them.

    One of the youngest widows in Anambra, who simply identified herself as Mrs. Onyinye I, told The Nation that it was not easy to become a widow at just 21 years.

    Onyinye, who hawks snacks at Nimo market in Njikoka Local Government Area of the state, recently removed her white mourning dress, said God had been taken care of her since the husband died six months ago. She hails from Ukpor Nnewi south council area.

    She commended the widow’s coordinator for her initiative, while praying God to protect her for the widows.

    Another widows, Mrs. Theresa Okoye from Aguluzigbo, Mrs. Augustina Nwakelu from Dunukofia and Mrs. Franca Mbudinma from Oraukwu communities, told The Nation that it had not been easy for them coping with the children.

    They declared that they would continue being grateful to Nwandu for helping the helpless in the society despite her own condition in life, and prayed God to replenish the pockets of those who gave them the food items.

  • ‘Give widows 5% social investment funds’

    As the world celebrates International Widows Day (IWD), a non-governmental organisation, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja has advocated 5 percent of the federal government Social Investment Programme funds to be dedicated to widows to address the poverty and injustice they and their children face.

    The group observed that the four social investments programmes of the federal government did not capture the interest of widows in the society, just as the group called on government at all levels to dedicate special funds for establishment of small scale business for widows.

    Addressing journalists in Abuja as part of activities to mark this year’s International Widows Day, President of Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Mrs. Jumai Ahmadu stressed that there are over 245 million widows worldwide, nearly half of which live in extreme poverty and are subject to cruel violence.

    Speaking on the 2017 theme: “Given as Never Alone”, Mrs. Ahmadu affirmed that 5 percent of the Social Investment Funds if dedicated to widows will go a long way of solving problems like social intolerance and financial adversity faced by widows especially in the rural communities, while commending the federal government on the National Homegrown School Feeding Programme.

    “We want to use this occasion to commend the federal government Social Investment Programme aimed at creating jobs for unemployed graduates and address other social issues. However, Helpline Foundation for the Needy is also using this occasion to call on the federal government to set aside 5 percent of the funds to tackle the numerous problems faced by widows and their children in Nigeria.

    “This clarion call to set aside 5 percent of the social investment funds to widows is in line with our core objective to support and encourage the vulnerable widows in our midst through economic empowerment and skill acquisition and scholarship scheme for their children.

    “The plight of widows around the world, estimates that there are 245 million widows worldwide, 115 million of whom live in poverty and suffer from social stigmatization and economic deprivation purely because they have lost their husbands. Regrettably, a higher percentage of widows in Nigeria live in extreme poverty and are subject to cruel violent. The main reason to celebrate this International Widows Day is to spread the awareness among the people on the troubles of the widowed women and Helpline is at the forefront of this campaign”, Mrs. Ahmad stated.

    June 23 has been set aside to mark the International Widows Day globally create awareness on the plight of widows and their children who become victims of social injustice, literacy, HIV/AIDS, and conflict.

    On the 22nd December 2010 at the 65th UN General Assembly, the United Nations recognized 23rd June as International Widows Day. The day was launched by the Loomba Foundation at the House of Lords in London in 2005. The date, 23rd June, was chosen because on this day, Shrimati Pushpa Wati Loomba, Lord Loomba’s mother became a widow.

  • Relief for farmers, widows in Niger

    Relief for farmers, widows in Niger

    Like the country at large, Niger State is quite a paradox. Its soil is rich enough to grow a wide range of food and cash crops, including melon, cotton, beans, millet, sorghum, soya beans, yam and sugarcane. Yet, its farmers produce very little of these crops and essentially struggle to get by. This is because they get little support. For instance, they cannot buy or rent tractors or bulldozers needed for mechanised farming. This has left the agriculture sector poorly developed and unfruitful.

    Help has come. A member of the House of Representatives, representing Kontagora-Wushishi-Marga-Mashegu constituency, Niger State, Hon. Abdullahi Garba has provided farmers in four local government areas with mini-tractors to aid their farming.

    The mini-tractor is a 13 horse-power machine which can be used for harvesting, make ridges and perform other farming activities.

    According to the lawmaker, empowering farmers in the state with mechanised tools will boost agricultural production and also facilitate exports, which would in turn encourage more participation in agriculture.

    Garba, who is the House Committee Chairman on Population, noted that no amount was too small for empowerment adding that such would be repeated annually.

    “About 365 days ago I did exactly what you are witnessing today. It is all about motive and determination. I need to empower them year-in year-out. So it is what I enjoyed doing.

    “Imagine what these people are facing and what these support will do to alleviate their challenges. If they can make N4000 per day through these empowerment tools, you know what that will be in a year,” he added.

    Speaking with some of the beneficiaries, they commended the gesture, describing it as one which would help improve farming activities especially in the LGAs and further encourage more youths in farming.

    Umar Aliyu, 45 and father of 11 children disclosed how he manually cultivates about 12 Acres of land through the use of cattles for making ridges, this among other factors, he said has continued to hamper on harvests.

    He affirmed that with the new empowerment, his production would be increased by 50 percent.

    “Now I have increased capacity to do more cultivation but on behalf of other farmers, I want the government to help construct better road for accessibility and easy transportation of our produce,” he added.

    Another farmer, Umar Isah, 28, from Wushishi, LGA said  the mini-tractor will increase his farm cultivation to seven acres as against three acres production that produces only 50 bags of maize.

    “I am extremely happy for this. What can I say than to thank God for using this man. He has helped with mini-tractors, it is now the turn of government to provide fertiliser, pesticides, insecticides and above all, seeds,” he said.

    The farmers, however, called for road rehabilitation across the local governments by the appropriate authority to ensure easy transportation of Agriculture produce to cities where they are needed.

    Other empowerment tools distributed by the lawmaker included 90 sets of complete grinding machines for women, 45 motorcycles, 32 Tricycles for commercial purpose, 32 Hair, 45 Deep freezers among others.

    There were other beneficiaries, one of whom  Hajia Kunu Musa, a 50-year old widow. She got a grinding machine from the lawmaker. Hajia Musa said she could not believe her luck, noting that the grinding machine would help ease the burden of having to cater for a family of nine.

    “I am 50 years old with eight children. My husband died about 15 years ago, so it’s been difficult but I run a local restaurant which I used to take care of their welfare. I believe that is my fate.

    “With this grinding machine given to me free, I will be able to make more money for the family by grinding corn, potato, tomatoes and now that is Fasting period, people do lots of grinding, no doubt it will help my family.”

    The job tools were eventually distributed to other beneficiaries including young women, artisans, youths, farmers among others drawn from 45 wards in the four local governments the House of Representative member represents.