From Moshood Karim
The Chadash Empowerment Foundation has marked International Widows’ Day by training and empowering 250 widows across Ogun State and Abuja with vocational equipment and cash grants.
Held under the theme “Empower Her: From Loss to Leadership” and coinciding with the global celebration of International Widows’ Day on 23 June, the initiative brought together 150 widows in Ilaro-Yewa, Ogun State, and 100 in the Federal Capital Territory. The programme featured four days of intensive hands‑on training in trades such as hairdressing, tailoring, leatherwork and make‑up artistry.
At the closing ceremony in Wuse, Abuja, on 22 June, the widows received starter kits — including sewing machines, hairdressing equipment, make‑up kits, grinding machines, and foodstuffs — as well as cash grants of N20,000 each.
Mrs Temitope Adeola, founder of the Chadash Empowerment Foundation and wife of Senator Solomon Adeola Yayi, explained that the initiative aims to enable widows to rise above grief and stigma, and to become agents of change in their communities.
“Every widow has the right to grieve, and the right to grow, lead, build and thrive,” she said. “That is why Chadash has chosen to stand with vulnerable widows and young orphans by training and empowering them with vital skills and equipment, reminding society that widows are not merely victims of circumstance, but powerful contributors to their families and communities.”
Mrs Adeola noted that the plight of Nigeria’s estimated 15 million widows was compounded by economic hardship, social stigma and discrimination. In some communities, she said, widows are denied inheritance, evicted from their homes, or subjected to harmful traditional practices. She cited the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2015, which prescribes up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of N500,000 for such practices.
“Widows must be treated as single parents, community leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers and advocates for justice,” she asserted, calling for increased access to education, economic opportunities, legal rights and social inclusion.
In a goodwill message, Mrs Janet Jiya, speaking on behalf of the Senators’ Wives Forum, commended Mrs Adeola for her tireless support for underprivileged widows and orphans. She urged beneficiaries to maximise the benefits of their training and grants to uplift themselves and their families.
The initiative marked the fourth edition of Chadash Empowerment Foundation’s annual programme to uplift widows in celebration of International Widows’ Day.