By; AYO OJEDOKUN, Lagos
As part of its efforts to sustain help to widows, a Non Governmental Organisations (NGO), ‘Widows Rejoice Mission’ has slated August 13, 2023 as the date for the next stage of its empowerment programme.
Founder of the mission, Zipporah Omowumi Adenike Oladejo told our correspondent that the empowerment programme which started about five years ago, has helped in giving hope to the widows who are the most voiceless, neglected and vulnerable members of the society.
” It will interest you to note that we’ve been doing this for the past five years and the positive response we get from our beneficiaries after each programme encouraged us to sustain it and I give glory to the Almighty God who have made it possible for us to raise funds to continuously carry out the project,” she said. Oladejo who disclosed that she got the inspiration to start the programme during preparation for her 50th birthday, lamented the plight of widows in the society, positing that many of them lost their late husbands’ property to relatives, leaving them with little or nothing to fend for the family.
She further explained that apart from food items that will be distributed, some will be trained on trades such as, soap making, which will enable them become self reliant, as well as make money to take care of their children.
” Our empowerment goes beyond giving out food items to the widows, because we also train them in such vocations as soap making; after which we provide them with materials to start the business and this has really helped many of them to set up their small scale businesses and that’s what we intend to do this year,” she added.
Oladejo while explaining that her organisation is not affiliated to any foreign NGO, made a passionate appeal to governments at all levels, corporate organisations and philanthropists to extend their financial support to her organisation to enable her achieve the set objectives of tackling poverty, unemployment and neglect which widows face everyday in the country.
” I want to say that the biggest challenge we’re facing is finance, transportation and storage facilities. Apart from my husband, the church and some private individuals who believe in what we’re doing, we have not gotten any financial support anywhere, neither are we affiliated to any foreign NGO.
” There is need for government, corporate Nigeria and philanthropists to cue into what we’re doing to enable us give hope to widows because many of them are traumatized, and facing serious challenges and stigmatization,” she stressed.
She however, advised widows not to give up hope but put faith in God who is always there to help the helpless and comfort the needy even as she called on widows in Lagos State to avail themselves of the opportunity which her mission offers by being part of the programme on August 13 at their office located opposite Second Gate, Isheri Oshun GRA, off Channels Television Road, OPIC Lagos State.
