HOFOWEM Brings Sunshine to 103 Indigent Widows in Lagos


The 2017 commemoration of the International Widows Day in Lagos State will for a long time remain memorable in the lives of the 103 widows that were recently empowered by the mother of the state, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode under the auspices of her non-governmental organization, Hope For Women In Nigeria Foundation (HOFOWEM). The event, which held last Thursday 29th June 2017 at the Excel Event Center, Oregun, Lagos brought together indigent widows with a view to raising the stakes and creating a safe space for those of them that are still in their active years to have a new lease of life through economic empowerment and entrepreneurship skills.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ambode explained that her foundation was established with the overriding objective of addressing major challenges confronting women and children, including poverty. She said widows as the most vulnerable in society, need support, hence the move by the foundation to empower them for self-reliance towards earning regular personal income.

According to her, “The life of a young widow is never an enviable one. Once widowed, women in many countries often confront a denial of inheritance, degrading and life-threatening mourning and burial rites and other forms of abuse. The children of widows are often affected both emotionally and economically. Widowed mothers, now supporting their families alone, are forced to withdraw their children from school and to rely on their labour. Moreover, the daughter of widows may suffer multiple deprivations, increasing their vulnerability to abuse.”

Bolanle Ambode noted that the overall objective of the empowerment program “is to ensure that these women are able to live happily” and become self-reliant, healthy and fulfilled.
Speaking further, she assured that the foundation decided to enlist the relatively younger widows for training in skills of their choice, to go with monthly allowance and would be supported with business equipment upon graduation, while the other two categories of women would get equipment support or financial assistance to expand their businesses.

‘This arrangement is designed to guarantee a stable means of income, to help meet your needs, those of your children, as well as your loved ones. It is hoped that this will bring more self-confidence for you, joy into your hearts and smiles to your faces’, she remarked.
Guest speaker at the occasion, Mrs. Susan Akande-Edotimi stressed the need for empowerment through skill acquisition and training, urging the women to take charge of their lives and forge ahead. Addressing the widows, Edotimi said, “Although life has dealt you a hard blow, you can be strong and you can excel. There are alternatives to begging and waiting for people to help us. One of the best options is to be empowered through skill acquisition and entrepreneurship.”

Also speaking on the legal rights of widows, Barrister Omotola Rotimi lamented the fact that women, especially widows are marginalized all over the world as a result of stigmatization, confinement, dehumanizing widowhood rights, denial of inheritance, banishment, deprivation  and lack of support. Rotimi argued that widows have rights under the law and these include “right to dignity, right to respect, right to live well and be happy”. She assured them of the several measures the Lagos state government has put in place to defend widows and protect them against abuse.
While urging the women to be hard working and not to wait for people to help them, she stressed the need for mothers to encourage their children; especially girls work and be self-reliant so that they won’t be a liability on their husbands either in life or in death.

Representing the Bank of Industry, Mrs. Eniola Akinsete attested to the fact that Lagos state is committed to the empowerment and emancipation of widows so that their families can be well taken care of. She spoke about the no interest loan facility (Market Money) available to them through HOFOWEM and urged them to be diligent and make good use of the opportunity.

On her part, the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Hon. Lola Akande urged the widows to reject poverty by taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the state government, be determined and to work hard so they can also be employers of labour instead of being liabilities.
Furthermore, Mrs. Ambode counselled the widows not to confuse their path with their destination. “Do not confuse your path with your destination. Just because it is stormy now does not mean you aren’t headed for sunshine. Always believe that something wonderful is about to happen to you. Never give up hope”, said she.

The governor’s wife, who thanked Power Oil and the Bank of Industry as well as individuals and corporate supporters for collaborating with HOFOWEM, stressed that the foundation was working to complement the children and women-friendly programs of the state government.

Speaking earlier, chief executive officer of the foundation, Ms. Oyefunke Adeleke, who thanked the founder for approving and supporting the empowerment programme, recalled the several challenges facing widows, promising that the foundation would continue to seek succour for them as it has done in the past.
According to her, “HOFOWEM believes in putting smiles on the faces of those we come across and this we would continue to do, especially with the less privileged in our society. Everybody deserves somebody who makes them look forward to tomorrow. And that is who we are at HOFOWEM, providing the shoulder to lean on”.

In providing helplines, Barrister Rotimi urged the women to approach the Office of the Administrator-General and Public Trustee; Directorate of Citizen’s Rights; Office of the Public Defender; Family Court; Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation; the Police or call emergency numbers 08036256457, 07032165181, 112 or 767.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries in a very emotional remark, Mrs. Celestina Osundiya, commended Mrs. Ambode for what she described as her thoughtfulness, kindness and unequalled passion to improve the welfare of less privileged persons, praying that the grace of God would always rest with her and her loved ones.

In attendance were the commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Hon. Lola Akande, Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs. Olabowale Ademola, APC South-West Women Leader, Chief Mrs. Kemi Nelson, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola Ag. Comm. Tourism, Art and culture, other female members of the Executive Council, Women Permanent Secretaries and other distinguished persons.


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