By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
As Nigeria joins in marking the 2023 International Day for Widows , a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, Helpline Foundation for the Needy, Abuja has tasked stakeholders across the country and beyond on the need to increase and expand empowerment frontiers to support widows in the country.
The NGO noted that the empowerment opportunities should center around skills’ acquisition, soft loans and other economic opportunities, stating that this will help rebuild their lives and help them to regain their confidence and break the cycle of poverty
The President and founder of the Foundation, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu made this call weekend in Abuja at an event to commemorate the 2023 International Widow’s Day (IWD), and the 20th anniversary of the Foundation.
According to Ahmadu, the foundation would remain the voice of the Widows while supporting the vulnerable women who often suffer several forms of abuse and poverty.
She emphasized the importance of raising awareness of the plights of widows who face all kinds of social injustices, such as discrimination, cultural, political and social segregation.
Ahmedu said: “Surely, widows deserve more from us, corporate organizations, the international community and the governments. Do not forget that every positive action we take, no matter how small, has the power to create a positive change in the lives of widows and vulnerable women.”
“Through our work at the Helpline Foundation for the Needy, we have so far committed 20 years to empowering the less privileged.”
“We are of the firm conviction that by leveraging innovation and technology, we will not only uplift the widows but also bridge the gender gap, thus creating a much more inclusive society for widows, women, and girls.”
President of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists , Comrade Ladi Bala in her message described Dr. Jumai as an Amazon, an unassuming doctor who takes care of the souls and needs of the widows, orphans and the Needy.
Bala quoting from the Biblical scripture said, ” There’s no greater work than this taking care of the Widows, orphans and the less-privileged”, adding that Dr. Jumai has written her name in gold on the hearts of men and women.
She commended her for her demonstration of love for humanity and called on people to emulate the humanity in the life of the Helpline Foundation founder.
The Managing Director of the Nigeria Film Corporation (NFC) , Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, in a goodwill message volunteered to be part of the Helpline Foundation for the Needy considering it’s enormous record of work that has been done in the past twenty years.
Dr. Madjekwe said, ‘As a medical doctor by training before I became a movie manager, I associated myself with the need to help and what I have also realized as a politician is that at the end, you help yourself when you help others because there is joy that comes to you when you see the smiles in the faces of those you have helped. There is nothing that can be a greater gift to humanity than helping others.”
The highlight of the event was the launch of the book, titled “Rise from the Ashes” and the premier of the documentary, “Ajadu”, both telling the stories of the plights of widows.
A handful of the widows, spoke about the benevolence of the NGO and called on stakeholders to emulate the Founder, by taking actions that will result in providing more support for them in the society.
Daybreak reports that the United Nations in 2011, declared 23 June of every year as IWD, to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows and to galvanize the unique support that they need.
