It was an historic event yesterday at the 2019 International Widow’s Day tagged “Renewed Hope For Widows” facilitated by wife of Ogun State Governor, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, at June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.
The occassion was to honor and give widows in the state sense of hope and empowerment as the world marks International Widow’s day.
This came as no less 1000 widows across age category who got financial assistance, domestic equipment and other items courtesy of Mrs. Abiodun.
Panelist were the first to dissect various issues that bothers the widow after the death of their husband.
In the words of one of the Panelist, Mrs Adesola Quadri, heaped lot of praises on the Wife of the Governor for celebrating widows, stressing that government should create more enabling environment for the widow and laws that will connects widow with their husband properties and entitlements in the civil services.
Also, Mrs Tejuoso a member of the panel at the event charged women to make friends with their in-laws and not see them as enemies, as their friendship with them would earn them support in case of the unthinkable.
While delivering her speech, Mrs Bamidele Abiodun stresses that Dapo Abiodun’s administration will ignite a renewed sense of hope, foster a supportive community and take actions towards achieving full rights and recognition of mothers, sisters and daughters who have been left widowed, and the government will be committed to empowerment – providing them with the tools, skills and support necessary to create a life for themselves and their children.
She further stressed that this government will be meeting with widowed representatives from various communities across the different Local Government Areas to have first hand information and understanding of their needs so as to develop tailored specific programmes to meet those needs.
Butressing the plans to be executed starting from next year ranging from creation of database where all widows in Ogun State will be registered, communal quarterly meeting with all the widows in their LGAs to monitor them and track the development, the effect of emotional and mental issues caused by grief from the loss of a husband has traditionally taken back seat; Bamidele also appreciated promises time to time engagement.
A 2day-workshop for widows below the age of 55 on financial literacy and skills to manage personal and household finances as well as to develop and manage business activities, workshops to develop business and agricultural skills that will equip widows with the tools and skills to gain independence and inform them about what financial services and products are at their disposal and which ones are appropriate to them for their economic empowerment, Partnering with Corporate Organizations and Private individuals to sponsor widows in the state.
Personalties at the event include Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaja Noimot Salako- Oyedele, Wife of Speaker OGHA Mrs Bolanle Oluomo, Ogun State Chief of Staff and wife, Afolabi Salisu, Head of Service, Lanre Bisiriyu and wife, Secretary to State Government and wife, Mrs Modele Sharafa, among others.
