The President CBA Foundation, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, has enjoined widows to be resourceful in their engagement and invest the cash at hand in small businesses.
She made the advice while addressing widows in Abaranje, a suburb of Lagos recently.
Lamenting the hardship some cultures have brought upon widows in Africa, particularly Nigeria, she enjoined widows to not throw away their confidence as a result of hardship caused by maltreatment from their late husband’s relations.
Akinwande, whose Foundation looks after underprivileged widows and their children, charged them to encourage themselves and upscale their skills.
She said, “Whatever you are doing, be resourceful, put more effort, encourage yourself, build up your skill. Times are tough but it’s not going to be forever, it is a phase.
“In your business, be resourceful and be a good business woman and those who are in civil service should be resourceful and be a good civil servant. That’s what we tell them. We should have a positive mindset and believe in ourselves.”
The Founder of Widows Might, Regina Ogbodo, stated that a hand of fellowship was being extended to some widows to alleviate the hardship some of them are going through, noting that her non-governmental organisation also empowers widows to embark on nano business to be able to take care of themselves and their children.
Ogbodo posited, “We extend the hand of fellowship to some widows in some parts of the country including Kano and Osun States. We empower widows to embark on small businesses by giving them popcorn machines, grinding machines, and sewing machines. We only celebrate Christmas with them with foodstuffs.
“When we support them with funds, we advise them to invest it in business. To ensure accountability, we go back to monitor them. Of course, some have failed but we encourage them to start all over again.”
“We are giving 10 widows a soft loan of N10,000 worth, not amount, of kuli kuli. I make kuli kuli and give it to them without interest. We are going to start this in January 2024,” she added.
Speaking at the event, the Founder, The Smile Initiative, Amaechi Ifeoma, called on governments to come to the aid of widows, regretting that they have been neglected for a long time.
“It is important to come to the aid of widows because it is a hard condition. Widows go through emotional, and mental stress, so it pays to come to help them in their situation,” Ifeoma said.
