…as Global Affairs Canada, Women Voice and Leadership Project, HUFFPED, Empower Widows in Ikorodu Communities
Women Right and Health Project, funded by Global Affairs Canada with support from ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with the Women Voice and Leadership Project, has empowered widows in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State to support their families, saying widows are among the most vulnerable in the society.
The initiative, implemented by the Humanity Foundation for Peace and Development (HUFFPED), provided funds to assist the widows in their various businesses. HUFFPED, a community-based organisation working in Ikorodu, aims to reach out to vulnerable women and girls in the area.
Mrs. Adekemi Adeyeye, Executive Director of HUFFPED, emphasised the importance of supporting widows at the presentation held at HUFFPED’s Ikorodu office.
“The widows are among the vulnerable people in the society and they have to be supported,” she said.
Adeyeye further explained, “When a woman loses her husband and she has children to cater for, she’s not likely going to find enough support like when her husband was alive especially as the economy is harsh and everybody is struggling to make ends meet, so widows are particularly vulnerable and should be looked after.
“This is the reason our partners had to wade in while we are on the ground to implement. We are ensuring that with the little amount, we are able to reach out to the most vulnerable, as we always do, hoping to be more empowered to do more in the rural communities,” she explained.
One of the beneficiaries, Olori Susan Solomon, expressed her gratitude for the support from the organisation.
“I am one of the wives of the late Baale of Majidun Awori here in Ikorodu. HUFFPED has been with us for about 12 years, supporting us and our children. They support us in terms of education of the children, assisting the poor, the aged, and the widows. I appreciate them, they have been wonderful,” she said.
Reflecting on the organisation’s intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic, Solomon said, “During the pandemic, they were almost the ones feeding the entire community. I also appreciate Global Affairs Canada, ActionAid Nigeria, and the Women Voice and Leadership Project who have all remembered the widows in our community. May God continue to help and protect them.”
Another widow, Mrs. Odusanya Abosede, also received assistance to boost her business. “I thank God for this help. I didn’t expect it; they just selected me and asked me a few questions, and that was it. They asked what I needed and they bought everything. I appreciate them and pray they will not fall by the grace of God,” she said.
Another beneficiary who simply introduced herself as Omolara expressed her surprise and gratitude at the presentation.
“I thank God for this organisation. We didn’t expect this at all. These organisations: Global Affairs Canada, ActionAid Nigeria, the Women Voice and Leadership Project
are like rain that didn’t announce before falling. God will also surprise them for remembering the widows in Majidun Awori.”
Alhaja Omo-Idunnu, a widow from Ogolonto, Ikorodu, where she sells provisions, also shared her experience. “I have a shop at Ogolonto where I sell to support my family being a widow. I appreciate the organisation and pray the almighty God keep supporting them too.”
She also recounted the assistance provided during the COVID-19 lockdown. “I am also using this opportunity to thank HUFFPED for helping us during the lockdown. I have lost my husband and was left with children to cater for, just surviving on the little things we sell, but this organisation and their partners have kept supporting us. May God bless them also.”
Mrs. Akinwande Oluwakemi, a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) from Imota, Ikorodu, who has been a certified TBA since 1988, also received support at the event. “I thank HUFFPED, Global Affairs Canada, and the Women Voice and Leadership Project who have supported widows in Ikorodu today. I pray that God will keep helping them.”
Akinwande, who cares for children and assists in deliveries, explained how the new equipment would benefit her practice. “Before now, we monitored the baby’s breathing manually, which may not be accurate, especially when the pulse is very low or very fast. This modern equipment they have provided reads automatically, and I can see the reading on the screen without having to count manually. It will help my work in a great way. May God also support them,” she prayed.