The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, has commended the Chadash Empowerment Foundation for supporting widows across the state through skills acquisition training, cash grants and empowerment tools.
According to a statement on Sunday by the foundation’s Press Officer, Olisah Ossai, the empowerment programme was organised as part of activities marking the 2026 International Widows Day celebration held at the Ake Palace Pavilion, Abeokuta, where 3,000 widows from communities across Ogun State benefited.
The statement noted that the programme, themed, “Empowering Widows for a Stronger Community,” was preceded by a three day intensive skills acquisition training designed to equip beneficiaries with practical income generating skills in tailoring, hairdressing, makeup artistry, agricultural value chain and small scale enterprise.
Speaking at the event, the founder of Chadash Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Temitope Adeola, said the initiative was aimed at addressing the economic hardship and social exclusion faced by many widows while promoting sustainable livelihoods.
She said, “This intervention goes beyond the distribution of equipment. It is pursuant of the Renewed Hope Initiatives of our First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who has done so much to alleviate the plight of vulnerable persons, especially women.”
Adeola added that the foundation had empowered about 15,000 widows across the Federal Capital Territory and Ogun State in the last five years.
She said, “These interventions represent an investment in the future of these women, their families and communities. We remain committed to creating sustainable opportunities that will empower widows to become self reliant and economically stable.”
As part of the empowerment programme, the beneficiaries received 400 grinding machines, 200 sewing machines, 200 standing hair dryers with washing basins, 200 fully equipped makeup kits, 50 freezers, 20 gas cookers and N50,000 startup grants for 2,000 small scale business owners.
Delivering a keynote address titled, “The Roles of Communities in Supporting Widows,” Abiodun urged governments, communities and private organisations to work together in creating an enabling environment for widows to thrive.
She stressed that collective responsibility was essential to improving the welfare of widows and ensuring they remained productive members of society.
The beneficiaries, according to the statement, expressed appreciation to the Chadash Empowerment Foundation, describing the initiative as life changing and one that had restored their hope for a better future.
The event attracted government officials, non governmental organisations and private sector stakeholders, including Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun, APC deputy governorship candidate, Mrs. Alli Sharafadeen, wife of the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Dr. Mrs. Oluremi Salako, wife of the Minister of State for Health and Social Services, and Olori Tayo Olugbenle, wife of the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland.
