Ekiti Government Assures Widows of Continued Support as the World commemorates Widows’ Day

 

By Funke Oyerinde

As the Ekiti State Government joins the rest of the world to celebrate the year 2021 International Widows’ Day, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Alhaja Maryam Ogunlade has assured widows in the State of Government’s continued support towards achieving a sustainable livelihood.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, Alhaja Ogunlade recalled that the Widows’ Day was introduced and recognized by the United Nations in 2010 to address poverty and injustice faced by widows and their children.

She described the theme of this year commemoration of the Widows’ day “Invisible women, invisible problems” as apt, adding that the present administration in the State recognized that neglecting widows may lead to unanticipated problems for the society.

Ogunlade stated that the Fayemi led administration had always shown absolute commitment to empowerment of widows as well as the protection of their rights.

According to her, the efforts of the State Government at empowering widows transcend distributing food item like rice, beans, oil and other consumables that would leave them in limbo when they are exhausted but include concrete empowerment kits for sustainable business.

The Commissioner also recalled that the Wife of the Governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi distributed equipment for establishment of commercials phone-call centers to 200 widows as far back as 2012 during the first term of Governor Fayemi in office.

Ogunlade who stressed that the empowerment programme was continuous, added that numerous materials and start-up kits including generators, grinding machines, sowing machines, driers and deep freezers had also been distributed to widows at various times.

Soliciting the support of well to do individuals and corporate organizations for government efforts at making life meaningful for widows in the State, the Commissioner emphasized the need to assist widows in the society to live a good life and properly raise their children.

She advised widows in the State to take advantage of the opportunities provided by the State Government to improve their lot, stressing the need to make themselves financially independent and live a relatively stress-free life.

Ogunlade also warned against any form of ill-treatment on widows, stressing that making widows go through some rites under the guise of tradition was not only inhuman but also against the law.