IN celebration of International Widows Day, the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation will give N50,000 each to 800 widows, totalling N40m.
According to media reports, while speaking at a media briefing, the Ministry’s Commissioner, Bolaji Dada, explained that the beneficiaries were drawn from various Non-Governmental Organisations, faith-based organisations, the Lagos State Social Register, political groups, and the Ministry’s register of vulnerable widows who had sought assistance.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality.’
Dada encouraged the beneficiaries to invest the money in business endeavours, saying, “Today (Monday), the Ministry will be reaching out to a total number of 800 widows. I encourage (you) all our beneficiaries to utilise the cash to support your businesses, focus on yourselves, build your children in peace, and hold onto God, who is the only available succour.
“On behalf of the State Government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I wish you all a happy Widows Day.”
Dada added that Lagos State joined the rest of the world to celebrate Widows Day, “focusing on raising awareness of the plight of widows, especially the vulnerable ones and their children.
“This year’s theme, ‘Widows for Peace through Democracy,’ addresses the 2024 commission on the status of women with a priority theme of accelerating the achievement of gender equality, emphasising the strengthening of land and property rights.”
Dada added that the Ministry would continue to work with all stakeholders to accelerate the achievement of independence and success for women, including vulnerable widows.
