A homeless widow, Abosede Idowu has been given a sum of N1 million through the Duke of Shomolu Widow Initiative.

Also, a charity organisation catering for widows, Purple Heart was also given N1 million to support its empowerment programme for widows.

Afusa Onoja, Florence Obi, Kehinde Babayemi, Toyin Falodun, Victory Udoh, Ngozi Mogaha, Favor Glory, Edith Nwachukwu, Kate Bashua and Hannah Amaefuke were given N100,000 each.

The initiative by Nigerian investment banker, Joseph Edgar known popularly as Duke of Shomolu was held for the third year to raise money for widows, who he described as one of the neglected groups in Nigeria.

In this year’s edition tagged Hilda Baci Cooks For Widows, Edgar who is also the Chief Executive Officer Duke of Somolu Productions, said that the initiative, which had been running for the last three years, has so far raised more than N10 million for widows out of which N5 million was raised by the foundation and the remaining from the general public.

Edgar said he decided to bring Hilda Baci on board to raise more funds because of her strong goodwill, clean image and her love for the widows.

“This year, we raised N4 million and had given out N3 million to three windows. We gave N100,000 each to 10 widows, and N1 million to three widows respectively.” Edgar said.

Speaking with The Guardian, Idowu, said that she never expected the support and it really came as a surprise to her.

Oladunjoye, while appreciating the initiative, said she would use the money judiciously.

The widow, who lost her husband 12 years ago, said she works as a nanny in a private nursery and primary school.

According to her, she currently has an accommodation challenge but with the support, she is sure of solving the problem because the money came in so handy.

“My first son learn fashion designing and he always go to his friend to sew whenever his customer gave him job to do so, with this money, I will be able to buy a sewing machine.

Speaking also, Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda, said: “I have made a conscious effort to help people on and off social media. No one has it all so, advise this kind of gesture. People should consider helping the widows in society, and give them employment; it shouldn’t be money all the time, they should be empowered, and show them that they can do something.

“The tragedy of losing one’s love can lead to a space of depression, so much that one forgets what one is capable of doing.

“If they are getting constant encouragement and there are reminders that they still have so much to look forward to, the sky will be their limit,” she said.

On other young Nigerians who are following her footsteps and trying to beat her record, Baci said that the development had brought out the best in some people, especially the youth.

“I think it’s a good sign because this is more of positive development. For me, it is not negative. I honestly think it is positive because my effort is successful and well done, that is why people are coming up.

“That is why a lot of people are now trying to push through their limits and push through their boundaries to break records in several fields.

“I know what is published on social media is that a lot of people are trying to break records, but the truth is that other people are now being inspired to start businesses and break records. It is a good indication that I did something good.”

The sponsors of this year’s initiative include Ivy Hotels and Grandios.

MD, Grabdois Pap, Yemisi Obe spoke succinctly about the plight of widows and why they were supporting the initiative.