A group, His Heavenly Light Ministry, has empowered about 70 widows through a sustainable business support programme.

Under the leadership of Dr Cecilia Onitiri, the group has completed the first phase of the empowerment programme, reaching widows across Lagos with financial capital and livelihood support.

She said the initiative, designed to promote sustainable economic empowerment, grouped widows into 17 clusters of four participants each.

Each cluster, she said, received a soft loan of N35,000 to be rotated every three months among members.

She said the system allows one beneficiary to invest, grow her business, and then repay the loan for the next widow in line, creating a cycle of accountability and shared progress.

At the close-out of the first three-month cycle, Onitiri expressed satisfaction with the programme’s outcomes.

She said: “The response from the widows was very encouraging. Almost all groups successfully returned their loans, which shows their commitment to the process. Beyond finances, we also provided palliatives and meals, because empowerment must be holistic.”

She emphasised the importance of discipline and accountability, noting that defaulting on repayment affects the collective.

“If one widow fails to return her loan, the entire group suffers. This programme is designed to teach responsibility as well as empowerment,” she added.

Onitiri also highlighted the harsh realities facing widows in Nigeria, where many face stigmatisation, accusations of witchcraft, and even violence.

“Widowhood can be a very lonely and difficult journey. But loneliness, if embraced, can also lead to new ideas and personal discovery. I encourage widows to accept life’s realities, focus on rebuilding, and keep learning new skills,” she stated.

She further advised widows to improve their nutrition, diversify their skills (such as soap-making), and remain resilient despite their circumstances.

The testimonies of participants showcased the tangible impact of the programme.

Anita Hope invested in her business, earned profits, and paid her children’s school fees.

While Helin Akhibi diversified her food vending, saving N3,000 weekly and generating enough profit to repay her loan, Comfort Ukandu grew her groundnut sales, achieving strong daily turnover, among others.

While most stories reflected success, Onitiri said challenges also emerged, saying Folashade Azeez suffered a robbery incident, losing N185,000, including personal effects, underscoring the vulnerability of women in urban transport systems.

The programme also incorporated capacity-building workshops. Guest speaker, Pastor Chizobah Harriet Nwachukwu (Pastor Chichi), trained widows on sustainable agriculture as a viable income stream.

“Farming requires little capital but yields long-term results. Simple ventures like planting vegetables, yams, or plantain within a compound can provide food security and income for the family,” she advised.

She also emphasised financial prudence, tithing, and reinvestment as key principles for sustaining growth.

Closing the event, Bello Anthony reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to the welfare of widows, stating that the programme was not just financial empowerment but also spiritual fellowship and social support.

“This initiative continues from the seed capital we disbursed earlier. Today’s follow-up confirms progress, strengthens accountability, and ensures that no widow is left behind,” he said.

He explained that the Widows Support and Empowerment Programme reflects His Heavenly Light Ministry’s mission to uplift marginalised women, promote self-reliance, and restore dignity to widows facing economic and social exclusion.