IWS Nigeria Fetes Widows, Calls For Improved Support, Care For Them

The International Women’s Society (IWS) has called for better support and care for widows in Nigeria, lamenting that many of them have been abandoned to their fate and are struggling to make ends meet.

Joining the rest of the world to observe the UN-designated date for widows on Sunday, June 23rd at their newly renovated Skills Centre and Secretariat on Lekki- Epe Expressway, the premier women’s body feted about 230 widows.

Celebrating with the theme #RWR (RejuvenateWidowsRespect), Chairman of the occasion, Abimbola Ogunkelu, former Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, enjoined all stakeholders to sponsor bills on women’s rights which will, in turn, take care of widows’ rights.

IWS President, Nkoli Ogbolu, speaking on the ‘R’ effect, said: “We must Rejuvenate, Rehabilitate, Reorientate, Renew, Restore, Relieve, Redeem, Reward, Reparate, Recognize, Raise, Rally round and Repair our Nigerian widows. We need to ensure widows reap respect. To cap everything I have just said, let me say this; really, role modeling and restoration will rehabilitate, rejuvenate and raise widows. They will help redeem widows’ respect. Once we all rally round to re-orientate widows of their rights, we would have recognized those rights. These R words are really relevant to repair broken spirits and bring relief through a reward system for hardworking widows. Are there only R words? No. But we are all about #RWR today.”

Chairperson, Olabisi Alokolaro and the Vice President, Ibiwunmi Akinnola, also gave an impassioned plea to all widows to be steadfast in their trade, knowing that God Almighty who is considered the ‘husband’ of widows will attend to all their needs.

IWS Nigeria was well represented by members and guests despite the heavy downpour and the widows were fed and would receive training in various skills.