As the world celebrates International Widows’ Day 2025, with the theme ‘‘Empower Her: From Loss to Leadership,” the Obi Nwaokocha Foundation,an NGO dedicated to alleviating the plight of Youths, vulnerable, widows and orphans, has empowered 100 widows in Ibusa, Delta State with cash grants of (N100,000) one hundred thousand naira to each widow in Ibusa.
In a remarkable display of compassion and leadership, Obi Nwaokocha Foundation is changing lives across Nigeria with her bold initiative aimed at empowering widows. As the International widows Day was celebrated on monday June 23, 2025 at Ibusa.
Speaking at the empowerment ceremony, Dr Pat Adigwe, the Co-Ordinator of Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Empowerment Foundation said that the NGO is a non-profit organisation established with the sole objective 0f alleviating the plight of widows,Youths and young orphans in the society adding that Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Empowerment Foundation joins well-meaning people of the world to act on the theme “Empower Her: From Loss to Leadership” by empowering widows with skills and equipment so as not to see widows as victims of circumstances, but as powerful agents of change.
“We believe that every widow has the right to grieve and grow. To lead. To build. To thrive. That is why Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Empowerment Foundation has decided to empower 100 Widows in various form from the ten Quarters(Ogbes)in Ibusa.
Dr Adigwe said that worldwide, according to the International Women’s Society, there is estimated to be over 258 million widows with 15 million in Nigeria facing economic hardship, social stigma, and legal discrimination after the loss of a spouse .Stressing that in some regions, widows are denied inheritance, cast out of homes, or subjected to inhumane cultural practices that silence and marginalize them.
Dr Adigwe canvassed for access to education, economic opportunities, legal rights and social inclusion for widows, adding that widows should not be seen or treated as victims of the circumstances of death but as influential contributors to the development of society as single parents, community leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers and advocates for justice.He urged the widows not to give up as God can use their children to bless them and advised the other women whose husbands are still alive not to relent in supporting their husbands to keep their homes running smoothly.
In a goodwill message, one of the beneficiary Mrs Janet Okafor, who spoke on behalf of Ibusa widows, commended Obi Nwaokocha Okeze Empowerment Foundation for regularly supporting widows, youths and orphans through this foundation and she say big thank you to Pastor Idowu Okeze for making day a memorable day in the lives of widows in Ibusa. She added that the beneficiaries should maximise the value added to their lives and families to bless others.
This is the 5th edition of the empowerment programme for widows during International Widows Day celebrations