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HIGHLIGHTS: WSC INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY (IWD)

Date: Friday, 28th June 2019
Time: 11:00am
Venue: News Agency of Nigeria Hall (NAN), The National Theatre Complex Annex, Iganmu, Lagos.
Theme : Widows Rights and Patriarchy

The programme commenced with an opening prayer by Evangelist Grace Chima. The MC, Mr Modestus Nwaulu recognized distinguished personalities such as Dr Ifeoma Utomi, Barr. Mrs Ojukwu, Mrs Babra Odoh, Ms Susan Eshette and Barr. Boma Alabi.

Prof. Mrs. Utomi gave the opening remarks and she reiterated on how the centre will try her best in supporting the widows in spite of the tough economic climate. She concluded her speech by saying “ Once there is life, there is hope.”

Dr Ifeoma Utomi giving the opening remarks

The profile of Barr. Boma Alabi was read, after which she spoke on ‘Widows Rights and Patriarchy.’ She emphasized on the facts that the culture then did not stigmatize women, and women had rights just like men. She told many personal stories to drive home her points. She encouraged women to know their rights. She mentioned that she is committed to taking up cases such as the violation of widow’s rights.

Barr. Boma Alabi Speaking on widows right

The panel discussion commenced immediately after Barr Boma concluded her presentation. On the panel was Barr. Boma Alabi, Mrs. Babra Odoh and Ms. Susan Eshett. The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Susan Eshett. During the panel discussion, Barr. Boma commented that “women’s rights are human’s rights and I get involved with gender right in my profession because I am a woman.” According to Mrs. Babra, she said “I have no regret for being a female. and I’m also an advocate for women coming to do politics.”

Panelist(L-R): Mrs. Babra Odoh, Ms. Susan Eshett, Barr. Boma Alabi

After the panel session, the women were quizzed on the IWD programme and the women that answered the questions correctly were rewarded. Miss Favour Augustine, the daughter of Mrs Grace Augustine was given a scholarship by Ms Susan Eshett’s foundation. The scholarship was presented by Dr Ifeoma Utomi and the scholarship covers up to the higher institution. The recipient, Miss Favour was grateful for the scholarship she received and she also talked about educating the girl child as they also have the capabilities to do well. The mother was also grateful for the scholarship her daughter received.

There was dancing competition among the widows after which Mrs. Francisca Ukabiala gave the vote of thanks. The programme ended at 1:40 pm. Refreshment was served to the widows and they were also given detergents and ‘M aggi’ (seasoning cubes) courtesy of Unilever.

(L-R): Miss Isioma Utomi, Mr Modestus Nwaulu, Mrs Ukabiala Francisca, Mrs. Babra Odoh, Dr Ifeoma Utomi, Ms Susan Eshett, Barr. Boma Alabi
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PROGRESS REPORT OF FIRST HALF OF 2018

1. International Women’s Day 2018

Widow support Centre joined the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day Celebration on March 8 of both 2018.
Theme: “Press for Progress” and the topic was Gender Disparity in Nigeria.
Speakers: Dr. Jadesimi, CEO LADOL, Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, Mrs. Tonia Ojenagbon, sexual assault survivor Other speakers who served as panelists are Dr. Nkechi Nwankwo, gender and women empowerment consultant; Prof. Ekanem Ekure, Prof of Pediatric Cardiology; Mr. Ubong Essien, certified public speaker, Pastor Eme Godwin; and Mr.Owodiong Idemeko, a human resources consultant.
Highpoint of the event was the donation of household items and cash to improve the lives of the widows and screened Short film titled Fe-Male, headlined by Star Actress Barabara Odoh with The Centre staff as cast members.

We appreciate the support of the following organizations and Individuals; Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, The Addo Projects,Oven Secrets, Private Estates, Tunde Makun, Ofem Ofem , Blue Davy Events.

2018 EVENTS

International Widows Day & Launching of Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP) Saturday June 23, 2018

The United Nations set aside June 23rd as a day to draw focus on widows and the hardship they face due to the demise of their spouse. At this year’s event, we shall launch our Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP) for 1000 Women across Nigeria in the in the next 3 years. However, we will be starting with 100 women for this year. The programme is designed to have the following component; Art of Living & Leadership Development, Business and Entrepreneurship Training, Practical Internship with Business Mentors and Presentation of Startup kits. It is expected to run for 4 months and it is estimated to cost N36, 000,000 (Thirty Six Million Naira Only) for the training and provision of startup kits of the 100 women for 6 months.

SEASON OF LOVE EMPWERMENT PROGRAMME & Graduation of the Participants at The Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP)

This year, Season of Love Empowerment Programme is scheduled to hold on December 14th 2018. At this event, we will graduate the beneficiaries of WETP (Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme) and provide seed funds/Start up Kits to run their
businesses. We aim to ensure that the over 300 widows of the Centre do not feel left out in the yuletide season. Gifts bags comprising food items, wrappers, pharmaceuticals and house hold items will be provided in addition to them. While grants will be provided for the elderly or sick who are not strong enough to work. This programme is estimated to cost N15, 000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira Only).
We will appreciate in kind or financial support from organizations or individuals to implement and execute these projects and put smiles on the faces of these widows.

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Monthly Mentoring Session for the widows: Widow-To-Widow

The Centre holds a monthly mentoring, Mindset Reorientation and Personal/Business Development Training for the widows. The widows gather every last Friday of the month, to interact, network and exhort one another. In some of the sessions, we also carry out
check up their health status. The second pictures shows widows showcasing what they were able to produce following what the learnt from the trainings.
We will like to express our appreciation to the following organizations and individuals for their support to us in 2017; Access Bank PLC, Fidelity Bank PLC, Eleganza Industrial City Limited, Dangote Industries Limited, Saham Unitrust Insurance Nigeria Limited, Sumeru Nigeria Limited, Carbon Credit Network, LizzyKool Events Limited, Mood Deo Couture, Mrs. Kay Ovia, Onyeka Onwenu, Mona Lisa Chinda Coker, Lapo Micro Finance Banks, Private Estates, Olam Nigeria Limited, Afriglobal Medicare, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, Friesland WamcoCampina, House of Tara, Uche Ahubelem Foundation, Dangote Group , Oven Secrets & Blue Davy Events.

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Season Of Love Empowerment Programme

Every year, the Centre holds an event tagged: Season of Love Empowerment Programme to celebrate with & empower Widows. This event is used to put smiles on the faces of the widows and their children. The December 2017 edition was very successful with over 500 widows in attendance and a record participation of high profile guests, like Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin of House on the Rock church, Her Excellency, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode represented by Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde, Wife of ex commissioner of Physical Planning , Lagos State, Her Excellency, Deputy Governor of Lagos State , Dr.(Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule represented by Mrs. John and Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State. Dr. Ehigiamousoe, Managing Director of LAPO Micro Finance Bank and Founder, Uche Ahubelem Foundation.
Highpoints of the event were a call to action documentary on the plight of widows, powerful message of exhortation by Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin, distribution of gift items comprising rice, make-up, Wrappers/fabrics milk and pharmaceuticals to women and dancing competition by the women where the best dancers won gift items.