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An NGO, Doyin & Suzan Foundation, on Saturday says it has distributed relief items, food stuffs and other empowerment materials worth N12 million to over 2000 widows across Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State.
The Chairperson, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the foundation, Mrs Adedoyin Eshanumi, told journalists at the distribution venue at Isanlu stadium in Isanlu, Yagba East Local Government Areas of the state.
The foundation also made a cash donation and presentation of N1 million to the widows of Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) Itedo-Makutu, Isanlu; which was a promised fulfilled.
Eshanumi said the gesture was borne out of her goodwill for many of the women who have found themselves living in abject poverty and lacked the right and necessary assistance.
According to her, gving an adequate attention to our widows is long overdue; we must give attention to the challenged women in all countries.
“The United Nation General Assembly emphasized that empowerment of women, including widows is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty and are integral part of the society.
“It is estimated that 115 million widows worldwide live in extreme poverty, along with their children.
“It is my humble belief that this occasion will mark a turning point in the life of our widows and bring succor to their plight through empowerment and various skills acquisition programs.
“At their completion, we shall make money available to them depending on their area of specialty to enable them to be self dependent.
“We have severally made provisions for the payment of NECO fees for vulnerable children, we will enroll women into cooperatives for ease of accessibility into various skills acquisition programs and scholarships to deserving children.
“I am committed in making sure that women and widows empowerment will become a “lived reality” and not just a mantra,” Eshanumi said.
She added that the foundation would also be embarking on free medical treatment as from April 2018 in collaboration with their US partners in all Yagba land and by extension in all Kogi west senatorial district.
In his remarks, the State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, commended the foundation for the initiative and for complementing the state government’s efforts in alleviating the suffering of the good people of Kogi.
Bello, who was representated by the Chairman of ALGON, Mr Taofik Isa, said that the government was ready to partner with any group or individual that were ready to complement in empowering the people.
He, therefore called on other wealthy Nigerians to emulate such gesture by helping the needy especially the poor widows, stressing that government has a robust package for the widows and vulnerable women.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Eunice Olorunshola, who received the N1 million on behalf of the ECWA widows, told journalists that they appreciate the foundation for the cash donation and empowerment programs.
“We are happy for the relief items, clothings and the food stuffs, we thank the organisers of the programme for helping many people and putting smiles on our faces,” she said.
The items distributed were clothing materials, rice, food ingredients and N1 million cash
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