FOMWAN seeks support to succour the aged
Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria FOMWAN, has called on philanthropists and well meaning Nigerians to support the organisation to bring succour to the elderly, widows and the vulnerable in the society, community, state and the country at large .
The Ondo State Amirah (President) of the Elders Forum of FOMWAN, Alhaja Sidikat Ajibuwa made the call while addressing participants at this year’s elders’ day to mark Ramadan celebration
Ajibuwa said many of the vulnerable were not captured this year due to the low number of support they got from partners which she said may be attributed to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians .
” This is the 10th year that we have been celebrating the aged and widows.
“What we have today, we gave them all out and it did not go round, we are pleading with the government and well meaning people to please assist us with donations so that more people can be captured.
“We want to start going to all the local governments. Next year we are going to Owo for the celebration. Any local government that assists us will get the largest share from the donations.
According to Ajibuwa, there are some childless widows without inheritance and means of survival and needed to be catered for, while few others are indoors with no relative for assistance .
“We don’t have much funds this year to do door-to-door visitation, but with the little we have, we will go and visit them so that they can know that we love them. The funds is insufficient,” she stated.
In a chat with the State Chairperson of Humanitarian and Community Development Committee, Alhaja Rafah Momoh, she said the programme is an annual event meant to succour and give vulnerable, the psycho-social needs .
“We give them food items, materials, clothing, shoes, jewelries, bags, money, councelling, visitation… depending on what we are able to gather from the donors and situation on ground” she said.
Momoh expressed the importance of the event which is to show the aged that they are not alone, but that their plights are shared and put into consideration to avoid any form of loneliness that may warrant depression .
Momoh however advised those who could not fast not to forcefully do so because God has permitted the elderly , who are not capable enough to fast.
She however prayed for Muslim faithfuls who are in government, philanthropists and others to join them to extend their hands of fellowship to the elders for a better and more robust event next year when it shall be celebrated again.
The FOMWAN State Amirah (President), Alhaja Medinat Omikunle expressed her happiness that; in-spite of the hardship, the programme was still celebrated.
She said there is need to cater for the aged and vulnerable so that they could have sense of belonging to their fellow citizens particularly during this Ramadan and many other activities in the society.
She however solicited for more support from all and sundry particularly the philanthropists in bringing succour to the vulnerable.
