“Widows Urged to Chart Path Towards Self-Reliance”
For many widows, survival often means battling economic hardship, poor access to healthcare and social exclusion.
However, hope and renewed determination to become self-reliant were rekindled as selected widows received empowerment support through a collaborative intervention aimed at strengthening their capacity to stand on their own.
The initiative, known as the Orange Widows Support Initiative 2026, was organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Ondo State Chapter, in partnership with the Ayodele Orogun Empowerment Project (AOEP).
The programme supported 50 vulnerable widows with food items, cash assistance and free health insurance coverage at the Adegbemile Press Centre, Akure.
Organisers said the intervention was designed not just as relief, but as a foundation for widows to regain stability, rebuild confidence and take steps toward economic independence amid rising living costs.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ayodele Orogun Foundation, Mrs Ayodele Orogun, explained that the project focuses on restoring dignity and providing the social protection widows need to reposition themselves for a more secure future.
“This support is about giving widows the breathing space to plan, to heal and to begin working towards self-reliance,” she said.
A major highlight of the programme was the free enrolment of beneficiaries into the Ondo State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, a move expected to ease their financial burden and protect them from unexpected medical expenses.
Representing the Ondo State Contributory Health Commission, Mr Gbenga Olubodun noted that access to healthcare is critical for widows seeking to rebuild their lives, as good health remains essential for productivity and economic participation.
Earlier, NAWOJ State Chairperson, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi (JP), praised the partnership and stressed the importance of empowering widows beyond short-term assistance.
She urged beneficiaries to leverage the support as a stepping stone towards skills development, small businesses and financial independence.
“We want widows to see this as encouragement to rise, to plan and to become self-reliant members of society,” she said, adding that NAWOJ would continue to advocate policies and programmes that protect women and other vulnerable groups.
A representative of the foundation also reaffirmed its commitment to grassroots empowerment, noting that practical interventions remain key to helping widows transition from vulnerability to stability.
The organisers called on government agencies, corporate bodies and philanthropists to invest more in programmes that empower widows and other disadvantaged groups across Ondo State.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, several widows expressed gratitude, describing the support as timely and motivating, saying it has strengthened their resolve to rebuild their lives and work towards sustainable livelihoods.
