In Nigeria today, widows are saddled with the responsibility of taking care of their kids who are fatherless as this poses unprecedented hardship on most of them, owing to the high cost of living.
On this note, to subdue the hardship encountered due to the demise of their partner, the Zakat and Sadaqat Foundation (ZSF) supported 90 widows and 40 orphans with the sum of N20.75 million, urging the widows to leverage on online business model to promote their business.
During the commemoration of International World Widow’s Day organised by ZSF in Lagos, the Executive Director of the foundation, Prince Sulayman Olagunju, said the day was dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by widows all over the world. “It is a day to acknowledge their strength, resilience and the unique struggles they endure after the loss of their partners.”
He said this year theme ‘Innovation And Technology for Gender Equality’ is a call to all widows to be innovative in their ways of doing things by embracing technology as a means to overcome the various challenges they faced.
“As widows, you can use technology to market your products and services to get more customers and improve your income. Don’t feel deprived about your vulnerable state and the mistreatment by the people but rather improve yourselves through innovative ideas and creative skills,” he said.
He drew attention to the importance Islam attaches to supporting and caring for widows as they are regarded the most vulnerable members of the society.
“In Islam, widows hold a special place in our hearts and mind. As Muslims, we must give them support, empathy and opportunities to rebuild their lives.”
He recalled that every year the foundation empowers widows to enable them to rediscover themselves and take good care of themselves and their families.
“Today’s intervention will be second batch of beneficiaries of ZSF Zakat distribution in 2023. The first set being medical support for 50 persons with the sum of 29.5 million naira given out.
“A total of N20.75 million will be distributed, out of which 90 widows will be supported with about N14.2 million of cash and equipment and 40 orphans and indigent Muslims will get about N6.5 million for education support. Also, over 365 widows are being attended to by the foundation in Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Edo, Ondo and Abuja,” he said.
Deputy Director, Medical Laboratory Services at Lagos State Health Service Commission, Mrs. Adijat Fari, urged widows to be strong, saying that widowhood is tough but with strength and faith in God, succour will come. She advised the widows to carry their children along during the phase as they are also grieving over the loss of their father.
“They must carry their children along. The children are also pained, it is not only them, and they should make sure they are their children’s confidant and ensure that the children don’t derail and at all times they should be by the side of their children and by God’s grace they will land safely.”
She urged the widows not to hesitate to cry out for help when the need arises.” it is important they ensure that their children have mentors, which could be family members or spiritual head because if the children have issues and the mother cannot cope with it alone, she will cry out to the mentor and I’m sure with good mentors the children will come out fine.”
Chairman, Governing Council of Institute of Islamic Finance Professionals and Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf said ZSF was also joining the rest of the world in raising the consciousness and awareness that some members of the society need support.
“The empowerment is meant to reawaken people’s consciousness to the plight of the widows. As we all know, when someone loses his or her spouse, it creates a vacuum and many of the time the society doesn’t show concern for widows plight.
“Some of them have grown-up children, some of them have young children and nobody takes care of them. Sometimes the extended family might even deprive them of access to the estate of the deceased husband.”
