IWD: Rural widows benefit from foundation’s Market Moni programme

Over 200 widows from eight communities in Esan Central Council of Edo State recently had their tears wiped away by Dr. Felix King, when his widows’ Market Moni programme was launched to encourage their businesses.

The ceremony was also in commemoration of 2019 International Widows’ Day.

The programme, which held in Irrua, attracted the council chairman, Hon. Edokpa Idemudia Waziri; Mrs. Betty Okonoboh, wife of the former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly and Pastor Henry Eiremiokhae, Edo State Coordinator of the foundation.

Some of the communities that benefited from the batch one of the programme were Udowo group, Ugbokhare group, Afuda group, Ibhiolulu group, Eidenu group, Eguare group and Ewu group.

Widows Market Moni is an empowerment scheme for rural widows with young kids and elderly widows without children.

The widows formed themselves into groups, and each group was given a trade support grant of up to N500, 000 (1,400 USD).

The groups are thereafter upgraded into a cooperative, same as market cooperative format for sustainability and development, the statement from foundation added.

Each established cooperative would get additional support in areas of business formation, like cassava mill, palm oil mill, phone charging hub store and so on, as deemed relevant to the needs of the community and the cooperative business opportunities.

Through these cooperatives, members will have access to more money to grow their individual markets.

Waziri said: “I’m sure our brother, Felix King, who set up this foundation, is not the richest person in Esan land or in Edo Central, but he has deemed it fit to give out to the less-privileged. This is a noble cause and we must support it.”

King noted: “I feel so emotional looking at these women and the tears of joy rolling down their cheeks and looking at how grateful they are and what impact this Market Moni programme is going to have in their lives as well as giving them that opportunity of hope again.”

King hopes to reach about 21 communities and touch over 150 widows before the year ends.