120 widows receive a lift through wellness, empowerment project
By Sherifdeen Amusa Empower a Street Child Initiative (ESCI), through its Young Widows Wellness and Empowerment Project, has empowered over 120 widows, aged 35 and below, in Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo
By Sherifdeen Amusa
Empower a Street Child Initiative (ESCI), through its Young Widows Wellness and Empowerment Project, has empowered over 120 widows, aged 35 and below, in Samonda, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The initiative sees each beneficiary receiving over 10kg of food palliatives. Seven widows were awarded N200,000 business grants each, 50 got free business name registrations, and 10 widows got scholarship support for their children.
Founder, Oluwadara Olunaike-Talabi, who said the project was to honour of her mother’s 60th birthday, described her as “a woman whose life mirrors realities faced by many beneficiaries.”
“This project is my way of transforming her personal story into hope for others. My mother was widowed at 31 and spent 13 years raising three children before she remarried. Her journey shaped my understanding of resilience, dignity, and survival.”
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Olunaike-Talabi said the initiative was aimed at breaking cycles of vulnerability pushing widowed families deeper into poverty and bringing recovery to those single-handedly raising children under severe economic and emotional strain.
She called for more women-based outreach to protect their vulnerable children, noting its importance in building an inclusive society.
“When we invest in widows, we protect their children from the streets. This is how we build a more inclusive Nigeria, one woman, one family, one future at a time, “ she said.
The programme featured a panel session: “Rising After Loss.” Speakers, including Dr Gbonjubola Owolabi, Idowu-Agida and Miss Mojolaoluwa Olunaike, addressed grief, emotional triggers, and realities of single parenting..
A beneficiary, who got a grant to revive her long-stalled plantain trade, expressed gratitude, said the grant will enable her provide for her children.
‘’For six years, my business stopped because I had no capital. This is the first time anyone has truly seen me. Now I can provide again for my children” Now I can provide again for my children.”
