By Qudus Abiola Ojomo
For many women around the world, the devastating loss of their partners is magnified by a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. Hence, Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation marked the 2023 International Widows’ Day with 90 widows benefiting from various forms of support worth about 14.2 million naira.
Alhaji Shitta Sulayman, Coordinator of Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, Lagos while welcoming guests and beneficiaries to the event held on Friday 23rd June, 2023 at the Hajj Mabrur Ventures Hall, Anthony, Lagos, noted that the number of widows assisted by the foundation yearly has not decreased.
According to him, “Initially, it was held only in Lagos, but today, it has spread to other states in Nigeria such as Oyo, Kwara, Edo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo and Abuja. This year, 90 widows are assisted in Lagos, while over 35 are being assisted in other states.
“It is noteworthy to mention that ZSF also assisted 40 orphans and indigent Muslims at the event with educational support worth about 6.5 million naira. This brings the total amount of items disbursed at the event to 20.75 million naira.”
Muslim News gathered that some of the items given to beneficiary widows at the event include chest freezers, industrial sewing machines, leather sewing machines, pepper grinding machines, generators and cash gifts, among others.
Leverage today’s technology for self-realization, improvement says Don
Speaking at the event, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Zakat and Sadaqah Foundation, reiterated that widows should leverage today’s technology to improve their businesses and lives.
He said it is in line with the theme of this year’s International Widows’ Day, “Innovation and technology for gender equality”.
He further charged the widows with three mandates; “make sure your business and work are sound and stable; make sure you are committed to your religion and lastly make efforts to re-marry”.
He added, “We want what we have given you today to help your businesses. What we have given you is an amaanah (trust from Allah). Do not use it to go to parties. You should rather strive to make it help your businesses grow, such that you can also be in the position to give zakat (in the nearest future)”.
While responding to questions from the media, Prof. Tajudeen said, “What you have seen today is our way of raising the awareness of the society towards the plight of widows. It is also a way of saying “widowhood is not victim-hood.”
Don’t neglect feelings of your children, Farri urges widows
In her motherly advice, Mrs Farri, a Medical Laboratory Scientist from Orile Agege General Hospital advised the widows to make taqwa (fear of Allah) the basis of their lives.
She also advised that although when a man dies, the widow feels so much pain, however, this should not make them neglect the feelings of their children.
“Your children miss their fathers as much as you miss your husband. Thus, be your children’s confidant and be strong for them,” she added.
…Maintain Sound Health Habits
A brief health talk was also delivered by Dr. (Mrs) Sofiyyah Miftah, Consultant Family Medicine Physician at Isolo General Hospital, Lagos.
She noted that if widows do not maintain sound health, whatever they have been given today will not be useful.
According to her, Importantly, they should maintain good sleeping habits, at least six hours per day. Also, various forms of exercises should be embraced instead of just sitting at their place of work for hours.
Widows show appreciation
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with our correspondent after the event were full of thanks to the organizers. Zainab Yahyah, a beneficiary widow cladded in full veil who was assisted with cash gift of 100,000 naira was short of words but prayed for the continued success of the Foundation.
Another beneficiary widow, Mrs Fakeye Morenikeji who lost her husband in 2001 mentioned that she has not been assisted by her husband’s relatives following his death. The widow said she has had to cater for their five children alone.
Despite becoming blind before her husband’s death, she struggled to send her children to school. She sells cold drinks and also begs in the community. However, today she got a generator set that can be used to power her freezer so she could continue with her business.
Nigeria is home to about 15 million of the world’s 258 million widows according to the United Nations.
Sponsored
