The Abubakar Bukola Saraki Foundation (ABSF), on Tuesday, announced its move to support over 70,000 widows across the country.
The project, whose pilot’s scheme was launched in Ilọrin, covers 200 beneficiaries from Kwara Central and South.
Speaking during the launch, the coordinator of the project in North Central, Musa Aliyu, said widows are a very important sector in the society that needs real time support especially in the phase of the present economic challenges.
He said the foundation believes that helping widows ‘in our own little way will make a remarkable difference in their lives’.
Aliyu, who emphasised that the foundation is a non-political association, said it is devoid of religious or tribal sentiments.
“Ours is how to assist the less privilege from all strata of the society irrespective through skill and resources that will make them independent than to rely on anybody
‘Our mission is to touch the lives of the vulnerable populations in a positive way with focus on health, education, youth, empowerment, sports and leadership mentoring.
‘For this project, the objective of ABSF includes to provide widows with skills and economic independence.
‘We will also support them to attain their right to protection, inclusion and participation in the society that will enable them to cater for their needs and sustain their livelihoods’, he said.
The ABSF coordinator said research has shown that out of the 258 million global widow population, Nigeria is home to an estimated 15 million.
He said in many cases, the women face discrimination, marginalisation and exclusion from their communities and family support systems.
Aliyu said there is a strong link between children dropping out of school, deteriorating health, household indebtedness and prevalent social issues to gender and social discrimination.
He said the beneficiaries will be empowered with various sums of cash, enterprise management training, empowerment component, networking and knowledge sharing.
“To make a lasting impact, you will not only be monitored and assisted to ensure you succeed as the breadwinners of your family, ABSF will consider you for bigger platforms with your colleagues elsewhere”, he said.
He said ABSF’s cardinal principle is to help individuals and communities succeed and we remain open to partnership and collaboration that will further this cause.
Speaking during the programme, one of the resource persons and entrepreneurs, Princess Opeyemi Adegbite, noted that the ABSF support is invaluable in the light of the present economic situation.
“Inflation now is a serious issue for businesses and has impacted people negatively. Interest rate is killing businesses. How can you be able to pay N40,000 for a loan of N100,000 in three months?
‘Now businesses and shops are downsizing and struggling to survive’, but with this kind of financial and knowledge support from ABSF, they have shown commitment to pull you through the rubbles despite the present situation.
In her remarks, the Iyaloja of Kwara State, Alhaja Adenike Abdulkareem Lambe, described the intervention by ABSF as apt, adding that impact can only be imagined.
She thanked the foundation for raising to the cause of the widows in the country in such a comprehensive manner.
Lambe advised the beneficiaries to ensure that they don’t disappoint the foundation and strive hard to change the narrative of the widows in the country with the support of ABSF.
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