The Foundation also unveil its Widows Empowerment Scheme through which it is providing training and tools of trade for select widows in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
MTN Foundation Director, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, represented by the Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Ms. Nonny Ugboma, told a press conference that the scheme is aimed at providing business management skills, equipment support and improve the living conditions of widows in Nigeria.
He said “economic empowerment of women, including widows is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty in Nigeria, because when women are empowered, the standard of living of the entire family is improved.”
According to him, a recent United Nations study reports that 115 million widows live in extreme poverty worldwide along with their children.
He said reports such as this prompted the Foundation to seek ways to assist widows.
Goodluck said the Foundation however realized that addressing the challenges faced by widows required a proper understanding of the issues, which was why the Foundation began its intervention by organising a stakeholders’ workshop on widows concerns in 2011 to understand the unique multi-dimensional challenges faced by widows in Nigeria. The MTNF Widows Empowerment Scheme is a by-product of the consultation, he said.
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