Lagos sets to gift 800 widows N40m

The Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation has announced plans to support 800 widows with N50,000 each, totalling N40 million, in celebration of International Widows Day.

According to Commissioner Bolaji Dada, who addressed the media on Monday, the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation drew from multiple sources to select beneficiaries for the International Widows Day support, ensuring a wide reach and inclusive support for vulnerable widows.

The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality.’

Dada encouraged the beneficiaries to invest the money in business endeavors, saying, “Today, the ministry will be reaching out to a total number of 800 widows. I encourage (you) all our beneficiaries to utilise the cash to support your businesses, focus on yourselves, build your children in peace, and hold onto God, who is the only available succour.

Dada urged the beneficiaries to invest the money in business endeavors, saying, “Today, the ministry will be reaching out to a total number of 800 widows. I encourage (you) all our beneficiaries to utilise the cash to support your businesses, focus on yourselves, build your children in peace, and hold onto God, who is the only available succour.

“On behalf of the state government and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I wish you all a happy Widows Day.”

Dada added that Lagos State joined the rest of the world to celebrate Widows Day, “focusing on raising awareness of the plight of widows, especially the vulnerable ones and their children.

“This year’s theme, ‘Widows for Peace through Democracy,’ addresses the 2024 commission on the status of women with a priority theme of accelerating the achievement of gender equality, emphasising the strengthening of land and property rights.”

Dada emphasized that the ministry remains committed to collaborating with all stakeholders to promote the empowerment and success of women, including vulnerable widows.