As part of the 2026 edition of the International Widows Day celebrated on Tuesday June 23, 2026, the Chadash Empowerment Foundation hosted its 5th edition of the International Widows’ Day at The Ake Palace Pavilion, Abeokuta, Ogun State with the training and empowerment of 3000 widows drawn from across communities in Ogun State.
The celebration was shifted forward to this weekend to accommodate a three-day skills acquisition training programme for the thousands of widows that participated in the empowerment with equipment and cash grants.
Chadash Empowerment Foundation programme this year brought together widows, community leaders and other key stakeholders for the celebration with the theme, “Empowering Widows for a Stronger Community”. The earlier three-days intensive skills acquisition training was designed to equip widows with practical income generating skills in the area of tailoring, hairdressing, makeup artistry, agricultural value chain and small-scale enterprise.
In her address at the occasion, the founder of Chadash Empowerment Foundation, Mrs. Temitope Adeola, stated that there is an urgent need for intentional support systems for widows in our society as widows continue to navigate difficult paths signposted by irreparable loss, economic hardship and social exclusion adding that for the past five years Chadash Empowerment Foundation has consistently celebrated the Widows Day by implementing impactful training and empowerment initiatives aimed at improving the lives of widows and their families.
“This intervention goes beyond the distribution of equipment. Indeed, it is pursuant of the Renewed Hope Initiatives (RHI) of our First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who have done so much to alleviate the plight of vulnerable persons especially women. According to our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON, during one of her programmes of distribution of equipment as we are distributing today for widows, “Women empowerment is central to achieving all Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) especially SDG-5 on gender equality and SDG-8 on decent work and economic growth. These items are not just tools, they are stepping stone towards financial independence and a better future for Nigerian women” she stated.
She further stated that for the past few years through the grace of God, support of our partners and stakeholders, the Foundation has successfully empowered 15,000 widows across the Federal Capital Territory and Ogun State stressing that this programme is renewed determination and even stronger commitment to expanding our impact.
Mrs. Adeola noted that the interventions go beyond distribution of equipment but represents an investment in the future of these women, their families and communities stressing that this is to reinforce our believe that widows’ matter as are their dreams and contributions to society.
Mrs. Adeola further noted that the foundation remains committed to creating sustainable opportunities that empower widows to become self-reliant and economically stable stressing that they have important roles to play in the overall socio-economic development of the society.
As part of the empowerment program, beneficiaries were provided with essential tools to support their newly acquired skills. These included 400 grinding machines for agriculture value chain entrepreneurs, 200 sewing machines for tailoring, 200 standing hair dryers and washing basins for hairdressing, 200 fully equipped makeup kits and tools for makeup artistry, 50 freezers to aid food preservation and business operations, 20 gas cookers and N50,000 startup capital for 2,000 small scale business owners.
The First Lady of Ogun State, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, the Special Guest of Honour at the event in a keynote address on “The Roles of Communities in Supporting Widows” stressed the importance of collective responsibility, urging communities, government, and private organizations like Chadash Empowerment Foundation to work together in creating supportive environments for widows to thrive in the society.
The beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude to the Chadash Empowerment Foundation, describing the programme as a life-changing initiative not only providing for immediate relief but also rekindled hope and confidence for a better future.
The Chadash Empowerment Foundation is a non-governmental and non-profit humanitarian organization dedicated to assisting and ameliorating the plight of widows and orphans in society with this year’s empowerment of widows being not just an act of kindness, but a strategic investment in building stronger, more inclusive communities.
The event also attracted participation from government representatives, non-governmental organizations and private sector stakeholders including Mrs. Kudirat Abiodun Adegunwa Balogun, the APC Deputy Governor candidate, Mrs. Alli Sharafadeen, wife of APC Governorship candidate in Oyo State, Dr. Mrs. Oluremi Salako, wife of Minister of State for Health and Social Services and Olori Tayo Olugbenle, wife of Olu Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, all united in their commitment to promoting social inclusion and economic empowerment.
