By Suleiman Shehu
A non-governmental organisation, Channel for Widow Relief Initiative (CWRI), has empowered no fewer than 380 widows, orphans, and the less privileged in Ibadan with cash and food items.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the empowerment was carried out during CWRI 15th edition of Ramadan Giveaway and Empowerment programme on Wednesday in Ibadan.
NAN also reports that 10 orphan students out of the 380 beneficiaries were given financial education support, textbooks and school bags while 20 widows were empowered with N100,000 cash each.
Food items were given to the remaining 350 widows and the less privileged in the society.
The CWRI Executive Director, Alhaja Fadhilah Balogun, said that the organisation was instituted out of her personal experience of pains and struggles as a widow.
Balogun said the organisation, over the years, had become a lifeline for hundreds of widows and orphans.
“As we distribute food, cash, clothing, and educational materials today, let us remember that we are not just giving items, we are giving life, hope, and a future.
“Over the years, we have fed families during Ramadan, Eid, End of the years, ensuring no widow or orphan goes hungry.
“We have clothed children and provided scholarships, textbooks, and school bags so they can compete favourably in Nigeria’s challenging environment,” the CWRI director said.
She further said that CWRI would be launching the 2026 Ramadan donation initiative to support 800 widows and orphans with between N100, 000 and N200, 000 cash grants to start a business.
Balogun called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the organisation, pledging that every donation would go directly to widows and orphans that depend on them for survival and empowerment.
“Without your support many widows will remain in despair and many orphans will be denied the chance to dream,” Balogun said.
The CWRI Board of Director Chairperson, Alhaja Muslimat Salau, said that giving palliatives to widows during Ramadan was to reduce their sufferings.
Salau said that the organisation would have loved to do more for the widows and orphans in the society but was constrained by insufficient fund.
In her lecture, Dr Shakirat Olanlege advised widows to be more prayerful as well as continue to strive to succeed in life and not to see their challenges as the end of life.
Speaking on behalf of the N100,000 cash beneficiaries, Mrs Oladiti Sidikat said she lost her husband 25 years ago and has been the only one taking care of the children.
Sidikat, who appreciated CFWRI for the gesture, said she would use the money to buy grinding machine, noting that the machine she has been using is faulty. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chidi Opara
