INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY: NAWOJ PARTNERS MRS. OLUWADAISI OKE TO SUCCOUR ONDO WIDOWS

Determined to succour widows in Ondo State, the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ondo State Council partnered with Mrs Oluwadaisi Oke, the wife of APC Chieftain, Mr. Olusola Oke, SAN as they put a smile on faces of widows across the Sunshine State.

The gesture was part of activities to commemorate the 2023 International Widow's Day celebration which took place at NUJ Secretariat, Akure on Thursday 23rd June 2023.

The Acting Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Tola Gbadamosi, in her welcome address described International Widow's Day celebration as a day to remember and reach out to widows across the country. Adding that NAWOJ on its part is out to support and encourage them to be strong, no matter how tough the situation might be. 

She stressed that anything that happens to one in life is a result of what God has destined and not anybody's making.

Her words; "All you need to do is to stand firm, be steadfast and put all of your hope in Him.

She also appreciated Engr. Ife Oyedele as well as other Kindhearted individuals for their contributions towards the success of the event.

Chairperson of the occasion, Mrs Oluwadaisi Oke noted that for a society where women's rights are subjected to the perceived interpretation of culture and arguable communal beliefs that have made widows vulnerable, a day is set aside for the recognition of widows and therefore must be one of the special days to identify with and celebrate the widows in our country.

"In the Holy Bible, God revealed in His word how special are the widows. In 1st Timothy Chapter 5 verse 3," He said;  "Honour widows, they should trust in God and continue in supplication to God day and night."

"We have therefore honoured God and bestowed same honour to widows so that they will trust God and continue in prayers and supplications to Him who is the creator of heaven and earth".

"A gathering like this, therefore, will only allow us to identify with the widows once in a year, we must therefore lend support to any effort that seeks to empower women through skills acquisition for self-reliance beyond a one-off event. This is a challenge we must all see as a call to serve humanity".

"Let me thank the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) who are organisers of the event for providing the platform through which these great women in our society could be identified with and celebrated.

"Please do not relent. Let us continue to support and provide needed support for every effort that will empower women so that they can stand on their own when the unexpected happens".

"What we have done here today is that we have all decided to act as stipulated by God in the book of Timothy that charged us to honour widows.

"It is in recognition of this injunction, that we have, through the token we have provided, identified with you on this special occasion set aside to celebrate you. I pray that God will continue to comfort you. He will never cease to be the source of your joy and sustenance", she prayed. 

Also speaking, the National Financial Secretary of NAWOJ, Mrs Adeola Adekunle opined that international widow's Day is set aside to recognize the widows, pray for them, celebrate with them, eradicate injustices facing them and fight poverty.

She added that NAWOJ has to try as much as possible, in their little way to cater for the less privileged, women, children and the widow, especially, the vulnerable.

While encouraging the widows to accept the gifts with love, she also advised them not to hesitate to approach the office of the State Council of NAWOJ whenever they are facing any challenge or injustice. 

In her words of encouragement, Mrs Olayinka Oluwatuyi told the widows to be strong, hardworking and strive hard to take care of their children.

Also, Mrs Nnena Sotounwa admonished them to always pray, put their hope in God and endeavour to ensure that their children have a good education.