Widows rejoice mission celebrate fifth anniversary in grand style

A Non Governmental Organisation dedicated to the plight of widows in the society, Widows Rejoice Mission, Tuesday, August, 13, 2024 rolled out the drums to mark it’s fifth year anniversary.

The annual event which was held at Lekki Gardens, Channels Television Avenue, Isheri Community, (OPIC ), Estate involved health talk, prayer sessions and gospel music.

It attracted hundreds of widows from all parts of Lagos including; Makoko, Ijegun, Mowe, Badagry, Mile 2 amongst others who apart from receiving various food items and empowerment program were mentored on their rights as well as advised on what to do to become self reliant in order to ameliorate their sufferings.

Speaking visually to the women from the United Kingdom, Alice Fookes, a member of UN women, United Kingdom Widows for Peace through Democracy and writer on Eleanor Roosevelt, acknowledged that widows of all ages face a lot of challenges ranging from abandonment, marginalisation, denial of rights to inherit land and property of their late husband’s to various forms of discrimination based on cultural and traditional practices.

She regretted that not minding that the United Nations has passed various resolutions on the rights of women and widows, these cultural practices still exists in developing nations; Nigeria inclusive which often times lead some to prostitution or slavery just to survive but was quick to add that they’re not relenting on their efforts to see that these anomalies are corrected internationally through the enactment of Women/ Human Rights Charter.

Fookes appealed to local politicians and legislators to ensure they enact laws in their various countries that will recognize the rights of widows which must include inheritance rights, economic reforms, social protection, access to education, increased access to empowerment and skills acquisition programmes

” There’s no doubt that widows face a lot of challenges globally especially in developing countries. But for these discrimination to stop or be reduced to the lowest minimum, there’s need for local politicians to enact laws that will safe guide the rights of widows.

” The legislation must include long term investment in widows, empowerment for them, allowing widows to be involved in decision making in their households, communities and nationally as well as long term investment in them and financial emancipation amongst others”, she stressed.

She advised widows not to lose hope but embrace empowerment programmes which they can also acquire online to enable them learn a trade that will improve them economically.

In her lecture at the event, Dr. Bola Adeotan took the widows on common sickness among widows namely; Insomnia (Sleeplessness) and Depression.

Dr. Adeotan classified insomnia into two types; acute and prolonged types . She described acute one as one that can make one not to sleep for 24 hours and leads to serious thinking.

According to her, acute insomnia can be caused by stress of life which could be as a result of loss of a promising job, business downturn, living in a noisy environment, prolonged flight in which one can transverse many time zones, high blood pressure, effects of drugs, severe pains like arthritis and effect of goiter noting that all these can lead to loss of memory among the elderly, difficulty in sleeping, feeling tired, low concentration, prone to making mistakes while driving which can lead to accident.

On how to prevent and manage it, the Medical Practitioner advised people suffering from it to consult their Doctors for proper medication just as she advised against taking heavy food too late in the night.

” For you to solve insomnia, you must consult your Doctor for proper medication. Avoid sleeping during the day, so that you can have a sound sleep at night and form the habit of sleeping between 9-10 pm.
” One should also avoid taking coffee at night, always have a little walk, don’t eat heavy food late in the night because all the blood that’ll go to the brain to trigger sleep will be in your stomach to digest food.
” You should make your bedroom comfortable, avoid lying down reading novels rather sit down on a chair and read your novel before going to bed and follow a routine to relax before going to bed amongst others”, she advised.

On depression, she described it as a type of disorder causing persistent sadness which often leads to suicide.

She posited that clinical depression occurs among pregnant women which can make them moody even after birth , making them feel worthless, weak and tired.

Dr. Adeotan advised that those suffering from depression should have somebody around them and in extreme cases should be taken to Psychiatric Hospital where Physiotherapists can work on them or use a special machine to stimulate them.
In her ministration at the event with the theme, Change, Founder/ Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Zipporah Omowumi Adenije Oladejo who took her test from 2 Kings chapter 4 explained that change is to make someone do something different noting that those who desperately need a change will get answer from God.
She reminded the widows of the widow who heeded the advise of Prophet Elisha and her economic situation was changed.

Mrs. Oladejo while acknowledging that most widows face a lot of economic challenges, urged them to speak out which serves as the beginning of change in their lives.
She also admonished them to obey instructions as the woman obeyed Prophet Elisha instructions as well as embrace the Foundation’s empowerment programme.

” There is need for you to embrace change to enable you move away from your present position. In embracing this change, you must obey instructions line the woman obeyed Elisha and her situation changed. Also be ready to learn a skill and do something with your hand.

” It’s equally important that you don’t allow what you learn to die with you. You must be ready to put it into practice and when you have your product, sell it to make money and break away from your economic stress and with this, people who before know you as a poor widow will begin to see you as a rich widow”, she stated.

Speaking to journalists after the well attended event, she expressed happiness that the Foundation which she started five years ago has impacted greatly on widows noting that with more support from government, philanthropists and corporate organisations, her Foundation will touch the lives of many widows.
” I’m highly delighted with the successes we’ve recorded since we began this Foundation about five years ago. My happiness is that a lot of our beneficiaries are giving good testimonies and inviting new widows every year.

“It’s equally a thing of joy that not minding the economic downturn presently facing the country, we have been impacting on widows; providing them with skills acquisition, paying house rents and school fees of their children as well as empowering them financially and with more financial support, we’ll continue to raise the bar”, she noted.

She also used the occasion to thank those who supported the Foundation one way or the other for the successful hosting of the fifth edition of the event.

Chairman of the Foundation, Rev. Mobolaji Adeniyi Christopher Oladejo, (M.A.C) Lead Pastor, The Lord’s Portion Restorers Church, gave Glory to Almighty God for what they’ve achieved with the Foundation, expressing hope that the Foundation will continue to grow from strength to strength and bring succor to widows.

On where he’ll like to see the Foundation in the next five years, he declared that in the next five years, he would like to see the Foundation touching more lives and become a household name in the country just as he called for support from government and public spirited individuals to enable them carry out their numerous programmes.

Explaining the aim and objectives of the Foundation , Miss. Oluwatungbamise Oladijo said it was set up to provide basic and domestic needs for widows with the aim of alleviating extreme poverty and starvation faced by them, Minister, counsel and encourage widows with the aims of strengthening widows psychologically, emotionally and spiritually.
Assisting in the funding of the education of the children of widows at the primary and secondary education level, create awareness about the needs of widows and orphans and providing support to widows through empowerment program in basic skill acquisition.

The event was also used to celebrate the birthday of the founder, Mrs. Zipporah Oladijo while a renowned gospel artist , Yemisi Afonja ministered at the well attended event