HDI EMPOWERS WIDOWS ON SKILL ACQUISITION PROGRAMME IN LAGOS

Worried by the economic hardship and societal rejection faced by widows, a leading Non-governmental organization in Lagos, Human Development Initiatives, (HDI) had organized an empowerment programme for selected Widows group on various area of skill acquisition.The Executive Director HDI, Mrs. Olufunso Owasanoye while declaring the programme open implored the participants never to look down on themselves because they are widows.  She noted that the skill acquisition programme was conceptualized to build capacity of Widows with intention to be self-sustaining.She advised them not to take the training for granted saying different skills will be learnt during the 4 days Skill acquisition programme.On the aim of the organization, Owasanoye noted that the life-skills and economic empowerment is targeted at empowering women, particularly, the poor widows to learn skills and get the right motivation.In addition,Bolanle Dare, a Senior programme officer and coordinator of the training noted that the programme has been in existence since 1999 with the aim of supporting and empowering widows adding that in celebration of the International Widows day,HDI will on the  “24th June, 2019” organise a party for Widow’s in Lagos State. She further stressed that the get together is essentially to give widows a sense of belonging urging them to step down the training.Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Morenikeji Owolabi noted that since she lost her husband in 2016, she had opted for trading to earn a living. For her, the life skill training has been very interesting and fantastic.She appreciated HDI for not allowing widows to be left alone noting that the ankara craft training,Small chops and confectionary,Kunu and Zobo production has been very beneficial to her which she is considering of adding to her business.