By Ọmọsọla Olumide
The Chairman of International Federation of Training And Development Organisation (IFTDO) Committee for Youth And Women Empowerment (CYWEE), Mrs Janet Jolaoso has urged Widows to live a purposeful life and avoid stigmatisation of any forms. Mrs Jolaoso made this statement during the Widows Empowerment Ceremony And Award programme in conjunction with TotalEnergies and Covenant University held inside Cucrid Building, Beside Senate Building, Covenant University on Tuesday 12th, December 2023.
According to Mrs Jolaoso, "Widows have been subjected to uncountable inhumane treatment and cultural inundation, adding that purpose of IFTDO/CYWEE is to empower and train widows to be financially independent and self reliant in order to be relevant and useful to their immediate family, communities and the country as a whole.
The Chairman said the primary motives of the organisation is to give voice to women, impact and empower women and to ensure all widows smile again irrespective of horrendous experiences they might have been subjected to.
She thanked TotalEnergies and Covenant University for their support for the past years and continual support especially for this event.
In a paper presented, the Vice Chancellor of Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun H. Adebayo, said "over 250million Widows are in the world, while 50m is from Nigeria."
The Don said further "widows are facing the battles and challenges which they know nothing of" . "They are left unseen, unheard and unsupported. They fight all form of injustice, hardship and stigmatisation all alone". "Some have lost their lives in this dehumanising state of perpetual struggles, mysteries and pains, while others have become living corpses and shadow's of their old selves". Adding that empowering them with necessary resources, skills, support to regain control over their lives and overcome the challenges is essential by every individual, organisation, religious groups and the government.
Mrs Dúpẹ́ Olayokun delivering lecture to the beneficiaries
The Vice Chancellor said further that, financial empowerment is not enough and identified other aspect of empowerment, which includes, creating enabling environment to exercise their skills. He also mentioned education and skills, vocational training, Legal assistance (Inheritance and property rights), healthcare and support system for physical, emotional and psychological health.
Representative of Total Energies, Mrs Adesua Adewole, said, widows are integral part of society and fundamental to the future of the society, because, they empower their children for the future by doing great things tomorrow.
Going down memory lane Mrs A. Adewole said TotalEnergies has been partnering with IFTDO since December 2021. She said the company is committed to empower additional 23 women from 3 different states across the country, advising the beneficiaries not to squander the money given to them.
In addition, Mrs Adewole said TotalEnergies is committed to creating values, where it operates while supporting United Nations in meeting the sustainable development goals through its programs and activities.
However, She said "In meeting the objectives, the company placed sustainable development at the heart of all their projects and operations and opens strong partnership with key stakeholders which involved 3 special goals which are No Poverty, Zero Hunger and Gender Equality".
conclusively, she said, the company believes women are naturally resilient, resourceful, prudent in Managment of resources, being the bedrock of the family, therefore women contribute immensely to the economy of nation.
She Therefore urged the beneficiaries to think in long term, to grow their businesses and impact their immediate families , communities and the country as a whole.
Dr Olufunke Oyeneye, Ogun State Coordinator,(IFTDO) interpreting to the beneficiaries
In her own contribution, The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye thanked IFTDO/CYWEE for the privilege acknowledged her office and assured that Ogun state government will support in future programmes. Adding, that every widow deserves to be seen, heard and supported to regain her confidence. "wherever women are being empowered, I always wanted to be identified, because women are given back their, dignity and self sufficiency".
From Left Mrs Jolaoso, VC Prof. Abiodun, Hon. Com. Adijat Adeleye Chief Festus Kehinde with his daughter and representative . Of TotalEnergies Mrs AdewoleOne of the facilitators, Mrs Dúpẹ́ Olayokun, has encouraged Widows to make a difference saying that "being a widow is not a stigma" . She said further that getting out of shock from the demise of a spouse depend on individual and highlighted steps to purposeful living of a widow such as, accommodation, children schooling/education including monitoring, development and upbringing, learning of skill by the widow, and searching for opportunities which abound.
Also, Mrs Caroline Johnson another facilitator has enlightened the widows on best approach to food, beverages and confectionery, identifying, the strength and opportunity to tap on the business while giving them best way to deal with the risks and other factors associated with the business. And while the third facilitators, Mrs Gloria Dairo ran them through prospect in 'Adire, Tie and Dye business.
The high point of the program is the award ceremony for the major supporters of IFTDO-CYWEE program, for their dedication, undiluted support and financial backing since the inception of the empowerment to the Widows.
The Awardees are the Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, Arch. Dr. Olusegun Aluko, Chief Kehinde Festus and Mr. Rajiv Sharma,
while, the beneficiaries of the financial empowerment were presented with cheques.
From Left Prof. Tayo George, Dr Orji, Dr Aluko, Prof. Abiodun, Dr. Mrs Abiodun, Hon. Com. Adijat Adeleye, Mrs Jolaoso, Mrs A. Adewole, Mrs Rhoda Ayinde
Some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion are ;Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development in Ogun State, Motunrayo Adijat Adeleye, Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, Chairman IFTDO-CYWEE, Mrs Janet Jolaoso, Arch. Dr. Olusegun Aluko, Chief Kehinde Festus, Representative of Total Energies, Mrs Adezua Adewole, IFTDO State Coordinators, Mrs Rhoda Àyinde, Dr, E. Olufunke Oyeneye, Dr Patrick Orji,, Engr Bámijí Adeoye, Prof. Tayo George, Mrs Caroline Johnson, Mrs Dúpẹ́ Olayokun, Mrs Gloria Dairo and the beneficiaries.
No comments:
Post a Comment