By Emeagi Emeka Williams
At a special thanksgiving event held on Saturday in Lagos, Executive Director, Next Initiative for Gender Action Foundation, Lion Amb. Bukola Soaga Bada, has declared that, though health is essential, sane living for vulnerable widows depends on good shelter over there heads.
Speaking to Timeswatch shortly after the event that brought notable Professionals such as Abosede Akinkanju together, Bada stressed that the NIGAF is a special umbrella where widows are not only motivated, but are also empowered to pursue ambitions in business and other career areas.
“The widows of our foundation are already on their paths to uniqueness due to the business ideas, orientations they receive each meeting day.
“We do not support beggarly living, rather we encourage them to go all out to meaningfully engage in legitimate economic activities that require almost a zero investment”, she stressed.
As part of the messages delivered by the invited guests, the widows were urged not to imbibe ostentatious ways; not to possess entitlement mindsets that could make them expect what is not due to them, and not to live reckless , indecent ways not expected of a widow.
Rather than live reckless, widows who are young were advised to re marry.
One of the speakers, a Gender Ambassador, Peace, hailed the widows, and called them “sisters of strength”.
According to her, it takes great courage to be husbandless, to train children and survive social trials in a society like Nigeria.
On her projects for 2025, she pointed that paper and legal works will be intensified on the property purchased for Widow’s housing scheme, stressing that bit by bit, and with the aid of philanthropy, great things will also happen to widows in terms of health, education for their children, empowerment, etc.
When asked what major impact should people expect from her if she gets a major political position, she pointed;
“If God takes me to where I desire politically, I will take a serious look at housing for the vulnerable.
“Sadly this area of need is grossly neglected in our clime.
But God helping me, I will close that vacuum passionately.
“A widow will be less vulnerable ,or will even cease to be vulnerable with a shelter from where she can think and pursue life’s goals.
I will solve that need with good policies that also ensure health, education, etc”, Bada declared.
The Thanksgiving occasion had prayer , testimony , prize giving, admonition sessions.
The widows eventually got gifts and food items, essential palliatives that Characterise all NIGAF’s events.
