Mrs Makinde Empowers Thousands of Widows on International Widows’ Day

…As Mrs Makinde calls for unity among govt, civil society, families in supporting widows’ rights.

…As Beneficiaries share stories of resilience and hope as state government pledges continued support.

In a heartfelt show of solidarity, the First Lady of Oyo State, Her Excellency Engr. Tamunominini Makinde, on Monday marked International Widows’ Day by distributing cash and food items to thousands of widows from all 33 local government areas of the state.

The event, held at her office in Agodi, Ibadan, brought together widows, dignitaries, and public officials in an atmosphere of compassion, reflection, and renewed hope.

Representing the First Lady at the ceremony was Hon. (Mrs.) Bisi Oluranti Michael, member of the Oyo State House of Assembly for Ogbomoso North Constituency. In her remarks, Michael emphasized the significance of the global observance.

“We are gathered here today to commemorate International Widows’ Day, a day set aside for us to reflect on the challenges faced by widows and to celebrate their courage and resilience,” she said.

Addressing the global theme, “Accelerating the Achievement of Gender Equality for Widows,” she urged all sectors of society to take meaningful action beyond mere words.

“This theme calls on us to transform sympathy into service and concern into concrete action,” she said. “Widows in our society have suffered long enough — from stigma and economic hardship to denial of inheritance rights and harmful traditional practices. Widowhood should not be a sentence of suffering.”

Michael further praised the enduring strength of widows in the face of adversity.

“Despite losing partners and, sometimes, their security and social standing, many widows continue to stand tall as mothers, caretakers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I salute your courage.”

She called for a united, community-wide effort to ensure widows are treated with dignity and empowered with the tools to thrive.

“Government, civil society, religious bodies, and families must work together to create supportive environments — with legal protection, economic empowerment, healthcare access, and psychosocial support,” she urged. “We must challenge discriminatory cultural norms and restore dignity to widowhood.”

In a message delivered on behalf of the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Mrs.) Toyin Balogun, Mr. Diya Ogunjimi expressed compassion and encouragement.

“We honour the memory of your loved ones and acknowledge your resilience,” he said. “You are not alone, and we hope today brings renewed strength.”

Also speaking at the event, Mrs. Abiola Sanda, wife of the Oyo State ALGON Chairman, urged a societal shift in attitude toward widows.

“If you cannot help a widow, at least do not stigmatize her,” she said. “Widows deserve dignity — not pity or suspicion.”

The emotional highlight of the day came from beneficiaries themselves, who shared stories of survival and gratitude. Tawakalitu Adam, a widow raising children on her own, described the daily struggle.

“It is not easy to raise children and carry the cross alone, but gestures like this give us strength to carry on. We truly appreciate the Governor’s wife for remembering us,” she said.

Another attendee, Motunrayo Salam, shared her unwavering faith and thanks.

“It’s very painful, but I trust in God. Don’t give up — there is still life and purpose ahead,” she said. “We thank God for the life of our mother, Her Excellency, for aiding us during this period.”

The event was also attended by several wives of local government chairmen, including Mrs. Khadijah Salam (Oyo West), Mrs. Aisha Adeleke (Atiba), Mrs. Victoria Adegbite (Surulere), and Mrs. Olusola Adebimpe (Ibarapa East), among others.

International Widows’ Day, celebrated globally on June 23, seeks to raise awareness about the unique challenges widows face and advocates for policies that ensure their rights, protection, and societal inclusion.