No fewer than 3,000 widows in Ogun State have received cash grants, vocational training and business tools from the Chadash Empowerment Foundation as part of activities marking the 2026 International Widows’ Day.
The support was provided during the fifth edition of the Foundation’s annual Widows’ Empowerment Programme, aimed at promoting economic independence and restoring hope among vulnerable women.
Held at the Ake Palace Amphitheatre in Abeokuta, the programme brought together widows from across Ogun State for vocational training, entrepreneurship support and other empowerment initiatives designed to improve their livelihoods.
Widows who completed the Foundation’s vocational training programme received business equipment, including sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, makeup kits, deep freezers and gas cookers, to help them start or expand their businesses.
In addition, 2,000 widows were given ₦50,000 cash grants each to strengthen existing businesses, increase household income and improve their economic resilience.
Speaking at the event, the Founder of the Chadash Empowerment Foundation, Adeola Yayi, said the initiative reflects the organisation’s commitment to creating sustainable economic opportunities for widows rather than providing one-time assistance.
She noted that true empowerment goes beyond financial support by equipping widows with practical skills, vocational tools and start-up capital needed to build sustainable livelihoods, regain confidence and achieve financial independence.
Yayi urged beneficiaries to make productive use of the support by investing in viable businesses capable of improving their families’ welfare.
She added that the success stories from previous beneficiaries continue to inspire the Foundation to expand its impact by transforming grief into hope and creating opportunities for vulnerable women.
According to the Foundation, more than 15,000 widows across Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory have benefited from its vocational training, entrepreneurship support, cash grants and other livelihood initiatives since its inception.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to reaching more vulnerable women and promoting economic inclusion in communities across Nigeria.
