Dukes Akins Foundation & Femhub Foundation Empower Over 100 Widows in Delta State

Two Non-Governmental Organizations – Dukes Akins Foundation and Femhub Foundation – working to improve the well-being and economic empowerment of disadvantaged widows, girls and orphans have made over 100 widows in the community of Ekpan in Delta State smile through a project tagged ‘Make a Widow Smile’.

As part of its humanitarian services, the Dukes Akins Foundation and Femhub Foundation presented cash, food and clothing to widows of the Ekpan community on Monday, April 11, 2022. Yemisi Ajayi, founder of the Dukes Akins foundation established in 2019 said the initiative is part of their efforts to assist the widows and provide financial support to enable the widows to engage in businesses and care for themselves and their children.

Founder of Femhub Foundation from Ghana, whose foundation supports women and orphans, Nana Konadu, says the exercise aims to empower widows, who suffer from exploitation, deprivation, and persecution as a result of the demise of their husbands, by giving them business training to get started.

According to Nana, it is essential that we educate and empower widows so they can fend for themselves without being looked down upon or disrespected by society. According to her, even after the demise of your husband, it is possible to live and fulfill your destiny in life.

Guests speakers who are also widows encouraged the widows present at the event that with the empowerment which the charitable-foundations Dukes Akins and Femhub had provided, they had an opportunity to be independent and liberated from hardships.

Widows cannot find employment in many communities around the world due to prejudice or lack of skills. The need to find other ways to earn a living often leads to child labour, prostitution, and other forms of exploitation”, Nana said.

Amb. Nana stressed the importance of educating and empowering widows so they can fend for themselves without being disrespected by others.

Among the speakers at the event were Rev. (Mrs.) Ohiorenoya Enakeno Rosaline, Lady Lilian Orieoghene, and Madam Uchenna Chinwe. A variety of issues facing widows were addressed by the guest speakers, who encouraged them to stay close to God, engage in micro-business ventures, particularly with the cash gifts given to them and remain resilient despite the loss of hope.

Additionally, Mrs. Stella Arubi, a physician, gave a health talk that informed the widows on how to avoid idleness which can lead to illness, sadness, and depression. Following that, a medical check-up and treatment were administered to the widows.

Newton Obey Onaodowan, chairman of the Ekpan Development Community, expressed his delight at the work done by the Dukes Akins Foundation and the Femhub Foundation in his community.

He said that people, especially widows, are very happy about the kind gesture, which has never been seen before and is the first of its kind in the community.

Both Ambassador Ajayi Yemisi and Nana Konadu are ambassadors for International Human Rights and ‘Save a Child Advocacy’