Widows in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja from 21 clusters have showcased some of the skills acquired from the empowerment by the Women Affairs Minister to the Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI) as part of the International Widows Day 2026.
Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, represented by the chairman, Board of Directors, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development, Dr. Joan Jummai Idonije, said Nigeria has over two million out of the 258 million widows worldwide.
She said widows are not on the margin of society, they are central to the stability of the family, the wellbeing of the community and the development of our nation.
The minister said the International Widows’ Day (IWD) 2026 is an awareness day set aside by the United Nations that is observed every June 23 throughout the world to discuss the hardships that widows face when their husbands die.
Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim said this year’s global theme “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows” calls on governments, institutions and citizens to move beyond sympathy towards transformation and action that benefits widows everywhere.
President, Helpline Social Support Initiative (HSSI), Abuja, Dr. Jumai Ahmadu, in her address at the event, said Helpline has 21 clusters spread across Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna and recently added Enugu states where it is committed to restoring the dignity and transforming the lives of widows through non-profit loan revolving scheme, kit’s acquisition and financial literacy programme.
She said the weekend event, held at the Sen. Remi Tinubu Skills Empowerment Village Abuja, is to celebrate strength, resilience and determination of widows whose courage continues to inspire hope in our communities.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event include Hajara Adejo from Bwari Cluster, Hajiya Khadijat from Gwagwalada Cluster, Mrs. Alice Oguche, Mrs. Beatrice Nwafor from Kurudu Cluster, Hajiya Amina Dahiru from Precious Queen in Kuchigoro Cluster, and Hajiya Aisha Bukar.
Aisha Bakpet, on her part, educated the widows on benefits of hygiene through the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and how it helps to create resilient communities living in healthy environments.