By Efe Onodjae

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the Chief Executive Officer of IDA Beauty, Idowu Damilola  in partnership with Tabitha-Kay Widows Care Foundation, has empowered 50 widows in Makoko area of Lagos State.

The outreach was organised to support vulnerable women with food items and words of encouragement, reminding them that they are not alone despite the challenges they face.

Speaking during the event, Damilola  said the initiative forms part of her commitment to promoting women empowerment and financial independence.

“We are here to support the widows. As the world marks International Women’s Day, it is important to encourage them and let them know that they are not alone,” she said. She explained that the choice of Makoko was partly influenced by reports about recent demolition of structures in the community, noting that the situation strengthened her resolve to reach out to the women.

“Recently when I was in Dubai, I saw on the news that houses in Makoko were demolished. I felt it would be nice to come here and encourage them,” she added. Damilola  also assured that the initiative would not end with the current outreach.

“It will continue because empowering women is something I love doing. I have been doing it for a while, but this is the first time I am organising something like this personally,” she said.

Also speaking, the co-founder of Tabitha-Kay Widows Care Foundation, Mrs. Docas Adelaja, said the foundation was established to support widows and help them overcome the challenges that often follow the loss of their spouses.

“Our mission is to put smiles on the faces of widows and encourage them that the death of their husbands is not the end of life. They still have responsibilities and a future ahead,” she said.

Stokers noted that the foundation has carried out several interventions for widows across Lagos, including welfare support and health outreach programmes.

She explained that the Makoko outreach was organised to coincide with International Women’s Day and to support widows and other vulnerable women in the community. According to her, about 30 widows were physically present at the event, though the outreach targeted about 50 women.

“The situation in Makoko following the recent demolition scattered many residents, which affected the turnout, but we are grateful we could still reach some of them,” she said.

She commended the gesture by IDA Beauty, urging more organisations and individuals to support the less privileged.

“If every company and individual develops the habit of giving to the needy, it will go a long way in addressing some of the challenges we face in society,” she added.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the organisers for the support.

“I’m happy. May God bless her. I have even prayed for her,” said Mariya Wenu, a food seller.

Similarly, Angelina Ajibade, a fish seller, urged the organisers to continue the outreach.

“They love us, and that is why they reach out to us. We pray they will always remember us,” she said.