The wife of the president, Her Excellency Dr (Mrs) Aisha Buhari has once again demonstrated her commitment to improving the lives of women and children by collaborating with the Nigerian Armed Forces in training widows. She made this known at the Future Assured empowerment programme, an empowerment scheme of the non-governmental organisation of the First Lady in collaboration with Nigerian Army Widows Empowerment Scheme (NAWES).
Empowerment coordinator, Madam Rose Fali Audu, who was speaking at Grangehill hotel, the venue of the programme said Her Excellency wanted to teach the participants how to take care of their children and themselves financially.
In his remarks, the representative of the Chief of Army Staff, Brig.Gen. Ohiaka stated that this was a pilot scheme, consisting of 50 women. He urged the women to make good use of the skills they will learn, and also become employers of labour.
North Central Regional coordinator of Future Assured, Hajiya Hannsatu Zanna, who identified herself also as a widow explained to the women that the society owed them nothing and that widowhood is a life transforming experience as a women’s identity changes immediately she loses her husband. She encouraged them to be beacons of light not only to each other but also to fellow women, by learning and excelling in whatever they do. Hajiya Zanna urged the women to take advantage of the training.
The project which will run for two weeks, was borne out of the need to acknowledge and alleviate the challenges faced by wives and family of our fallen heroes, the women will learn various skills, and a crash course in financial management will be the starting point before they graduate to tailoring, catering, soap/ cream/ candle making and agro business.
