Chadash Foundation Empowers Over 3,000 Ogun Widows with Cash, Business Tools

More than 3,000 widows across Ogun State have received cash grants, vocational training, and business support from the Chadash Empowerment Foundation as part of activities marking the 2026 International Widows’ Day and the fifth edition of its annual Widows’ Empowerment Programme. The initiative, held at the Ake Palace Amphitheatre in Abeokuta, was designed to promote economic independence, restore hope and improve the livelihoods of vulnerable women.

As part of the programme, widows who completed the Foundation’s vocational training received business tools, including sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, makeup kits, deep freezers and gas cookers to help them establish or expand their businesses. In addition, 2,000 widows received cash grants of ₦50,000 each to strengthen existing enterprises, boost household income and enhance their economic resilience.

Speaking at the event, the Founder of the Chadash Empowerment Foundation, Adeola Yayi, said the initiative underscores the organisation’s commitment to providing sustainable economic opportunities for widows through skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support and access to startup capital. She urged beneficiaries to invest the support in viable businesses, noting that the programme seeks to restore dignity, build confidence and promote financial self-reliance among vulnerable women.

Yayi said the success stories and testimonies from beneficiaries continue to inspire the Foundation to expand its interventions. According to her, the organisation has empowered more than 15,000 widows across Ogun State and the Federal Capital Territory since its inception through vocational training, business support, cash grants and other sustainable livelihood initiatives, with plans to extend its reach to more communities across Nigeria.