‘We celebrate widows because when we uplift the most vulnerable among us, we strengthen the soul of our society’

To many widows, times of celebration usually cast a gloom on their faces as they would not be able to enjoy them with their spouses that are late, coupled with the burdens they bear in taking care of the responsibilities cast on them by the absence of their partners.

But for those in Ilora, an agrarian town in Oyo State, last Christmas celebration was a time to bathe in joy again, as it marked the third year that a female indigene of the town, who is the Founder and Convener of Modupe Owonikoko Foundation, Barrister Caroline Modupe Aderemi (nee Owonikoko), would bring them together to feel the celebration and also go back to their homes with gifts and empowerment.

Resplendent in the matching ankara bought for them by the female lawyer and sewn in different styles, the 815 widows, young and old, wore cheerful looks as they beamed with smiles and were filled with vivacity that comes with festivities at the event held at Ilora Grammar School Hall. 

Dignitaries at the event included the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Stephen Olufemi Oyeniyi Oparinde II; the Director of Nursing Services, Oyo State, Mrs Beatrice Adeoye, who represented the state Commissioner of Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi; and the President of Ilora Development Association, Elder Remi Olaniyan.

Others were retired Deputy Controller of Corrections, Abolongo, Mr Timothy Adediran; Rev’d Sunday Oladele, who represented the chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo; the chairman of Agbeloba (Oyo), Mr Olawuwo Babarinde; Elder Adeleye Mosebolatan from Mosafejo Community; and Rev’d James Adesakin.

Speaking at the event, Aderemi noted that for many widows, Christmas brings a painful reminder of the loss of their loved ones and turns into a period of loneliness and silence,  rather than being a season of joy, family gathering and togetherness.

She said: “At Modupe Owonikoko Foundation, named after my father, we believe that compassion should be loudest where pain is deepest. Widows often carry invisible burdens, grief, financial hardship, social neglect, and emotional isolation.

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“We celebrate widows every Christmas because they deserve to be seen, not ignored; they deserve dignity, not pity, and they deserve hope, not abandonment.”

The Modupe Owonikoko Foundation convener stated that the celebration organised for the widows was not just about gifts or food, but restoring smiles, rebuilding confidence, and reminding them that their lives still matter, their voices still count, and their future is still valuable.

“Christmas teaches us love, sacrifice, and kindness. By standing with widows during this season, we are living out the true meaning of Christmas, sharing hope, warmth, and humanity.

“We celebrate widows because when we uplift the most vulnerable among us, we strengthen the soul of our society,” Aderemi added.

Among the benefits enjoyed by the widows was a Solar kiosk where people would charge their phones for a fee, cash gifts, as well as food items and other provisions, including rice, garri, spaghetti, salt, Maggi, toothpaste, and body cream. Ten of the widows were also sponsored for training in baking.

It will be noted that the same gesture is replicated in Lagos State, where the programme began in 2017.

In a goodwill message, the Oyo State Commissioner of Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, who was represented by the Director, Nursing Services, Mrs Beatrice Adeoye, appreciated Aderemi for her efforts in empowering widows.

The Health Commissioner noted the challenges usually faced by widows, which sometimes result in ill health, causing an inability to even take care of themselves.

She said that in the type of society existing in Nigeria, widows go through physical and psychological trauma by being neglected and abandoned, while some are even accused of causing their husbands’ deaths.

Ajetumobi emphasised the need to support widows morally and financially so that they won’t be weighed down as a result of the situation they are in.

She noted that the help rendered to the widows by Modupe Owonikoko Foundation is to aid the government.

The Commissioner of Health enjoined the widows to make good use of the items used in empowering them by using them to take care of themselves and their children.

She also advised them to relate with one another and to liven the spirit of the dejected ones.

In his remarks, retired Deputy Controller of Corrections, Mr Adediran, eulogised Aderemi, saying: “Since I knew her, she has been a source of joy to her town’s indigenes as a lawyer. She loves her town so much.”

He told of how she would bring lawyers from her law chamber to handle cases relating to her town’s people, adding that she also helps others, irrespective of their ethnicity, to fulfil their bail conditions and even gives them transport fees to go home from the corrections facility.

The farmers in the town, known as Agbeloba, who were happy with the kind gesture of the daughter of the soil, were said to have supported the programme with the supply of farm products to entertain the widows.

In his remarks, the Akibio of Ilora, Oba Oyeniyi, spoke on Aderemi’s humanness in empowering widows with her resources, expressing joy at the love she has for her town and its people.

The monarch thereafter poured prayers on the lawyer.

The Ilora Development Association President, Elder Olaniyan, described the programme as a laudable initiative to help widows by empowering them with money and equipment to enhance their welfare.

He said that the Modupe Owonikoko Foundation Convener exhibited great love by remembering others to do them good, asking them to always pray for her.

Noting that Aderemi was using her personal resources to help the town and its people, and not politics or government money, Elder Olaniyan urged every indigene to think of her when opportunities come so that they can have someone to represent them with honesty.

He enjoined the widows who were empowered not to misuse the opportunities given to them, praying for Ilora’s progress.

Speaking on behalf of all the widows present, the coordinator for Modupe Owonikoko Foundation (Widow’s Programme) in Ilora and the entire Afijio Local Government Area, Mrs Kehinde Oluwafemi Ajanaku, expressed appreciation to the Founder and Convener for the support she had been rendering and the restoration of festive joy in them.

“She is the mother who brings us together every year to celebrate and empower us. We pray that God will reward her greatly”, Mrs Ajanaku said.