A non-governmental organisation, Akinkanju, has trained 30 widows and single mothers drawn from all parts of Osun State in various vocations.

The beneficiaries were trained in adire textile production, household essentials, soap making, and bedspread production.

The founder of the NGO, Mrs Bosede Nwachi, while speaking during a graduation ceremony organised for the beneficiaries held in Osogbo, Osun State, said the training was meant to empower the women and make them financially stable.

Nwachi said the beneficiaries were among the 150 women who were being trained by the organisation in various vocations.

She explained that a production hub has been established for the women, as she called on well-meaning Nigerians to support the project.

She said, “Akinkanju is dedicated to empowering single mothers, widows, and vulnerable women through education and vocational jobs, and entrepreneurship skills as well as personal development to foster economic stability.

“We envisioned a world where single mothers, widows, and vulnerable women are equipped with essential tools and knowledge they need to thrive independently and create a better life for themselves and their families.

“We have two phases – empower her project and ecobuilder. In our empower her project, we have 150 women, but we are graduating 30 of them today. They have been trained in ‘Adire’ textile, household essentials, soap making, and bedsheet production. In the eco-builder, we are using eco-friendly raw materials to train our youths in construction.

“This is not a normal empowerment where you just give them certificates and let them go. We have our production hub where they produce. They also sell the products as a hub and share the profits.”

In her keynote address, the Osun State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Children Welfare, Ayobola Awolowo, urged Nigerians to stop judging single mothers and widows.

Awolowo said societal judgement is making the struggles of single mothers and widows harder.

Represented by the Director of Gender Affairs of the Ministry, Lola Adewale, she however, called on stakeholders to formulate policies that would protect widows’ inheritance rights and provide equal opportunities for single parents.