by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Women for Peace in Nigeria (WOPIN), a nongovernmental organization on peace, has again put smiles on the faces of widows for organizing what could be described as “feast and celebration” of widows in the most auspicious special manner.

During the colourful ceremony held in Kaduna, Christian and Muslim widows from across the North and South area of the state were assembled and served with varieties of foods, drinks and other things of necessity amidst joyful celebration atmosphere.

Food items and other essential commodities were also distributed to all the widows as takeaway packages for their young ones back home.

Speaking to journalists shortly after the eventful moment, founder and National President of WOPIN, Dr. Maryam Abdullahi, said the occasion was part of the yearly ceremony organized to actually touch lives, bring together and cerebrate the widows, share their plight, appreciate and make them happy.

According to her, the 2023 WOPIN celebration of widows was, however, unique and imperative in view of the hardship and challenges of high cost of living occasioned by insecurity and, most recently, the removal of fuel subsidy.

She, therefore, used the occasion to call on spirited individuals, groups and corporate organizations to support WOPIN and widows and the less-privileged in society to engender peace and security of lives and property in the country.

Two widows, Mama Laitu and Hajiya Tani Umar, who spoke separately on behalf of the beneficiaries, sincerely thanked the Founder-cum President of WOPIN for the gesture, saying, the NGO has made them so proud and feel happy and belonging.

While thanking the organization’s foresight for putting smiles on their faces and foods on their table annually, the widows also prayed God to protect families of those, who clean their tears, and also provide for those who provided them unlimitedly.