The 1 Division of the Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association, NAOWA, has distributed palliative to widows of fallen heroes, in Kaduna on Saturday.
The NAOWA Chairperson, 1 Division Chapter, Maimunatu Ali-Keffi distributed bags of rice, vegetable oil, toiletries, wrappers, beverages, salt, Maggie, Spaghetti, Noodles and cash to the beneficiaries.
She said that the association has big plans for the widows and soldiers wounded in action.
“As the chairperson of NAOWA 1 Division Chapter, I intend to improve the living standard of the widows in different ways.
“I will empower widows with skills by organizing workshops for them where they will learn how to make soap, cream, tie and dye, perfumes and also give them soft loans to start up small scale businesses,’’ she said.
The chairperson noted that being a widow was not easy, as it comes with lots of challenges and fears.
“One day, whether we like it or not we will be either a widow or a widower. Touching the life of widows with the love of such kind keeps them going each passing day,’’ Mrs Ali-Keffi said.
She encouraged them not to give up in life but to love themselves, be happy, and endeavor to do something for themselves no matter how little, to cater for their families.
“Grief never dies, but it changes you. Every next level of your life will demand a different version of you, sometimes people around you won’t understand your journey, so I hereby plead with you to stay strong all through.
“May your choice reflects your hope, not your fears; the reality is that you were in grief forever, you will not get over the loss of a loved one, but you will learn to live with it, you will heal.
“Rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered, you have to move on.
“Remember you are now the boss. Empowerment is very important, try to learn a skill, do trades from your doorstep, make your children part of your struggles and let them be part of your investment,’’ she advised.
The chairperson noted that if widows learn businesses or skills, it would shield their families from vices and help them to inculcate good morals in their children.
According to newsmen, some of the widows commended NAOWA for the gesture, saying it would alleviate their difficult conditions.
NAN
