Pat Utomi Widow Support Centre (WSC)
Pat Utomi Widow Support Centre, formerly CVL Widows Support Centre, was set up over 25 years ago primarily to build a network of contented widows through social welfare, mindset re-orientation, Income generation and Advocacy thereby leading to “A World of Empowered Widows with Dignity. Despite funding limitations the Centre has pushed this agenda and has achieved the following milestones in 2017.
ACTIVITIES FOR 2017
In 2017, the Centre impacted the lives of about 1000 widows through revolving loans, grants, entrepreneurship training, mentoring sessions, gifts etc from the following programmes; International Women’s Day, International Widows Day, Mentoring and Business training Programmes, Season of Love, Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme
1. International Women’s Day March 8, 2017 in Lagos
International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 every year. It is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. With men still in leadership positions and a widening economic gender gap, women need to be empowered at all levels, enabling their voices to be heard and giving them control over their own lives and over the future of our world. To mark the 2017, International Women’s Day, Our Founder, Prof Pat Utomi advocated and called for laws to protect discrimination and violence against women.
Theme: Be Bold for Change
Speakers: Prof Pat Utomi, Onyeka Onwenu, Chinda Monolisa, Dr. Stella Awoh, Mrs. Nneka Asoluka, Chief (Mrs.) Oluremi Okoro
The major highlights of the event were the rebranding of CVL Widow Support Centre, the remarkable story of survival of Chief Okoro, widowed at 32 with 5 children and performance by Onyeka Onwenu of a special song dedicated to Mothers.
2. International Widows Day (2017) on June 23, 2017 In Lagos
International Widows Day which takes place on June 23 every year is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the “poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries. WSC joins the rest of the world in celebrating this day. For this edition about 500 people attended the event including widows and the widow of the brave police man who died gallantly after a gun battle with armed robbers who invaded a bank in Owerri.
Theme: Not Alone
Topic: Domestication of the girl child right to inheritance
Speakers: Hon. Lola Akande represented by Mrs. Joke Olasunkanmi-Oshodi, Mrs. Eunice Oddiri Mrs. Adesua Oyenokwe , Publisher Todayz Woman & Barr.(Mrs.) Adaku Mbama of International Federation of Women Lawyers( FIDA)
The major highpoints of the event were the provision of grants of N50, 000 each to 10 widows by CVL to support their businesses and fundraising fashion exhibition by the women.
3. Health Programme for Widows
A health programme was held for the widows on Friday September 29, 2017 on how to live a healthy life through nutrition. Dr. Ify Nwakwesi, a Nutrition & Personal Development Consultant spoke at the programme. Her remarks were well received by the women, and covered areas like Nutrition, how thoughts affect health, power of decision,
exercises/breathing techniques, water and spiritual balance. Also part of the activities for the day was the checking of the health status of the women that attended the programme.
4. Season Of Love Empowerment Programme
Every year, the Centre holds an event tagged: Season of Love Empowerment Programme to celebrate with & empower Widows. This event is used to put smiles on the faces of the widows and their children. The December 2017 edition was very successful with over 500 widows in attendance and a record participation of high profile guests, like Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin of House on the Rock church, Her Excellency, First Lady of Lagos State, Mrs. Bolanle Ambode represented by Mrs. Rhoda Ayinde, Wife of ex commissioner of Physical Planning , Lagos State, Her Excellency, Deputy Governor of Lagos State , Dr.(Mrs.) Oluranti Adebule represented by Mrs. John and Hon. Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lagos State. Dr. Ehigiamousoe, Managing Director of LAPO Micro Finance Bank and Founder, Uche Ahubelem Foundation.
Highpoints of the event were a call to action documentary on the plight of widows, powerful message of exhortation by Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin, distribution of gift items comprising rice, make-up, Wrappers/fabrics milk and pharmaceuticals to women and dancing competition by the women where the best dancers won gift items.
5. Monthly Mentoring Session for the widows: Widow-To-Widow
The Centre holds a monthly mentoring, Mindset Reorientation and Personal/Business Development Training for the widows. The widows gather every last Friday of the month, to interact, network and exhort one another. In some of the sessions, we also carry out
check up their health status. The second pictures shows widows showcasing what they were able to produce following what the learnt from the trainings.
We will like to express our appreciation to the following organizations and individuals for their support to us in 2017; Access Bank PLC, Fidelity Bank PLC, Eleganza Industrial City Limited, Dangote Industries Limited, Saham Unitrust Insurance Nigeria Limited, Sumeru Nigeria Limited, Carbon Credit Network, LizzyKool Events Limited, Mood Deo Couture, Mrs. Kay Ovia, Onyeka Onwenu, Mona Lisa Chinda Coker, Lapo Micro Finance Banks, Private Estates, Olam Nigeria Limited, Afriglobal Medicare, Greenlife Pharmaceuticals, Friesland WamcoCampina, House of Tara, Uche Ahubelem Foundation, Dangote Group , Oven Secrets & Blue Davy Events.
PROGRESS REPORT OF FIRST HALF OF 2018
1. International Women’s Day 2018
Widow support Centre joined the rest of the world to mark International Women’s Day Celebration on March 8 of both 2018.
Theme: “Press for Progress” and the topic was Gender Disparity in Nigeria.
Speakers: Dr. Jadesimi, CEO LADOL, Special Guest of Honour, Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Ojora Saraki, Mrs. Tonia Ojenagbon, sexual assault survivor Other speakers who served as panelists are Dr. Nkechi Nwankwo, gender and women empowerment consultant; Prof. Ekanem Ekure, Prof of Pediatric Cardiology; Mr. Ubong Essien, certified public speaker, Pastor Eme Godwin; and Mr.Owodiong Idemeko, a human resources consultant.
Highpoint of the event was the donation of household items and cash to improve the lives of the widows and screened Short film titled Fe-Male, headlined by Star Actress Barabara Odoh with The Centre staff as cast members.
We appreciate the support of the following organizations and Individuals; Her Excellency, Mrs. Toyin Saraki, The Addo Projects,Oven Secrets, Private Estates, Tunde Makun, Ofem Ofem , Blue Davy Events.
2018 EVENTS
International Widows Day & Launching of Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP) Saturday June 23, 2018
The United Nations set aside June 23rd as a day to draw focus on widows and the hardship they face due to the demise of their spouse. At this year’s event, we shall launch our Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP) for 1000 Women across Nigeria in the in the next 3 years. However, we will be starting with 100 women for this year. The programme is designed to have the following component; Art of Living & Leadership Development, Business and Entrepreneurship Training, Practical Internship with Business Mentors and Presentation of Startup kits. It is expected to run for 4 months and it is estimated to cost N36, 000,000 (Thirty Six Million Naira Only) for the training and provision of startup kits of the 100 women for 6 months.
SEASON OF LOVE EMPWERMENT PROGRAMME & Graduation of the Participants at The Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme (WETP)
This year, Season of Love Empowerment Programme is scheduled to hold on December 14th 2018. At this event, we will graduate the beneficiaries of WETP (Women Entrepreneurship Training Programme) and provide seed funds/Start up Kits to run their
businesses. We aim to ensure that the over 300 widows of the Centre do not feel left out in the yuletide season. Gifts bags comprising food items, wrappers, pharmaceuticals and house hold items will be provided in addition to them. While grants will be provided for the elderly or sick who are not strong enough to work. This programme is estimated to cost N15, 000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira Only).
We will appreciate in kind or financial support from organizations or individuals to implement and execute these projects and put smiles on the faces of these widows.
Your Support can be made by cheque or transfer in favour of:
Account name: Pat Utomi Widows Support Centre Account number: 0100565729 Bank: Diamond Bank PLC
For your donation and support, kindly contact Frances on 08033261274, [email protected], Anuli on 08166208800,[email protected]