The challenges faced by widows in Nigeria, including rejection, poverty, mental health issues, and abuse, have been a growing concern.
In response to this pressing issue, Mrs. Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, a Lagos-based banker and philanthropist, founded the CBA Foundation in 2015.
This non-governmental organization has been dedicated to orchestrating multifaceted interventions to assist widows across Nigeria through impactful and life-enriching programs.
Nigeria is home to an estimated 25 million widows, each facing varying degrees of hardship influenced by cultural, regional, and economic factors. Harmful traditional widowhood practices have garnered global attention, with widows experiencing financial, psychological, sexual, and social challenges.
The CBA Foundation, through its visionary approach, has consistently devoted personnel and resources to address the protection and welfare of widows and their vulnerable children in Nigeria.
Significantly, the foundation aligns with five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on driving sustainable businesses, promoting education, empowering people, supporting communities, and sustaining the environment.
Mrs. Chinwe Bode-Akinwande draws motivation from Poverty in Rising Africa, a 2016 World Bank Group Publication, which highlights the dire status of widows in Nigeria linked to inheritance practices and cultural attitudes.
A survey conducted by the foundation in September 2023 revealed that violence and inheritance were the most common issues faced by widows.
In 2023, the CBA Foundation conducted impactful engagements with widows through various programs. In December alone, the foundation’s efforts reached at least 430 underprivileged widows across three states: Lagos, Ogun, and Anambra.
Key Programs and Initiatives in 2023:
- Walk4Hope Event:
- The 8th edition of the annual Walk4Hope charity walk took place in Lagos on November 11, 2023. The event aimed to raise awareness and funds for underprivileged widows.
- Seven participants were financially empowered with a total donation of N700,000 to start their businesses in various sectors.
- Hope Stores:
- The foundation launched the Hope Stores initiative, a shop selling items such as hope bracelets, hope-inspired T-shirts, art crafts, and adire clothing. The initiative promotes the talents of widows, creating a value chain for long-term sustainability.
- Free Medical Outreach and Food Distribution:
- End-of-year outreach events in Lagos, Ogun, and Anambra combined free medical check-ups with food distribution.
- Nurses conducted medical check-ups, widows received necessary medications, and food items such as rice, spaghetti, groundnut oil, seasoning cubes, snacks, and drinks were distributed.
- The outreach reached a total of 430 underprivileged participants.
- Empowerment:
- Participants were encouraged to be resilient and resourceful, viewing widowhood as a new chapter in their lives. Mrs. Bode-Akinwande emphasized the importance of skillfulness, positivity, and prayerfulness.
Reflecting on the impact of donors’ support, Mrs. Chinwe Bode-Akinwande highlighted the foundation’s significant progress in supporting widows and empowering them through various initiatives.
“So far, the foundation has reached out to over 9,641 participants through women empowerment and capacity building programs, provided health interventions to over 5,585 underprivileged widows, distributed food items to over 11,790 widows, reinstated 162 children in school for quality basic education, and financially empowered 252 widows to start their own businesses,” she noted.
The foundation’s podcast, “Hope For The Widow,” recorded 24,573 downloads, further spreading awareness and support.
The CBA Foundation’s relentless commitment in 2023 reinforces its dedication to supporting and empowering widows and other less privileged individuals across Nigeria.
Through diverse initiatives, the foundation has breathed new life into widows often forgotten by society, providing hope and a pathway to a brighter future.
