First Lady

  IBADAN – Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde, has said that the International Widows’ Day is not just a day to celebrate widows but a day to celebrate their courage. Mrs. Makinde disclosed this on Monday while hosting widows across the 33 local government areas of the state in her office, Agodi, Ibadan. The program was held to commemorate the 2025 International Widows’ Day. The event, which featured the distribution of food items, cash relief to thousands of widows as a gesture of love, compassion, and empowerment, had in attendance dignitaries from all works of life including wives of the Chairmen of the local governments, artisans, leaders of the market women, among others. At the event, Mrs. Makinde, who was represented by Hon. (Mrs) Bisi Oluranti Michael, member of the Oyo State House of Assembly representing Ogbomoso North Constituency, appreciated the wife of the governor, emphasized the need to appreciate the strength of widows and to reaffirm government’s commitment to supporting them. “Today is not just a remembrance of loss,” she said, “but a celebration of courage. “Widows face not only the pain of losing their partners but also the risk of losing their dignity and social standing. As mothers, caretakers, and pillars of their homes, your courage is inspiring, and your pain is acknowledged. This day belongs to you.” Diya Ogunjimi, who represented the Oyo State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Hon. (Mrs.) Toyin Balogun, urged the women to remain strong in the face of adversity. “We honour the memory of your loved ones and acknowledge your resilience. You are not alone, and we hope today brings renewed strength and encouragement,” she said. Also speaking, Mrs. Abiola Sanda, wife of the ALGON (Association of Local Governments of Nigeria) Chairman in Oyo State, who called on society to end all forms of stigmatization against widows. “If you cannot help a widow, at least do not stigmatize her,” she said. “Widows deserve dignity, not pity or suspicion.” Emotional testimonies were shared by beneficiaries like Mrs Tawakalitu Adam, who stated: “It is not easy to raise children and carry the cross alone, but gestures like this give us strength to carry on, we appreciate the wife of the giv for remembering us with material support” Also Mrs Motunrayo Salam, who encouraged fellow widows to stay hopeful: “It’s very painful to be a widow but with the help of God, we can carry on. So we appreciate our mother for gifting us on a day like this and also encouraging us with food items and cash support.” Dignitaries present at the event included several wives of local government chairmen from across the state, such as Mrs. Khadijah Salam (Oyo West), Mrs. Aisha Adeleke (Atiba), Mrs. Victoria Adegbite (Surulere), and Mrs. Olusola Adebimpe (Ibarapa East), among others. International Widows’ Day, marked annually on June 23, is observed to raise awareness about the struggles faced by widows globally and to advocate for their rights, protection, and inclusion.