By Ojo Sola Olusegun
Kaduna
As the world commemorates International Day of Widows, a Kaduna-based non-governmental organisation, Peace Revival and Reconciliation Foundation of Nigeria (PERREFON), has called on philanthropists to unite in defending and supporting widows and orphans by providing them with skills and financial empowerment to ease their pains.
Speaking in a statement signed and made available to journalists in Kaduna, Founder and President of the Foundation, Mr Yohanna Buru, yesterday in Kaduna said widows and orphans have been suffering due to neglect by family members, neighbours, religion bodies, non-governmental organisations and government, hence the need for attitudinal change to salvage their situation as members of the society.
The statement read in part, “These widows and orphans have practically become the responsibility of other members of the society. It is our duty and responsibility to care for them.
“We are urging the family members of these helpless set of people, their neighbours, the church, mosque, philanthropists, NGOs, government and international organisation to help in whatever capacity they can so that they can smile again and contribute more to national development.
“The fight and struggle for the course of widows and orphans must be a collective one and that is why we are calling on all well meaning Nigerians to unite towards defending the helpless widows and orphans who are in dire need of our help.”
