The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District in Nigeria, Senator Sarafadeen  Alli has called for the empowerment of widows in the country.
The lawmaker, who was the chairman of the first anniversary and widow empowerment ceremony, said there is a need for widow’s empowerment across the country for a better socio-economic balance.
The programme was held, on Sunday, at the Ibadan Recreation Club, Ibadan.
The event, which featured raffle draw session, widow empowerment and birthday ceremony, drew dignitaries from home and overseas, with plenty of gifts won, including a sum of one million Naira.
The lawmaker, who noted the importance of International Widow’s Day, said any society that refuses to empower its widows is failing the laid prescribing of the United Nations, saying ,”empowering widows to support themselves and their families also means addressing social stigmas that create exclusion, and discriminatory or harmful practices. When national laws exist to protect the rights of widows, weaknesses in the judicial systems of many states compromise how widows’ rights are defended in practice and should be addressed”.
 Alli lauded the initiative of Prince FM’s Chairman, Dr. Babatunde Balogun for protecting and empowering widows, despite the economic challenges across the world.
 “Lack of awareness and discrimination by judicial officials can cause widows to avoid turning to the justice system to seek reparation”, he said.
While supporting Prince FM with a sum of 250,000 for the widow’s empowerment programme, the senator promised to make legislation in promotion of the vulnerable, Â including the widows, orphans, and special persons in Nigeria.
In their separate contributions, the Maye Olubadan of Ibadan land, High Chief Lekan Alabi, lauded the initiative, calling on  other media personalities to use the platform for needed awareness as the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, from birthing the first  television station in 1959.
 The General Manager of Fresh FM Nigeria, Alhaji Abolade Salami; Alhaji Olalomi Amole, a former dean, Faculty of Law, Lead City University, Professor Olu Ojedokun;  Gboyega Lawal, Kola Olootu, commended the initiative.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government to further strengthen its humanitarian ministries to empower the vulnerable that constitute 60 per cent of the nation’s population.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of Prince FM, Balogun appreciated his staff for maintaining professionalism at all times.
He noted that he was divinely empowered to assist the less privileged, especially the widows.
One of the prize winners at the event, Mrs. Florence Tinuade Ayodele, who sells Zobo expressed her delight for the emerging one million naira winner.
The beneficiary said  she had been a mockery to her family, since the death of her husband, saying  she is into mini-zobo drink business to fend for her children.
” I believe God has only come to rescue me out of poverty. Parenting alone is a tiring task. I bought social clothes as many are attached to raffle draws, believing someday, I will be a lucky winner. In fact, the five yard fabric, which fortunately gave me fortune, I borrowed the money for its purchase. Here I am today, I can increase my business scope”, she said.
The event had in media personalities, including Alhaji Gboyega Lawal, Komolafe Olaiya, Dr. Bade Ojuade, Akinboade Ologbojo, Comrade Feranmi Babalola,Pastor Kehinde Aberuagba, Samuel Gbesabi of FreshFM, Chief Executive Officers of Unique Fertility, Bode Foam, Omo Ola Travels, various market leaders, among others.