Today we advocate. Tomorrow we win…
Today we advocate, tomorrow we win
I welcome you warmly to the 3rd Edition of BMW-Cares Walk With Widows. It is of a Bola Memorial Watch Initiative organised by Cares Global Network with me as Project Director. Bola Memorial Watch (BMW) is an initiative in honour of Deacon Bola Omoteso, my beloved husband, who loved God and served humanity. He remained devoted to family and friends despite medical challenges. In his honour, I have in partnership with family and friends continued to give back through the BMW which has been established on the principles of Matthew 24:42, we must keep watch, as we do not know the hour. Programmes and Projects we have carried out include: Prayer Service, Colloquium, Exhibition, Advocacy Walk, Cares for Street Children and Cares Clinic. We have also established a loan scheme for aspiring entrepreneurs especially women, given out financial support to widows and medically challenged persons and education grant to the less privileged.
The evil called widow abuse has continued under the present government. My own personal story of fraud, which spans from Nigeria to USA is shared via this link to an interview by Nollywood actress Stella Damasus: youtu.be/4gbBpkrMmag.
Many violations of human rights have seen an increase under the Buhari-Osinbajo led government. Thankfully beginningWednesday and ending on no this auspicious day which is a commemoration of my wedding to Bola Omoteso, is a Special Investigation Panel on and gender based violence by the NationalHuman Rights Commission.
I trust that the panel under the leadership of Barrister Tony Ojukwu would thoroughly investigate cases of widow abuse, raise credible awareness about widow abuse being a key gender-based abuse and to push bills, seek reform of probate laws and help the government to come up with policies and laws to keep the widows in Nigeria safe.
This was my earnest plea to the panel when my case was divinelyorchestrated to be heard first, by this inaugural panel, made up of astute lawyers and others.
Today we advocate, tomorrow we win
In 2019, women are still being locked out of their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, forced into days to months of confinement, raped as part of sexual cleansing, denied right of succession by fraudulent banks aided by in-laws and courts and many other dehumanising rites and rituals yet probate laws are open ended and manipulatable by attorneys and judges who lack integrity.
The boomerang effect especially for those who become orphans after defrauded and abused widows die prematurely is the rise in violence and terrorism. Those hurt and who choose not to find succour in God or wait for the effect of advocacy, turn round to take their pound of flesh from the society. The loss from the effect of abusing widows far outweighs the gains from hijacking their rights.
Today we advocate, tomorrow we win
Today I urge you to yet probate be PRESENT. You are on solution-land surrounded by care and love. Endeavour to stay till the end. Be HERE.
Our clinic would be more of counsel and encouragement. We have a scale, step on it yourself to see your numbers. I won’t be looking, just be sure you can gbe body e when music and dance starts.
Channels TV would be here for those who have stories to share. Be pleasant and plan to share it in a concise way so others can have a chance. If you can’t speak English, speak your native tongue, they will put caption. Widow abuse has suffered the conspiracy of silence the most, hence the more we have the courage to share, the more stories would be aired and solution would be proffered.
FIDA confirmed they would be represented to share how you can get help through the association of women lawyers. We are also trusting that a representative of WARDC would be here to speak on Love and Legality. Barrister Dayo Omotoso who spoke to us at thelast programme is here to give one on one legal counsel. Please spend 5 minutes so he can see more people. Have your question ready.
Dr. Ronke Buraimoh who is a pastor and entrepreneur is here to pray with us and encourage us. So also Mrs. Happiness Umoru who would tell us how to maintain our health with wellness products. Our volunteer executive photographer would speak briefly on BEAUTIFUL YOU. While other volunteers would provide different services including DJ Breeze who will inspire us to dance.
Our delectable Anjy Baby - Mrs. Lanre Anjola Oyebode, presenter and producer wey no get boss, would be here to tell us how to tap the power of the media for advocacy. It does not have to be on widow’s rights but when media jam advocacy, iyanu must sele!
Today we advocate, tomorrow we win
I had an important hearing scheduled for today but I put my feet down that BMW-Cares Walk With Widows is more important than sharing my own story. It is a bigger vision than me. I prayed about it and God moved...
I share from the exemplary wisdom of my husband’s friends we has become on this journey my honorary consultant: The story of widow abuse is not a story about one man now deceased; this is not a story about winning judgement against abusers or defrauders.This is a story about a million widows. That is why focus should always be on the main character in the story - the million widows, a fraction of whom we have here today.
Dear Friends, it appears like a long way to go but we will get thereif we faint not. It was only few years ago that the law was changed so that wives in Nigeria no longer had to present their husband’s permission at the airport, before they travelled out of Nigeria. Buton November 20, established by United Nations as the Universal Day of Children, so much was achieved by NHRC Special Investigation Panel on Sexual and Gender Based Violence, the significance of which most people would not appreciate today, but will come to appreciate tomorrow.
I want to leave you with three important Scriptures. Jesus had much compassion for widows so much so that we are mentioned several times in the Bible as women to care for and respect. If you recently lost your husband, your heart may still be bereaved or in rare casesrelieved. I empathise with you. God understands too and provides encouragement in the Bible.
Psalm 68:5
This verse says God is a “defender of widows in His holy habitation.” In other words, from heaven, the holiest place in the universe, God looks down and takes note of widows. He defends widows as a matter priority. This verse and others show God’sgenuine view of widows. If you feel forgotten, too dependent on others, or singled out for suffering, cling to God’s Word.
Psalm 34:18
This Psalm assures us that God is close to those “crushed in spirit.” “Crushed” is the perfect word to describe losing a beloved spouse. You have lost a life mate. In using such a strong word, God communicates His compassion and understanding. He also promises to remain close during this time and build up your heart again.
John 14:18
Jesus said this when His disciples were afraid of being left alone after His death. He promised not to leave them “comfortless” and says, “I will come to you.” Jesus does not leave you comfortlessdespite your partner vacating this world. Though you can’t see Him, He is always there to comfort and hold you.
In Conclusion…
As we get into the swing of the colloquium and other activities, I implore you to drop the dark cloak of grief and put on the garment of praise. You may have been crushed but you are not defeated. You are a HERO who would know the joy of winning and help others do the same. You slept on your husband’s chest and now carry his wisdom and yours. Today, determine to share that wisdom beyond local to help women arrive at a day when the narrative would change from poor widow to winning widow. I pray that the Lord continues to watch over you, nurture you, strengthen you, and lead you in His ways.
I warmly welcome all winning widows here present, distinguished guests and participants to the Widow’s Wisdom.
Today we advocate, tomorrow we win
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