Foundation Empowers 100 Widows, Children In Lokoja

No fewer than 50 widows and 50 children in Lokoja have benefitted from the empowerment of Veronika Bakoz Charity Foundation.

The foundation brought smiles to their faces through a comprehensive skills acquisition and empowerment programme held at Nyamayama, along Ganaja Village in the Kogi State capital.

The outreach, which combined humanitarian aid with vocational empowerment, saw the children receive essential items such as shoes, mats, clothes, exercise books, biros, and food items including snacks and indomie noodles. The widows were also supported with raw food items like rice, beans, and garri, in addition to undergoing practical training sessions in soap making, insecticide production, baking, vaseline production, and confectioneries — all aimed at helping them become self-reliant and economically stable.

Speaking with newsmen, the founder of the Foundation, Mrs. Veronica Bako, explained that the initiative was inspired by her deep passion for supporting the less privileged and giving hope to those in need.

“For 30 years now, I lost my husband. I have been a widow, and I know exactly the pain widows are passing through,” she said. “But I have learnt that it is not until you have everything at your disposal before you give out. The little act of kindness and support given means a lot to them.”

She encouraged the beneficiaries to take the skills acquisition training seriously so that they could become self-reliant, provide for their families, and even become employers of labour in the future.

Mrs. Bako further appealed to well-meaning individuals and organizations to cultivate the spirit of generosity towards the needy, noting that acts of kindness attract divine blessings and contribute significantly to community development.

“Giving should come from the heart. You don’t have to wait until you have too much before you help others. Every act of kindness is noticed by God and comes with a reward,” she emphasized.

Overwhelmed with gratitude, the widows and children poured out heartfelt prayers for Mrs. Bako, thanking her for her compassion and selflessness. They described her as “a mother to the helpless” and prayed for God to bless and increase her in all her endeavors.

The Veronika Bakoz Charity Foundation, which operates across five thematic areas — Skills and Vocational Training, Small Business Support, Humanitarian Outreach, Girl Child Development, and Advocacy and Awareness — continues to demonstrate its commitment to uplifting vulnerable groups. The Foundation also welcomes partnerships and collaborations to expand its reach and impact more lives across Nigeria.