By Willies Ugo, Gombe
August 24, 2026
Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW-Nigeria) has commenced a five-day skills acquisition and empowerment programme for 18 widows in Gombe State to equip them with skills for economic self-reliance and enable them to support their children.
The training, which began on Monday and will end on Friday, focuses on fashion designing and the use of wet grinding machines for household and livelihood purposes.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Training Officer of CSW-Nigeria, Mrs Alice Nmadu, said the organisation was motivated by concern over the hardship and poor economic conditions faced by widows in various communities.
Nmadu lamented that many widows had been neglected by their communities and were being forced into difficult and vulnerable conditions by the prevailing economic situation.
“We understand that widows have never benefited from CSW interventions, so we thought it wise to come and touch the lives of the widows with what our donors from Canada have arranged for them,” she said.
She explained that the intervention, being implemented in several Northern states, targets widows aged between 20 and 45 who became widows under different difficult circumstances.
According to her, 10 younger beneficiaries would receive sewing machines, tool kits and start-up funds, while eight older beneficiaries who may find it difficult to sit for long periods would receive wet grinding machines, tool kits and financial support.
“When we train them, it will benefit them and their children and then a good impact will be made in the communities as well,” Nmadu said.
She disclosed that CSW-Nigeria had implemented similar programmes in more than 10 states, with Benue, Niger, Katsina and Kaduna among states that had benefited from repeated interventions.
“At CSW-Nigeria, we see this work as a trust entrusted on us which we also have to deliver. We believe we’ll one day stand before God to give account,” she stressed.
