By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
No fewer than 250 Christian widows in the Jigawa South-West Senatorial District have received food items following a yuletide intervention by a Jigawa-based philanthropist, Hajiya (Dr) Halima Sulaiman Zakari.
The beneficiaries, drawn from the Widows Women Wing Association of Nigeria (WIWAN) under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jigawa State chapter, received 10 kilograms of rice each, alongside a bull donated to support the Christmas celebration.
The distribution covered widows from the seven local government areas that make up the Dutse Emirate.
Speaking at the event on behalf of the donor, Mr. Umar Baffa Kiyawa said the gesture was motivated by compassion and the need to ease the burden faced by widows during the festive period.
“She would have preferred to be here in person, but due to unavoidable circumstances, she delegated me,” Kiyawa said.
“This support is meant to bring joy to our sisters and make the Christmas celebration more meaningful for them.”
He added that the bull was donated through the Jigawa State chapter of CAN to complement the rice distribution.
According to him, Dr. Zakari remains passionate about the welfare of women, particularly widows who have lost critical sources of emotional and financial support.
“She sends her goodwill and Christmas wishes to all beneficiaries,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the widows, the Deputy Chairperson of WIWAN in Jigawa State, Mrs. Happiness Florence, described the intervention as timely and impactful.
“Some of the widows did not have food to prepare for Christmas,” she said. “This gesture has restored hope and brought relief to many families.”
She expressed gratitude to the donor and appealed to the Jigawa State Government and the Federal Government to continue supporting women-led humanitarian initiatives, especially those aligned with the policy on increased women participation in leadership and governance.
