Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation: Advocating for Widows, Empowering the Vulnerable

L-R Patrick Gomes, CEO , digitXplus; Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, Founder, CBA Foundation and Damilola Hassan , Board of Trustees member, CBA Foundation at the Walk4Hope2024 held in Lagos last week Saturday

In many communities, widows often face neglect, isolation, and a lack of support, their struggles largely overlooked. However, the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande (CBA) Foundation, a non-governmental organization dedicated to uplifting widows and disadvantaged children, has remained a steadfast advocate for these marginalized groups. Since its inception, the Foundation has focused on offering hope, strength, and practical solutions to improve the lives of widows and children in need.

Chinwe Bode-Akinwande, the visionary founder of the Foundation, has long emphasized that the protection of widows is a collective responsibility. Governments, corporate bodies, and individuals must come together to safeguard the rights and well-being of these vulnerable members of society.

For nearly a decade, the CBA Foundation has been working tirelessly to raise awareness about the hardships faced by widows, pushing for change and providing consistent support. The organization has served as a backbone for thousands of underprivileged individuals, providing not only material support but also emotional strength.

The Foundation’s impact extends nationwide, ensuring that the plights of widows are not ignored or swept under the rug. However, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande believes that more institutions with clear structures, backed by government support, are necessary to tackle these challenges on a broader scale.

Widows in desperate need of assistance often turn to established systems for protection, but sadly, many find that help is either insufficient or nonexistent. The CBA Foundation, however, has proven to be different. It operates with transparency and a commitment to solving the issues at hand. When challenges are presented, the Foundation responds with clear strategies and actionable plans, ensuring that every issue is addressed in a structured, meaningful way.

On December 7, 2024, the Foundation organized the “Walk4Hope2024” road walk, bringing attention to the ongoing plight of widows. During the event, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande called on the government to introduce economic reforms that directly address the needs of widows and other vulnerable populations.

Since 2015, the Foundation has touched the lives of thousands, reaffirming its commitment to ending brutality and dehumanization of widows. In her remarks, Bode-Akinwande emphasized, “These widows are dehumanized painfully. Their vulnerability often leaves them mistreated without any recourse. It’s time to speak up, hold authorities accountable, and demand tangible action.”

CBA Foundation’s core mission is to empower widows through partnerships, skill acquisition training, medical outreach, food and clothing distribution, and one-on-one counseling. Additionally, they support the education of widows’ children, many of whom have been forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints. The Foundation helps reinstate these children into school and, where possible, covers their school fees.

“Empowering women through skill acquisition, improving health outcomes, and providing quality education are key pillars of our mandate,” Bode-Akinwande emphasized. “Around 70% of our proceeds are allocated to helping underprivileged widows by supporting their businesses, training them in new skills, offering medical outreach, distributing food, and advocating for their rights.”

The Foundation has made a lasting impact, and its financial transparency remains a point of pride. All funds are audited, and the books are readily available for public review. The CBA Foundation’s consistent outreach has been grounded in its five-point agenda, which has reached thousands of people across Nigeria:

1. Women Empowerment/Capacity Building: 9,866 widows impacted.

2. Health Intervention: 5,585 widows supported through medical outreach.

3. Nutrition: 12,360 widows received food distribution.

4. Quality Basic Education: 169 children reinstated in school.

5. Self-Employment: 292 widows financially empowered through business support.

The CBA Foundation continues to be a beacon of hope for widows, working relentlessly to improve their lives and raise awareness about their struggles. With sustained effort, advocacy, and a focus on sustainable empowerment, Chinwe Bode-Akinwande and her team remain committed to ensuring that widows are no longer overlooked or forgotten.