NGO donates foodstuffs, health insurance to 40 journalists’ widows

One of the widows Photo: Favour Abalaka

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About 40 widows of late Nigerian journalists and human rights activists received food items, cash tokens and renewed health insurance cards at the 15th Annual End-of-Year Empowerment Programme organised by the Richard Akinnola Foundation in Lagos on Friday.

The widows, drawn from across the country, gathered for what many described as a lifeline event, sharing emotional accounts of how the foundation has supported them since the deaths of their spouses.

Founder of the foundation and veteran journalist, Richard Akinnola, told PUNCH Metro that the initiative was borne out of the difficult realities widows face after losing husbands who died on the job.

“Journalism and activism go hand in hand. These are two areas of work that are both demanding and hazardous.

“Once someone dies, there is a momentary effusion of commiseration. After the burial, the widows are left high and dry.

“In many cases, the late husband’s family takes everything and some widows are subjected to archaic traditional practices,” he said.

Akinnola explained that the foundation quietly handles school fees, rent, medical emergencies and health insurance for the widows throughout the year.

“We have to put them on health insurance, which we renew annually.

“Today, we asked for their experiences in hospitals so I can give feedback to the insurance company,” he noted.

One beneficiary, Roselyne Aladelu, who lost her journalist husband 15 years ago, recounted how Akinnola stepped in during a health crisis earlier this year.

“This foundation did not allow me to die. I was so sick I couldn’t take myself to the hospital. I sent a message to Daddy Richard, and he immediately sent money. Without him, I don’t know if I would be alive today,” Aladelu said.

Another widow, Toyin Amadi, the widow of late journalist Bona Amadi, described Akinnola as “a great father who has kept his integrity from the very first day,” adding that the programme helped her regain her footing after her husband’s death.

Akinnola admitted that sustaining the initiative has required personal sacrifice, with no support from media houses and only occasional contributions from friends.

“Once I get to September, October every year, I begin to think of this programme to put some money down,” he said.

He announced plans for a larger 16th anniversary in April 2026, which will include skills training in snail farming, agriculture and bakery to further promote financial independence among the widows.

Akinnola also issued a strong warning to serving journalists to prioritise their health.

“Many of them don’t bother; they’re too busy chasing deadlines. Once they drop dead they leave their families and the burden is left on the foundation and other people. We don’t need more widows,” he said.

The event ended with prayers, songs of gratitude and appeals for a wider partnership to help the foundation reach more bereaved families nationwide.

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