Chidinma Okolie launches foundation for elderly, widows

Actress and producer, Chidinma Okolie, has launched a Non-Governmental Organisation, the Chidinma Okolie Empowerment Foundation, dedicated to catering for the elderly and widows.

She said the foundation will focus on giving back to her community in Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State.

Okolie, who has featured in several movies including ‘Twins,’ ‘But Not Brothers,’ ‘My Mother’s Head,’ ‘Dirty Princess,’ ‘Sisterhood of Darkness,’ ‘Hammer House of Horror,’ ‘Royal Child,’ ‘Ofunwa the Only Child,’ and ‘Offering of Blood,’ said she decided to use her platform and resources to support the elderly, widows and widowers in her community.

She said: “I have a passion for elderly people, widows and widowers because ageing is a great gift from God and we don’t really celebrate our elderly people.

“Also, doing life alone without your partner is not easy when death takes them away from you. The pressure of raising the kids or even living without that one person you planned your life with is a pain so many people can never understand.”

Okolie said her personal experience shaped her decision, noting that she lost her father at a young age and watched her mother single-handedly raise three daughters.

“I can relate to the widows because I know how difficult it was for my mom to raise her three daughters alone. Today all siblings are doing great, and my mom is aging well. I really appreciate God, and that made me want to reach out to other widows like my mom, which did not exclude the widowers or couples who are blessed to be doing old age together,” she said.

The Chidinma Okolie Empowerment Foundation, she added, will focus on celebrating and supporting the elderly, widows, widowers and aged couples in Amuwo Odofin and beyond.