CAN chairman harps on charity as NGO gives succour to 150 widows, indigents in Ebonyi

A faith based, non-governmental organization, Universal Outreach for Women Empowerment Initiative, (UNOWEMI), has given succour to over 150 widow’s and indigents to spice up their Christmas celebration.

 

The NGO is the charity arm of Universal Christ Ministry of All Nations, a Church founded by the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State.

 

Speaking to newsmen during the event on Saturday in Abakaliki, the CAN Chairman, Rev. Scamb Chinedum Nwokolo charged politicians and other well placed individuals and groups in society to always extend love and sacrifices to the less privileged around them as a means of adding value to their Christmas celebration.

 

Nwokolo said: “My message to politicians out there and all of us, including those of us at the pulpit, the traders and business moguls is that this is the time to show love to other persons beside you who you are better than.

 

“We are expected to sacrifice for others as a means of encouraging them, no matter how small. Such will definitely make an impact in their lives.”

 

The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Evangelist Abigail Eze-Iheukwumere said the Organisation was a product of divine inspiration aimed at giving hope to the downtrodden.

 

She explained that the NGO with support from partners has built houses and paid house rents for widows and vulnerable people as well as nurtured women entrepreneurs through free skills acquisition trainings.

 

Eze-Iheukwumere, Manager Programmes at the Nigeria Television Authority, Abakaliki, noted that the annual widow’s party of the organisation was a way of showing them a sense of belonging during the yuletide.

 

She said: “Today’s event is the reenactment of the covenant we have with God, that at the end of every year, we shall call widows and the indigents and empower them, put smiles in their faces and make them feel belonged in the society.

 

“This is part of the thematic areas of our NGO which is in line with the Biblical injunction to care for the widows and orphans.”

 

The CEO who said her target is to reach more than a million widows with the charity and empowerment in the next 5 years, stated that the event was mainly financed from personal savings and donations from partners.

 

He commended Nwokolo who is the Chairman of the NGO for his invaluable support to the Organisation.

 

In a sermon at the event, the guest preacher and the Abakaliki Synod Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Right Rev. Chidi Igwe, cautioned christians against maltreatment of widows, the orphans and the indigents in society, stressing that such actions attract the wrath of God.

 

He admonished widow’s to anchor their faith in God, live a peaceful and chaste life, assuring that God will always fight for them in all circumstances.

 

One of the key partners and CAN Chairman’s daughter, Mrs Miracle Nwankwo, in an interview, appreciated God who provided for them the means to reach out to others in the spirit of the season.

 

She requested for prayers for the NGO to fully attains its lofty dreams and goals.

 

Some of the beneficiaries, including Mrs Blessing Ofobuike, Ngozi Nweke and Ijeoma Nweze applauded the activities of the NGO, stating that the annual event has always restored their hope and elevated their status.

 

The over 150 widows and indigents received gifts of food item, clothing and cash valued at over N1 million during the event.