GIFT OKAFOR, Abuja
AS Nigerians grapples under the heavy weight of the federal government’s newly introduced austerity measures occasioned by the fall in oil prices, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Rock of Ages Empowerment Foundation (RAEF) weekend lightened the hopes of not less than 200 widows with the sum of N4million.
Presenting the cash of N20, 000 each to the 200 widows in Abuja, the founder, Evangelist Ignatius Newman Ezeigbo said the organization will continue to alleviate the sufferings of these set women who feel the weight of the nation’s present economic situation the most.
According to him, “The afore mentioned foundation came into being as a result of my passion and overwhelming desire to give succour to widows in different parts of the country.
“I am always highly elated and my heart feels the kind of joy that knows no bounds whenever I am able to create leeway for these widows who are going through various misfortunes, struggling to eke out a living to wriggle out of terrible, pathetic and dehumanising situations and circumstances of life. The foundation is an avenue for giving hope to the hopeless.
“My greatest joy is to always see these women happy, and whenever they are happy, I am fulfilled. For me, it is a rare privilege and delight to put smile on the faces of these precious women whenever I am in a position to do so especially, in this present economic situation of the country”.
Evang. Newman disclosed that from inception till date, over 6,000 widows had benefited from the various skill acquisition programmes of the foundation valued at over N23million beside free medical treatments, food items and other projects initiated by the foundation.
247ureports recalls that, at the last empowerment programme held by the foundation at the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja on the 23rd June this year, about 140 units of sewing machines valued at N25, 000 each were given to 120 widows who had undergone training under the active supervision of the foundation; about 136 widows received the sum of N20, 000 each to start small scale businesses having completed training for the same as well and about 1000 bags of rice were given out.
The founder disclosed that the new empowerment was a continuation of the last June’s programme and assured that many more widows will benefit in the empowerment project in the coming year.
In his words, “Suffice to say that today’s event is a continuation of last June’s empowerment programme.
“Today, the foundation is set to empower about 200 widows who had completed apprenticeship in various skill acquisition projects of the foundation with the sum of N20, 000 each. We have over 2000 bags of rice for them.
“As you can see, many of them are receiving medical treatment, this is to ensure that the widows are in good health especially in this festive season”.
Speaking on the foundation’s new projects, Newman said, “In our commitment to further pursue the visions of this foundation, we are currently working on a project aimed at providing housing units to accommodate some of these widows who either do not have a place of their own or live under dehumanising conditions.
“Secondly, we hope to build skill acquisition and training centres where these women could be trained in various vocations. Thirdly, we are working on a programme aimed at expanding our hitherto existing policy of sponsorship of these widows’ children at primary and secondary school levels.
“As we continue to pray for the widows and our country in general, we are calling on all well-meaning Nigerians to support this noble objective”.
