No fewer than 50 widows were empowered at the 2023 edition of the Widows Support Programme held in Lagos State on Saturday.
The programme was organised by His Heavenly Light Ministries.
The convener and chief host, Reverend Cecelia Onitiri, cautioned against taking advantage of widows.
Onitiri, who lamented cases of organising empowerment programmes to deceive widows, said people who plan to help them should also win their confidence in the process.
She added that the Widows Support Programme was a genuine one that looked after their needs.
She said, “We do genuine programmes and look after the widows. When we started, some of them thought it was a hoax. Even when we were distributing fliers to them, people did not take it. Most of them said the one they were asked to come in the past, they attended and they did not do anything for them. They would only have a big party and it ends there. People need to win the confidence of the widows. I am a widow, we don’t have to take advantage of them. If they understand what you are and what you are doing to support them, they will not doubt you.”
Onitiri also expressed fulfilment in the programme, while noting that it was carried out based on an instruction she received from God.
“I feel very happy that I am doing what the Lord asked me to do, to impact the lives of widows. When you have to do something and you see that people appreciate and are happy about it, you will feel fulfilled.
“We need support. That is why I publicise it. This programme is an expensive programme. We had 100 last year. It is supposed to be 100 or more this year, but we have to 50 with the additional 100 of last year in attendance today.”
The programme featured medical check-ups, medical advice and financial advice on money management. The facilitators also included Doyin Osindero, Mabek Ogbeni, Ekaette Nyang, and Ngozi Obienu.
A partner in the ministry, Pastor Chizoba Nwachucku, while speaking on the feedback from the last programme, said, “A lot of them had great testimonies; they were able to feed themselves, pay their rent and even train their children in school. Those we empowered last year, we asked them to do savings of a thousand naira every month, and whatsoever they have accumulated, we add money to it and return it to them to invest in their business.”
The programme also featured the distribution of cash and clothes to widows.
