September 02, (THEWILL) – The founder of Jedidiah Divine Home Of Love (JEDLOF), a Non-Governmental Organisation, Dr. (Mrs) Ebele Okoye, says the organisation has empowered over 1,000 widows across the country with cash and business starter packs in the last two years.
Dr. Okoye, who made this known at the August widows outreach themed: “Empowerment of Widows”, at the Police College, Ikeja, lamented the harsh economic situation in the country as it affects widows.
According to the JEDLOF founder, as a result of the current economic situation in the country, the NGO was only able to empower 70 widows in its August widows outreach with cash as against the normal business starter packs.
“It has been so terrible. We were supposed to do skills acquisition but because of the system, I said let’s give them money. I know it’s going to be tougher for them because men and women who are members of the family, it has been very difficult for them,” she said.
She urged the widows to trust in God with determination, saying He would send helpers to them. She also cited her case as a widow for 24 years.
Dr. Okoye called on well-meaning Nigerians to rise to the occasion and support the NGO, urging them to remember that they are people who need help in society.
Various widows who testified at the ceremony recalled how Dr. Okoye has transformed their lives through various means of empowerment.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Afolayan Taiwo, said she has remained a widow for the past ten years, finding it difficult to make ends meet.
According to her, her shop was virtually empty while the school fees of her children were unpaid but JEDLOF came to her aid.
The empowerment featured gospel ministration, prayers, words of advice to widows and testimonies. The next empowerment programme will be held in Enugu State in December 2024.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
