By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
The Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, Orphans and the Aged, CCWA, has appealed to the Federal Government to partner with the group to deepen support for widows, the aged and orphans across Nigeria.
CCWA’s national coordinator, Alexandra Nathan, made the plea at a press briefing in Abuja as the group prepares for its Annual Convention and Exhibition themed “Embracing the Forgotten.” She said the initiative aims to reach vulnerable households, including those displaced in IDP camps, and to provide platforms for empowerment and solidarity.
CCWA officials said the partnership with government and stakeholders would strengthen the organisation’s capacity to scale up skills training, scholarship awards and other empowerment programmes that help beneficiaries regain dignity and livelihoods.
“Christian Care for Widows, as it was said, it’s a baby to our Mummy, Professor Deborah Ajakaye. Why I say it’s a baby, a mother does not forget her child. She’s always there for her child, whether the child is good or bad.
” Her heartbeat, her dreams, everything has to do with widows and orphans. She started as an individual, helping each other, families that have lost their husbands or their wives. Then it became the Christian Care we have now for widows and orphans, the aged. Her main focus is to bring these people to the limelight, so that people will know that there are people out there that need their support. These people have lost some of their houses, some of their farmlands, and then they are starting afresh.
“As human beings, our bodies, minds, and souls need support and that’s where the seven core activities of CCWA are targeting, to make sure that in that organization, all these three persons in one is supported.
“So these are the things that she has targeted all her resources to. She’s giving back all she has to widows and orphans. Mostly, her donors are relatives and friends, and that is why we are calling on the federal government and other stakeholders to support us in order to make more impact. “
Nathan said security concerns had forced CCWA to suspend national programmes for seven years, though zonal activities continued, providing some relief and training to members.
“But it did not mean we are not doing anything. We still held Zonal annual conventions and exhibitions they were glorious. The women were happy because they knew that there’s a person somewhere in Abuja that cares about them.”
Adeola Bako, a member of the CCWA Team Forum, praised the founder’s hands-on approach and urged more partners to step in as demand for services grows.
“Ajakaye is reaching out to the widows. Reaching out to them financially, spiritually, emotionally. Trying to empower them by teaching them skills. And giving scholarship to their children. In this way, she has wiped tears from their eyes. But one thing I noticed was, you know, with time going on and with the increase in the number of the widows, finance was becoming an issue.
“And that’s why we need more people to partner with us in CCWA. In order to put smiles on the faces of these widows and their children. In order to empower them.”
Organisers said members will bring goods they produced to the Abuja exhibition, urging government officials, private sector actors and the public to patronise the wares as a way to empower beneficiaries.
“It’s a platform for the government to get to know that these people exist. I’d really welcome government officials, well-wishers in the society to come and see what these widows in their situation are still able to produce. And patronize them. By patronizing them, you are empowering them to go back and do more.”
The convention will showcase skills-training outcomes, offer scholarship awards and provide medical checks. CCWA reiterated that its work is faith-inclusive and driven by compassion for vulnerable Nigerians.
