Over 125,000 Widows, OIther Vulnerable Groups To Benefit From CCWA Convention

In a bid to rekindle hope, love and faith among the most vulnerable people in the country, the Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, Orphans and Aged, CCWA has called on government at all levels, corporate bodies, individuals to initiate measures aimed at alleviating the plight of the needy in the country.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja ahead of their annual convention,the National Coordinator of the organisation, Mrs Alexandra Nathan while explained the seven core objectives of the group targeted at providing physical, emotional and spiritual support to the beneficiaries.

According to her, their programs are designed to empower the vulnerable, especially widows, orphans, among others, through skill acquisition, training, counselling, and education.

“A person can be supported financially and still be emotionally down,” she said. “We ensure that body, mind, and soul are supported so that healing is complete.”

Mrs. Nathan added that the group continues to organise zonal programs despite the absence of national conventions in recent years, noting that thousands of widows have been trained in skills acquisition across the country.

She stressed that empowering vulnerable women and children would build a safer society.

“The person you don’t help today may become tomorrow’s social problem.”

Earlier on her part, the Chairman planning committee, Tina Ene Yao who explained that this year’s convention would feature medical outreach, skill acquisition, exhibition of products made by widows and Orphans, scholarship awards to deserving students, also appealed for support towards putting smiles in the faces of the needy.

“CCWA has been running solely on individual donations without government or corporate support despite its far-reaching impact.”

She urged ministries, agencies, and private bodies to collaborate with the group to empower widows and orphans across the country.

“These people need to be seen, supported, and celebrated,” she said. “We appeal for government partnership to enable us to continue this humanitarian work.”

Also Speaking, the Chairman of the CCWA Team Forum, Professor Apkezi Ogbuigwe, described the founder of the organisation, Professor Deborah Ajakaiye, as a visionary woman inspired by the biblical passage in James 1:27, which calls for care for widows and orphans. She said CCWA now has more than 125,000 widows in its membership, many of whom are victims of violence and displacement across Nigeria.

According to her, “The work of CCWA is urgent. We want to tell them that they are not forgotten. We are embracing the forgotten and restoring hope to those who have lost everything.”

They all emphasized that with needed collective support and partnersship from Nigerians and relevant authorities,these live changing initiatives would be sustained and continue to impact lives positively as well as build a safer society .

The organization, founded 33 years ago by Professor Deborah Ajakaiye, has touched thousands of lives across the country through skill empowerment, education, healthcare, and emotional support. After a seven-year break caused by insecurity and lack of funds, the 2025 convention themed “Embracing the Forgotten” aims to reunite and celebrate over 125,000 widows and orphans under its care.

They appealed to Nigerians to attend the 2025 CCWA Annual Convention and Exhibition, holding on Saturday, November 15, 2025, by 10 a.m. at the Women Development Centre, Central Area, Abuja. “Come and celebrate them. Come and support them. Come and see that there is still hope for the forgotten,” they urged.

Nkiruka Okeke, Edited By Grace Namiji