Ebonyi widows drop tears, excited as Mrs Eunice Ukamaka Egwu fetes them

“Many politicians remember the needy and less-privileged only when they want to go into elections but here is an exceptional woman, who has for several years, been silently touching the lives of widows, the less privileged and clerics alike without blowing her trumpet or politicising it.”
That was the verdict of guest clerics at the 2016 Annual Widows Party, organized by Mrs. Eunice Ukamaka Egwu, the wife of former governor of Ebonyi State and Senator, representing Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone, Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu.
Meanwhile, the event attracted several dignitaries from the political, religious and other spheres. The joy of the widows, who thronged the venue of the event from far and near, knew no bounds, as they were treated to a special New Year party. The event was lavish but at the same time, solemn and thought provoking.
Since she bowed out as governor’s wife, Mrs Egwu has been silently lifting gloomy lives of widows resident in all parts of Ebonyi State, with more passion, zeal and dedication than she used to during her husband’s era as governor from 1999 to 2007. It is on record, however, that during that period, Mrs Egwu, through the Widowcare Foundation, which she had been running even before her husband assumed office, had empowered several widows and the needy, including building several houses for homeless widows and training their kids in school. And according to her Special Assistant and Coordinator of Widowcare, Mrs Margret Nworie, the former First Lady still currently funds building projects for homeless widows and still supports their children, adding that she had never stopped such gesture.
However, it is interesting to note that although Mrs Egwu, who is largely believed to be the originator of Widowcare project in Nigeria, has been consistent in touching the lives of widows and their wards in various ways, but she has never politicised her uncommon gestures,
Apart from the annual special party, which is usually laced with various side attractions, such as merriment, praise-worship, dance drama and deliverance, among others, the event also exposes the women to year-round skills acquisition programmes at the skills acquisition wing of the multi-purpose Widowcare Centre, situated in Abakaliki, the state capital. It was also gathered that the women are also supported with some cash, upon graduation, to set up their own businesses.
It was also gathered that the annual Widowcare Party has become so popular in Ebonyi State such that widows and non-widows alike always look forward to the event every January. A random interaction with participants by Daily Sun during the latest edition of the party even revealed that both widows and non-widows from within and outside the state usually made every edition of the programme a date just to partake in the spiritual exercise or show solidarity with the exceptional women as the case may be. The former governor’s wife usually invites different ministers to take care of the spiritual needs of the widows during the annual programmes.
The Special Guest-minister for the 2016 event was Rev. Mrs Victoria Ihekoronye, Spiritual Director of Women Restoration Ministry, aka Women Clinic, Nnewi, Anambra State. She broke down in uncontrollable tears, as she attempted to pray for and bless Mrs Egwu and ended up bathing her with her tears, as she battled to hold back her emotion.
Rev. Ihekoronye explained that she was overwhelmed by the magnitude of Mrs Egwu’s gesture for the widows, her sincere passion, simplicity and humility. According to her, she could not hold back tears after witnessing what the former governor’s wife, who had since left office as First Lady of Ebonyi State, is doing for widows without blowing any trumpet. She urged all well-meaning Nigerians – politicians, their spouses and corporate organisations alike to support the Widowcare Foundation.
Surprisingly, while Ihekoronye was ministering, over 100 widows filed out and declared that they would hold monthly intercessory prayer for Mrs Egwu for God to keep protecting her and elevate her and her family.
Meanwhile, the expansive Shiloh Hall of the Widowcare Centre was filled to capacity. Numbering over 800, the women virtually cut across all tribes in the country – Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba and other communities. Every participant received from Mrs Egwu, various cash and gift items, including cooked food and drinks, rice and condiments, detergents, monetary stipend and a piece of wrapper, among others.
While officially handing over the items to the widows, Mrs Egwu noted that it was her little way of wishing the widows happy New Near and urging them not to lose hope in spite of whatever they may be passing through as a result of the death of their husbands. And in her usual humble style, she told the women not to thank her but that they should rather ascribe all praise to God, who she said was the one that gave her the grace to be able to affect their lives.
“Do not thank me; I have done nothing for you on my own. The grace and special privilege to affect people’s lives belong to God alone. So, be grateful to Him alone. This is my little best; if God gives us more, we shall surely step up what we do for you” She said.
A cross section of the women, who could not hide their gratitude, poured encomiums on Mrs Egwu and prayed God to spare and continue to bless her and her family. Some of them include Patience Eje from Ezamgbo, Philomena Ejah from Ikwo and Patience Agha, who gave vote of thanks on behalf of the widows. Others are leaders of the beneficiaries from the Hausa and Muslim communities in the state, Biliki muhammed from Adamawa State and Anibatu Ganiyu from Osun State, who claimed to have lived in Abakaliki for over 27 years and speaks Igbo fluently.
By CHUKS EZE of the Sun