The General Overseer of Christ for the World Mission Incorporated, Rev. Dr. Nicholas Ogbonaya Eze, has celebrated his 79th birthday anniversary with widows in Cross River State.
The event took place recently at the multipurpose hall of the State Ministry of Women Affairs in Calabar.
Addressing the widows, Rev. Dr. Eze disclosed that his passion for widows stemmed from personal life experiences. He recounted losing his father at about the age of 16 and being raised single-handedly by his mother alongside his siblings.
He narrated a poignant incident where his mother was nearly beaten by his uncle over a bunch of plantain she had harvested at the back of her house.
"From that moment, I made a personal commitment to my God that as long as He blesses me and keeps me alive, I will always identify with widows because they are going through a lot in their respective homes," Rev. Dr. Eze stated.
He noted that he has kept this commitment for over two decades.
The cleric admonished the widows to always put their trust in God, whom he described as the husband of the widow and father of the fatherless, for the supply of their daily needs. He thereafter prayed extensively for them.
Responding on behalf of the widows, the Cross River State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Dean of all Commissioners for Women Affairs in Nigeria, Hon. Edema Irom, commended Rev. Dr. Eze for the robust collaboration her ministry has enjoyed with him over the years. She also appreciated his kind gesture toward widows in the state.
Hon. Irom pointed out that issues surrounding Gender-Based Violence (GBV) should be incorporated into church teachings and messages, noting that GBV exists within churches and ranges from sexual and physical abuse to harmful cultural practices.
She specifically cited harmful widowhood rites where widows are forced to drink the bathwater of their late husband's corpse to prove their innocence regarding his death.
The Commissioner called on all relevant stakeholders—religious and traditional leaders, civil society organisations, government agencies, and the general public—to rise up against GBV to ensure a more inclusive, equitable, just, and violence-free society.
In a vote of thanks, President of the Cross River Widows Association, Mrs. Uduak Spenser Efem, appreciated Rev. Dr. Eze for his kindness and prayed for God's blessings upon him, his family, and his ministry.
"As he continues to remember the widows, God will also remember him," she added.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of bags of rice, beans, and cash donations to enable the widows to procure condiments for their meals.
The celebration also featured a novelty football match and a thanksgiving service at Christ for the World Church Headquarters on Abasi Obori Street, Calabar.
Other dignitaries at the event included Her Excellency, Pastor Mrs. Florence Archibong, wife of a former Military Governor of Cross River State; former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev. Mrs. Grace Ekanem; Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Women Affairs, Dr. Mrs. Rita A. I. Eteng; ministers of the gospel from within and outside Nigeria; and management staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs, among others.
By Rekpene Uket
