By Emmanuel Ndukuba
A non-denominational organisation, Ruth Sisters’ Fellowship International (RSFI), Nigeria, has called for the empowerment of Nigerian women to stand against all life’s challenges including widowhood.
The Rector, Prof. Ada Menakaya made the call at its 2nd Anniversary and Chapter Inauguration with the Theme: “Ruth-Naomi Widow’s Mara Ripple (Ruth 1:19-21) in Onitsha, Anambra State.
Menakaya, represented by National Coordinator, Nigeria, Evangelist Caroline Enarere, however, encouraged widows, particularly the young ones to empower themselves educationally for productive ventures to better their lives, instead of making themselves vulnerable in society.
She said that the group had kicked off the Widows Entrepreneur Startup Initiative to help some widows annually with small-scale businesses, stressing that 20 vulnerable widows would get
N20,000 each to start up income income-generating business for their family.
“Our mission is rooted in the biblical life story and spiritual journey of Ruth and Naomi.
“The Fellowship is the rebirth of gender character for a generation with a mission to let every woman understand that her being made empty; draws her back to her roots of Royalty in Jesus Christ, where she will be made whole in the actualization of a character for generations to come,” Menakaya said.
She said further that with the growing trend of economic downtrodden and development, gender inequality impeded women’s capacity and potential to be players in their destiny,” Menakaya said.
She added that the inequalities including widowhood challenges, inability to access and control over resources, access to education and information, and equal rights and access to decision-making processes explained what women could do and could not do in a given situation.
“For women to be empowered to move from their inequalities and challenges to faith, sacrifice, and strong will, require supportive resolve to educate and empower self through the help of one another.
“Widowhood concerns are still global issues needing solutions that must be enabled for women’s advancement, and progression, to enable a better environment for women especially less privileged widows across the world.
“Widowhood emotions are thwarted, affecting their gender balancing, emotions, and character, and this requires psychological and emotional therapy that could lead to a better world for the vulnerable and helpless widows,” she said.
A former Minister of Women Affairs, Iyom Josephine Anenih urged the widows not to look miserable because they have lost their husbands, but to comport themselves to live a positive life of emulation.
“Occupy yourselves with productive ventures, don’t be vulnerable to the society, you can do it with strong will and prayers,” the President General of Nkata Ndi Iyom, Nigeria, she said.
Anenih also counselled them on Igbo culture and tradition, adding that teaching of Igbo language to the children has become imperative for the language not to go into extinction.
Mrs Mary Chude, Leader of the newly inaugurated Onitsha chapter assured that she would do her best to move the body forward in the area with prayers and members’ support.
The widows and a widower received rice, gari and onions. There was also the cutting of Sister to Sister Love cake at the event.
The prominent personalities at the event are Rev. Dr Jason Chukwukelu of Achievers’ Gospel Church Intl, Onitsha, Pastor P. O. Amaukwu, Mrs Christy Chukwukelu and Rev. Mrs Kings Afimoni, amongst others offered prayers for the success of the project.
