A faith-based organisation, the Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, Aged and Orphans, CCWA, has urged Nigerians to increase support for widows, widowers, the aged, and orphans.
Speaking during its 33rd anniversary and 2025 National Convention and Exhibition themed “Embracing the Forggoten in God’s Love” in Abuja, President and Founder of CCWA, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, who was represented by Prof. Akpezi Ogbuigwe, Chairman of the CCWA Team Forum, said vulnerable Nigerians need sustained social, economic, and emotional support to live meaningful and independent lives.
The event, she explained, aims to “remember departed members and symbolize enlightenment across Nigeria in peace, inclusion, dignity, and justice for widows and orphans.”
She appealed to Nigerians to support vulnerable groups through sponsorship and adoption programmes.
“Today’s programme is yet another opportunity to bring much-needed relief by adopting or sponsoring a widow, the aged, or an orphan,” she said.
CCWA in its 33 years has over 678 centres across Nigeria, catering to more than 125,000 beneficiaries.
Also speaking, Chairman of the Convention and Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, Engr. Obadiah Simon, commended CCWA for its longstanding commitment to supporting vulnerable Nigerians.
He said the gathering highlighted the need for collective responsibility in caring for widows, widowers, the aged, and orphans.
“Whether you like it or not, all of us fall into one of these groups at different stages of life. You may become aged, you may lose a spouse, or you may even face more than one of these circumstances,” he said.
Simon praised CCWA’s founder for sustaining the initiative over three decades. “It is important to appreciate the president and founder of CCWA for having this initiative and sustaining it till this time. It is a blessing to everyone, as you can see from the number of people who travel from across the country to attend,” he said.
“It is left for philanthropists and NGOs to put in their best. After all, they are also Nigerians. In every family, there are widows, widowers or orphans.
“Those in high offices are not exempt,” he said, urging Nigerians to mobilise more support for CCWA’s work. “The least we can do is give our support and bring in our friends to support this organisation,” he added.
On her part, CCWA’s National Coordinator, Alexandra Nathan, emphasised that the convention remained focused on supporting widows, orphans, the aged, and widowers.
“These people need us more than we know. If you don’t help a person or train them to be responsible, it is the society that will bear the consequences,” she said, calling on individuals, political leaders, and institutions to support CCWA’s work."
Member and Benficiary of CCWA, from Pambegua District, Kubau Local Government of Kaduna state, Mrs. Charity B. Damena expressed gratitude for the support she and her community have received from the CCWA.
She explained that while she was not initially able to participate fully, joining the association allowed her to mobilize and encourage other widows, bringing them closer to God and the CCWA support network.
She noted that the recognition and acceptance her district gained through the association strengthened her faith and helped her cope with personal losses, including the deaths of her mother and young daughter.
Overall, she said her district has benefited significantly from CCWA’s programs and initiatives over the years.