Yuletide: Group distributes food items to widows in Lagos community

The Zeraphath Women Of God’s Plan Mission, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), has distributed food items and fabrics to some widows in Lagos, ahead of the Yuletide celebration.

The President of the organisation, Pastor (Mrs) Ruth Cyprian, made this known during the 2023 Annual Thanksgiving/ Widows Visitation organised by the Mission on Saturday in Lagos. The event has the theme: “Widows of Integrity.”

The programme featured a three-day free skills acquisition training in Izal/Dettol, perfume and beads making as well as other business opportunities and medical outreach.

Cyprian, a Livingway Covenant Church Pastor, said that the widows were selected from different parts of Lagos State including the essence of the event was to celebrate the widows and put smile on their faces.

She said the group had been helping widows and some other indigent members of the society yearly for the past three years.

Cyprian urged the widows and participants of the programme to put into practice all they learnt during the skill acquisition training for additional source of income.

“For today’s programme, we are marking our Annual Thanksgiving/Widow’s Visitation; through which we extend some alms-giving to widows, widowers and the less privileged.

“We will be distributing different food items comprising packs of noddles, rice, garri, snacks and fabrics, among others to a greater number of the widows.

“A medical check for the screening of breast, prostrate, cervical cancer, sugar level and blood pressure is also available for the widows to take advantage of.

“The objective is to celebrate the widows, give them that sense of belonging and put joy on their faces,” Cyprian said.

Cyprian, therefore, called on the government, philanthropists, organisations and faith-based centres to identify genuine NGOs and collaborate with them to extend helping hands to the widows and less privileged in the society.

Speaking, a guest speaker at the event, Pastor Ronke Ojukwu, urged the widows to be consistent in whatever they do, saying that consistency was key to success.

Ojukwu, an Assemblies of God Church pastor, advised the widows to always put their trust in God and desist from wearing ‘sympathetic’ faces.

“All you need do is to be honest and put your trust in God, who will direct your footsteps.

“Even if it is sachet water that God direct you to start selling; do it with faith.

“It is with little drops of water that an ocean is formed; just be consistent in whatever business you do.

“No matter how small it might be, within a short time, it will grow to become a big business outfit,” she advised.

Mrs Roseline Oluwakayode, a nurse, urged people to eat right in order to avoid health issues.

Oluwakayode, a nurse with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, enjoined the widows to base their diets on fruits, vegetables and food from plant sources, and avoid excessive eating of processed meat.

According to her, people should limit the number of their sexual partners to avoid the risk of prostrate cancer and cancer of the cervix, particularly those above 40 years.

“For this programme, we are screening for breast, cervical, prostrate cancer as well sugar level.

“With a balanced diet and the intake of enough water, fruits and vegetables accompanied with regular exercise, the risk of developing cancer can be reduced,” she said.

Mrs Omolara Kuye, a beneficiary, commended the group for recognising the widows in the society through various skills acquisition training.

Kuye, who said she desired that such gesture comes her way from time to time, called on the government, philanthropists and good-spirited Nigerians not to ignore the cries of the widows.