The Social Ministries Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, NBC, has organized its annual Christmas celebration for Widows and Widowers in the Northern Zone.
Speaking during the occasion which took place at First Baptist Church, Garki Abuja, the Director, Social Ministries Department of the Convention, Rev. Dr Elizabeth Iyabo Aderounmu said the annual event was to put smiles on the faces of Widows and Widowers and give them a sense of belonging during the Christmas celebration.
Dr. Aderounmu who expressed concern over the plights of windows due to the current inflation caused by fuel subsidy removal appealed to President Bola Tinubu to as a matter of urgency intervene in their sufferings as some of them could no longer afford their three days square meal, pay their children school fees and meet their daily needs. She said the Convention through the Department has empiwered about fifty widows through skills and Vocational training and cash for businesses.
While advising windows not to give up and continue to put their hope in God, Dr Aderounmu said the Convention would continue to embark on programmes aimed at empowering widows and make them self reliant in their endeavours. According to her, similar Christmas celebration programme has been organized for Widows and Widowers in the Eastern and Western part of the country with a view to propagate the gospel of love and giving during the yuletide season. In a remark, the Host and Director, Social Ministries Department, FCT Baptist Conference, Mrs Naomi Olapetan Adelabu said apart from empowering the Widows during the Annual Christmas celebration free medical services were also offered to them towards improving their well being. Mrs Naomi Adelabu who wished the widows a happy Christmas celebration advised them to shun acts detrimental to the celebration.
According to her, Christmas celebration without the celebrant which is Jesus Christ in their lives is a worthless celebration hence the need for them to always live their lives in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ. In a sermon, the Minister of Teenager and Counselling, First Baptist Church, Garki Abuja, Reverend Taiwo Osho who encourages the Widows from the book of Isaiah chapter 9 admonished them to be steadfast in faith and prayers towards overcoming their challenges. Reverend Osho also enjoined them to always focus on God and not put their hope in man to ensure a better and Godly living.
He stressed the need for them to embrace skills and Vocational as well as always engage in positive ventures towards becoming self reliant. Some of the Widows who appreciated the Social Ministries Department of the Nigerian Baptist Convention for the Annual Christmas celebration for them emphasized the need for wealthy individual to be committed to the yearnings and aspirations of the less privileged in the society.
Highlights of this year’s celebration were symposium, testimony, cash for empowerment for selected Widows and prayers of thanksgiving for the church of God and Nigeria.
