US foundation empowers widows in Akwa Ibom

Twenty widows from Akwa Ibom State have received cash grant of N10,000 each as an empowerment drive.

The Ambassadors Foundation, based in Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States of America (USA), gave out the money in partnership with New Vision Ministry in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The President of the foundation, Bishop Ani Jacob, said he was motivated to support the widows when he recalled the challenges his mother went through after she lost her husband.

He stated that the cash grant was meant to cushion the effects of hunger, adding that an empowerment programme to enable the widows start off businesses would soon commence.

Bishop Jacobs who is the General Overseer of Christ Ambassadors Ministry in the US, said the foundation was an extension of the church which had been empowering widows across the continent for over five years.

“Empowering widows is part of my calling. My mother lost her husband when we were very young, she took care of all of us, totalling eight, without any assistance from anybody. I saw how she suffered to take care of us and train me and my siblings to the university.

“It was then that God revealed to me that I have a purpose to take care of widows. We have been doing this for the past five years consistently. My ministry in the United States of America has been supporting widows, but it was not known until now,’’ he explained.

The General Overseer of New Vision Ministry in Akwa Ibom, Evangelist Tiebet Jacob, commended Ambassador Foundation for coming to the aid of the poor widows who survive on the mercy of other people.

He said with the collaboration of his ministry, the empowerment would be extended to the less privileged, adding that a skills acquisition programme was being planned for young people without a means of livelihood.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs Ima Eziekel and Mrs Grace Jona, thanked the organisation for remembering them.