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By Ade Aderemi
It was the end of the year party for the organisation, and it also coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Goldcrest Family Centre (GCFC).The Lagos- based non governmental organisation (NGO) also used the occasion to celebrate with over 2000 widows in the state.
•Some of the women at the event
The widows came from different locations in Lagos. They stormed the venue in their numbers from places like Alapere, Agboyi, Ketu, Fola Agoro, Ikorodu Central, Somolu, Owode, Apapa Zone 1 and 2, Agric, Ikeja, Odongunyan and Mile 2, among others.
At the end of the party, each of the widows went home with various gifts items including 25kg bag of rice, clothes, detergents, groundnut oil, noodles and cash gifts.
Speaking on the event, President of Goldcrest Family Centre, Reverend Agatha Chukwura said the event was like the annual end of the year programme for the widows, adding that she was happy that God has been very faithful to the widows through the organisation.
She stated further that though the economy of the country was biting hard on Nigerians, God has never forsaken the widows at this trying period.
“God has a way of fulfilling the dream of the anointed. I feel happy that for the past 20 years, we have been touching the lives of the people- both the widows, the less privileged people as well as the orphans.
“In the last two decades, we have taken care of well over 20,0000 students in the primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Many of the students are doing well in their respective disciplines.
“Today’s event is not an exception. We have made proper provision for the widows in ensuring that all of them have enough food for the festive season. We thank God for the lives of our sponsors and all those that have been supporting us.
“People spend their hard-earned money to make the widows happy. God in His infinite mercy takes care of our spiritual and physical growth and what it means is that God has shown us mercy in order for us to fulfill His purposes for the widows.”
Chairman Board of Directors of Goldcrest Family Centre, Reverend Femi Paul of the Grace Assembly said there is need to cater to the needs of the widows, adding that the number of widows was growing by the day.
The man of God said the Nigerian society places high burden on men as the breadwinners of the family and such high burden stresses the men and reduces their life span.
He appealed to the government to create an enabling environment for men for them to reduce the stress and the burden of taking care of the family.
“God is the husband of the widows and I am using this opportunity to tell them that next year will be better than this year. We will do our best to ensure that the widows under the care of Goldcrest Family Centre are taken care of at all times”.
Meanwhile, Mrs Ebundola Fadeni said the Goldcrest Family Centre was doing wonders with the widows project, adding that was very important to support the worthy ideals of the organisation. She advised the widows to trust in God and be good ambassadors of the organisation.
“We are happy that God has used the President of Goldcrest Family Centre for this worthy cause. The testimonies of the widows are enough motivation for us to work more and see what we can do to alleviate their sufferings as the less privileged people in our society. It is my prayers that God will continue to grant Mummy Chukwura long life and sound health that she needs to fulfill this purpose”, she prayed.
One of the widows, Mrs Elizabeth Oduola also expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Goldcrest Family Centre for the support she had been getting since she joined the non governmental organisation about two years ago.
“It was Goldcrest Family Centre that God used to wipe away my tears. Today, I have a house of my own and a thriving business that can cater for my needs.This was made possible through Goldcrest Family Centre”, she said.
Dr.Olatunji, who stood in for Mr Paul Jegede,as one of the guests at the programme said the Federal and State governments should consider the plights of the widows. He added that the widows are the forgotten members of the society, saying what the management of Goldcrest Family Centre was doing was spiritual. He said it would be better for the society if the state and federal governments could support the worthy initiative.
“God is always happy with whoever that supports widows with the little widow’s mite”.
The event ended with songs of praise, even as the widows had enough time to enjoy themselves and mingle with one another. Many of them were excited as they all went home with sundry gifts items and cash gifts.
