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Emma Sunday
As part of measures to cushion the effects of the current economic hardship faced by Nigerians, the Founder and General Overseer of Christ the Life Bible International Church, CLBIC, Prophet Ezuo Simeon Okenna yesterday empowered over 100 widows with cash in Rivers State.
Prophet Okenna made the cash donations to the widows during a Midweek Miracle Service at the Omuanwa branch of his church popularly known as “The Adoration Ground” in Omuanwa Community, Ikwerre local government area of Rivers State.
Okenna said the gesture which was aimed at relieving the residents of the present hard times in the country, was part of activities set aside to mark his 46th birthday celebration.
The Clergy disclosed that he decided to celebrate his birthday with the widows because he feels the sufferings they go through with their families without their husbands, at a time when the economy of the country is in a very sorry state, thereby increasing cost of living and imposing hardship on the poor masses.
He used the medium to call on the federal and state governments to provide an alternative means of livelihood for the poor masses to reduce the high cost of living.
He also advised the government at all levels to learn from the current economic crisis and food scarcity in the country, and invest heavily in agriculture.
He also encouraged the widows and believers not to allow the current situation in the country or challenges of life pull them down, but they should always believe in God and hold on to Him.
“If not for my members who ambushed me by celebrating me, I decided not to celebrate my birthday this year because the nation is bleeding, the economy is very harsh, and it has imposed so much hardship on the people.
“So, Instead of spending big on my birthday when many out there are looking for assistance and what to eat, I decided to channel that little money I would have used for the birthday to empower these few widows here.
“Other years, we gave them wrapper and cash, but this year, we felt that they need the cash to enable them buy what they want. Despite how little it might be, it will assist them to put food on the table for their family or take care of a need.
“Not all the widows here are our members, and we are not doing this because we have enough, but this is our own little way of assisting our people to cushion the effect of the economic hardship on these widows who are beneficiaries of this programme.
“Honestly speaking, Nigeria is bleeding, our economy has crumbled and this has made cost of living very high. People are really suffering. Most times I wonder, how these widows and orphans are managing to survive this period that even the well to do ones are finding it difficult to feed with their families.
“So, I am calling on both the federal and state governments to put measures in place to reduce the sufferings on the people. The time we are in now explains why our government should declare state of emergency and invest heavily in AGRICULTURE, give out soft loans to indigent citizens who truly deserve it and stop playing politics with the life of the people.”
The Clergy however, urged the church and other religious leaders to rise and pray for the country and the leaders. “I am advising Nigerians, especially Christians to stand up and pray for our leaders and our country, Nigeria. I am also encouraging believers to hold on to their faith. Don’t allow anything move you out of God. We are in the last days, anything can happen any moment from now. REPENT and seek God.”
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with newsmen thanked the cleric for remembering the widows and celebrating them specially on his birthday.
They stated that money given to them by the cleric will not only put food on the table for their families, but that it will also solve some needs for them.
