For the widows of Ndieze-Echi Autonomous Community in Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, the calendar does not just mark seasons by rain and harvest. It also marks a familiar moment of reassurance—a moment when grief softens into gratitude, when empty kitchens receive food, and when loneliness is replaced, even briefly, by laughter and prayer.
That moment has come faithfully for over two decades, carried by one man and his wife: Engr. and Mrs. Stanley Nwoga.
Since 2003, long before charity became fashionable or photographed for applause, Engr. Stanley Nwoga quietly chose to walk with widows who had lost not just husbands, but security, voice, and often their place in society.
Year after year, without interruption, he has returned to Ndieze-Echi not as a politician seeking votes or a benefactor seeking praise, but as a son of the soil who believes that compassion must be lived, not preached.
This year’s edition of the Stanley Nwoga Charity Programme once again unfolded at Mkpuma-Ekwoku Village in Ndieze-Echi, drawing widows from across the autonomous community and beyond.
Many arrived early, wrappers neatly tied, walking sticks in hand, some supported by grandchildren. Their faces carried stories of loss, resilience, hunger, and survival—and also of expectation. They knew that “their day” had come again.
Among the beneficiaries was Madam Nnenna Uguru, a widow of 14 years, who clutched her bag of rice tightly as though it might disappear.
“When my husband died, people avoided me,” she said softly, her voice trembling but steady.
“I farm small, but age has weakened me. There were years I thought nobody remembered widows like us. But since 2003, Engr. Nwoga has shown us that God did not forget us. Even when my children had nothing to give me, this programme came,” she stated in her Izhi dialect.
Her testimony echoed through the gathering, mirrored in the eyes of dozens of women seated under the open canopy. For them, this was not merely a charity event; it was a lifeline.
The programme opened with prayers led by Pastor Emmanuel Ominyi Echefunachi, who also served as Chairman of the occasion. In his opening prayer, he committed the widows, the donors, and the entire community into God’s hands, invoking divine protection and continued provision.
Later, in a brief sermon, Pastor Echefunachi spoke directly to the widows’ pain.
“You may have lost your earthly husbands, but God remains your husband, your defender, and your provider. He sees your tears, and He has chosen to use people like Engr. Stanley Nwoga to remind you that you are not alone,” he told the widows.
His words drew murmurs of “Amen” from the crowd—some widows nodding, others wiping away tears.
The significance of the event was underscored by the presence of community leaders and stakeholders. Members of the village council attended, led by Mr. Ogbonna Uguru, who described the programme as “a rare example of consistency in service.”
“Our brother has not failed us. Many people make promises when things are easy, but only a few keep them for 20 years. This charity has become part of our community history,” he said.
Also present was Chief Raymond Ofoke, the Village Head of Mkpuma-Ekwoku, alongside the Lolo, who represented the Royal Highness of Ndieze-Echi. Their presence was both symbolic and practical—a communal acknowledgement that the care of widows is a shared moral responsibility.
“The throne recognizes what Engr. Nwoga is doing. Widows are the conscience of any community. How we treat them shows who we truly are,” the representative of the monarch said.
In his welcome address, Engr. Stanley Nwoga spoke with humility, avoiding grand language. Currently serving as the Director of Works, Abakaliki Local Government Area, he made it clear that the charity programme predates his public office and is not tied to political ambition.
“This is personal. It started in 2003 from my heart and my family. I saw the pain widows go through, especially in rural communities, and I told myself that as long as God gives me life, I will continue to support them,” he said.
He explained that the initiative aligns with the Ebonyi State Governor’s Charter of Needs philosophy, particularly in caring for the vulnerable, but emphasized that the programme is funded entirely from his personal resources.
“There is no government funding here. No donor agency. Whatever you see today is what God has enabled my family and me to provide,” he added.
His words were met with applause—not loud or dramatic, but deep and appreciative.
Standing beside him was Mrs. Stanley Nwoga, whose quiet strength has been a constant pillar behind the scenes. In her brief remarks, she praised her husband’s consistency and compassion, describing the programme as a shared family commitment.
“My husband does not sleep easily when he knows widows are hungry. This work humbles us. It reminds us that whatever we have is from God, and we must share it,” she said.
Several widows later gathered around her, holding her hands and blessing her as a woman who “understands their pain.”
The distribution of relief materials—including bags of rice, wrappers, and assorted food items—was the highlight of the event. But the true value lay beyond the physical items.
As each widow received her package, there were smiles, songs, and spontaneous prayers. Some danced lightly despite their age. Others whispered blessings into Engr. Nwoga’s ears.
Madam Christiana Eze, widowed for over 20 years, said the wrapper meant more than clothing.
Speaking in her local language, she said: “When I wear this wrapper, I remember that someone cares about my dignity. It tells me I still belong.”
As the programme drew to a close with a prayer by Pastor Echefunachi, the atmosphere was heavy with gratitude. Community members, traditional leaders, and beneficiaries alike showered Engr. and Mrs. Stanley Nwoga with prayers, asking God to renew their strength, protect their family, and enlarge their capacity to give.
For Ndieze-Echi widows, the Stanley Nwoga Charity Programme is no longer just an annual event. It is a living testimony of compassion that has endured for over two decades, of faith expressed through action, and of hope that keeps returning, year after year, to the same dusty village square.
In a world where promises often fade and empathy grows thin, one man’s quiet consistency has rewritten the story of widowhood in Ndieze-Echi.
Since 2003, Engr. Stanley Nwoga has not just given materials; he has restored dignity, renewed faith, and reminded Ebonyi widows that they are seen, valued, and never forgotten.
