As part of its Yuletide humanitarian activities this year, the Universal Outreach for Women Empowerment Initiative (UNOWEMI), a non-governmental organisation, has celebrated no fewer than 150 widows and indigent persons in Ebonyi State.
The outreach programme held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, took place at the Universal Christ Ministry of All Nations (UCMAN), Abakaliki.
The event was designed to bring relief, hope and empowerment to vulnerable members of society during the Christmas season.
Speaking at the event, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of UNOWEMI, Evangelist Mrs. Abigail Eze-Iheukwumere, who also serves as Assistant Director of Programmes at NTA Abakaliki, said the initiative aligns with the organisation’s long-standing commitment to women empowerment, humanitarian service and social advocacy.
Eze-Iheukwumere explained that UNOWEMI’s vision was born out of her professional experiences as a journalist, covering harsh socio-economic realities in rural communities, particularly the plight of women and children exposed to poverty, neglect and harmful traditional practices.
According to her, the organisation has, over the years, expanded its interventions to include empowerment of widows, support for indigent families, payment of house rents for vulnerable persons, advocacy for women’s rights, and skills acquisition programmes for young people.
“We began this journey with limited resources but with a clear vision to restore dignity and hope to the vulnerable. Today, we can confidently say that lives have been touched and communities positively impacted,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to partners, religious leaders, volunteers and supporters who have sustained the initiative, stressing that collaboration remains vital to achieving lasting social change.
A major highlight of this year’s Yuletide celebration was the distribution of relief materials, including bags of rice, wrappers and other gift items, to widows and indigent persons, creating moments of joy and relief among beneficiaries.
In their remarks, the Ebonyi State Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Rev. Scamb Nwokolo, alongside other ministers of God, commended UNOWEMI for its consistency and dedication to humanitarian service.
They described the initiative as timely and impactful, offering prayers and words of hope for the beneficiaries, while calling on individuals, churches and organisations to support efforts aimed at alleviating poverty and promoting social justice.
The event attracted religious leaders, representatives of partner organisations, community members and volunteers, all of whom applauded UNOWEMI for making this year’s Yuletide season meaningful for widows and indigent persons.
UNOWEMI has made the widows and indigents empowerment outreach an annual programme, reaffirming its commitment to promoting dignity, empowerment and hope among vulnerable women and families in Ebonyi State and beyond.
