By Emeka Nwokocha
Widows in Delta State have described a Warri based philanthropist and humanitarian advocate, Dcn. Shola Mese, as a kindhearted man whose love for humanity cannot be rivaled. The widows, numbering over 150 poured the praises on Dcn. Shola on Tuesday 25 June, at the Shola Mese Foundation premises in Warri, when the latter observed the 2019 International Widows Day with a fanfare and rekindling hope for a better tomorrow for the widows.
Speaking on behalf of the widows, Mrs. Beauty Aminugo thanked Dcn. Shola for extending a hand of love and care to widows in Delta State, even as the widows collectively prayed that he be blessed abundantly in all his endeavours and protected by Almighty God.
Speaking at the event, Dcn. Shola Mese, founder of Shola Mese Foundation, told the exciting widows that the marking of the International Widows day by the Foundation buttresses his love for humanity, noting that the day’s event was very special and dear to his heart, even as he described the session as an opportunity to show love to widows, describing them as a segment of the society burdened by various challenges resulting from human inadequacies. Continuing, he tasked the widows to build strong faith in God, saying that “it is only God that can assuage your worries and comfort you in all your travails” Dcn. Shola, promised to show more love to widows using available resources at his disposal.
In her counsel, Gloria Oghene, health professional, assured the widows of God’s divine protection, even as she charged them to be forward looking and industrious to be able to cater for their children’s welfare and education
Gloria, who is also a widow, presented a hair splitting account of her ordeal when she became a widow at the early stage of her marriage. She added that God did not forsake her when she put her trust in Him. She called on widows to stand firm in God, saying, “you must not be discouraged by the challenges you would have to face, just be strong, hardworking and focused, you will surely win the race.”
Another speaker at the event, Comr. Emeka Nwokocha, journalist and editor of the Mail newspaper, praised Dcn Shola Mese for his untainted humanitarian gesture which has been sustained with tenacity over the years. He described Dcn. Shola as a man of honour called and annointed by God to render unsolicited services to humanity. Continuing, Comr. Nwokocha explained that the United Nations observes June 23 as International Widows Day, to draw attention to the voices and experiences of widows towards achieving full rights and recognition for them, and to galvanize the unique support that they need.
Comr. Nwokocha charged the widows to be steadfast in prayers and always call on God for divine help. He expressed dismay at the vicious and harsh treatments being meted out to widows in Nigeria. Adding, “many of these maltrearments and abuses go unnoticed in our heavily skewed and biased society.”
The high point of the event was free medical examination (blood and sugar test ) carried out on the widows who were also given free drugs, as each of them received a gift of new wrapper and light refreshment.
