By Patrick Ochei
For eight consecutive years, an Issele-Uku illustrious daughter of the renowned late Rev. Eugene Odika of the Church of Faith Worldwide, Evangelist June Odika has kept faith with her vision to feed widows in Issele-Uku and other towns every 24th December, prompting the Issele-Uku monarch, HRM Agbogidi Obi Nduka JP (MNSE) to specially commend her as she marks her 8th anniversary edition, even in a prevailing harsh economic year.
Obi Nduka who has also been consistent with the programme since his ascension to the throne of his forebears, spoke very eloquently and authoritatively in his commendation of the wonderful work the Godsent Issele-Uku daughter is doing under the Widows For Christ Foundation, a platform through which she coordinates the widows in Issele-Uku, Issele-Mkpitime and Onicha-Ugbo and distributes rice, clothes, oil, tomato pastry to them every Christmas eve, including physical feeding.
The wise king while celebrating the widows’ benefactor, also observed the meticulous organization of the activities of the rice and wrapper sharing even with so much crowd, thereby praising the organisers and the participants for their proper conducts.
Agbogidi Nduka however, released his Royal blessing on the Founder of the Widows For Christ, asking God and the Ancestors of Issele-Uku to keep replenishing her purse, and through her, reduce the burden of hunger in the land, especially as it concerns widows.
In her narration of the journey so far, Evangelist June Odika revealed how God told her to come to Issele-Uku to feed the widows.
She said she initially wanted to do it as a one-off programme as she does not reside in Issele-Uku or Nigeria, but that after that first edition, God kept on telling her to return and do same each year from that inception. And that is how she had found herself clocking eight years giving Christmas food to widows in Issele-Uku and environs.
Meanwhile, apart from the yearly benevolence, Odika also distributes rice to the widows on monthly basis in order to keep the fold strong and united in faith for Christ.
Speaking further, she specially appreciated Chief Innocent Ikpeamanam Nwakpati (Omeogor of Issele-Uku) whom she personally shared her vision with, and he encouraged her on how to go about it, including getting the nod of the king to use the Palace as venue.
Odika equally appreciated the amiable Obi Nduka for his simplicity and love for the Foundation, stressing that the history of Widows For Christ can never be written without a spacious mention of Agbogidi Obi Nduka.
On the strength of the above, she spontaneously rallied round her invited friends and used the occasion to raise funds in support of the 10th Anniversary Remembrance of Obi Henry Ezeagwuna 1 JP, which is a project of Obi Nduka for 29th December, 2024.
Also engaging the platform, Evangelist June Odika presented a gift award to Chief Nwakpati, in appreciation for his years of support and encouragement.
The highpoint of the programme was a life changing message from a God’s servant to the widows, which basically centred on Love and Forgiveness in the Midst of Pain.
The Man of God, Pastor Sunday Ikelede said, the gathering of the widows is not just to share rice and wrapper, but to teach them how to forget their past, look forward in life with a positive mindset through Christ and also endeavour to love their neighbours and forgive those who offend them irrespective of the offence; adding that only through such scriptural understanding would God continue to wipe away their tears and bring succour to them and their families.
The occasion was graced by Chiefs of Issele-Uku Kingdom who accompanied Obi Nduka to attend, and they include the following; Chief Innocent Ashiedu (Iyase of Issele-Uku), Chief Dr John Ochei (Okwalegwe of Issele-Uku), Chief Innocent Ikpeamanam Nwakpati (Omeogor of Issele-Uku), Chief Peter Oduh (Ozoma of Issele-Uku), Chief I.G. Memeh (Oloto of Issele-Uku), Chief Sunday Monyei (Osodi of Issele-Uku), Chief Uche Maha (Uweh of Issele-Uku), Chief Engr. Onyeabor Nwabah (Obazuaye of Issele-Uku), Chief Michael Brian Odiakose (Osigie of Issele-Uku), Chief Uche Ngbanwa (Ashiobi of Issele-Uku), Chief Egbo Adigwe (Chiobi of Issele-Uku) and Queen Faith Ezeagwuna (Obi’s Mother).
Other dignitaries included a US based Mr. Chris Ikeakanam, Madam Ekene Ikeakanam, Min. Mrs. Zeniat Ochei and others too numerous to mention.
