As part of its commitment aimed at empowering widows, orphans and other vulnerable persons through skill acquisition and social support, the Mercy Ogbuehi Widows and Orphans Foundation recently inaugurated a new vocational training centre in Owerri, Imo State,

Located at Old Road, Nekede, Owerri, the new centre marked a significant milestone in the Foundation’s mission to provide sustainable support and economic empowerment for underserved members of society.

Speaking at the inaugural, Trustee and Director of the Foundation, Friday Ogbuehi, described the establishment of the Owerri Branch as a major step in the organisation’s growth and its determination to reach more people in need.

To him, the Foundation’s expansion from Lagos, where it has operated successfully for several years, reflects the steady development and strengthening of its humanitarian work.

Speaking further, he noted that the Owerri centre would replicate the empowerment model already implemented at the Lagos branch, which has grown over the past eight years into a strong training hub for widows and orphans.

In a similar vein, another Trustee and Director of the Foundation, Bridget Chikezirim, said the initiative was designed to help widows and orphans overcome economic hardship through practical empowerment.

She explained that the centre would provide both humanitarian support and vocational training to enable beneficiaries become self-reliant.

Chikezirim appealed to government institutions, corporate organisations, philanthropists and members of the public to partner with the Foundation in expanding its support for widows and orphans.

The Foundation also established a community support structure known as “Cells” across Lagos and Ogun States.

With 409 widows already trained and empowered, beneficiaries are organised into 22 cells based on their locations to encourage mutual support and collaboration.

Each cell is headed by a cell leader, while coordinators oversee activities across the groups to ensure members remain connected and supportive of one another.

On her part, the Foundation’s President, Nnenna Uchegbu, recently visited several cells including Oshodi, Palmgrove, Ikeja Cells One–Four, Alagbado and Egbeda, bringing her total visits to 17 cells.

She encouraged members to continue supporting one another and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood within the community.

The foundation also celebrated the graduation of 46 trainees from its vocational programmes in Lagos.