The Founder of Blessing O. Foundation International and Lagos Nigeria Widows Pray Movement, Apostle Blessing Onwuachi, has urged over 400 widows including mothers to contribute to Nigeria’s development and pray for its progress.
The widows were also charged to show exemplary leadership, personal empowerment and purposeful engagement in their respective homes and communities.

Onwuachigave the admonition recently in Lagos during the organisation’syearly women’s summitorganised in collaboration with Womb of Intercession International Fellowship, themed: “Mothers and Widows: A Call to Raise Gatekeepers in Their State.”

The US-based Founder said her passion for supporting widows was basedon her mother’s experience as a widow. She said that her mother faced discrimination and hardship when she lost her husband.

She recalled that her mother was ostracised for refusing to participate in traditional burial practices that conflicted with her Christian faith, but remained steadfast and became a source of encouragement to other women.

Onwuachi explained that her welfare assistance to widows later evolved into a divine assignment to help widows discover their purpose and contribute meaningfully to society.

“God told me that a widow has a ministry and that her ministry is intercession. He said what I was doing was good, but I should go and teach them to fulfil their purpose,” she said.

Citing Exodus 22:22–24, Onwuachi said the movement sought to encourage widows to seek divine intervention against oppression and injustice.

She, however, cautioned women against political exploitation, insisting that widowhood should not diminish their dignity, influence or voice.

She said:“Widows have a voice. They are valuable, and are powerful. They should, therefore, not subject themselves to the hands of politicians who use them.”

She added that the foundation’s interventions included skills acquisition, welfare assistance, food and clothing distribution, and Christmas gifts for widows and their families.

Some of the beneficiaries MrsRonkeAdemuyiwa and Mrs Charity Ufodu, narrated how they suffered to raise their children.

Thanking the organisers fortheir help and support, the widows appealed to the governments at all levels to implement policies that would protect widows, mothers and children from economic hardship.

The event witnessed participants from communities across Lagos, including Ijaye, Surulere, Fadeyi and Festac, as well as Ibadan and Ogun States.