A philanthropist, Chief Charles Aghaebe, on Monday said he had empowered 501 widows in Anambra East local government area, Anambra.
Each of the widows got N10,000, a wrapper and musical plate, while one of them, Mrs Agnes Mgbako, won a car during a raffle draw at the occasion.
Three others got a refrigerator each and another won a generating set at the raffle draw.
Speaking to newsmen after the event at Umueri, near Onitsha, Aghaebe said he spent more than N10 million on widows’ empowerment annually.
He said the programme was initiated in 2004, adding, “I have course to sustain it since God has been faithful and kind to me financially and otherwise.’’
The philanthropist said he was brought up by his mother, who became a widow when he was two years old.
“Having lost my father at infancy stage, I grew up in a poor home with my mother, who was the sole provider of the family.
“I knew what it means to grow-up without a father, a poor background and living a rustic village life; I realised that the world was not a bed of roses.
“So, I pleaded with God Almighty to bless me, and in return, I vowed that widows and the poor around me would not be left to suffer,’’ he said.
Aghaebe said he had empowered 1,000 widows last year, adding that the Chief Charles Aghaebe Educational Scheme had sponsored 52 secondary school students and 24 university students.
“God will keep him for us because he now marries us. I am no longer a widow,” Mrs Agnes Mgbako, who won a car through a raffle draw, said.
Another widow who won a refrigerator, Mrs Ugonma Aja, said that God had used Aghaebe to rekindle hope in her family.
“With this, I am sure of giving my family three square meals a day. Now I have gotten a husband and God will keep him for me,’’ Aja stressed.