Total EmpathisesWith Opobo/Nkoro Widows

The French oil giant,
Total Exploration and Production Nigeria (TEPNG) on Thursday, identified with widows in Opobo/Nkoro local government area of Rivers State as they celebrated the International Widows’ Day.
At the event which was held at Opobo Native Court Hall in Opobo Town, the Manager, Community Affairs Services Offshore of the company, Engr Okechukwu  Obara, urged the widows never to see the loss of their dear husbands as the end of life but to rather brace up for the future as they have their own  lives and those of their children to cater for.
“We are not here to remind you of the grief over lost of your beloved husband but to share with you and to tell you that there is still hope for you.
“The Bible said that God is the husband of the widows, but God will not come down physically to help you but will use people to help you. We are here to show love and help you”.
Obara restated the corporate commitment of the company towards support to women and stressed that as women who had by nature, lost their breadwinners, the company decided to show commitment by coming to flag off the event with them.
In an address presented on behalf of the Deputy General Manager of the company, Obara urged communities where cultural biases against widows still exist to drop such practices which put widows in more difficult conditions and seek how to extend help and support to them.
“Our coming here today is to integrate you in our plans. It is high time we began to recognize the widows for what they are, than making life  difficult for them,” he said.
The DGM said the company has various programmes such as skills acquisition and other empowerment initiatives including revolving loans that could be accessed and urged the leadership of the widows to take advantage of those programmes to uplift themselves.
He explained that members could acquire skills by which they can live a meaningful life or access the soft loans through which they can start small business to sustain their families.
The company also donated bags of rice and bags of salt to the widows.
There were drama presentation and cultural dances to thrill the audience as well as paper presentations by other guests. The president, Woman Welfare Association Opobo/Nkoro, Amaopu Orubo Felicia. Pepple, commended the company for its commitment to community development and support for women of the area.
She said the company’s visit has given hope to the widows and other lees privileged in the area.

Chris Oluoh