Cleric Marks 78th Birthday with Cash, Food Gifts to Widows
By Ekanem Asuquo
In demonstration of his humane disposition and to amplify the love of God towards humanity, a renowned cleric and founder of Christ for the World Mission International, Rev. Dr. Nick Ezeh, has donated several food items and cash to widows to mark his 78th birthday.
The event, held at the Ministry of Women Affairs in Calabar, witnessed the distribution of bags of rice, beans, and financial support to widows from across Cross River State—transforming the celebratory occasion into a meaningful outreach to the underprivileged.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Ezeh explained that the gesture was driven by his personal experience of loss and resilience. He recalled how his mother, widowed at a young age, struggled to raise five sons amidst hardship and hostility from in-laws following his father's death.
“I saw what my mother went through, rejected, dispossessed, yet resilient,” he said. “This is not just charity; it is my way of expressing God’s heart for the vulnerable and a tribute to the courage of widows everywhere.”
He used the occasion to call for deliberate government action to combat the age-old practice of maltreaing widows and orphans, describing it as an injustice still common in many communities.
“We must put an end to the wickedness of dispossessing widows of their inheritance,” he declared. “Government must rise to defend them. It’s a matter of justice and humanity.”
Dr. Ezeh revealed that the annual widow support outreach has been held for over 20 years, in memory of his late mother and in alignment with what he described as “God’s passion for the vulnerable.”
In a preamble, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Ekwot, a senior minister in the church and Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Calabar, described the gesture as a living expression of God's love and compassion, urging others to follow suit.
“Dr. Ezeh’s generosity is not born out of surplus but out of compassion. This is what it means to walk in God’s image—caring for the vulnerable,” he stated.
In her welcome address,Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Edema Irom, lauded the initiative and encouraged other well-meaning individuals, especially the affluent, to emulate Dr. Ezeh’s selfless act.
“This is what leadership looks like—giving out of love, not abundance. We need more of this spirit,” she said.
Similarly, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev. Mrs. Grace Ekanem, applauded the cleric’s consistency and urged widows to look up to God as their ultimate source and helper.
The President of the Unified Widows in Cross River State, Mrs. Uduak Spencer Effem, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the gesture and reaffirmed the group’s prayers and support for Dr. Ezeh’s continued health and long life.
“This is more than a gift—it’s a message that we are not forgotten. We pray for more years and strength for Papa Ezeh,” she posited.
We pray that as Rev. Dr. Nick Ezeh celebrates his 78th year, his legacy of compassion and service continues to shine, reminding all that true celebration lies in uplifting others and giving voice to the forgotten"
