Christian Care for Widows, Widowers, the Aged and Orphans (CCWA), in commemoration of its 20th Anniversary and the 2nd International Widows day, held its Annual Convention and Exhibition on Saturday 23 June, 2012, on the theme: “Empowering Widows and Orphans” at the National Women Development Centre, Central Business District, Abuja, FCT. The Convention was preceded by a widows’ awareness rally with the participants walking from the International Conference Centre to the venue of the Convention. Participants were motivated and encouraged by the addresses of several Guest Speakers. The Chairman of the occasion, Barr. Solomon A. Asemota SAN in his address commended the efforts of the Founder, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye in touching the lives of the less privileged in the society and encouraging others to do same. Other Guest Speakers, including seasoned men of God, Rev. Canon Bitrius Yakubu and Rev. Arinze Ilechukwu also addressed the participants on ‘Realizing your potentials’. Goodwill messages were also given by the Distinguished Guests such as Mrs. Vivian Oniwon Prof. S. A. Thomas (Representing the Honorable Minister of Science and Technology) and Rev. Ephraim Akanya (Representing the Primate of all Nigerian Anglican Communion). The President and Founder of CCWA in her address stated that CCWA's dream was birthed when she was teaching at the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Jos in 1991. The vision is to care, love and encourage widows, so as to replace their gloom with garments of praises. She stated that CCWA currently has 222 Centres spread across 40 Local Government Area, 16 states of the country, catering for 7,984 members. Other achievements of CCWA include building of two Resource/Training Centres in Riyom, Plateau State and Boro in Kaduna State. Another Resource/Training is nearing completion in Yola, Adamawa State. Besides efforts at helping her members, CCWA is, recently, working on a bill to protect widows’ and orphans’ rights, which is about to be submitted to the National Assembly. The Founder enumerated the various activities of CCWA which are weekly Bible Study/Seminars, Counseling Sessions, skill acquisition programs, Small Scale Business Loans, Scholarships Scheme, Faith Clinic and Annual Events (Annual Career Seminar, Annual Thanksgiving Service and National Annual Convention and Exhibition). She therefore appealed to individuals, corporate organizations, other non-governmental organizations and government agencies to assist in reaching out to the less privileged in the society. Several highlights at the convention include lighting of candles which signifies the dispelling of darkness and gloom as well as igniting other persons to respond to the plight of the widows, widowers the aged and orphans. Other attractions include cultural dance by orphans and widows from Ondo and Kogi Districts. Words of encouragement were given by Mrs. Lucy Sambo-Daju, who urged other influential personalities in the society to emulate the work of the Founder/President. Also in a letter displayed, Awoyemi an orphan who lost his father 23 years ago gave an account of the help rendered by CCWA. Awoyemi revealed that he ultimately graduated with a First Class degree in Chemical Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, after which he was awarded a scholarship to proceed on a Masters Degree programme in the University of Toronto, Canada and was subsequently invited by the University to enrol in a PHD degree programme. During the fundraising session anchored by Barr. Femi Alemede, donations in cash, cheques and offerings were received from several individuals and organizations including Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), as well as TY Danjuma Foundation, Cuchie Foundation and Churches. Several well wishers and friends including Senator and Mrs. Babajide Omoworare, Prof. S. A. Thomas, Mrs. Margaret Ya’u (Representing General T. Y. Danjuma), Professor and Mrs. Felix Anjorin, Pastor Abayomi Oke among others were present at the event. The Convention was attended by over 600 participants together with CCWA delegates from 11 States in the Federation including Adamawa, Anambra, Kaduna, Kogi, Niger, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers State and the FCT. Closing the event, Mr. Danladi Verheijen encouraged the widows to embrace CCWA as their home, and counselled the orphans to work hard in order to achieve their goals and visions in life.