Widows Conference 2021

 


All glory to our Almighty God for the vision and burden given to Mrs. N.A Famonure to start BEGE FOR GOBE FOUNDATION (Hope for Tomorrow) for the widows mostly victims of violent crises in Plateau state, Kaduna State and those from the North East taking refuge in Plateau and Kaduna States.

“I am grateful to our Father in heaven for the opportunity given to me to serve in the position of Camp Commandant. May the Lord reward each and every member of the planning committee.”

5th July 2021

The widows’ conference started on the morning of 5thJuly. At about 9 am the women started arriving and not too long they were registered.

The conference kicked off with opening prayers and bible reading by Rebecca E. Nwachi, it was followed by Praise and worship which was conducted by Rifkatu Bulus. After that the burden bearer and visioneer Mrs. Naomi  A. Famonure gave a welcome speech and the keynote address. Not too long after introduction, it was time for lunch break and some refreshments.

The major events of the day engaged the women with lessons on personal, physical and mental health care which was handled by a medical practitioner, Dr (Mrs) Tinuade Oyebode. She majored her teaching on “silent killer diseases”. Diseases such as Hypertension, diabetes, post-menopausal bleeding, bleeding after sex, cancer, eye problem, psychiatric illnesses, hepatitis and others were mentioned with measures on how to help avoid and treat them. It was very informative and beneficial to all.

6th July 2021

The next day the conference started at early hours of the day. Each participant was encouraged to observe personal quiet time, and also get involve in personal and general clean up. Corporate devotion and prayers was led by Rev. Daniel Gufwan  of ECWA church in Barkin Ladi. He exhorted us with God’s word. 

The programme was organised in such that the training for the acquisition of skills was integrated with spiritual impartation through the duration of the conference. The women were therefore all placed in groups for the practical learning sessions which were handled by Marvelous Dusu and her team from the city of Jos. They taught the women how to make liquid soap and Vaseline.

One of the highlights of the day was the talk on the topic “The challenges of widowhood” that was given by Mrs. Hannatu Dantong who herself is a victim of herdsmen attack that led to the untimely death of her husband. At the time of his death, Senator Dantong was a serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  From her personal experiences as a widow and a victim of Fulani attack like most of the women that had gathered who also had lost their husbands due to these attacks she spoke from her heart. Her speech was so heart touching that most of the women were in tears. She however spoke words of comfort from the scriptures and many widows were encouraged to find strength in God to pursue life more positively.

The evening session to end the day featured another widow, Mrs Grace Abraham Mali’s who spoke to the women on “Coping with life as a widow”. This was also a very interesting and inspiring session. She challenged and encouraged women in situations of widowhood on how to cope with the life they have found themselves in and how to train up godly children who will be beneficial to God’s kingdom and the society. 

Before the day finally ended after dinner Mrs. Naomi A Famonure organised the women into groups based on the different regions they had come from in order to have personal interactions with them. The aim was to seek to understand their challenges, difficulties and to evaluate their needs. These interactions were, to say the least, very informative and rewarding. We saw women moved by emotions and we ceased such opportunity to lead them to confess Christ as Lord and Saviour of their lives and situations. 

 

7th July 2021

The morning of the final day also started with Personal quiet time.  Pastor Ezekiel from one of the COCIN churches in Barkin Ladi took the corporate devotion. He, like the Pastor Daniel the previous day, spoke from his heart exhorting widows to remain faithful to God and to live holy lives. He is a pastor who has widows and displaced families in his congregation and therefore understands the plight of widows. Drawing from his experience with them he warned the women of the slippery path of widowhood and also encouraged them to remain steadfast with their eyes fixed on the Lord Who loves them more than anyone could.

The last charge at conference was given by Rev. Bayo Famonure sharing on “I will give you rest” from Matthew 11 vs 28-30. After teaching as our God helped him, he gave opportunity to the listeners to respond to God. The majority of the widows repented, confessed their sins and invited Jesus into their lives individually.

The meeting was concluded with the distribution of Hausa Bibles to the women which were donated by Bible Movers International and later foodstuffs to take home.

 

Sincerely

Naomi Anne Famonure

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