There were wild jubilations in Oraifite community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, when the Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, through its ‘Touch-A-Life’ initiative, donated furnished houses and other materials to 10 widows in the community.
During the official commissioning/handing over ceremony held at the Radio House, Oraifite, over the weekend, the Vice President of the Foundation, Adaora Emeka Offor, said the ‘Touch-A-Life Housing’ initiative, birthed four years ago, was to assist widows whose dignity, respect and safety were being compromised as a result of their husbands’ deaths.
In her address at the occasion, Ms Emeka-Offor, who noted that the houses cost approximately N20 million each, said the exercise was phase three of the project, adding that the ‘Touch-A-Life Project’ was borne out of a deep awareness of the injustices widows go through in the society as a result of their husbands’ death.
She added that a woman should not lose her rightful place in society simply because she has lost her husband, noting that caring for the oppressed is the essence of a just world.
She said, “Today, as we commission these houses, we are not merely constructing buildings, we are making a bold statement that widows deserve dignity, respect, and safety. Let me begin by thanking God Almighty for His unending grace, provision, and sustenance that has made this day a reality.
“The ‘Touch-A-Life Housing’ initiative was birthed four years ago from an emotional encounter. I remember vividly how we saw a woman who slept in a store where she was exposed to the harsh realities of life. We all remember how we stood on empty land with nothing but hope and determination.
“I also remember vividly the day we completed our pilot house – a humble edifice that represented so much more than just bricks and mortar. It stood as a beacon of hope and a testament to possibility. That one house became our blueprint for change and took us into Phase Two, which was gladly commissioned last November by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
“We have accepted laws and traditions that strip women of their dignity simply because they have lost their husbands. We stand by as they are forced to drink water used to wash their husband’s corpse. We remain silent as they are denied their right to inheritance and cast out of their homes – all in the name of tradition.
“The ‘Touch-A-Life Project’ was born out of a deep awareness of these injustices. A woman does not lose her rightful place in society simply because she has lost her husband – that is the essence of a just world. What some call tradition is, in truth, oppression disguised as culture.
“Today, as we commission these houses, we are not merely constructing buildings; we are making a bold statement that widows deserve dignity, respect, and safety.
“To the government officials present, I say: take a second look at laws that dehumanise widows. Enact legislation that protects vulnerable women. Make policies to ensure widows are treated as respectable persons with a right to their properties.
“I say this to everyone here today: you don’t have to build houses to make a difference. If you can speak, speak up against these injustices. If you can write, document these stories. If you can do neither, stand in solidarity with these women. But please, don’t be silent. Don’t be passive. The cost of inaction is too high.
“These houses we are commissioning today are more than buildings; they are models of what is possible when we choose to act. They represent hope, dignity, and a fresh start. We invite others to replicate this initiative in whatever capacity they can. Start small if you must, but start somewhere.”
She thanked her husband, Sir Emeka Offor, for his generosity and commitment to lifting others, saying such remains a beacon of hope that serves as an inspiration not only to her but also to several others who witness the acts of kindness daily.
“Today, as we commission these new houses, my heart swells with joy, yet aches with sorrow. We lost two great sympathisers of our cause this year: Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah and Onyeka Onwenu. Senator Ubah was never absent from our functions; he supported us not only financially, but also with his presence and words of encouragement; and dear Honourable Onwenu – I can still see her walking these grounds during the foundation stone laying ceremony, praying with our widows, dancing with them and sharing their tears. She promised to be here today. Life’s journey is truly unpredictable.”
Speaking, the governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, commended the commitment of Emeka Offor and the foundation towards the welfare of the poor and the vulnerable people, particularly, the widows in the state and beyond.
Soludo said the gesture was in line with the motto of his party, the All Progressive Grand Alliance, which is ‘Onye aghara nwanneya’ (be your brother’s keeper).
He said, “This is the kind of event that I like to attend. We have come to celebrate humanity. It is said that here on earth, we must try to do the work of God. The true essence of Christianity is what we have come to celebrate here today. Leaving out their mission that here on earth, we must do the work of God.
“I am using this opportunity to call all well-meaning Nigerians if you can’t build a house, you can buy anything for somebody. Just do something. It is not just to complain. Today, the foundation has provided houses for 10 people. They have shown hope to the vulnerable people.
“People should learn to share with their brother because no one knows tomorrow, when one dies, it is six feet. Give hope, provide hope for the needy, send children to school, if this is done, I think we will have a better society.”
The beneficiaries commended the foundation for the gesture, saying such has brought hope and offered them a sense of belonging.
The event also witnessed the presence of the wife of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Karimatu Mohammed Ali Pate, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Somtochukwu Udeze, the Majority Leader of the state Assembly, Hon Ikenna Ofodile, the Executive Chairman of Inland Containers Nigeria Limited, Mr Tope Borishade, among other dignitaries.
