CCWA Convention Highlights Urgent Need to Empower Nigeria’s Vulnerable

By Janet Sam

At the heart of Abuja, voices rose in unison for Nigeria’s most forgotten citizens: widows, orphans, and the elderly. During the CCWA Annual Convention themed “Empowering and Raising the Forgotten,” Engr. Obadiah Nkom, Director-General of the Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office, urged Nigerians, philanthropists, and institutions to take urgent action. “Government programs alone cannot reach everyone in need,” he said. “Every family touches a widow, an orphan, or an elderly person. Supporting them is not charity—it is our collective responsibility.”
The gathering celebrated the enduring vision of CCWA Founder, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, whose initiative has grown over 33 years from a modest home project to more than 678 centers nationwide, empowering thousands through skills training, micro-loans, scholarships, and healthcare support.
National Coordinator Mrs. Alexandra Nathan reminded the audience that empowering vulnerable groups strengthens society itself. “Neglect them, and the nation suffers. Lift them, and we all rise,” she said, calling on government, institutions, and citizens to embrace this responsibility.
The convention brought the impact to life through personal stories. Mrs. Charity Damena of Kaduna testified how CCWA programs helped widows regain independence, restore faith, and rebuild communities.
After three decades of service, CCWA’s message is clear: the moral and social stability of Nigeria’s future depends on lifting its most vulnerable today.