By David Torough, Abuja 

The Women Wing of the Christian Association Of Nigeria (WOWICAN) has equipped 185 women from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with micro business skills acquisition – baking, soap making, amongst others to enable them support their families.

Speaking at the National Convention held in Abuja recently, the National Chairperson of the group, Ambassador Victoria Bola Ihesiulor , said the objective is to make them financially viable to support their family especially the children.

Amb Bola Ihesiulor explained that WOWICAN extended its support to the less privileged in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps with essential supplies, embodying the teachings of Christ.

On the criteria used in selecting those empowered with N20,000 for small-scale enterprises, WOWICAN said it was based on the economically challenged persons from each of the five blocs of CAN.

According to Amb Bola Ihesiulor, true leadership, as it is often said, is not measured by titles or accolades but by the lives we touch and the differences we make.

“Our subsequent conventions in Taraba and Akure were equally impactful as 200 women in Taraba were empowered, and in Akure, we expanded it to 370 women.

“We donated a KVA generator worth N350,000 to the prison in Akure and organized workshop for schools, emphasizing the importance of education and combatting early marriage and drug abuse amongst youth,” the WOWICAN leader said.

She added that they have organised a total of four national conventions, and this makes it the fifth for peace and unity of the country, also promote Evangelism in accordance with the scriptures as written in Mark 16:15, adding that each one marked by impactful outcomes.

The event holds annually across the federation, the group chairperson said.

She commended the United Nations (UN) for their support to the group saying they have shown so much interest in the activities of the group.

WOWICAN, she noted, collaborate with the UN Women in Public Hearing on Constitutional Review, and attended workshop with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) on Reproductive Health using smart advocacy method.

She said over 3000 women from the 36 states of the country gathered in Abuja for the convention which was declared open by the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Archbishop Dr. Daniel

Okoh. 

The CAN president commended the women for carrying out various activities which promotes the unity of the church, adding that sustaining the yearly convention and empowering of the underprivileged amongst them is commendable. 

The CAN President thanked the outgoing officers for the laudable work carried out during their regime and also asked  the incoming leaders to cooperate and lift the Association greater than their predecessors. 

Some of the recipients of the empowerment testified that it has helped in improving their economic status promising to be attending every convention to show gratitude and make others believe in the good work of the women wing of the christian association in the country. 

Ambassador Ihesiulor explained that WOWICAN’s commitment to embodying the teachings of Christ has not only transformed the lives of its members, but has also left a profound impact on the communities they served.

The minister who was represented by the Mandate Secretary, Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi, said he has principally positioned women in the Federal Capital Territory, for the next best ultimate version of their expression in whatever sphere of engagement they find themselves in FCT.

General Secretary of CAN, Apostle Prof Samson Fatokun, said the convention was to intercede for peace in Nigeria.

Highlight of the convention was an award to foreign diplomat – the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefano De Leon, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, military chief – Martin Luther Agwai, Senator Sunday Marshal Katung and 21 other prominent personalities for their contribution to human development, peace and goodwill in Nigeria.