Members of the Offa Christian Indigenes Union (OCIU) in the Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State have presented food items, cash and examination fees worth millions of naira to indigent people at its ninth convention and 2023 anniversary celebration.
According to the President of the union, Dr Olusegun Opaleke, the purpose of the gathering was to praise God for sparing the lives of members, make presentations to widows to alleviate their sufferings during Christmas, and present scholarship awards to Offa indigent students.
“The ceremony featured an anniversary celebration, presentation of bags of rice, cash, clothing materials, handbags to 50 widows as well as presentation of cheques to 10 indigent students across secondary schools in Offa covering tuition fees, Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African Examinations Council (WAEC) external examinations,” he said.
Dr Opaleke, who advised the widows to extend the benefits to their neighbours, charged the scholarship beneficiaries to use the money for the purpose for which it was meant.
He thanked the financiers of the programme for their materials, financial and other support to the union, adding that their gesture has made the union function effectively.
The patron of the union, Mr Ayo Opadokun, applauded members of the union for their efforts, which he said had put smiles on the faces of beneficiaries.
He enjoined them to keep it up as their action would make the nation better to live in.
Also speaking at the event, the chairman of Offa Local Government, Chief Olajare Olatundun, applauded the group for its assistance to the underprivileged, praying that God will continue to reward the union adequately.
Representatives of both widows and indigent students thanked the union for the assistance and prayed to God to reward members.
In his brief exhortation, the Bishop of the African Diocese of Kwara, Right Reverend Ade Fagbayi, emphasised the need to show and extend love, peace, and unity to one another as prescribed by Jesus Christ.
He commended the union for her kindness to others and urged other spirited individuals and groups to follow suit.
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