Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Royal Ambassadors Charity Home, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation, says it has empowered no fewer than 2,000 widows, orphans, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), destitute children in 27 states across the country.
The Executive Director of the NGO, Amb. David Jonathan, disclosed this during the official inauguration of 35-member State/Zonal/Council Area Executive Working Team for the NGO’s Enugu State Chapter on Saturday in Enugu.
Jonathan, who said that the NGO was also out to assist the poor and persons with special needs, said the NGO had made tremendous impact in the lives of Nigerians through its members’ efforts as well as philanthropists and public-spirited donors.
According to him: “I caught the vision and established this organisation 12 years ago; and I envisioned not only helping widows, orphans, PWD, destitute children, the poor and persons with special needs but building homes that will shelter them.”
He said that the NGO had expanded its feasible reach to all regions of Nigeria and 34 countries of the World where Royal Ambassadors Charity Home members’ presence are currently making impact with voluntary humanitarian services and direct assistance.
“It is important we look at how far we have come and think about how farther we can go. We have come a long way but the road ahead is still far,” he said.
The executive director said the management of the organisation had discovered that in Nigeria widows are neglected, victimised, intimidated and humiliated just because they lost their husbands to the hands of the invisible dreaded “Mr Death.”
“Our culture and society are not favourable to them at all, the worst of it all is that when any widow does not have a male child, the relatives of her late husband will be giving her trouble by trying to possess what their late brother acquired before his death.
“In view of this development, a team of advocates and human rights activists in this organisation have commenced advocating for the widows’ fundamental rights, protection and welfare in the National Assembly as well as in our neighborhoods.
“We are very much aware there is no specific law in Nigeria that protects the widow’s rights unlike the PWD’S and children that have laws passed as a bill on their behalf for their protection in Nigeria,” he said.
Jonathan urged residents of Enugu State to join hands with the organisation to assist security agencies in fighting against crime in neighborhoods by quickly reporting any suspicious movement or persons within any vicinity to the nearest security station.
“Security is everyone’s business. We cannot have a secure Enugu State if we are indifferent to events that may threaten the security of our neighbourhoods,” he said.
For the newly inaugurated executives, Jonathan directed them to join in the onerous task of serving God and humanity in Enugu State by being a blessing to the society along the path that guarantees superior outcomes.
“I made it clear that it would no longer be business as usual and all hands must be on deck to ensure that people benefit from this organisation,” he said.
Dr Amaka Ezekwonna, Coordinator of Royal Ambassador Charity Home, Enugu State Chapter, said that the inauguration was a practical demonstration of the state members’ commitment and desire to serve humanity.
“Royal Ambassador Charity Home, Enugu State has come to provide the channel to reach out to the widows, orphans, PWDs, destitute children, the poor and persons with special needs in Enugu State in particular and Nigeria,” Ezekwonna said.
A physical challenged, Mr Levi Nnamani, appreciated the NGO for assisting him and other physically challenged persons in the state, adding: “I will continue to pray that God will bless Royal Ambassador Charity Home for this unprecedented assistance we are receiving.”
