Mrs Esther Okorie, has empowered 20 widows with cash and tools in an offer to bring comfort to them.
During her birthday celebration in Asaba, the Delta State capital, she presented cash and gifts to the widows, expressing gratitude to God for the successful surgery she had undergone.
She said, “As I stand before you, on the brink of celebrating my birthday, I am filled with great gratitude to Almighty God for sustaining and seeing me through a surgery that would have almost crippled me or put me on crutches.
“For the past years, God has shown me mercy and has given me a pride of place as His loving daughter.
“Although my journey through life has not been an easy one, God has always met me at the point of my needs.
“At every troubling point, He is always on hand to remind me that I was not named ‘Esther’ for nothing. God has been so faithful in so many ways that I cannot recount.
“Today marks another special day in my life. For me, birthdays are not just about candles on a cake or the passing of time. They are about reflection, gratitude, and most importantly, the opportunity to give back to my community.
“Over the years, I have made it my mission to empower young women in our community. It has been a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, but every step of the way, I have been fueled by the unwavering belief in the potential of these young minds.
“A few years ago, I had the privilege of empowering 10 young girls, and this year, I am thrilled to announce that we are doubling our efforts. We will be empowering 20 women, more widows, and providing them with the tools, resources, and mentorship they need to thrive and succeed in their endeavours.
“Empowering young girls and women is essential to the health and social development of families, communities and countries.
“It is the key to economic growth, political stability and social transformation. It is, therefore, apt to say that empowering women and girls benefits everyone because when you empower a woman, you empower the whole nation. This is the belief that has kept me focused on my mission.”
Okorie further said that this empowerment was not just about providing opportunities; but “it’s about instilling confidence, fostering resilience, and nurturing dreams.”
She adviced young women to dream big, work hard, and never let anyone dim their light, stating that, “You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to, and I am honoured to be a part of your journey.
“I want to thank every one of you for joining me as we celebrate not just another year of life, but a year filled with purpose, passion, and the power to change lives.”
