KICC founder, Mathew Ashimolowo set to fete 17,000 widows

The founding Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Center, KICC, and founder of Kings University, Mathew Ashimolowo, in the spirit of giving back has announced what may perhaps be the biggest charity event for widows in Africa and by extension, the world. The clergyman will on Saturday, the 6^th of February, extend a philanthropic gesture to about 17,000 widows in Ode-Omu, Osun State.

A personal charity initiative of Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo and his wife, Pastor Yemisi Ashimolowo, the upcoming annual widow’s empowerment event is specifically aimed at alleviating the sufferings of widows in Osun State. In its 12^th year, the event which began with the feting of only 312 widows at inception has metamorphosed over the years, peaking to about 10,000 widows being empowered last year. Each widow is usually given six yards of Ankara and monetary gift and for many, the monetary gift is usually the single largest amount they ever get to see in a year.

Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo at the press briefing for his annual widow’s empowerment event, flanked by Mrs Lara Odebunmi, KICC administrator and Pastor Femi Fasheru, resident Pastor of KICC, Lagos

Born out of the need to fulfill the biblical injunction to take care of the needy especially widows, the annual charity event is expected to cost Pastor Mathew Ashimolowo between 55 and 57 million naira this year, as the 17000 widows who will be benefit from the initiative will be drawn from about eight towns within the State. This is besides the annual scholarships given to indigent students via the church’s arm of charity events.

Besides the fact that 60 per cent of the beneficiaries of the annual widows event are Muslims, most of them are usually of the younger generation occasioned by high mortality rate. Royal fathers from about 12 cities in the state, prominent sons and daughters of the state as well as the state government are all expected at this year’s annual widow’s empowerment event.