Janet Samuel
The National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), Nigeria, in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has flagged off the official handover of food and non-food items to vulnerable families across five states affected by humanitarian crises.
The ceremony was held on Thursday at the NCWS Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, the National President of NCWS, Princess Edna D.D. Azura expressed immense gratitude to the Church for its generous donation, describing it as “more than just a gift but a lifeline” to countless women and their families in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Enugu, Plateau, and Sokoto states. Noting that the support will bring immediate relief and hope to women and children grappling with food insecurity and displacement.
Princess Azura highlighted that the donation is a reflection of shared values of compassion and service between NCWS and the Church, praising the Church’s humanitarian footprint across Africa, from clean water projects in Ghana to maternal health initiatives in Kenya, stating that such partnerships are vital to addressing Nigeria’s growing social and economic challenges.
Unveiling her administration’s blueprint titled “Empower Every Woman for Accelerated National Development,” Princess Azura said the NCWS vision goes beyond food relief, stressing that women must be empowered through maternal health programs, education, youth entrepreneurship, climate advocacy, and inclusive skills acquisition, especially for people living with disabilities. She called for deeper collaboration with the Church to help build training centres, classrooms, and workshops that would sustain long-term empowerment.
Issuing a charge to NCWS state presidents in the beneficiary states, Princess Azura emphasized transparency and accountability in distributing the items, She urging them to document the process through registers, photos, and videos to reassure partners that their generosity is reaching those most in need. “Let transparency and accountability be your watchwords,” she charged.
In his remarks, Elder Isaac Morrison, who represented The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, described compassionate service as central to discipleship and humanitarian work. Quoting from scriptures, he said, “When we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God.” He reiterated that the Church’s interventions are driven not by publicity but by the conviction that every soul is precious in God’s sight.
Elder Morrison outlined recent crises in the five beneficiary states from insurgent attacks in Adamawa and violent assaults in Plateau, to floods in Akwa Ibom and herdsmen attacks in Enugu that left thousands displaced and vulnerable. He explained that the NCWS request for support moved the Church to act swiftly, mobilising relief items such as rice, beans, gari, oil, noodles, soap, sanitary pads, and tissue paper for 2,000 affected families.
According to him, each state will receive supplies for 400 households, offering immediate relief and restoring dignity to families in distress, stressing that these donations are made possible by the sacrificial contributions of Church members worldwide, from Nigeria to New Zealand, Ghana to Germany, and the United States. “These are ordinary individuals giving quietly and consistently, motivated by love for the Saviour and compassion for His children,” he said.
Elder Morrison reminded participants that true discipleship is measured by active service to the vulnerable. “Every act of service is a sermon; every donation, a declaration of faith; every life touched, a testament of the Saviour’s love,” he stated, adding that partnerships such as this demonstrate that compassion transcends borders, politics, and creed.
Distinguished guests who graced the occasion include Dr. Ejike Orji, Chairman of Ejike Orji Community Development Foundation; Sir Chikwendu Udensi, NCWS Board Member; Mr. Tijani Musa Tumsah, NCWS Board Member; Dr. Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi, Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs FCTA; and Dr. Asabe Villita Bashir, Director-General, Maryam Babangida National Centre for Women Development.
Also in attendance was Hajiya Zainab Maina, former NCWS National President and former Minister of Women Affairs. They all commended the Church for empowering and feeding women and children nationwide, and prayed that God grant the institution the ability to do more in the future.
