society
CBA FOUNDATION: HELPING CHALLENGED WIDOWS MAKE LEMONADE FROM LIFE’S LEMONS
CBA FOUNDATION: HELPING CHALLENGED WIDOWS MAKE LEMONADE FROM LIFE’S LEMONS
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” is a proverbial phrase said to have been first coined by the writer Elbert Hubbard in 1915. This simple seven-word maxim is very popular and yet so powerful.
People who quote Hubbard’s proverb so easily and apply it in the same measure in their life and circumstances usually have amazing grass-to-grace stories to tell. Their stories illustrate the world of limitless opportunities that open up to people with a mindset primed to make the best of the situations they find themselves in.
However, there are people out there to whom this sensible phrase makes no sense at all. They have found themselves in a very dark place, where they cannot see any future or way forward. And they want to end it all. Death (by suicide) appears to make more sense to them than trying any further to give life another chance and persevere through the challenges they have lived with for long.
People in such an awful state do not consider that there are other people whose situations are far worse than theirs but are hanging on and still trudging ahead in hope that better days would come. They do not think of drawing inspiration to live and keep trying from those other people. They just want to end their life.
This was the position where Mrs Abiola Jacob was months ago when she decided she would take her own life by jumping into the sea. Being a widow for 17 years was bad enough. Not being able to make something of her life in her widowed state after trying for years was devastating. It was what Mrs Jacob could not take any more.
She had had enough of trying. She had lost the will to live and the drive to fight any more for a chance to make something of her life. But for providence, which positioned the group of fishermen that rescued her in the nick of time, she would have joined the growing statistics of people in Nigeria who commit suicide.
That she still finds herself in the land of the living after bidding what she considered her final farewell to the world is one of those miracles that do not happen too often. But that Mrs Jacob’s hope for a brighter future and the will to live and fight for one have been restored is all thanks to the Chinwe Bode-Akinwande Foundation (CBA Foundation) and the public-spirited individuals and organisations that have continued to support the Foundation in its work amongst underprivileged widows and their vulnerable children, since 2015.
Following the great rescue, the rescuers (those selfless fishermen) realised Mrs Jacob was one of the widows in that area who had been a recipient of donations made by the CBA Foundation, as part of its interventions to provide succour to vulnerable widows. They wasted no time in contacting the Foundation to see what further assistance it could provide.
The Foundation was determined that that would be the first (known) and last time suicide would be mentioned in the same sentence with Mrs Jacob’s name. So, it went beyond counselling and encouragement to provide Mrs Jacob with her desired means of livelihood – a provisions-retailing set-up with all the goods and tools (large stock of various brands of soft drinks, table and sachet water, biscuits, among others, as well as a constructed retail display stand, chair, sunshade/umbrella stand) that she would require to start trading right away.
The result of the Foundation’s effort has been magical! A hopeful and elated Mrs Abiola Jacob has emerged, now determined to make the best of her circumstances. The new glow of happiness her life radiates is evidence that she now has a new lease of life.
She now has her own grass-to-grace story, courtesy of the CBA Foundation, who helped to make lemonade for her from the lemons life handed her. Mrs Jacob is so full of praise for the Foundation and prays that “God will continue to provide for them and bless them”.
Mrs Jacob’s new story is one that is likely to encourage a rethink in any vulnerable widows and challenged persons who have been contemplating suicide. Hence, this piece and other efforts to spread her new story.
No matter the lemon life hands you, lemonade can be made from it. If you have reached your wit’s end in trying to figure out how to make lemonade from the lemons life has handed you, you should not keep your struggles to yourself, or wait till you get to that very dark place.
You should quickly reach out and call for help in line with the saying “a problem shared is a problem halved”. Suicide should not feature in your consideration. It should not be elevated to an option. Because it is not. It is not even a last resort. That you have reached your wit’s end does not mean that people whom you could turn to for help would find themselves also stuck and unable to think beyond the mental block that seems to point to suicide as a way out of your predicament.
Life happens – that is, life hands people lemons and this happens every now and then. But part of what makes humans the greatest species in the entire world is that we (or those we turn to for support) can help to make lemonade from life’s lemons. There is no doubt that life has been particularly more challenging for many, especially vulnerable groups like widows and their children, since the COVID-19 pandemic began ravaging the world.
But it has been observed during this same period that humanity has risen in an unprecedented way to meet the challenge and people have been most kind, making spirited efforts to reach out to and support others, especially the vulnerable. Given that the world is still in the throes of the pandemic, there should not be any relenting in such efforts.
The vulnerable need more help and support at this crucial time, to make it through. They must not be allowed to lose hope and get to that very dark place, because of the harsh effects of a pandemic that experts contend will one day become history, just like other pandemics that the world had faced in the past. The strong and able should help the vulnerable to keep hope alive, to keep believing, to keep pressing until all of humanity – both the strong and the vulnerable – get past this horrendous tide.
People who are strong and are able to cope with all manner of challenges that come their way should by now appreciate that they have something for which they should be thankful. In the striking metaphor/analogy of the boiling water, potato and egg used in Mel Robbin’s famous quote (“The same boiling water that softens the potato, hardens the egg”), they are the egg that gets hardened and toughened by the boiling water while the potato is softened by it.
Strong people have to be grateful for their ability to chew challenges for breakfast, consume difficulties for lunch and masticate adversities for dinner. They should appreciate their ability to deal with life’s unpleasant and unwanted handout of lemons by making lemonade of them.
However, strong people’s gratitude should not end in self-congratulations over their “superhuman” strength and resilience. Their gratitude should also extend to the desire to give back, not just mere handouts but in a reasonable way that helps to empower, and build the same resilience in, the vulnerable – those who are like the potato softened by the same boiling water that hardens the egg.
This is the purpose the CBA Foundation was created to fulfil, especially for underprivileged widows and their vulnerable children. The Foundation is a ready platform the appreciative strong can immediately adopt to reach out to the vulnerable as a way of showing their gratitude.
The CBA Foundation is an effective vehicle through which resources can be channelled to help vulnerable widows and their children make lemonade from the lemons life has handed them. So, consider partnering with them today in the mission of reaching widows who may be on the brink and helping them to get a second chance at life like Mrs Abiola Jacob.
Do not delay or debate the need to contact the Foundation right away. You can visit the Foundation’s website www.cbafoundation.org and send an email now at: [email protected].
Dishonouring Fathers Pollutes Your Source and Limits Destiny — Dr. Chris Okafor
“A father’s blessing is tied to your breakthrough and can change life’s patterns.”
Dishonouring one’s father—whether biological or spiritual—can disrupt the source of a person’s blessings and hinder progress in life. According to the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Christopher Okafor, honouring one’s father is a spiritual principle that preserves destiny and unlocks divine favour.
Dr. Okafor made this statement during the Sunday Divine Intervention and Breakthrough Service held on March 15, 2026, at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.
The Power of a Father’s Blessing
In his teaching, the cleric described a father as a spiritual source.
According to him, when individuals respect and honour their source, they create a pathway for blessings, stability, and the fulfillment of their inheritance in life.
“One of the most dangerous practices for a believer is dishonouring a father,” he said.
“When the source is honoured, life flows well and destiny is preserved.”
He warned that when a father releases a negative declaration, it can become difficult for a person to experience lasting success, regardless of their level of hard work or skill.
“You may be hardworking,” he noted, “but if the source is polluted, progress can become difficult.”
Patterns Passed Through Families
Continuing his sermon in the series “Patterns – Part 2,” Dr. Okafor explained that many individuals struggle with recurring challenges within their families.
He suggested that hostility, blackmail, or disrespect toward authority figures may sometimes reflect deeper unresolved patterns within family lineages.
According to him, such patterns can affect a person’s progress until they are consciously addressed.
Breaking Negative Patterns
The preacher emphasized that the blessing of a father can interrupt negative family cycles.
Regardless of the patterns affecting a family, he said, a sincere blessing from a father figure has the spiritual authority to shift circumstances and open new paths for success.
He further advised believers to live responsibly, follow divine instructions, and remain prayerful.
“When you honour your fathers and walk in obedience,” he said, “God releases guidance and answers prayers speedily.”
Service Announcement
Meanwhile, Grace Nation Worldwide has announced that its annual flagship family liberation conference, “Harvest of Babies 2026,” will hold in the last week of March at the church’s international headquarters in Ojodu Berger, Lagos.
According to church officials, the conference is designed for couples and individuals trusting God for the fruit of the womb. The event is expected to attract participants from different parts of the world seeking spiritual support and prayer for miracle children.
Dr. Okafor encouraged expectant parents and families believing for children to participate in the prophetic gathering, expressing faith that God will bring transformation and testimonies to many lives.
ADC Unveils Opposition Strategy as Obi, Atiku, Amaechi Move to Challenge Tinubu in 2027
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Opposition heavyweights explore coalition strategy under the African Democratic Congress as political analysts debate whether a united front can realistically challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.”
Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rotimi Amaechi are working together under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as part of a coordinated political effort aimed at defeating Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, according to party insiders who revealed the strategy in Abuja in March 2026.
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The ADC leadership disclosed that the three prominent political figures (each of whom commands significant national followership) are currently holding consultations, building a broad opposition coalition, and harmonising political structures across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The objective, according to the party, is to create a unified opposition front capable of challenging the electoral dominance of the APC, which has controlled Nigeria’s presidency since 2015.
Party officials said the collaboration represents a deliberate attempt to replicate the successful coalition strategy that defeated the then-ruling party in 2015, when several opposition blocs merged to form the APC and ultimately removed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from power after sixteen years. Analysts say the ADC coalition hopes to reverse that historical pattern by bringing together major opposition figures under a single political platform before the 2027 elections.
According to political insiders, the discussions among Obi, Atiku and Amaechi revolve around three key pillars: coalition building, electoral strategy, and national policy alternatives designed to appeal to voters dissatisfied with Nigeria’s economic direction and governance challenges. The ADC reportedly believes that combining Obi’s youth-driven support base, Atiku’s political networks across northern Nigeria, and Amaechi’s organisational influence within the political establishment could create a formidable opposition alliance.
Political scientist Prof. Pat Utomi argued that coalition politics may be the only realistic path for opposition forces seeking to defeat an incumbent government in Nigeria. According to him, “Opposition fragmentation has always been the ruling party’s greatest advantage. A coalition changes the arithmetic of Nigerian politics.”
Similarly, constitutional lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) observed that the emerging alliance reflects a broader democratic pattern. “In many democracies, opposition parties must cooperate to challenge incumbents effectively. What matters is whether such cooperation produces credible alternatives for voters,” Falana said in a recent public lecture on electoral reform.
However, not all analysts believe the coalition will automatically translate into electoral victory. Political commentator Dr. Jide Ojo noted that Nigeria’s electoral politics is shaped by regional balancing, party structures, and grassroots mobilisation, factors that may complicate the opposition’s strategy. “Coalitions are powerful, but they only work when ideological differences are managed and when leadership ambitions are carefully negotiated,” he explained.
The question of who will eventually emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate remains one of the most sensitive issues. Both Obi and Atiku previously contested the presidency in the 2023 election, while Amaechi (former governor of Rivers State and former Minister of Transportation) also ran in the APC presidential primaries that produced Tinubu as candidate. Negotiations over the presidential ticket are therefore expected to become a central issue as coalition talks progress.
Political historian Dr. Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, believes the coalition’s success will depend on whether it can present a clear national vision rather than merely an anti-Tinubu agenda. According to him, “Nigerians are not only interested in defeating incumbents; they want to know what comes after. A coalition must offer policy credibility.”
Meanwhile, supporters of the ruling APC dismiss the coalition as politically exaggerated. Some party leaders argue that the opposition alliance lacks cohesion and may eventually collapse under internal rivalry. They maintain that President Tinubu still commands strong political structures nationwide and remains well-positioned ahead of the 2027 race.
Despite the skepticism, the emerging ADC coalition has already intensified political discussions across the country. For many observers, the alliance represents the first serious attempt to reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape since the 2023 general election.
Whether the collaboration between Obi, Atiku and Amaechi will ultimately succeed in unseating Tinubu remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the battle for Nigeria’s 2027 presidency has quietly begun, with coalition politics once again emerging as a decisive factor in the nation’s democratic trajectory..
society
UNIPGC AFRICA Seals Strategic Partnership with Greenvillage Empowerment Foundation for Capacity Building Initiatives Spearheaded by the Governor of Tana River County, Kenya
*UNIPGC AFRICA Seals Strategic Partnership with Greenvillage Empowerment Foundation for Capacity Building Initiatives Spearheaded by the Governor of Tana River County, Kenya
In a significant step toward strengthening sustainable development and leadership capacity across Africa, *UNIPGC AFRICA* has officially sealed a strategic partnership with *Greenvillage Empowerment Foundation (GVEF)* to implement impactful capacity-building projects. The initiative is spearheaded by the Governor of Tana River County, Republic of Kenya.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a *Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)* by key representatives of both organizations. Signatories to the agreement include *H.E. Amb. Jonathan Ojadah*, Global President of the United Nations International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC); *Amb. Jase Carlos Sousa,* Member of the UNIPGC Supreme Council; and *H.E. Maj. (Rtd.) Dr. Dhadho Godhana*, Executive Governor of Tana River County.
The MoU establishes a robust framework of cooperation between *UNIPGC* and *GVEF* reflecting a shared vision and strong alignment of values in promoting sustainable development, peace, and inclusive governance across Africa.
Under the agreement, both organizations will collaborate on a wide range of development initiatives, including the promotion of *democracy and good governance*, *climate change education and environmental sustainability*, *health promotion through water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), Youth capacity building through Robust Film Production Ecosystem, sports development and gender equality and empowerment of marginalized communities*.
The partnership will also actively support and advance the *United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)*.
As part of the collaboration, UNIPGC and GVEF have committed to establishing effective channels for joint action through the design and implementation of programs and projects that address shared development priorities. These initiatives will focus on strengthening leadership capacity, promoting inclusive participation in governance, and enhancing community-based development efforts.
Furthermore, the partnership will encourage mutual institutional support, enabling both organizations to provide *technical expertise, strategic guidance, and moral support* toward the successful implementation of their initiatives.
This landmark collaboration marks a major milestone in advancing cross-sector partnerships aimed at fostering *sustainable development, social inclusion, and transformational leadership across Africa*, while reinforcing the collective commitment of both organizations to achieving the *United Nations Sustainable Development Goals*
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