ABOUT US
WE ARE FESTUS FRANCIS WIDOW FOUNDATION
This is a private, voluntary, non-profit, faith based, non-governmental organization based in the United Kingdom with outlets in Nigeria. The inspiration to form the Group was Burne out of Mrs Elizabeth Isoken Ilekhuoba widowhood experience.
The foundation in Nigeria was registered with the special grace of God on July 22, 2020 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria.
Since the inception of the foundation, the inspirations have been so encouraging.
We support widows through the grieving process and beyond by providing life transition resources and immediate connection; facilitating the healing process and allowing for rebuilding to start from our communities embrace and we uplift and encourage as widows re-engage in life.
It has been our experience that when we bring women and men together in a group setting, where individuals are at various stages in their grieving and emotions are high, that often time individuals become romantically involved which hinders the grieving process. We promote moving forward in your time, but we also value safety and keeping you at the heart and focus.
We provide resources to learn about nutrition, recipes, fitness, and lifestyle. Along with uplifting and encouraging messages to validate emotions and bring hope while on the grief journey.
Our motto remains ‘Capacity Building Mission’
- A strong network of widows/widowers empowering them through shared experience.
- To open the doors for widows/widowers ensuring they do not go through their experience along. But to get lasting support and connections.
- We listen, understand and tailor personalize care at every stage of the grieving process.
- To provide resources on nutrition recipes, fitness and lifestyle alongside with uplifting and encouraging messages.
- To enhance emotions through group discussion in a confidential, safe and friendly environment; thereby bringing hope while on the grieving process journey.
We listen. We care.
OUR MISSION
Festus Francis Widow Foundation is a private, voluntary, non-profit, faith based and non-governmental organization based in Nigeria and United Kingdom.
The initiative to form the Foundation was borne out of Mrs. Elizabeth Isoken Ilekhuoba widowhood bitter experience after she lost her husband, Mr. Festus Francis Ilekhuoba.
Our mission statement includes easing the burden of existence for widows/widower, physically challenged and less privileged, which we do through our community network amongst others.
The foundation was organized with the special grace of God on July 22, 2018 with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Nigeria.
Our call value,
Capacity Building Mission’.
OUR OBJECTIVE
This foundation was founded on personal first hand experiences.
We support widows/widowers through the grieving process and beyond. We provide resources, immediate connection; facilitate the healing process thereby allowing seamless life transition from bereavement.
In our communities, we embrace, uplift and encourage as widows/widowers to re-engage positively in life.
- To work for social development of widows, physically challenged and underprivileged, communities and world at large.
- To encourage good healthcare development and to alleviate poverty amongst the underprivileged.
- To encourage and popularise voluntary work, empowering and developing local communities.
- Developing programmes and strategies for development amongst the people.
PROFILE
Late Festus Francis O. Ilekhuoba
Festus Francis O. Ilekhuoba was born in Oredo Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria on December 6, 1957 to Mr. & Mrs. Francis Ilekhuoba.
He attended St. Joseph Primary School and afterwards proceeded to Asoro Grammar School, Benin City, Edo State. Thereafter, he attended Nigeria Prisons College in Ikoyi, Lagos.
He served at the Nigerian Prisons for 14 years where excelled to the rank of Assistant Prison Superintendent Officer.
He later relocated to the United Kingdom with his amiable wife, Isoken, whom he met in the year 1981 courtesy of his younger brother, Jonathan Ilekhuoba.
Since the inception of their Union, the fire of love between the couples had never seized burning till his death.
Festus choose Isoken as a loving sister, mother and a wife.
The union is blessed with a robust family of 3 lovely children and grand sons.
Festus was popularly known and called ‘Oga Landlord’.
Festus was a God fearing man. He lived a wonderful and simple life, and very generous. His legacies will forever be remembered.
Everyone that went to him in tears goes back home smiling.
He was a great loving and caring father, cherished and loved so dearly by his children.
His wife, Isoken described him as a soul mate, twin brother and her best friend; she often referred to him in her own word as ‘Honey Boy’.
His friends described him as a calm, gentle and funny man.