Our Nigerian Partners
Committed to the Cause
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of Nigeria's Double Widows Relief Fund. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members. (see below)
Dr. Ekene Osakwe
Founder
Nigerian Project Leader and Immunologist: Dr. Ekene Osakwe (Humphrey – Fulbright Fellow, CDC, Emory University) is the visionary which God has called to establish these much-needed homes for those most despised by the world.
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Dr. Osakwe earned her Doctorate in Microbiology, Immunology, HIV from University of Bucharest in 2010. She has received several awards including the 2015 Global Health Travel Award, the 2012 Bill and Melinda Gates Global Health Travel Award, the 2011 International AIDS Society (IAS) Scholarship, and the 2009 ZIBI/DAAD Award, among others, to attend various symposium in countries including Italy, the U.S. Germany, and China.
As the Assistant Chief Scientific Officer for the National Biotechnology Development Agency, Dr. Osakwe is the coordinator of the infectious disease unit, under the medical biotechnology department. She coordinates research activities in the field of HIV/AIDS, malaria and Human papillomavirus (HPV) and the establishment of an HIV Voluntary Counselling and Testing center.
Rev. Stephen Panya Baba
President of ECWA
Rev. Stephen Panya Baba, President of ECWA and former Director of Evangelical Missionary Society (EMS), has committed a substantial amount of expertise and resources toward ministry to these women. Before been elected as the ECWA President he was the EMS Cross Border Mission Coordinator and ECWA Television Coordinator.
Mr. Nuhu Yakubu
Project Team Leader
W. Stuart Symington, US Ambassador to Nigeria with Nuhu Yakubu being honored for his work among Nigeria's Internally Displaced People groups. U.S. Embassy Nigeria. Mr. Yakubu is a top administrator at the largest Evangelical denomination (ECWA) in Africa.
ECWA
Sponsoring Church
ECWA (Evangelical Church Winning All) with over 1800 churches in NE Nigeria is the largest denomination in the affected region of conflict. It is also the oldest evangelical denomination on the continent.
Madame Jummai Madaki
Association for Life of Africa (AFLA)
National Director for Nigeria and responsible for oversight of Regional Pregnancy Resource counselors and safehome ministries in Jos, Nigeria (our base of operations for the Houses of Refuge.) AFLA is the African affiliate of U.S. based ministry Heartbeat Int'l. We partner with Heartbeat from time to time. Our most recent collaboration was sponsoring a NE Nigerian pastors training conference to recognize and refer Gender-Based Violence victims from throughout the affected region.
Bukky Shonibare
International Human Rights Activist
The international activist of "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign, Bukky Shonibare, lends to us her extensive knowledge of working for the release of women held captive to Gender-Based Violence. She continues to work as an advocate on behalf of girls escaping from the Boko Haram and ensuring that they receive a solid education and skills training.
Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative
Director of Communications
Through the initiative of Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, the government of Nigeria, working through the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI), has offered its full support in aiding our efforts to reach these girls. Personhood Development Initiative is proud to be an acknowledged stakeholder registered by the government for this project.
Peter and Miriam Fretheim
With us since our founding, Peter is one of our veteran team members. He directs City Ministries in Jos, Nigeria, and directs our orphan outreach. He brings years of experience and skills to the forefront in helping our organization grow and succeed. He is a senior staff member of Sudan Inland Missions (SIM).
U.S. Partners
Being a Voice for the Voiceless
Coming together from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences, our skilled team of professionals is the backbone of Nigeria's Double Widows Relief Fund. Their ideas help shape the direction and mission of our organization as it continues to develop. Read on to learn more about some of our incredible team members.
Daniel Becker
US Development Director
Founder of Personhood (personhood.org) and the Personhood Alliance, former President and PAC Director of Georgia Right to Life, Becker's decades of experience in the arena of the sanctity-of-life equip him to provide a unique voice for those who have no voice. Ministry Ventures certified and listed with National Christian Foundation (as Grace Fellowship Church).
Dr. Patricia McEwen
Doctors for Life, Int'l
Founding member, Dr. McEwen worked extensively throughout the African continent to bring medical aid and spiritual comfort to people in remote areas of need. Pictured receiving a lifetime achievement award for her many years of faithful service . . . Defender of Life. She went to be with the Lord in October 2019. This project is a lasting tribute to her faithfulness.
Daphne Nicely
Field Instructor
Daphne Nicely is the Executive Director of the Morning Center of Atlanta. With decades of ministry with women facing crisis pregnancy she brings a depth of experience and training to our partners in the field.
Darlene Pawlik
Sex Trafficking Consultant
Darlene Pawlik founder of The Darling Princess, works to advance the personhood message by bringing anti-human-trafficking and pro-life logic to the table at the same time. The inextricable link between the two is the degradation of human dignity and dehumanization that prevails in a hedonistic culture.
Grace Fellowship Church of South Forsyth
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Oversight Organization
Nigerian Widows Relief Fund is under the oversight and financial accountability of the Elders of this local church. All contributions are tax deductible. Please designate"Nigerian Widows Relief Fund" on any check, PayPal or credit card donation.