Our Team
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Our Founder
Oyovwe is the founder and CEO of The Widows Empowerment Trust. She is a social activist for bereavement, a strong community leader and social voice for widows. Empathy & compassion motivated her to promote social inclusion on bereaved spouses by providing Social therapy rehabilitation.
Oyovwe graduated with a B.Sc degree in Chemistry from Delta State University in Nigeria before she migrated to the United Kingdom. In 2009, she obtained M.Sc degree in Environmental Protection at Salford University. After obtaining her degrees in more scientific areas, she realised her passion lies in humanity and care and decided to obtain a degree in Social Care (BA Hons) at Manchester Metropolitan University in 2012.
Her interest in and compassion for widows stems from her grandmother, which raised Oyowe´s mother as a widow in Nigeria. Coping with psychological, economic, cultural and social challenges and the stigmatisation about widows still present in some cultures, made it difficult for them to cope and survive. Oyovwe promised her mother that when she grew up, she would support and empower widows, and work to change the social stigma around widowhood, and this work turned into The Widows Empowerment Trust.
Our Trustees
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Tony is a graduate from the University of Port Harcourt, with Petroleum Engineering. He went on to study Marine Engineering institution of Nautical studies and Research in Delta State. Tony is highly skilled in leadership, health & safety, and first Aid. With his skills, attributes and knowledge, this positively impacts his service to empower Widows in Africa.
Jessa Harrison
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Chief (Amb) Harrison Jessa has won several awards in Nigeria for his humanitarian services to his community and the society at large which includes United Nations-POLAC Award as Ambassador of Peace 2016 & Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He founded a Non Government Organisation, NGO, and was charged with the responsibility to provide
Chief (Amb) Harrison Jessa has won several awards in Nigeria for his humanitarian services to his community and the society at large which includes United Nations-POLAC Award as Ambassador of Peace 2016 & Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). He founded a Non Government Organisation, NGO, and was charged with the responsibility to provide educational support for children, empower the youths, provide economic opportunity for women and care for the elderly and widows.
Toju Foh Brenda
Tony Uviavwodo Sagbodje
Toju Foh Brenda
Toju Brenda Foh is a mother, sister and a friend. She has a BA in theatre arts. She is a stage actor and likes to draw caricatures of people for fun, she enjoys country songs and is very compassionate with making every happy as much as she can be. She is highly creative and artistic and can make stuffs from natural things. Very passionate impacting others and helping in the community.
Our Team Members
Richard Kigho
Richard Kigho
Richard Kigho
Due to his passion and empathy for bereaved people, Richard runs a bereavement organisation championing individual on peer to peer support in United Kingdom with The Widows Empowerment Trust. He is the creativity and project manager supporting widows, widowers and others in need to mitigate loneliness and isolation across Greater Manchester.
Rita Omonigho
Richard Kigho
Richard Kigho
Rita is one of our fellow Admin staff that keeps the organisation flowing smoothly as she handles day to day tasks. Her drive to help support widows in African communities is one of her many valuable traits.
Kim Wexler
Richard Kigho
Kim Wexler
Kim is one of our fellow community outreach workers. She is a hard worker who aims to support our mission for bereaved spouses all around the world. Her compassion for the bereaved is admired and appreciated by all.
Our Patrons
Stephanie Roberts
Chief Veronica Piserchia
Councillor Basil Curley
Councillor Basil Curley
Chief Veronica Piserchia
Councillor Basil Curley
Chief Veronica Piserchia
Chief Veronica Piserchia
Chief Veronica Piserchia
Our Volunteers
David Ugen - PR/Project Coordinator
David Oghenebrume Ugen, a graduate of Human physiology from Delta State University Abraka, Nigeria. I acquired potential skills that can be transfer to the Widows Empowerment Initiative for Africa to help provide relief to Widows in Africa. For example, effective communication both oral and written, good use of computer, Human Resource management, a leadership role with readiness to serve, good marketing skills, managing data and correspondence, and organizing events, seminars, and conferences. He is very passionate person that understand grief, he understands the impact of loss and bereavement in Africa especially economical challenge faced by widows and their children.
Neriah Tejiro Kigho - Director
Neriah is a dancer and mentor to young people using her dancing skills to interpret happiness in the community. she started volunteering since the age of 11 years. she devotes her spare and quality time helping her community with bag packing in supermarkets across Greater Manchester to raise fund to support the Widows Empowerment Trust. Neriah has won the fundraiser of the year in 2019 and she continue supporting widows across United Kingdom. Neriah want to extend her passion and love for widows to Widows in Africa. She is keen in Understanding different culture, tradition and belief in Africa relating to bereavement.
Judith Irijevew Sagbodje - Coordinator/PR
My passion and my drive is seeing others happy. I had my degree in Economic and very good in marketing and publicity. I understand the need of widows in Africa, a lot of issues impacted negatively on the need of widows. I have got experience working as a team and am a good team player. My time is priceless and am keen in devoting my spare time support widows in Africa. I am presently based in Nigeria, working as a sub-contractor with Elf Company, French company. I am looking forward volunteering with the Widows Empowerment Initiative for Africa.