… conducts 1,100 surgeries for fibroids, cataracts, others

By Ebunoluwa Sessou

Christ Compassion to the Rural World, CCRW, founded by Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, is set to storm Port Harcourt with what has been described as one of the biggest humanitarian and evangelistic crusades ever held in Rivers State, combining free surgeries, medical intervention, food distribution and large-scale evangelism.

Speaking at a press briefing ahead of the event, Pastor Ashimolowo said the vision of CCRW to reach the rural world was birthed over years of ministering in remote communities across Africa, particularly in Ghana, which he visited repeatedly for eight years.

According to him, Port Harcourt became the next location for the outreach after months of prayer and what he described as divine direction. The programme is tagged “Port Harcourt, This is Selfless Love”.

It will be recalled that CCRW kicked off in Ikorodu in 2023, then Ibadan in 2024, and now moves to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium, Igwuruta, Port Harcourt, from November 24–29, 2025.

Ashimolowo said the Port Harcourt crusade is the most expensive so far, costing nearly four times the maiden outreach in Ikorodu and double the cost of Ibadan.

The medical arm of the outreach is expected to run for three weeks across multiple hospitals in Rivers State, including the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and several primary healthcare centres.

He disclosed that 1,130 surgical cases have already been screened, including over 300 thyroid cases, more than 200 fibroid cases and more than 300 cataract cases, adding that about 70,000 people will benefit from the medical services.

“Port Harcourt is turning out to be the biggest so far, as 70,000 people would benefit from the medical treatments and services,” he said.

He also commended the Rivers State Government, describing the level of cooperation as unprecedented, especially in the deployment of hospitals and support staff.

He noted that items to be distributed include 150,000 bags of rice, 150,000 bags of beans, 150,000 packs of garri, 100,000 noodles, 20,000 packs of salt, sugar and cooking oil, 20,000 bags of soap, 170,000 clothing items including 10,000 Ankara wrappers for the elderly, 25,000 buckets and 1,000 mattresses for the elderly.

Participants are expected to collect their coupons on Monday, November 24, which will enable them to receive all relief items during the Tuesday distribution.

The Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium will be partitioned into sections for young men, young women, older men, older women, mothers with children and persons with disabilities to ensure orderliness.

“You go to where your age and gender group belongs. That is how we avoid confusion,” Ashimolowo said.

He added that over 9,000 volunteers are already on ground, while 150 buses have been arranged to convey people from rural communities including Ogoniland, Ahoada, Igwuruta and Oginigba.

Several Christian campgrounds have been rented to accommodate indigent visitors traveling from remote areas.

“All these efforts are put in place to save souls that are perishing. We are expecting 30,000 souls targeted for salvation. Beyond the massive humanitarian effort, the core of CCRW is evangelism.

“We are preachers first. Our desire is to see over 30,000 people commit their lives to Christ. During the night crusades there will be miracles, healings and deliverances.”

Ashimolowo further explained that 300 police officers and soldiers have been deployed to ensure security throughout the six-day event.

On the ministers’ conference, he said the School of Ministry will run simultaneously, featuring speakers from Nigeria, Ghana, Zimbabwe and the United States, including Pastor Poju Oyemade, Pastor Jerry Eze, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, Bishop Tudor Bismark (Zimbabwe), Dr. Festus Adeyeye (USA), Jonathan Shuttlesworth (USA), and Rev. Steve Mensah and team (Ghana).

According to him, the training aims to foster unity among churches and strengthen pastoral leadership across the region.

Ashimolowo praised the collaboration among Christian bodies including CAN, PFN and numerous denominational groups.

“On this platform, several church organizations are represented. Once people see our heart, they merge into one. That unity is what makes this work possible,” he said.

He added that the long-term plan is to take CCRW beyond Nigeria to other African nations.

Meanwhile, the Chief Operating Officer of CCRW, Mrs. Nasara Katugwu-Washpam, said her responsibility is to oversee the daily operations of the crusade, negotiate favourable deals, manage resources, implement operational strategies, manage budgets and ensure compliance with relevant authorities.

She noted that transporting 2,520 one-kilogram bags of rice and beans from the northern part of the country to Port Harcourt required full security escort, and that repackaging over 500,000 nylon bags took three months.

She added that the outreach has positively impacted the hospitality, aviation, transportation and small-business sectors, with six hotels booked to accommodate volunteers and guests from Ghana, the UK and the United States.

Each day, we prepare to cater to between 60,000 and 70,000 attendees, supported by an army of volunteers. We are blessed to have over 9,000 registered volunteers serving in various capacities including counseling, set-up and dismantling, crowd control, security, transportation, welfare, the ministers’ conference, among others.

“This crusade is not just an event or a gathering. It is a movement. The impact of this crusade will endure long after the programme concludes, because the works birthed from it will last forever,” she said.

Vanguard News