Dr Eric Odo, Chairman Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, has approved monthly stipend for all widows in the local government area.
This is as he declared that the council area had the capacity to take care of all the widows in the council area..
Odo, who stated this on Tuesday while addressing hundreds of widows who paid him a courtesy visit in Ogbede, said his administration would equally protect the widows from harm cultural practices.
He disclosed that the monthly stipend, which would be included in the 2025 budget, would go a longer way in assisting them, stating that it is the responsibility of the government to improve the welfare as well as protect the poor.
“The reason why government exist is to improve the welfare the poor in the society, not minding their educational qualifications.
“It is important for us to start addressing the issue of widows’ welfare, so that successive administration will continue from where we stopped. The poor must be protected and cared for.
“What we have come to do is to change the status quo and give the poor and the vulnerable an opportunity to live a fulfilled life.
“Nobody will be shortchanged under my administration, irrespective of the person’s social or economic status,” he said.
The council chairman directed the Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Widows’ Affair, Mrs. Esther Ugwuehi to compile the names of genuine widows, who truly deserve the monthly stipend.
Responding on behalf of the widows, the SSA on Widows’ Affair thanked the council chairman for the kind gesture, describing it as unprecedented.
She noted that Odo was the first chairman in the local government, who not only give audience to the widows but is also determined to improve their welfare.
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