The Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu state, Mr Eric Odo, has approved a monthly stipend for widows in the area.
This is as he declared that the council had the capacity to take care of the widows.
Odo, who stated this on Wednesday while addressing hundreds of widows who paid him a courtesy visit in Ogbede, said his administration would equally protect the widows from harmful cultural practices.
He disclosed that the monthly stipend, which would be included in the 2025 budget, would go a longer way in assisting in augmenting their financial needs.
Odo stated that it was the responsibility of the government to improve their welfare as well as protect the poor.
“The reason why government exist is to improve the welfare of 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 wherever we stopped. The poor must be protected and cared for.
“What we have come to do is to change the status quo and give all platform, the poor and the vulnerable ones an opportunity to live a fulfilled life.
“Nobody will be short changed 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’ Affairs, Mrs Esther Ugwuehi, to compile the names of genuine widows, who truly deserve the monthly stipend.
Responding on behalf of the widows, Ugwuehi thanked the council chairman for the kind gesture, describing it as unprecedented.
She noted that Odo is the first chairman in the local government, who not only give audience to the widows, but is also determined to improve their welfare.
The chairman did not state the amount that would be paid to each widow as it will be captured in the 2025 budget of the council.
(NAN)
