Yuletide: Anambra Commissioner Donates N50k, Bags of Rice to 150 Widows

By Praise Chinecherem

A total of 150 widows in Anambra State have received cash and bags of rice as early Christmas largesse from Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt Hon Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche.

The Commissioner also empowered three widows who are petty traders with N50,000 each to invest in their businesses or start a new one.

The largesse were distributed during the Commissioner’s seasonal get-together with widows in Onitsha, Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Speaking at the event held at the local government headquarters at Fegge, Onitsha, Governor’s wife, Mrs Nonye Soludo who supported the commissioner with bags for rice, commended her for always remembering the downtrodden in the society.

Mrs Soludo, represented by woman leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mrs Esther Onyekesi informed the widows that the Governor was aware of their plight, hence his policies targeted at ameliorating their conditions.

“Governor Chukwuma Soludo understands the economic hardship in the country and the impact it has on the poor and less privileged,

“This is why he has initiated policies such as free education from primary to secondary school, free delivery and antenatal service for pregnant women, as well as massive infrastructural development to alleviate the suffering of the poor masses,” she said.

On her part, Commissioner Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche urged the women not to be despaired by their husband’s absence, promising them that she would continue to remember and support them.

“The widows’ empowerment is a programme I hold three times a year especially during celebrations to help the women celebrate the season without feeling dejected,” she explained.

Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche also asked the widows to maintain home gardens in line with the Anambra State government’s “Farm-To-Feed” initiative as a way to fight hunger and eat healthy and organic foods.

“This is my own way of assuring you that you are not alone. That is also the mantra of the All Progressives Grand Alliance- ‘Be Your Brother’s Keeper.’

“The governor has exemplified this in all his administration’s policies and I’m glad that we are sustaining it,” she noted.

Some benefitting traders, Mrs Calista Echerem, a food vendor and Mrs Chinasa Ukwueze, a sachet water hawker, narrated how they have been suffering to feed their children since their husbands died.

They appreciated the Commissioner for remembering them, praying God to continue to bless her life’s endeavors.