By Ifeanyi Olannye

Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has empowered 10,000 widows under the State’s Social Investment scheme, saying, the widows prayed for him during his elections.

The governor, who flagged off programme, “Delta State Widows Welfare Scheme: Widows Alert Sheriff is Doing More” on Monday in Asaba, said his administration would continue to empower widows as part of the state’s programmes to impact the economically downtrodden in the state.

He announced a monthly grant of N15,000 each for the carefully selected 10,000 widows from across the 270 federal wards in the 25 local government areas of the state.

Oborevwori also announced that the widows are to enjoy free healthcare services in government health facilities in their locality as government has paid their premium and enrolled them into the state’s Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.

Oborevwori said: “The widows prayed for me during my election and I won. Widows are usually marginalised in the their families after the death of their husbands. We will continue to empower them.

“During my State of the State address at the State House of Assembly in May this year, I announced the increase of the amount paid the widows from N10,000 to N15,000.

“Today I am announcing the increase with three months arrears of N45,000 to be paid immediately to the 10,000 selected widows, while their monthly stipend of N15,000 will be paid directly into their accounts.

“You can construct roads, build infrastructure and others but welfare is key to make the people happy.”

He said that his administration had initiated the social investment project to ensure that the people were carried along in the scheme of things.

The governor announced that the state government would soon roll out four programmes to empower the youths, women and other sects designed to touch more residents of the state.

“In addition to the N15,000 monthly grants, I have directed that the beneficiaries be enrolled into the state’s Contributory Health Insurance Scheme. I have paid their premium.

“As at May 28, this year, no fewer than 266,733 people have been empowered through the state’s welfare scheme. It is my hope that well-meaning Deltans support and partner government to improve the welfare of the people of the state.”

Earlier, the Executive Assistant to the Governor on Social Welfare Scheme and Coordinator, State Widows Welfare Scheme, Dr Isioma Okonta, said that selection process was devoid of politics.

According to Okonta, the 10,000 widows are widows indeed, the poor among the poor.

“We engaged the traditional rulers, president generals and the communities in the selection process. They are residents of the state irrespective of tribes and origin. The governor extended the gesture to all and also they are to enjoy free medical care.”

He said that the beneficiaries have been properly documented, and their account details taken to enable ease of payment of their monthly grants directly into their accounts.

He thanked the governor for the gesture and for impacting lives in the state.

Also, Mrs Pat Ajudua, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Community and Social Development, lauded the governor for supporting the scheme, adding that the widows’ scheme would positively impact widows across the state.

In an interview, the beneficiaries told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the governor’s programme would impact them positively.

According to Mrs Christiana Akalusi, Elizabeth Mukoro and Mercy Ololo, the monthly stipend will help to support and sustain their small businesses and enable them take care of their families.

They thanked Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori and all the stakeholders who had considered them for the programme while pledging to effectively utilise the monthly stipend to improve their welfare in line with the programme’s initiative. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng.)

Edited by Benson Iziama