The Office of the Wife of the Governor of Abia State has commissioned and handed over 35 “Dignity Homes” to indigent widows drawn from all 17 local government areas of the state.
The ceremony, held recently at Umuhute, Ahiake Ndume in Umuahia, marked the official commissioning of the project executed by the Office of the First Lady to commemorate Governor Alex Otti’s third year in office.
Most of the beneficiaries are vulnerable widows who had been living in extreme poverty before the intervention.
Speaking at the event, the Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Priscilla Otti, said the homes were designed to restore dignity, stability, and hope to vulnerable widows across the state.
She disclosed that, in addition to the houses, beneficiaries also received cash and food support to cater for their immediate needs, while plans were underway to introduce sustainable livelihood programmes for them.
“For a widow, a home means stability, dignity, and restored hope,” she said.
Mrs. Otti thanked Governor Alex Otti for his support and commitment to people-centred governance.
She also appreciated the Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Dr. Christian Uche Anokwuru, for coordinating the project, as well as the Ministry of Women Affairs led by Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, local contractors, and others who contributed to the successful completion of the initiative.
The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Maureen Aghukwa, and the Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Mrs. Ngozi Felix, said the provision of the shelters aligned with Governor Otti’s commitment to practical and impactful governance.
According to them, the governor has consistently demonstrated that leadership should translate into tangible improvements in the lives of the people, adding that the initiative further proved that governance could provide succour and restore dignity to vulnerable citizens.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Women Affairs, Mrs. Chinenye Nwaka, described the event as “a day of hope and restoration” as well as a milestone in Abia’s leadership journey.
Others who commended the initiative included the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Emmanuel Meribole, and the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, Obi Aguocha.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Mercy Ukaegbu, said she never imagined such support would come her way.
“We are eternally grateful for this gesture, and we will continue to pray for the continued success of the administration of Governor Otti and his wife,” she said.
In a related development, the Wife of the Governor visited the Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Compassionate Home, Ahiaeke, and St. Vincent de Paul Centre, Umuafai, where she donated food items, toiletries, cartons of noodles, bags of rice, among other relief materials, as well as cash support for the care of the less privileged.
She also promised to look into the challenges facing the homes and assured them that issues beyond her direct capacity would be brought to the attention of the governor, whom she described as a listening leader.
