True to his promise, the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has taken a bold step to better the lot of widows of the state’s fallen heroes by empowering them with the sum of N20million.
The governor said the empowerment programme was aimed at removing shame and reproach from the largely forgotten widows who, he noted, should instead be celebrated by society.
Mimiko announced the gesture yesterday as part of events marking the year 2012 annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Akure, the state capital
He disclosed that the programme, tagged ‘Widows Resettlement and Empowerment Scheme’, which has been packaged as interest-free and first of its kind since the creation of the state, would benefit about 203 widows.
The state helmsman revealed that the initiative was to make the widows self-reliant, self-employed and independent as bread winners of most of their families.
According to him, “Under this scheme, a sum of N20m will be disbursed to 203 persons of this category as presented by the Ondo State Council of the Nigerian Legion and Command of the 323 Artillery Regiment Akure.”