The Enugu State Government has commended the First Lady, Dame Patience Goodluck over the recent donations of millions of Naira worth of items for the empowerment of widows in the state.
The State Commissioner for Gender Affairs, Mrs Ndidi Chukwu who made the commendation during the presentation of the items to widows in the state yesterday in Enugu, said the gesture demonstrated the profound interest of the first lady in the welfare and upliftment of women across Nigeria.
She noted that the items donated to Enugu widows and which included about included food processing machines, grinding machines, generators, sewing machines, hair dryers, mosquito nets, bags of rice, bags of salt, cartons of soap clothing materials among others.
Mrs Chukwu said the gesture which according to her “have put beautiful smiles on the faces of the widows”, coincided with the determined efforts of the state government to, not only empower widows in the state economically, but also give them a sense of belonging and encouragement in their efforts to cope with their situation.
She further enjoined the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items presented to them stressing that they were not for sale but designed to help them become successful and financially independent.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of Women for Change Initiative, Lady Nkem Onyema noted that the donation of the items were part of Dame Jonathan’s pet projects to empower the women to live successfully even in the face of economic challenges.
She expressed the gratitude women in the state to the over the first lady’s efforts towards the welfare of the widows and promised that the women will not relent in showing massive support to her husband, President Gooluck Jonathan.
She further commended the Chief of Staff, Government House Enugu, Mrs Ifeoma Nwobodo , who is also the patron of Women for Change Initiative adding that “Mrs Nwobodo was ever supportive in advancing the course of women in the state and should also continue to be recognized as a strong pillar behind the successful development in the state”.
Speaking with reporters, some of the widows: Mrs Helen Agu from Udi , Mrs Jacinta Ossai from Igboeze North and Mrs perpetua Ugwu from Isi Uzo Local Government areas, expressed delight at the gesture and noted that Mrs Jonathan was “ always mindful of the down trodden as she has remembered us even in their low estate”.
