Skill Acquisition: Delta Empowers 565 Widows
THE Delta State Government, yesterday, empowered 565 widows through its Widows Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme with starter-packs after undergoing vocational training in hairdressing, fashion and design, make-up, soap making and baking.
Addressing the beneficiaries at a ceremony, with the theme, ‘Sustainable Solutions for Widows Financial Independence,’ Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said the empowerment was part of measures to tackle challenges faced by some vulnerable members of society, especially widows.
Okowa, who ordered the increase in the number of beneficiaries of the scheme from 11,000 to 20,000 and the monthly stipend from N5, 000 to N10, 000, urged them to use the starter-packs to fend for themselves and add to the improvement of the state’s economy.
He said: “We are here to fulfill part of our promise for a Stronger Delta as we tackle the challenges faced by some vulnerable members of society through providing starter-packs to 565 widows across the state. This will go a long way in shoring up the economic sustenance of these widows and position them to offer training and employment to other Deltans.
“At the commencement of the Widows’ Welfare Scheme, 5,607 widows were placed on a stipend of N5, 000 each. After the enumeration of widows in the state, the number was increased to 11, 107.”
He explained that the women, drawn from the 270 federal wards in the 25 local government areas of the state, apart from the monthly stipend, enjoyed free healthcare services through the state’s contributory health insurance scheme in accredited hospitals and primary healthcare centres in their localities.
While stressing that the scheme was non-partisan, but meant for women resident in the state, irrespective of political affiliation, tribe and religion, the governor urged the beneficiaries to build on the economic elevation to improve on their living standard and that of their dependants.
“Today’s exercise is a demonstration that the Stronger Delta Agenda is all-embracing. It cuts across every segment of the population from pregnant women, infants, youths, the elderly to the vulnerable.
“We are determined to leave the state better than we met it and with the continuous support of Deltans, we will not rest on our oars,” he stated.
The Project Coordinator of the scheme, Mr. Isioma Okonta, thanked the governor for providing resources for the training and empowerment and for giving hope to vulnerable segments of society.
