Widow gives birth as Gov. Umahi hosts widows, elderly people
NAN-H-79
Widow
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, May 26, 2017 (NAN) A baby girl born by a widow, Mrs Regina Patrick, while Gov. David Umahi received widows and the elderly in Ebonyi was instantly given N1 million scholarship by the governor.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that middle-aged Patrick, a mother of five from Izzi Local Government Area, after delivering the baby at the Abakaliki Township Stadium was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (FETHA).
Umahi thanked God for the safe delivery of the baby and consequently directed his Senior Special Adviser (SSA) on Religious and Welfare Matters, Rev. Fr. Abraham Nwali, to immediately open an account with N1 million on her behalf.
“She will be called: Rachel, Mgborie (His wife’s names) David (after himself) and then the baby’s late father’s name.
“I discussed with my wife under God’s inspiration and we decided to train her up to university level whether we are still in power or not,’’ he said.
Umahi admonished widows whom, he described as “Jesus’’ wives, not to rue much of their husbands deaths but believe in God who could take better care of them than any man.
“Jesus will offer you the best care, guidance and protection as we on our own, will ensure that you are adequately catered for,’’ the governor said, expressing gratitude to all those who had in one way or another catered for the baby.
Aside other monetary gestures from the governor, he also said that all the widows that attended the programme would receive N5, 000 transportation money and two-5kg bag of rice each.
“Our elders who are above 80 years of age will receive N20, 000 each and two-5kg bag of rice each,’’ he announced.
Umahi added that a reception for the elderly would be held at every Democracy and Independence Day celebrations alongside Christmas celebrations of every year.
“I urge the widows to avail themselves of the state government’s Agricultural Programme where they would be given soft loans to embark on various agricultural endeavours.
“We empowered 4, 000 youths across the state free of charge with N1 billion; paid workers extra one month salary, spent N1.7 billion on the 2016 Christmas empowerment, including largesse such as rice among others,’’ he said.
Sen. Sam Egwu (PDP-Ebonyi North) presented the N170 million worth of empowerment to the women across the wards and thanked the governor for remembering the less-privileged.
A Correspondent of NAN later visited Patrick at the hospital, where she expressed gratitude to the governor for the gesture noting that the funds would be judiciously utilised.
“My husband died six months ago and my first child died of electrocution.
“The governor’s intervention will immeasurably cushion the hardship experienced by my family,’’ adding that she began experiencing delivery signs in the course of the programme and put to bed before she could be taken to hospital. (NAN)
RCO/AO/PDE
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(Editing by Peter Ejiofor)