NAN-HG-9
Widows
By Yakubu Uba
Yola, Sept. 29, 2016 (NAN) Gov. Muhammadu Bindow of Adamawa has assured widows in the state of sustained government support toward their welfare and that of women in general.
Bindow gave the assurance on Thursday in Yola while addressing widows in commemoration of this year’s International Widows Day.
He said that his administration was committed to the welfare of vulnerable groups, particularly widows.
He added that the recent tour of local government areas by his wife to interact with widows was part of such support.
In her speech, the Governor’s wife, Hajiya Maryam Bindow, also reiterated her commitment to continue to collaborate with local government councils to assist widows.
“The major aim of this celebration is to further the cause of widows through sharing of realistic ideas that would launch our path to success.
“It is in this regard that I see the theme of this year’s celebration, ‘Never Alone’, as most relevant and timely.”
The governor’s wife stressed the need for widows to be involved in the process of identifying their problems and evolving solutions to them.
“We should collectively champion a cause that would lay a solid foundation for the betterment of the lives of our widows.
“On my part, the journey has since begun with our intervention in their lives.
“I am happy to state here that through collaboration with local government councils, we were able to provide a token of N20,000 each to selected widows from 21 local governments as start-up capital that would launch them into small-scale businesses,” she said.
In a remark, Mrs Sodom Daniel, Chairman, Committee on Women Affairs, Adamawa House of Assembly, said that widows could be vibrant, if given the opportunity.
“Our potential as leaders in our country cannot be overlooked if we maintain our integrity and dignity.
“I speak to you today as one of you and a living testimony of a widow who had defied these challenges,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the occasion was a march past and the inspection of products made by the widows. (NAN)
AMA/YMU/JPE/NKO
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Edited by Joseph Edeh/Nkechi Okoronkwo
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