Delta State Governor and PDP Vice Presidential candidate,Dr Ifeanyi Okowa on Friday empowered 565 widows with starter packs to improve on their living standard and that of their families .
The empowerment of the 565 widows was made through Delta State Government Widows Skill Acquisition and Empowerment Programme.
The widows were empowered with starter packs after undergoing training in five different areas of vocational training in hairdressing, fashion and design, make-up, soap making and baking.
Governor Okowa said the empowerment was part of measures to tackle challenges faced by some vulnerable members of the society, especially widows.
The Governor who had earlier 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 monthly, urged them to use the starter-packs to take care of themselves and add to the improvement of the economy of the State.
He disclosed that the women were drawn from the 270 federal wards in the 25 local government areas of the State.
Okowa explained that apart from the monthly stipend, the widows enjoyed free healthcare services through the state’s contributory health insurance scheme in accredited hospitals and primary healthcare centres in their localities.
The Delta State Governor revealed that the widows’ welfare scheme was non-partisan, stressing that it was for women resident in the state irrespective of political affiliation, tribe and religion.
The Project Coordinator of the scheme, Mr Isioma Okonta, commended the governor for providing the resources for the training and empowerment .
He urged the women to use the items Judiciously and Better their lots .
