In Ebonyi State, widows will henceforth enjoy monthly stipend to help alleviate their sufferings in the midst of economic recession.

Governor David Umahi announced this during the grand finale of the three-day fasting and prayer summit, organised by the state government in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Abakaliki Township Stadium to start the new year with God.

Umahi, who encouraged Ebonyi people to work hard and depend on God , said God spoke to him to choose widows in the 13 local government areas of the state and place them on salaries.

“God spoke to me again to nominate widows in all the 13 local government areas and start placing them on small salary just like we do for physically challenged persons.

“Every month we pay about 85 physically challenged persons some salaries. We are also going to do that for widows,” he said in a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya.

Umahi, who assured that his government would continue to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor in line with his covenant with God, promised to complete in 2017, all the projects started by his administration.

He also vowed to add more vigour to the beautification of Abakaliki capital city.

“The beauty of Abakaliki has seen nothing yet. Men shall come from all works of life by Easter to behold the beauty of Abakaliki,” the Governor promised.

He told the gathering that he had declared two-day public holidays for political appointees in the state to enable them meet with people in their respective communities on how best to achieve more in the state’s agricultural programme.

His words: “I have declared Thursday and Friday public holidays for all political appointees. Why? They have to go back to their local government areas to host meeting on agricultural programmes. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, they have to be in their LGAs. We have to take number one position that we have taken in agriculture in this country.”

Earlier, the Pastor of Christ Embassy Church and Chaplain of Government House Chapel, Mrs. Eunice Oyeyemi, in her homily, had called on all clergymen in the state to rise and take fully, their responsibilities, stressing that as government was doing their own, “we should do our part.”

“It is time to shun those things that distract us as clergy. We must be ready to take the word to next level,” she admonished.

She called on Ebonyians to support the good works of Governor Umahi by protecting government infrastructure.

The Pastor also enjoined the youth to shun violence and cultism, proclaiming that Ebonyi would this year enjoy fully, the blessings of God.

Oyeyemi encouraged the people to always speak good of their leaders.

Special prayers were offered for the three arms of government and the Umahi family.

Update news