By Godwin Udoh
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has described widowhood as a painful circumstance no one chooses, stressing that widows often face neglect and severe survival challenges after losing their breadwinners.
“Being a widow is not by choice, and it will never be anyone’s choice. Beyond the pain of losing a loved one, widows are left with the burden of survival. That is why this administration is determined to improve their living conditions and give them hope,” he said.
The governor spoke on Monday in Asaba while flagging off the Widows Welfare Scheme, a landmark initiative aimed at providing financial and healthcare support for 10,000 widows across the state.
Under the scheme, each widow will receive a monthly stipend of ₦15,000, with beneficiaries set to collect their first payment of ₦45,000 covering three months in arrears. In addition, all beneficiaries are being enrolled in the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, granting them free access to healthcare services in accredited hospitals and primary health centres within their localities.
“This health insurance is even more important than the stipends because it ensures that no widow is denied medical care due to lack of funds,” Oborevwori noted.
He stressed that the programme is entirely non-political and open to widows across all ethnic and religious divides in the state. Beneficiaries, he explained, were carefully selected through a transparent process involving community leaders, traditional rulers, and civil society groups, to ensure only genuine widows were enrolled. Those already employed or receiving civil service salaries were excluded to prioritize the most vulnerable, particularly the aged and physically challenged.
Since assuming office, the governor said, over 266,000 people have benefited from his administration’s social investment programmes, including women empowerment initiatives, youth schemes, MORE grants, and business support projects. He assured that more interventions targeting women and youths will soon be unveiled.
“As we build roads, bridges, and infrastructure, we must also invest in the welfare of our people. True governance is not just about physical projects but about touching lives and giving hope,” he said.
Some beneficiaries, including Christiana Akaluzia, Elizabeth Mukoro, and Mercy Ololo, expressed gratitude to the governor for providing stipends and access to free healthcare, describing the scheme as a lifeline for widows in their communities.
