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Tag: Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu

  • Ikpeazu’s wife visits Abia first baby of the year

    In line with the tradition of welcoming the first baby of the year as commonly practiced in Nigeria, the wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has visited the state’s first baby of the year 2019.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu who apparently spent New Year’s Eve night in Aba, the commercial hub of the state, visited one of the popular private hospitals located along Aba-Owerri Road in the commercial city.

    The baby, Jidenna Jesse, born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Osondu, indigenes of Nsukka in Enugu State who weighed 3kg, was born at 1.42am on New Year day.

    Speaking during the visit, Mrs. Ikpeazu presented material gifts, paid the hospital bill and donated cash to the parents of the baby.

    She urged the parents to bring up the child in the fear of the Lord and to also teach him the virtues of hard work and love for others.

    The governor’s wife also used the occasion to call on parents to consider the task of proper upbringing of their children as a scared responsibility given to them by God and society.

    She said, “Children are gifts from God who in turn expect us, as parents, to bring them up to be good citizens that will ultimately contribute to the making of a better society.

    “I know the coming of baby Jidenna signposts greater good things that will come to the people of this state in Nigeria 2019 and I wish to use this baby as a point of contact to pray that the joy of every family living in Abia State will be complete in 2019 through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

    Mrs. Ikpeazu who later visited another hospital at Osisioma where a male and female twin were born at 4am today also offered gifts to the children, their parents and later celebrated the New Year with orphans at the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) motherless babies home off Ogbor Hill, Aba.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife bankrolls small businesses for Abia women

    The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has given out cash in millions of naira, as well as gift items, including clothing and equipment, to indigent women in the state to help them start small businesses of their own.

    The items were given away at an empowerment event for women in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu also inaugurated a newly constructed local market built through her NGO, Vicar Hope Foundation.

    Speaking at the event, Mrs. Ikpeazu said that the programmes carried out by her NGO benefit all classes of people and that the organisation does not discriminate who benefits so long as benefits are captured during their enumeration.

    Mrs Ikpeazu revealed that the newly inaugurated market brings to 10 the number of markets so far built all over the stately her foundation and promised to build more for those communities that require local markets.

    She explained that the local markets being built by her foundation were all designed to provide a commercial hub for rural farmers and traders to do business in conducive and rewarding environments.

    The governor’s wife maintained that building of local markets has enhanced economic activities within the communities where these markets are sited and urged them to ensure that the markets are well maintained for their own benefit.

    She recalled that only a few days back the NGO had inaugurated and equipped 50 trainees who had graduated from its Springboard Skill Acquisition programme being run in collaboration with the NDE, bringing the total of persons so far trained to 400 people in rural communities in the state.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu said that the entire project is aimed at enhancing the income of rural families and the economy of the state, and used the forum to thank stakeholders for being part of the success story.

    In their separate comments, chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Obinna Oriaku and chairman of Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area Ifeanyi Isikaku, both eulogised wife of the Governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu and her Vicar Hope Foundation for building the market and empowering hundreds of women.

    They assured her of the support of the people of the area towards her programmes and that they will help in ensuring that the markets are well maintained so that both indigenes and visitors alike will make good use of the markets.

    In her speech, a representative of the women, Mrs. Gold Agu thanked the wife of the Governor for her magnanimity towards women folk, which has gone a long way in ensuring that rural women work hard and that they are not forgotten by government of the day.

  • Ikpeazu takes sickle cell awareness advocacy to lawmakers

    Abia state governor’s wife  Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu is known for her health advocacy. On sickle cell anaemia, she was not content to merely talk about it. She took the campaign to the state House of Assembly where she urged the lawmakers to be ambassadors for their various constituencies to ensure awareness about the ailment.

    Mrs Ikpeazu who led a large coalition of pressure groups, civil society organisations, NGOs and prominent women of the state to the House of Assembly, asked for speedy passage of several stagnated bills whose non-passage impede protection for the rights of women and children.

    She said that the bills, which had been stagnated for several years without any legislative action on them, include a bill for a law to prohibit all forms of violence, a bill for a law to abolish harmful and obnoxious widowhood practices and a bill designed to provide equal rights for men, women, and special persons, among others.

    The Abia First Lady noted that her NGO the Vicar Hope Foundation, and other members of the coalition including the International Federation of Women Lawyers, widows association, have contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of women, children and other vulnerable persons.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “A large percentage of women and children are experiencing physical, emotional, verbal, economic and sexual abuse in their homes and families but could not speak out because of the stigma associated with such incidents”.

    She named some action taken by her NGO to include provisions of housing for indigent, abused widows; the creation of clusters for local women traders who work collectively to improve the economic status and income.

    The Abia First Lady said, “We have also empowered our women with information and knowledge that will result in awareness of their rights, how to personally ask for it and to protect it without sounding rude”.

    “This we have done by collaborating with ministries, NGOs, the women groups and the individual women here present, to organise annual training sessions, seminars, and workshops on rights of women and the girl child where we get resource persons to speak to the women about their legal and socio economic rights”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu however thanked the House of Assembly for the speedy passage of the Law that encourages genotype and blood group testing, saying it will reduce cases of the deadly sickle cell disease.

    It is worthy to note that the house of Assembly few days ago passed the Law for the Identification of Blood Group and Genotype, thereby giving teeth to a campaign by Vicar Hope Foundation and the state health agencies to reduce the prevalence of the Sickle cell disease.

    Receiving the delegation, the speaker Rt Hon Chikwendu Kalu and members of the house of assembly assured the wife of the governor that they will give adequate attention to the requests she had brought to them on behalf of the coalition.

    Kalu expressed pleasant surprise that the coalition came to express gratitude for the work done by the House and assured that as representatives of the people, they will always hold the duties of making good laws sacrosanct.

    The Abia speaker commended the wife of the governor and her group for what she has been doing through her NGO and other organizations, stressing that what she has been doing has given Abia women and children voice as well as hope for a better tomorrow.

    He also commended her for her support for the state governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, “Without your motherly support and care for our dear governor, the much he has been able to achieve would not have taken place, please keep doing the good works”.

    Kalu said that the state legislative arm has been working with the governor to enable him realize one of his main five pillars of his administration which is health, “Which has made us to pass bills on education and health for the good of our people”.

    He said, “Madam it is pertinent for you and your group to know that we have passed the genotype bill into law just like you said earlier in your speech and we want to assure you that we will surely look into the issue that brought here with dispatch”.

    Kalu noted that the members of the state house of assembly are ready to partner with her to ensure that the fight against sickle cell is taken to all the nooks and crannies of the state to help in the reduction of the spread of the disease.

    The speaker frowned at the way women and girl child are being treated in the state which he said tends to undermine the dignity of women in the state and assured that it will be corrected through various bills that are before them.

    A former Judge of the state High Court, Justice Eunice Aguomba, and a Second Republic lawmaker, in the old Imo State, Lady Victoria Akanwa emphasised the need to provide the right kind of society for women and the girl-child to thrive.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife pays bill for mother of triplet

    Ikpeazu’s wife pays bill for mother of triplet

    Builds bungalows for widows

    Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has paid hospital bill for a nursing mother identified as Mrs. Blessing Ozioma who was delivered of a set of triplet in a private hospital in Aba, Abia State.

    It was gathered that Mrs. Ikpeazu also paid hospital bills for some indigent patients at Christian Hospital, Nlagu in Obingwa Local Government Area.

    It was gathered that Mrs Ikpeazu decided to pay the hospital bills of patients in the spirit of the New Year to enable them to celebrate the festive season with their families and loved ones.

    She stated that she was grateful to God for His blessings on the couple who had triplets, stressing that God, who is all knowing, blesses whom He wants to not minding their status.

    Responding, mother of the triplets Mrs. Ozioma expressed gratitude to God and Mrs Ikpeazu who not only paid her bills, but also showered her babies with gifts.

    In a related development, Mrs. Ikpeazu handed over two modern bungalows to two widows; Mrs. Patience Nwangwa of Mgboko, Umuocha and Mrs. Ugochi Ibekwe from Umuobiakwa all in Obingwa Local Government Area.

    Speaking while handing over the keys of the houses to the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ikpeazu expressed the hope that they would provide shelter and relief for the widows.

    She further revealed that her husband’s administration focuses on issues that are of public good, even as she called on well-meaning Nigerians, including highly placed Abiàns to help in alleviating the sufferings of the downtrodden in our society.

    Responding, the beneficiaries, Mrs. Ibekwe and Mrs. Nwangwa thanked Mrs. Ikpeazu for touching their lives positively and prayed for God’s blessings upon her.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Abia State governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has flagged off a deworming exercise for pupils of Osisioma Local Government Area which took place at Abayi Umuocham Primary School Aba.

    Speaking during the event, Mrs Ikpeazu said that the programme, which is part of the state’s free school feeding programme, is meant to provide balanced diets for pupils in primary 1 to 6 and make them healthy.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said that Abia State is among the first states in Nigeria selected to benefit from the homegrown school feeding programme funded by the Federal Government under its Social Investment policy and noted that the deworming exercise is in line with her pet project Vicar Hope Foundation.

    The governor’s wife said that the deworming exercise is part of the systems and structures laid down by the state Primary School free meal program which has made it attractive and seamless for the federal government to get involved in the feeding of school kids in the state.

    She said, “Over the past two years, we have made several sacrifices to sustain the Home Grown Free school meal and its state components, it is a welcome development that we now have added deworming to our service”.

    “This deworming programme will go round all the schools where our free school meals are being served, it will complement our efforts to make our children healthier and more capable of pursuing their educational career”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu noted that Abia state has become better with the two programs, “Our expectations are that our children will be stronger, healthier, more intelligent enough to sustain our unbroken record as the leading state in education development in the country”.

    The State Focal person of the Home grown School feeding programme, Mr Chinenye Nwaogu said that the deworming exercise will consolidate the expected result of the Free School Meal and boost the children’s health and academic performance.

    The program manager Emeka Ahuruoye said that free school meal has been caring for over 800 schools while 1,600 women were employed by the state government who cook the food for the school children.

    Ahuruoye said that the governor had insisted that those who will cook the food for the school children must be people who do not have any means of livelihood, stressing that it part of the way to empower the people of the state.

    In a similar event 50 graduates of Vicar Hope Foundation/springboard Skill Acquisition Program of the wife of the Governor, have been charged to use the knowledge gained from their training to become self-reliant.

    The wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs Ikpeazu gave this charge at Bende Local Government headquarters while empowering the graduands of Hair dressing, Interior Decor and Catering management

    Mrs Ikpeazu also disclosed that by the program the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has created a platform for business development and empowerment and called on public spirited individuals, donor agencies and the organised public sector to join government in adding value to peoples lives.

    The Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment Lady Buchi Ojei, commended the wife of the Governor for her positive touch to all categories of Abians.

    Responding on behalf of the graduands,Mrs Ugochi Ijioma thanked the first lady for the opportunity given them and assured they will put into good use the empowerment items given them.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Ikpeazu’s wife launches deworming exercise

    Abia State governor’s wife Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has flagged off a deworming exercise for pupils of Osisioma Local Government Area which took place at Abayi Umuocham Primary School Aba.

    Speaking during the event, Mrs Ikpeazu said that the programme, which is part of the state’s free school feeding programme, is meant to provide balanced diets for pupils in primary 1 to 6 and make them healthy.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said that Abia State is among the first states in Nigeria selected to benefit from the homegrown school feeding programme funded by the Federal Government under its Social Investment policy and noted that the deworming exercise is in line with her pet project Vicar Hope Foundation.

    The governor’s wife said that the deworming exercise is part of the systems and structures laid down by the state Primary School free meal program which has made it attractive and seamless for the federal government to get involved in the feeding of school kids in the state.

    She said, “Over the past two years, we have made several sacrifices to sustain the Home Grown Free school meal and its state components, it is a welcome development that we now have added deworming to our service”.

    “This deworming programme will go round all the schools where our free school meals are being served, it will complement our efforts to make our children healthier and more capable of pursuing their educational career”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu noted that Abia state has become better with the two programs, “Our expectations are that our children will be stronger, healthier, more intelligent enough to sustain our unbroken record as the leading state in education development in the country”.

    The State Focal person of the Home grown School feeding programme, Mr Chinenye Nwaogu said that the deworming exercise will consolidate the expected result of the Free School Meal and boost the children’s health and academic performance.

    The program manager Emeka Ahuruoye said that free school meal has been caring for over 800 schools while 1,600 women were employed by the state government who cook the food for the school children.

    Ahuruoye said that the governor had insisted that those who will cook the food for the school children must be people who do not have any means of livelihood, stressing that it part of the way to empower the people of the state.

    In a similar event 50 graduates of Vicar Hope Foundation/springboard Skill Acquisition Program of the Wife of the Governor, have been charged to use the knowledge gained from their training to become self-reliant.

    The wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs Ikpeazu gave this charge at Bende Local Government headquarters while empowering the graduands of Hair dressing, Interior Decor and Catering management

    Mrs Ikpeazu also disclosed that by the program the Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has created a platform for business development and empowerment and called on public spirited individuals, donor agencies and the organized public sector to join government in adding value to peoples lives.

    The Coordinator of National Directorate of Employment Lady Buchi Ojei, commended the wife of the Governor for her positive touch to all categories of Abians.

    Responding on behalf of the graduands,Mrs Ugochi Ijioma thanked the first lady for the opportunity given them and assured they will put into good use the empowerment items given them.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife grooms ambassadors against sickle cell

    Ikpeazu’s wife grooms ambassadors against sickle cell

    The wife of Abia State governor and founder of Vicar Hope Foundation Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has urged all National Youth Service Corps members posted to the state to be ambassadors for ending Sickle Cell anaemia in the country.

    Mrs Ikpeazu made this call during her visit to the state NYSC Orientation Camp at Umunna in Bende Local Government Area, urging the corps members to take the message of checking their genotype to their friends and family members.

    The governor’s wife said that after 44 years of the existence of the NYSC, it is still waxing strong and encouraged them not to be carried away by love but to make sure they know their status before marriage.

    She said that people should know their genotype before marrying, stressing that there are SS, AS, AA and others

    “Those who are SS are not supposed to marry each other, while AS are carriers, AA is free to marry any of them, AS should also not marry each other”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu explained that over 150,000 children are born every year with sickle cell anaemia while 100,000 out of the entire lot die annually, stressing that this has made the country to become biggest nation with sickle cell anaemia in the world.

    The Abia First Lady noted that the high death rate of the children with sickle cell anaemia in the country is as a result of mismanagement of their cases and called for proper management of their cases for them to live long.

    She said that her foundation offers free sickle cell screening of patients, “I am using this forum to urge all corps members to always go for test for them to know their genotype before marriage so that they would not end up having sickle cell children”.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said, “As a mother I feel pained when see children with sickle cell anaemia, which is avoidable if the parents had done the needful before marriage, which is the reason behind my foundation taking up the sensitization before marriage”.

    She said, “My assignment is that all of you should become ambassadors for breaking the circle of sickle cell, tell your friends and younger ones, before you cross the line, do the test, before you commit, do the test and before you love, do the test”.

    “I want you corps members to take advantage of the free test we are running in your orientation camp to know your status which you will in turn carry out to your places of primary assignment and even when you get back to your places of origin”.

    Earlier the chief executive of Vicar Hope Foundation, Dr Chukwuemeka Nwakanma gave an over view on sickle cell anaemia and the need for corps members to know their genotype before getting married, “I believe that most of you here have started courting while in the camp, so before you go further do that test”.

    In her welcome address the Abia NYSC state coordinator, Mrs Francesca Ifon said that, “Your excellency when Vicar Hope Foundation started, you specially requested for corps medical personnel to be part of your vision aimed at giving hope to the less privileged in the society”.

    In his vote of thanks, the chairman of Bende local government, Gabriel Elendu thanked the wife of the governor for coming to the NYSC camp to sensitize the corps members and urged them to take advantage of the program to stop the spread of sickle cell anaemia.

    Mrs Ikpeazu later donated food items to the corps members which include bags of garri, tubers of yams, bags of rice among others.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife buries mum

    Ikpeazu’s wife buries mum

    Mrs Jemima Nwakanma, mother of Abia State governor’s wife, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, has been buried at a befitting funeral in her hometown Umuorji Ohanze in Obingwa Local Government Area of the state. The event was witnessed by celebrities. One of Ma Nwakanma’s children, former deputy governor of the state Hon Eric Acho Nwakanma, was also at the funeral.

    Mrs Ikpeazu lost her mother-in-law Ma Bessie Ikpeazu shortly after her husband’s electoral victory in 2015.

    Both Mrs Bessie Ikpeazu and Mrs Jemima Nwakanma died at the age of 87.

    On November 23, the serene and agrarian Umuorji community hosted celebrities who came in their numbers to pay their last respects to Ma Jemima Nwakanma.

    Among the high-profile guests were immediate past governor of the state Senator Theodore Orji, Senator Eniynnaya Abaribe, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly, Chikwendu Kanu, the chairman, Abia State and Southeast Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM, Eze Eberechi Dick, other members of the Abia State House of Assembly including wives of the Southeast and Southsouth governors, among other dignitaries.

    Speakers at the funeral said the late Ma Jemima Nwakanma was a devout Christian and a true caregiver who never considered ethnicity, religious or social background before helping someone in need.

    Governor Ikpeazu while speaking at the funeral ceremony which was conducted by the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church at Ohanze Primary School, Obingwa Local Government Area described the death of his mother-in-law as one that marked a closure to a very important chapter in the annals of humanity.

    Governor Ikpeazu noted that the life of Mama Jemima Nwakanma was that of a devoted caregiver, stressing that the deceased continued to care for people until her last breath. Ikpeazu called her “a brilliant professional, a compassionate caregiver, a daughter of Zion and a hopeful candidate of heaven. She was a pillar of strength and a compassionate mother” who represented everything good.”

    Wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, represented by Mrs. Tina Abike, Deputy National Woman Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) commiserated with the bereaved family and entire Abia people.

    The First Lady stated that “Mama Nwakanma contributed greatly to the society by training her children well”.

    Mrs Buhari called on Ma Jemima’s children to take solace in the fact that she lived a good life and affected many lives positively. She implored all who knew Mama Jemima to immortalise her by emulating the good virtues she left behind.

    Chairperson, Southern Governors’ Wives Forum and wife of the Imo State governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha said that the testimonies she has heard about the life of the late Nwakanma showed that she was a role model to many that came in contact with her.

    Mrs. Okorocha who was accompanied by wives of the Governors of Lagos, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Anambra and Delta states urged the Wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu and Abia people not to mourn as those who have no hope as Mama Jemima lived a good and fulfilled life.

    Members of the bereaved family, represented by grandchildren of Mama Jemima, also delivered moving orations that highlighted the sterling qualities of their matriarch, saying that she kept the family intact even after the death of her husband.

    According to them, Mama Nwakanma was a well-trained Nurse and midwife who retired in 1982 to establish Nkechi Maternity Clinic where God used her to save many lives and bring many children into the world.

    In his sermon, the President of Eastern Nigerian Union Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Bassey Udoh, challenged people to ask themselves four ontological questions: who you are, where did youI come from, what  are you doing here and where are you going from here? According to him, “honest answers those questions will help you live a godly life in the present world”.

    The man of God who took his text from Genesis 3:9-10 spoke on the topic “where are you”. He noted that the question was not that of geographical location but a question of character and enjoined people to live lives worthy of emulations so as to meet the Lord in peace at the end of life.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife equips trainees

    Ikpeazu’s wife equips trainees

    It was a day of joy for the 50 persons who graduated from a SpringBoard skill acquisition centre, a subsidiary of Vicar Hope Foundation of the wife of Abia state governor Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu as they aware empowered by the governor’s wife with relevant tools for their profession.

    The beneficiaries who were trained in different fields such as hair dressing, bean cake frying (akara), tailoring, computer operation and decoration in the past six months were given the necessary tools that will enable them take-off in their different fields.

    Speaking while handing over the materials and certificates to the graduates in Aba, Mrs Ikpeazu charged the graduands to utilize the knowledge they have acquired to better themselves and their immediate environment.

    Mrs Ikpeazu explained that the program is being sponsored with the support of several donor agencies while the technical assistance from National Directorate of Employment.

    She said that she has a strong belief that the program will go a long way in helping to reduce unemployment in the society and also add value to the people’s lives, “Especially to the beneficiaries and their dependants”.

    The Abia First Lady said, “50 persons are benefitting from this local government, our plan is to equip them so that they can start immediately to contribute to our state economic development”.

    “My vision about this project is to train over 1065 Abians with different skills that can make them self-reliant and economically vibrant, so far we have trained and empowered 200 persons since inception”.

    “We are going to monitor their progress to see that they really apply what they have been taught and grow their business, I want to charge you the beneficiaries to take this assignment serious, we will frown as beneficiaries selling the equipment given to them”.

    Earlier in her speech the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs Dr Mrs Nnenna Chikezie thanked the wife of the Governor for giving a new face to skills  Acquisition by decentralizing their training to benefit all from the 3 Senatorial  Zones in Abia.

    On behalf of the graduands,Esther Ahamba thanked Mrs Ikpeazu for the training which she said will enable them sustain their families and prayed that God will continually bless the present administration for constantly heeding to the cries of the needy.

    The empowerment materials given out include:Laptops, Hairdressing equipments, Sewing Machines, Catering equipments to fry bean cake (Akara)  and Decoration Materials.

    Earlier in the day Mrs Ikpeazu had commissioned 2 bungalows built for two indigent widows, Mrs Gloria Ochieze of Ohanze, Ossah Ukwu and Mrs Ngozi Luke from Umuagu Nkwowaelechi all in Obingwa Local Government Area.

    Speaking while handing over the keys of the buildings built by the first lady and Mr Thomas Nkoro, House Member representing Obingwa West Constituency, Mrs Ikpeazu said that the buildings were meant to alleviate the sufferings of the downtrodden.

    Mrs Ikpeazu commended Mr Nkoro for keying into her vision by providing succour to the needy and assured that the project will go round in all the Local Government Areas.

    Mrs Ikpeazu also handed over 12 Motor bikes provided by Nkoro to the beneficiaries and urged them to make proper use of the motorcycles to enable them uplift the standard of living of their families.

    The wife of the Deputy Governor Lady Vivian Ude Oko Chukwu, the Chairman Obingwa LGA,Mr Hanson Amaechi and other top government functionaries graced the occasion.

     

  • Ikpeazu’s wife inaugurates homes for widows

    Ikpeazu’s wife inaugurates homes for widows

    The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has commissioned five bungalows she built for indigent widows in three local government areas of the state including a market stall.

    Speaking while handing over the keys of the building to the beneficiaries, Mrs Ikpeazu said that her gesture was borne out of service in partnership with her covenant with God to touch the lives of people positively.

    Mrs Ikpeazu, who commissioned two three bedroom bungalows and a market stall at Amizi Oloko, in Ikwuano Local Government Area of the state, said that the buildings would help the widows to live a better life devoid of health hazards.

    The governor’s wife said that the present administration under her husband, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu is public oriented with the determination to leave its footprints on the sand of time, adding that there is need for public spirited individuals to assist government in alleviating the sufferings of the people.

    She used the forum to announce to the joy of the people that her gesture of building houses for indigent widows will go round the three senatorial zones of the state and urged Abians to remain steadfast to the present administration for more dividends of democracy.

    In his remarks the member representing Umuahia/Ikwuano federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Chief Sam Onuigbo said that the kind gesture of the governor’s wife towards the down trodden is outstanding and prayed that God will help her to sustain the program.

    Earlier in her speech, the chairman of Ikwuano council area, Ezinne Ngozi Orji expressed gratitude to the wife of the governor and pledged the support of her administration and her people to the government of the day.

    Reacting to the gesture of the Abia governor’s wife, the former minister of state for defence, Col Austin Akobundu (Rtd) commended the efforts of the Abia First Lady, especially her humanitarian services.

    Akobundu appreciated Mrs Ikpeazu for her commissioning Oloko health centre Ahieke and the conference centre which he built for his people, saying that it part of his contribution in helping to open up his community.

    In their response the beneficiaries of the bungalows, Mrs Ngozi Ikpegbu and Mrs Ebere Sunday thanked the wife of the governor for alleviating their suffering by giving them shelter and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon her and her family.

    In the same vain the Abia First Lady also commissioned three bungalows at Mgboko Umuoria for Mrs Edith Nwosu, Obingwa council area, Mrs Rachael Onyeukwu Nwoko from Ihie Ukwu Ugwunagbo council area and Mrs Eunice John Ugwuala also from Ugwunagbo council area.

    It is noteworthy that the three bungalows built and commissioned by Mrs Ikpeazu for the indigent widows makes it the 38th houses that she has built in collaboration with her pet project, Vicar Hope foundation since she assumed office.

    Handing over the keys to the buildings to the beneficiaries, Mrs Ikpeazu said that giving shelter to the indigent was her own way of uplifting their welfare, giving them succor.

    In their speeches, the chairmen of Obingwa and Ugwunagbo council areas, Hanson Amaechi and Eze Nwanganga commended the wife of the governor, Mrs Ikpeazu for her humanitarian activities and pledged their unalloyed support to the present administration.

    Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs Edith Nwosu thanked the wife of the governor for putting smiles on their faces as widows and attending to their sufferings and prayed that God should continue to bless her.