Widows of fallen soldiers have urged government to engage them in jobs and other employment opportunities.
Speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt , Rivers State Chairperson of Wives of ex-soldiers, Mrs. Theresa Pepple said widows who are still strong and young can be employed by government.
She pleaded that the yearly funding should be done in such a way so that widows in other local government areas can benefit.
“The problem we face now is that wives of soldiers from other states join in sharing from the fund here and this makes it difficult for the stipend to go round.
“What we are saying is that since it’s a federal thing they should go to their states, so as to allow those from here to benefit,” Pepple submitted.
Vivian Briggs, a widow with seven children told The Tide that since the inception of the fund she and her children were yet to benefit from scholarship or loan.
“I lost my husband 13 years ago and since then I have been catering for them but I am strong and can work anywhere they employ me,”Briggs said.
On her part, Blessing Ngozi wants loan and support to her petty trading.
“ We got just small amount from the fund the government gave us two years ago, but I will suggest that this one should be done local government by local government. “
Also, Esther Brownson said she would prefer that government give the fund in form of soft loans to the widows.
“ I have five children and there is no money to train them. If I am given small loan I can start a petty trading to support my family,” Brownson said.