About fifty widows of fallen military officers at the Six Division of the Nigeria Army, Bori Camp, have benefitted from an economic empowerment scheme organised by some Rotary clubs in Port Harcourt.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt, Rebisi Kingdom, Warisenibo Sofiri Gladstone-Dappa, led other clubs to the Six Division Nigeria Army, Bori Camp, to present cash and food items worth over one million naira to the widows.
Warisenibo Gladstone-Dappa, said the gesture was to appreciate the fallen heroes who were bread winners of their families.
He said the items would relieve the burdens the widows bear as bread winners in their families.
“This is done in partnership with eight Rotary Clubs in Port Harcourt: Rebisi Kingdom, Spring Gardens, Port Harcourt Airfield, Seaport, Skywaves, Top Health, Highrise and Port Harcourt South, in fulfilment of Rotary area of focus on Economic Empowerment and Community Development.
“We just concluded a Peace Walk in the area of Peace and Conflict Resolution. We came here at the Bori Camp to distribute food items worth over one million naira and cash of seven hundred and fifty thousand naira for fifty widows whose husbands died while defending our country, Nigeria”, Sofiri concluded.
On his part, President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Airfield, Honourable Emmanuel Taribo said “Rotary Clubs all over, carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also strengthen local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities”.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Spring Gardens, Ajoke Enebeli, affirmed that Rotary members were passionate about providing sustainable solutions to poverty.
She said “our work, fighting diseases, providing clean water and sanitation, improving the health of mothers and children, supporting education and growing local economies, directly builds the optimal conditions for peaceful societies.
On her part, the cantonment Magajia, Bori Camp, Victoria Adama while expressing joy over the donations by the Rotary clubs, said it would go a long way in boosting their businesses and taking care of their children.
“Almost every day we lost our husbands on the line of duty, leaving us the wives to cater for the family alone. This gesture will reduce the impact of catering for the family alone: it will boost our businesses and positively impact on our daily welfare. We call on other organisations like Rotary International to emulate this gesture,” Adama said.
The Tide reports that other Rotary Clubs’ Presidents: Alabo Austin Bob-Manuel, Akinyemi Sodipo, Preye Miebai, Adejori Felix and John Uri, commended the widows for their large turnout and appreciation of the gesture.
Earlier, a two-hour peace rally was carried out around parts of Port Harcourt metropolis by the eight Rotary clubs, canvassing for a sustainable peace in the State.