In the African setting, giving of support to under privileged women especially grassroots women is a virtue cherished by all but practised by a few.

Many times even among the few that give, most of them expect reward and for that reason they tend to support people of their own social status who they expect could reciprocate the gesture in future.

Ideally alms and support should be targeted at the needy and less privileged.

According to the scriptures as recorded in James chapter one verse 27, pure religion and undefiled before God is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, (Authorised King James Version). Right from the days of Noah, giving of financial support till date, had remained one of the cardinal principles of true Christianity.

It is actually not very easy to give especially when one is not expecting an immediate reward from it. Another factor militating against the act of giving is abundance of wealth. When one has too much wealth it is difficult to give out, because he/she knows exactly that a little extention of the wealth can make the next person great. Hence, the urge to remain prominent among the wealthy remains the bane of this laudable practice, as the gap between the rich and the poor widens by the day.

Giving to the very poor class of people like widows who have nothing to give in exchange of what they receive is the kind that is recommended and rewarded by God.

The recent donation of N5 million to 100 women in Omerelu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state by the Honourable Commissioner for Lands/Survey, Hon. Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi on January 7, 2012, is a clear demonstration of an attempt to identify with the plight of the rural women especially at a time when the support was needed most, the farming season.

Though, also trying to press down the need to support the good governance of Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, he generously distributed N50,000 each to one hundred women. I am quite convinced that two-third of those who received the cash have never seen N30,000 in bulk.

Some of the beneficiaries in the open field, knelt down and sincerely asked God to protect and guide their benefactor. Others took some sweet-dance steps that only indicated one thing; happiness.

To the rural women, Ezemonye has done more than Napoleon the great or any other great man you can think of could do because he has supported them to do their farm work. A legacy, I bet you, will live from generation to generation, as the message has gone beyond the shores of Omerelu land.

The strength of that “poverty alleviation scheme”, drove some people like Mrs Eunice Wondi to declare a total support for the benefactor and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Mrs. Wondi did not stop there, she promised in strong terms to surrender her house-hold to the PDP just as Joshua in the holy scriptures declared to serve the lord with his house (Joshua 24 verse 15).

She did not make such hard declaration out of nothing. Afterall, her N50,000 cash was in her hand, no sooth sayer or prophet would have succeeded in advising her to do otherwise.

Women, to a reasonable extent, know how to celebrate/appreciate gifts.

They turned down every warning against making public their gift or alms whenever it comes their way.

Mrs. Okwuchi Lucky-Assor, who was also among the beneficiaries tagged hers as “backbone” was full of joy

Now, the question is: can the women channel the cash to the appropriate quarter or will they keep it under their pillous?

Another wonderful gift to the women was that of the acting chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council Hon Amaechi Franklin Nwaobakata on the Armed Forces Remember Day (15-01-2012).

One can still see vividly a clear picture of a patriot who wants to salvage his people from their sufferings, especially the down trodden.

Wobakata, who remembered the widows and wives of heroes of world wars 1,2 and Nigerian Civil War, announced the donation of a soft loan of an undisclosed amount, that the world might know that the widows and wives of the Armed Forces members ought to feel the impact of the government.

There was no crime if he stopped at the traditional way of making some pledges to legionnaires during the armed forces day. To show his love for womanhood, the soft loan pronouncement was made.

The council boss explained in details that there was no better way to appreciate the families of the fallen heroes than to positively support their families. According to him, they (fallen heroes) and living heroes alike risked their lives to ensure that the territorial boundaries of the country are kept intact.

He reasoned that the loan when fully implemented would provide a backbone for the women and their families. To him, it is better to teach some one to fish than to give him fish. He also expressed belief that the women have all it takes to manage homes better than the men.

Though, he also made mention of the increment of stipends paid to legionnaires, but it did not raise much ovation like the provision of loan scheme for women. Women who are referred to as home keepers in must cases, show visible anger when their homes are not in order, for the fear of being blamed, they ensure that they do well with anything that is provided for them.

The ONELGA boss, who extended to other women in the community in a way, asked them to mind the activities of their children so as to promote peace in the area. He reasoned that even the loan can not last if there is violence in the local government area.

To the perpetrators of violence, he likened to those biblical foolish virgins who did not know how to plan for themselves. He was also full of praises for women and daughters of the area who have so far proved their worth in the place.

The chairman of ONELGA legionnaires, Major Nwanna Reuben (Rtd) lauded the chairman for the gesture towards the women, and described him as a true son of his mother.

To him, the loan for women is a healing balm that will bring joy to them.