Today, Friday, October 21, 2016, history was made at the premises of Platinum Mortgage Bank, Umuahia as 10 widows, working with the Abia State Civil Service, went home with keys to brand new homes courtesy of the State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.
Explaining the rationale behind the exercise, the Secretary to the Abia State Government, Dr. Eme Okoro noted that it was a scheme aimed at alleviating the burden of indegent but working widows in the state. He said the 10 beneficiaries of today were winners in the first phase as three finalists were drawn from every Local Government Area in Abia State to take part in a raffle draw from where a winner emerges from each LGA. He said the remaining seven beneficiaries will receive their houses in December.
Governor Ikpeazu, while handing over the keys to the beneficiaries, urged them to give all gratitude to God for finding them worthy of the gift. He proclaimed that because of the impact he has seen on the beneficiaries, the exercise will be conducted every 2 months for fresh winners and beneficiaries to emerge.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of Platinum Mortgage Bank, Managers of the houses to be given to the lucky beneficiaries noted that each house was worth N6M and thanked the Governor for appointing Platinum Mortgage Bank as Partners in this laudable initiative.
High point of the event was the balloting process where three widows from each LGA picked from folded pieces of paper placed inside a bowl and unwrapped the pieces of paper. Whoever picked the piece of paper written YES inside emerged winner from the LGA.
Present at the event were the State Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Hon. Commissioners, the State Head of Service, Permanent Secretaries and other top Government officials.
- The Official Website of Abia State Government
