By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Awka
Women from Enugwu-Ukwu Community under the auspices of Otu Odu- Eze (Wives of Enugwu-Ukwu Cabinet Chiefs), Njikoka Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State, have donated food items worth N5 million to indigent widows for Christmas and New Year festivities.
Speaking at the distribution, the group's President, Chief Dora Ekpeh, who is also the wife of Enugwu-Ukwu monarch, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh, said the palliatives was part of their support in building a healthy, living community members.
According to Ekpeh, the women group had supported over 3,000 indigent widows of the community in the total of their fifth year of the exercise with a view to building a better society.
Chief Edith Anaekwe, Iyom Nmmachi, the Deputy President of the group said that they mean well for the community and uses the forum to collaborate with the traditional custodian in development of the community, by building families eceonomically.
Anaekwe, wife of the Traditional Prime Minister of the Community, Ozo Dennis Anaekwe, said that over 90 indigent widows were gifted with basic food items, such as rice, beans, amongst other items.
She noted that the year's beneficiaries went home with N10, 000 each despite all the food items and refreshments given them.
Anaekwe said that beneficiary on selected based on real discovery that the are indigent no preferencial treatment.
" let me shock you about 6 women were sent out by our Mama, Okpu Eze Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe's wife, when she finds out that women who are not indigent was in attendance.
" So you see how careful we are in the selection procedure, even when their village woman leaders selects them from the 18 villages we still do our checks to ensure compliance in our criteria no favoritism at all," she said.
Chief Patricia Nkwoji, Iyom, a senior member of the group and a legal practitioner hailed the group for the initiative which has given hope to many of the women.
"I am grateful to God for the privilege to be in a position to make someone smile.
"I pray God to change their fortune," she said.
Chief Chinelo Ayika,Olaedo'-Atu another member commended the leadership of the group for their initiative, saying that serving humanity comes with many blessings.
Ayika expressed happinesssaid to belong to the elite group, serving the people with humility and prays for its sustainability.
She advised the wealthy women in the community and in other communities of the state to emulate their foot print and individually do same to celebrate life always not just during festive seasons.
Chief Ify Onwudinjo a member of the famous Otu -Odu Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Community said that the exercise is not a jamboree but an act borne out of goodwill to serve humanity.
Another top member Chief Pat Nwafor, wife of a senior cabinet member, Ozo Clement Nwafor urged women economically endowed to key into such life touching program.
The Otu -Odu Eze Enugwu-Ukwu comprises of women who have dignified themselves in key sectors of human profession namely amongst them present are Chief Pat Ajekwu,Chief Chioma Okoye, Chief Nkiru Egwuagu, Chief Chizoba Ebisi amongst others.
Mrs Irene Nwaokolo, a beneficiary expressed happiness to be among the widows selected this year.
Mrs Ijeoma Okafor, another beneficiary who described the gesture as a new innovation, urged other wealthy people in the area to follow suit.
Mrs Nkechi Bulani one of the village Coordinators who spoke on behalf of others prayed God to grant the orgsinsers of the annual Otu- Odu Eze group greater open doors to keep touching lives.