The 18 local government councils in Ondo State have commenced the payment of N20,000 monthly stipends to about 5,400 residents aged 70 years and above under a new welfare initiative.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, disclosed this on Monday in Akure, saying the programme was designed to cushion the economic difficulties faced by vulnerable elderly residents.
Takuro explained that each local government had selected at least 300 senior citizens aged 70 and above for the monthly support, putting the combined number of beneficiaries across the state at about 5,400.
He said the councils were also considering increasing the number of elderly people covered by the programme as the initiative expands.
“They (LGs) are providing a stipend to at least a minimum of 300 aged people between 70 years and above in their respective local governments. They are paying them a minimum of N20,000 monthly and they are planning to even increase that number.”
The commissioner also disclosed that the councils had introduced separate empowerment programmes targeting young people and women as part of efforts to improve livelihoods and reduce economic hardship.
According to him, the youth intervention is being implemented monthly, with each local government identifying beneficiaries considered capable of using the financial assistance productively.
Takuro said women were also being given attention because of their important roles in supporting households and communities.
The commissioner further revealed that the local governments were supporting farmers with agricultural inputs, including fertiliser, cocoa seedlings and palm seedlings.
He said discussions were ongoing among the 18 councils to develop a more coordinated approach to the distribution of farm inputs while allowing individual local governments to respond to the specific needs of farmers in their areas.
“We are trying to bring ourselves together in a way that we agree that every local government, how many fertilisers are you providing for the farmer? How many of these, how many of that are you providing for the farmer?” he explained.
Takuro said the various interventions reflected the councils’ efforts to provide social support for vulnerable residents, empower young people and women and strengthen agricultural production across the state.
He added that the programmes were expected to contribute to improved household welfare and greater economic activity at the grassroots.
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