Governor Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State presented the sum of N30 million in microcredit loans to 66 widows of fallen heroes in the state on Monday in commemoration of the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.
Presenting the checks to the widows during the celebration held at the Cenotaph, Alagbaka, Akure, the state capital, Ayedatiwa said the gesture was an honour to the fallen heroes.
According to him, the micro-credit loan scheme for widows of departed heroes had a zero interest rate and was a unique programme of the current administration in the state.
The governor said the loan was designed to support the widows’ businesses and enable them to take care of themselves and their children.
“The Micro-Credit Loan Scheme for the Widows of the Deceased Heroes, which is at zero interest rate, remains a unique programme of this administration.
“We are aware of the various complaints surrounding this loan scheme and the poor attitude of some widows, especially towards the repayment of these loans.
“While assuring you that we shall continue to make the loan more accessible, we are equally appealing to the beneficiaries to join hands with the government to make the programme sustainable by making prompt repayment of the loan a priority.
“Our administration plans to continually put smiles on the faces of the widows and children of the fallen heroes. We, therefore, crave your understanding and support to make it sustainable,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa assured the commitment of the government to the welfare, progress, and development of all segments of society in the state, charging the people of the state to cooperate with his administration to ensure the success of all projects and programmes initiated for the comfort of all law-abiding citizens of the state.
While commending the legions in areas of security in the state, the governor said, “I want to use this medium to inform all and sundry that the Hon. Minister of Defence has added to the portfolio and responsibilities of the State Chairmen of Nigeria Legion. They are now to double as the commandants of the Nigerian Legion Corps and commissionaires.
“The Corps is a product of the Nigerian Legion, which is empowered to provide body fitness, self-defence (unarmed combat), the strategic principle of crowds and traffic control, care security, tour guards, kidnapping control, and the use of CCTV cameras as measures of crime control.
Let me therefore enjoin everyone to cooperate with the Legion in this regard at every point of their service for the purpose of securing lives and property in the state.
“As we round off this year’s celebration, I want to seize this opportunity to commend the efforts of all stakeholders, both military and civilian, who have devoted their time and resources to collaborate and make today’s event a reality.”
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