Wife of the Ebonyi State Governor and Founder, Better Health for Rural Women, Children, and Internally Displaced Persons Foundation (BERWO), Mrs. Mary-Maudline Nwifuru, has handed over a total of 26, 3 bedrooms bungalows to 26 less privileged widows in the 13 local Government area of the State as part of her commitment to uplifting the most vulnerable in society.
Commissioning and handing over the keys to the widows in the State, Mrs. Nwifuru described the project as part of her mission to wipe away the tears of widows and ensure they live with dignity.
“Every widow deserves to feel safe, valued, and respected. A roof over one’s head is not a luxury; it is a necessity. These homes are a reminder that widows are not forgotten, they are part of our family, our community, and our future,”.
“It is important to note that this life-changing gesture was made possible through our pet project, BERWO Foundation and I want to assure our widows that we will continue to champion their cause across the state.
“The Widows’ Housing Project is an ambition born out of our desire to elongate the lives of our widows and assure them that the demise of their husband should not be an end to their joy and happiness. Our ambition and goal of constructing a total number of 26 bungalows, 2 in each of the 13 Local Government Areas of the State has been actualized and we are glad to hand over the keys to them.
“Widows often bear the brunt of economic and social challenges. Access to safe housing is not a privilege but a basic right that every woman deserves, especially those who continue to raise families against all odds.
Receiving their House Keys, Mrs. Nwankwoeke Ekoyo and Mrs. Ophoke Cecilia Ogbinya of Ndiegu Azu Echara in Ikwo LGA and Amegu Onicha commended Mrs. Nwifuru for providing them a roof over their heads adding that she has given them stability, safety, and a renewed sense of belonging.
Mrs. Ekoyo and Mrs. Ogbinya revealed that for years, they have lived in makeshift shelters, enduring the harsh realities of widowhood and the uncertainty of unsafe housing adding that “today, that story has changed.
“With tears of joy in our eyes and gratitude in our hearts, we have stepped into our new homes. This is a symbol of love, dignity, and hope bestowed on us by Mrs. Nwifuru.
“Who will ever have believed that I, will today live in a house of this nature. I have gone through the agony of sleeping in a flooded room with all the health challenges I am exposed to. If this is how government is run, Nigeria is becoming a better place. Mrs. Ekoyo says.
Other beneficiaries, Mrs Onueyim Elizabeth and Mrs Elom Mbam Ogodo called on the members of the National Assembly in the State and other spirited individuals to emulate the good gestures of the Wife of the Governor.
The Commissioner for Housing, Hon Francis Ori also commended, Mrs. Nwifuru for her tireless advocacy and people-centered interventions.
He described the initiative as a legacy project that is changing lives at the grassroots and setting Ebonyi State as a model for compassionate governance.
“The Project is one of the programmes of BERWO Foundation, targeted at addressing the housing needs of indigent widows. Through this project, several widows have already benefited, with more homes scheduled for completion in the coming months.
Other Community leaders and women groups present at the commissioning said the initiative is a beacon of compassionate leadership. They noted that the Wife of the Governor is not just building houses but rebuilding lives.
