The Delta Government on Monday commenced the revalidation of widows under its Widows Welfare Scheme across the state.
The revalidation exercise, which took place at the Uvwie Local Government Council Secretariat, was aimed at updating the records of beneficiaries and improving transparency in the scheme.
The Coordinator of the programme, Mr Isioma Okonta, said the exercise was necessary to ascertain the current status of beneficiaries across the state.
Okonta explained that the revalidation would enable the state government to identify widows who had remarried, secured employment or died.
He added that the exercise would also help maintain accurate records and prevent payments into inactive accounts.
The coordinator said the scheme, approved by Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, was launched on Aug. 15, 2025, with enrolled widows receiving monthly stipends of N45,000.
He disclosed that more than 10,000 widows across the 25 local government areas and 270 wards in the state were currently benefiting from the programme.
According to him, the initiative reflects the governor’s commitment to supporting vulnerable residents alongside infrastructure development.
“The governor is touching lives beyond roads, schools and hospitals. Social welfare is important because society is judged by the care it gives to vulnerable people,” he said.
Also speaking, Bishop Felicia Ileleji, Presiding Bishop and Founder of God’s Command Ministry, urged the widows to continue praying for the state’s leaders.
Ileleji said righteous leadership promotes peace, progress and compassion, adding that leaders who fear God would prioritise citizens’ welfare.
Mrs Christina Oke, a beneficiary, commended the government for sustaining monthly support for widows under the welfare scheme.
Oke appreciated the state government for improving the lives of widows and appealed for an increase in the stipend in view of the prevailing economic hardship.