Ondo LGs roll out N20,000 monthly stipends for 5,400 elderly

The 18 local government councils in Ondo State have commenced the payment of N20,000 monthly stipends to 5,400 elderly residents as part of efforts to improve the welfare of vulnerable citizens.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.

Takuro said each of the 18 local government areas had identified at least 300 residents aged 70 and above to benefit from the scheme.

He said the initiative was designed to provide regular financial assistance to senior citizens, adding that the councils were considering increasing the number of beneficiaries as the programme progressed.

He said, “They 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 commenced youth and women empowerment programmes aimed at reducing poverty and creating opportunities for residents to become economically productive.

He said the youth empowerment scheme was being implemented monthly, with the councils identifying young people who could put the financial assistance to productive use.

Takuro said women were also being targeted under the empowerment programmes because of their contributions to families and communities.

He added that the councils were strengthening support for farmers, with some already distributing agricultural inputs, including cocoa and palm seedlings and fertilisers.

The commissioner said the state government was working towards harmonising agricultural support across the 18 councils through a coordinated system.

He revealed that under the proposed arrangement, each local government would determine the quantity and type of agricultural inputs required by farmers in its area.