A female traditional ruler in Cross River State Henrietta, has donated food items to over 70 widows in her community.
Efa-Akpera, the village head of Eka Efa community, Calabar Municipality local government area of Cross River State, also held a free medical outreach for the beneficiaries to mark her nine years of ascending to the throne.
She said it was one of the ways to assist the underprivileged to survive the hard times,
The widows were screened for eye defects, cataracts and glaucoma.
Rice, garlic, onions, and other food items were distributed to the widows to combat the hunger and starvation that have plagued households.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the monarch’s medical outreach and food distribution at Akai Efa community town hall, the female traditional ruler stressed that the harsh economic conditions were the reason behind the gesture.
“I once promised God that if he allowed me to reign for nine years, I would celebrate with women and her people.
“This celebration is for me to thank God for allowing me to survive on the stool for these nine years. This is remarkable.
“This celebration is a way of giving back to the widows and my community notwithstanding the harsh economic situation in the country,” she stressed.
Also, the state commissioner for women’s affairs, Mrs Edema Irom, and a lawmaker representing the Calabar Municipality, Stanley Nsemo, expressed the government’s happiness with her efforts.
The duo called for expanding the widow empowerment programme, while the commissioner hailed the community for being gender friendly.
Community leader Otuekong Edet Effiom affirmed that the female monarch’s nine-year reign has impacted the community, stressing that she is the only female village head amongst seven since 1970.
Effiom praised the traditional ruler for facilitating the erection of a secondary school, magistrate court, and primary health care facility, digging boreholes, and organising various skills acquisition programmes for the community’s youth.
