Abia State government has placed a 106-year-old akara seller, Ma Chidinma Eluwa, on monthly stipends following her discovery at Umuahia.
The centenarian who is popular at Owerri road by Isigate area of Umuahia, Abia State capital, is also to have her business boosted by the Abia State government.
Mama Eluwa who had lost her husband and is surviving with her only child was not deterred by her situation to make earns meet.
On July 29th, 2023 the aged trader was spotted at her shop by the Chief of Staff to Abia State governor, Caleb Ajagba, according to Daily Post.
The Chief of Staff who was returning from an environmental clean-up inspection on behalf of the governor, was attracted by the site of customers that queued up to buy Mama Eluwa’s delicacy.
On enquiry, the Chief of Staff was told that the aged woman had been in the Akara business for donkey years which instantly made the CoS pencil down her name for special government intervention, after having some interactions with her.
The Chief of Staff on return to the government house in Umuahia, recommended his special discovery to the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Vulnerable Groups and Poverty Alleviation, which took over the matter after carrying out more investigations about Mama Eluwa ‘s history in akara frying business.
She was invited to the office on August 9, where she was captured on NIN for account opening where her monthly stipends will be deposited.
The Abia State government is also planning to boost her business through financial support while plans are on to celebrate her next birthday and longevity.
Responding, Mama Chidinma Eluwa thanked Governor Alex Otti, his Chief of Staff, Caleb Ajagba and the Special Assistant on vulnerable groups and poverty alleviation, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas for picking interest in her.
She said that the stipends from the government will make her live for more years.
Speaking also, the Special Assistant to Abia State governor on vulnerable groups and poverty alleviation, Mrs Ifeoma Thomas said, “We’re going to place her on a monthly stipend and also open a bank account for her. But first of all, we have gotten the Nigerian Identity Management Agency (NIMC) to capture her and her son in the NIMC register, afterwards, we open an account in her name and her brother will be in the custody of the ATM card.
“With that, we will pay her stipend into the account at the end of every month”. I
