A 74-year-old widow, Madam Grace Okafor, arrived at the Alex Ekwueme Square venue of the inauguration in a wheelchair, bearing a live fowl as a gift to the governor in appreciation of a ₦100,000 cash support she received from Governor Charles Soludo.
Mrs. Okafor, whose husband died 20 years ago, resides in Eziowelle town, although she hails from Abatete in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
She explained that the governor had given her ₦100,000 to invest in her poultry business.
According to her, she owes the governor deep gratitude for the gesture, noting that the poultry business has been profitable.
Dragging her wheelchair while holding a white fowl inside a bucket, she danced her way toward the podium to present her gift but the governor had not arrived.
“Yes, I have come to witness the swearing-in of ‘Oluatuegwu,’ meaning a man who is not afraid of work,” she said.
Okafor recalled attending a function in Eziowelle where she told Soludo he would win a second term in office, adding that she is happy to witness his swearing-in.
“Yes, I told him he would win, and indeed he won the election. The ₦100,000 he gave me that day was invested in my poultry business, and this fowl is part of the proceeds. I am here to present it to the governor in appreciation,” she narrated.
Reacting to the gesture on behalf of the governor, the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described it as a strong demonstration of Soludo’s vision of self-reliance, industry, and hard work.
“The administration of Governor Charles Soludo emphasizes hard work and resilience, rather than reliance on dubious means to make money,”
“What this matriarch has done also shows that, regardless of age, it is never too late in life. On behalf of the governor, we sincerely thank our dear mother for this gesture.”he said.
Opara further urged the youth of Anambra State to learn from the woman’s example by engaging in meaningful and productive ventures.
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