Edo commissioner gives salary to constituents

FOR the first time in the history of the state, Edo State Commissioner for Investment, Dennis Idahosa, Thursday fulfilled his promises that he would share his monthly salary to 10 wards that make up his Ovia South West Local Council.

  And it was an unusual scenario along Siluko Road near Benin City as youths, elders, poverty-stricken widows gathered to be given cash gifts of various sums. 

 He said the decision to give back to the society, especially to the old and helpless widows in the society, was borne out of his love and passion to give a helping hand to the poor and needy in the society and his community at large.

  Speaking during the presentation of cash rewards to members of the 10 wards in Ovia South West Local Council, Idahosa, said he made a promise to members of the community to give out his salary monthly to assist the widows and empower jobless youths in the area.

   He said he made a voluntary promise of channelling his monthly salary as a commissioner to give succour and hope to the indigent Ovia members by providing them with financial empowerment and skills acquisition.

  Six persons from each of the 10 wards that make up the council benefitted from the gifts. The benefactors included 21 women and 39 unemployed youths and the elderly. 

  “My joy is to do what makes people happy and I am fulfilled by helping and giving to people in need.”

 He, however, advised beneficiaries to make judicious use of the stipend.

  The benefitting wards included  East ward, West ward, Umaza, Siluko, Udo Ward, Ora ward, Usen ward, Ugbogui, Ofunama and lastly Nikoroga ward all in Ovia south west Council area of the state.    

   Appreciating the gesture on behalf of the 60 benefactors and community members, a All Progressive Congress (APC) leader in the council and former Governing Council member of the Edo State College of Education, Igueben, Morgan Agho described the gesture by the compassionate commissioner as unprecedented in the history of Ovia South West.

  “Nobody in the history of this community has ever done what Idahosa has done for his people. With this gesture, we pray that God should continue to strengthen him,” he said.