Widows and elderly residents in several communities across Ikwerre, Emohua and Ahoada East Local Councils of Rivers State have received cash and food items from the chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of OLO Host Communities Development Trust (HCDT), Godwin Ndubuisi Worlu.

The beneficiaries described the gesture as timely, saying it had provided much-needed relief amid the economic hardship and rising cost of living affecting households across the country.

One of the beneficiaries, Josephine Chukwu, said the support came at a critical period when many families were struggling to afford basic necessities.

She appealed to Worlu to sustain the initiative and urged other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate him by supporting vulnerable people in their communities.

Speaking on behalf of the elders, a monarch, Eze Godwin Chukwu Eneka Ordu, commended Worlu for the intervention, describing it as a demonstration of genuine concern for the welfare of the people.

Worlu made the donations during a thank you visit to the communities, explaining that the gesture was motivated by his love for the people and appreciation for their support and cooperation.

The communities visited were Elele Okineali in Ikwerre Local Council; Elele Alimini and Omudioga in Emohua Local Council; and Okporomini and Eligbo in Ahoada East Local Council.

Worlu also used the visit to formally inform the communities about the transition of the OLO Marginal Fields from TotalEnergies to Aradel Holdings Plc.

He urged the people to extend the same spirit of cooperation they had shown to the HCDT to Aradel Holdings, saying the company had the capacity to attract more development projects to the host communities if it received the necessary support and cooperation.

The BOT chairman acknowledged that the transition period had been challenging but commended the communities for standing by the HCDT and supporting it through the difficult period.

He assured the people that his administration would remain inclusive, promising that their entitlements and legitimate interests would be addressed without prejudice.