Ondo LGs begin N20,000 monthly stipends for 5,400 elderly residents

By Boye Oyeyemi

The 18 local government areas in Ondo State have begun paying N20,000 monthly stipends to about 5,400 residents aged 70 and above as part of efforts to support vulnerable citizens.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in Akure, saying each council had selected at least 300 elderly residents for the welfare scheme.

Takuro said the initiative was designed to cushion the economic challenges faced by senior citizens, adding that the number of beneficiaries could increase as the programme progresses.

“Every local government has commenced support for a minimum of 300 elderly residents who are 70 years and above, with each beneficiary receiving at least N20,000 every month,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner said the councils had introduced empowerment programmes for youths and women to improve household incomes and reduce poverty across the state.

He explained that the youth intervention was implemented monthly, with beneficiaries selected based on their ability to use the financial assistance productively, while women were also supported because of their roles in families and communities.

In addition, Takuro said the local governments were supporting farmers with agricultural inputs, including fertiliser, cocoa and palm seedlings, while efforts were underway to harmonise the programme across the 18 councils.

“We are working towards a coordinated arrangement where each local government can clearly identify what it is providing to farmers, including the quantity of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs,” he said.