It was a moment of joy and tears of joy when Lady Atim Martin, the Executive Vice Chairman of Calabar South, disbursed cash gifts to Sixty widows in Calabar South Local Government Area.
The widows, five (5) per Ward, who were carefully selected by the ward chairmen and their Councillors were visited at a venue in their respective wards.
The Executive Vice Chairman visited the wards in the order listed below:
Ward 1 – Barracks Road
Ward 5 – Ekeng Abia
Ward 7 – Punch Street
Ward 9 – Ekondo Street
Ward 6 – Bush bar, Target Road
Ward 11 – Fuller Street
Ward 8 – Effanga Effanga
Ward 4 – Anderson Street
Ward 2 – Iyamba Street
Ward 3 – Eton Street
Ward 12 – Ward 12 Secretariat, Adam Duke by Mayne Avenue
Ward 10 – Leader of Calabar South council legislature’s compound, Murray Street.
The highlight of the visit in each Ward included:
* Opening prayer
* Introduction and aim of visit by Mr Valentine, APC Chairman, Ward 10
* Address by the Executive Vice Chairman, Lady Atim Martin
* Disbursement of cash gifts
* Vote of thanks by a recipient.
The Executive Vice Chairman, Lady Atim Martin rejoiced with widows at different wards, stating that she understands how tough life has been for them as widows. She noted that if life can be tough with families with both parents, it’s even tougher for them. Lady Martin was empathetic and encouraged the widows not to lament or cry anymore, promising to support them henceforth.
She also used the event to thank the Governor, His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu; Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Bishop (Dr.)Eyoanwan Otu; and Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar for giving her the privilege to serve as the Executive Vice Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area. The event concluded with Lady Martin disbursing cash gifts to all widows in each ward.
Responding, the widows at their different wards, who were joyful and some shed tears thanked the Vice Chairman for remembering them. They acknowledged that, they have never received such gestures before, and this was the first of it’s kind. They prayed for God to protect the Vice Chairman, grant her long life and good health her kindness.
Madam Ola Kalu, a widow in Ward 3 said she had only seen such gestures in church. The tour ended in Ward 10, where the Executive Vice Chairman acknowledged Mrs Asa Henshaw, President of the Calabar South Widows Association. In her remarks, Mrs Asa Henshaw urged widows in Ward 10 to come together, send her their names and she would add them to the association’s platform to carry them along.
It was indeed a moment of praise, joy and tears of joy. The Vice Chairman, Lady Atim Martin has demonstrated season of sweetness and the People’s First agenda of the governor to the downtrodden. May God bless Lady Atim Martin in Jesus name, amen.
