ABAKALIKI – Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi on Thursday donated a total of N28 million to Government House staff to offset their children’s school fees.
No fewer than 217 staff benefitted from the largesse, which
covered workers from the governor’s office and that of his wife, as well as the deputy governor’s office.
Others who benefitted were staff of the Executive Council secretariat and the governor’s lodge.
Chief Offor Okorie, the Chief of Staff to the Governor who made the presentation on behalf of the governor, said the governor received divine message to make the presentation.
He said “this is the first governor in the country to make such presentation and it is instructive because this form of charity started at home.
“The governor decided to make the presentation to alleviate the sufferings of staff with the prevailing economic situation in the country.
“He is aware that many families are finding it difficult to cope economically and the payment of school fees has become a great challenge in many homes.”
He urged the workers to reciprocate the governor’s gesture by redoubling their efforts in the overall service of the government and the entire state.
He said “you will receive your children’s school fees this afternoon no matter the cost and you should reciprocate by showing the governor unwavering love and support to succeed.
“You should remember people in other offices who have not received this and ask God to also divinely instruct the governor to remember them.”
Chief Clement Nweke, the governor’s Principal Secretary, urged the recipients to reciprocate the gesture by re-dedicating themselves to their duties.
He said “the governor had also allocated N2 billion to the state’s civil servants to access under an empowerment scheme and this gesture was a reflection of his love to all sectors of the state.
“Workers who did not receive their largesse at this venue should go to their various departments and meet their accountants to receive their money,” he said.
Mr Christopher Nwokora, one of the beneficiaries and Accountant in the deputy governor’s office, thanked the governor for the gesture and prayed God to reward him.
He said “the governor has remembered us in this trying period as our whole families would pray for his success.
“Most of us were thinking of how to pay our children’s school fees but God answered our prayers through the governor.”
The elated staff sang and danced in appreciation to the governor’s gesture.
