HRH Okuokpellagbe of Okpella Disburses Funds to Vulnerable Groups

Omonu YG Nelson

The Okuokpellagbe of Okpella, HRH Engr. Akemokue Lukman, , has directed the disbursement of funds to various vulnerable groups in the community. This move is part of the New Okpella Project, aimed at uplifting the lives of those in need.

According to a press statement signed by Strategic Communication Assistant, Okuokpellagbe-in-Council, Samson Omosotomhe (PhD), the king has allocated N1,000,000 to the Physically Challenged Persons, to be administered by Mr.

Andrew Sylvester, chairman of the Physically Challenged Persons. Another N1,000,000 has been set aside for widows above 50 years, which will be administered by Hajia Hadiza Afegbua, chairperson of the Okpella Women Association.

Furthermore, the king has approved the reimbursement of N2,500,000 used for the evacuation of the Okugbe Refuse Dump. The funds have been released to Hon. Paul Aronokhale (FCA), Chairman of the Finance & Accounts Administration, to effect the transfers.

In addition, HRH Engr. Akemokue Lukman has instructed that the December portion of the monthly stipends, previously paid to the Okuokpellagbe Palace, be redirected to the Finance & Accounts Administration for distribution to elderly persons above 75 years.

The king’s actions are guided by his belief that “the success of his administration shall not be measured by how he succumbed to the intimidation of the strong, but shall be judged by how he cares for the weak and the vulnerable in the society.” He envisions a “New Okpella” where the vulnerable are cared for, and this gesture is a significant step towards achieving that vision.

This move is reminiscent of various government schemes aimed at supporting vulnerable groups, such as the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), the National Programme for the Health Care of Elderly (NPHCE), and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana.