Widows in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, are expressing renewed hope following their resettlement in a free housing estate provided under the Family Homes Funds scheme.

The housing project, developed in collaboration with the Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society, is designed to provide safe and dignified accommodation for vulnerable women, particularly widows.

Although 100 housing units were allocated to beneficiaries late last year, initial occupancy remained low due to security concerns and infrastructure challenges, according to the facility manager, Dr Mustapha Umar Kumshe.

He explained that many of the beneficiaries were initially reluctant to move into the estate due to fears over safety and poor access roads.

“After the commissioning, there were gaps and glitches. Many beneficiaries were afraid to relocate due to perceived insecurity,” he said.

However, the situation has improved significantly following enhanced security arrangements, direct engagement with residents, and targeted interventions to address early concerns.

Kumshe disclosed that more than 65 of the housing units are now occupied, with the estate fully equipped with water supply, electricity, solar-powered lighting, and internet services.

The estate was officially inaugurated in the presence of Uba Sani, alongside other government officials and stakeholders, during which beneficiaries received keys to their new homes.

Despite the formal handover, uptake remained slow in the early months, largely due to misinformation and fear among intended occupants.

Management later intensified community engagement efforts and strengthened security within the estate, resulting in increased confidence and rising occupancy levels.

Beneficiaries who spoke with journalists described the initiative as life-changing, expressing gratitude to the government and partner organisations.

One of the residents, Fadila Tahir, said access to stable housing has transformed her life, revealing that she has since remarried after overcoming the challenge of accommodation.

Another beneficiary, Amina Alhassan, said the new home has significantly improved her family’s living conditions, noting that she now enjoys basic amenities previously unavailable to her.

The project is part of broader efforts to address housing deficits among vulnerable populations and improve social welfare outcomes in Kaduna State.

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Residents of Imo State are set to begin enjoying 24-hour uninterrupted electricity supply from November, as the state government rolls out a test phase of its new power initiative in Owerri and surrounding areas.

Governor Hope Uzodimma made the announcement over the weekend during a stakeholders and expanded executive council meeting held at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre (EIICC), Owerri.

According to the governor, the pilot program will be powered by the Urashi Power Plant, a state-backed project made possible through recent legislation enabling its establishment. He added that the rollout would gradually extend to other parts of the state, including Orlu, Okigwe, and Mbaise, in the coming months.

Governor Uzodimma also unveiled a number of fiscal relief and social welfare initiatives, key among them being a new tax exemption for individuals earning less than ₦150,000 monthly. He noted that oil companies operating in the state would be charged with executing the policy.

In a bid to ease transportation for vulnerable groups, the governor announced free transport services for retirees and students along major routes, including Owerri–Okigwe, Orlu, Aba, Onitsha, and Port Harcourt. The scheme will leverage a newly acquired fleet of CNG-powered metro buses.

On infrastructure development, Uzodimma disclosed that 50 percent of the contract sums for ongoing projects have already been disbursed to contractors. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to public good over political gains, noting that he is not actively pursuing federal reimbursements for state-funded road projects. “I believe that future administrations will benefit from these investments,” he said.

Addressing the issue of insecurity, the governor assured residents of renewed efforts to restore peace and stability across the state. He also underscored the importance of youth inclusion in governance, stating: “We need a new generation of politicians to run the affairs of Imo State.”

The developments mark a significant push by the Uzodimma administration to improve living standards, expand critical infrastructure, and lay the groundwork for a more inclusive political and economic future in Imo.

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