The Wife of Ebonyi State Governor, Rachael Umahi, has called on citizens to carry on banner of love, forgiveness and friendship beyond the season.
Mrs. Umahi said the act would strengthen the social bond among people and keep the country united to overcome all challenges.
She made the appeal during an Elders and Widows party celebration at Pa Ngele Oruta Stadium in Abakaliki on Saturday.
Umahi applauded the widows and elders on their prayers and support for the present administration.
She said: “Continue your prayers for the state, country and the world to overcome all challenges.
“Love and forgive one another.”
She further advised widows to report any possible property grabbing from relatives of their late husbands.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Religious and Welfare Matters, Abraham Nwali, said the present administration had spent N520 million on 5,200 widows in the state.
Nwali categorised the widows to include those placed on monthly stipend, those empowered on regular basis with bags of rice, cash, wrappers and other items.
The Reverend Father said the state government had repositioned the living standard of elders and widows.
“For the past four years, the state government had already given a special attention to them at end of year parties and democracy events,” Nwali said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Samuel Okoronkwo, said the widows were drawn from the 13 local government areas of the state.
According to Okoronkwo, the women have promised to ensure the reelection of the governor as a way of showing support for his good deeds, and to ensure that such deeds were sustained.