Day the palace of Aku-Ukah hosted widows, less-privileged in Taraba

The gate of the palace of Chairman, Taraba State Councils of Chiefs, Dr. Shakarau Angyu Masa-Ibi, in Wukari Council was recently flung opened by the Ayoku Kande Foundation for widows and the less- privileged.

Gifts, ranging from plots of land to bundles of wrappers were showered on the people by the leader of the Foundation, who is one of the heirs to the traditional stool of the ancient Jukun Kingdom.

While 100 less privileged persons were showered with one plots of land each, at least 20 widows went home with valuables, including several bundles of wrappers.

Founder of the Foundation, Prince Matakhitswen Shakarau Masa-Ibi, who also doubles as the Cultural Officer of the emirate, used the event to marked his 43rd birthday, saying his gesture was necessitated by his love for such groups of people.

He said the Foundation, named after his late mother, has been involved in caring for the less-privileged since he gave his life Christ some years ago, adding: “I discovered that I am always enveloped by joy each time I am privileged to be in the position to put smiles on their faces.

“There is joy in giving as well as spreading smiles on the faces of the people, irrespective of their backgrounds, and the Foundation would continue to reach out to persons in need.

“Right from the day I gave my life to Christ at the Omega Fire Ministry Woman convention held Auchi, Edo State, I have maintained a high level of commitment and faithfulness in serving God.”

The prince said since the establishment of the Foundation several years ago, it has empowered widows living in the council and its environs. Some of the beneficiaries of the plots of land have never for once thought or dreamt of becoming landowners in their lives.

With tears of joy rolling down her eyes, one of the beneficiaries said: “It appeared to me as a dream that I can now walk with my shoulders high as a land owner in this kingdom.”

Displaying the land documents, she vowed that “no amounts of hardship would make her to sell the land, saying God that made the prince to her a plot of land would as well bring another Good Samaritan that would make way for her to built on the land.

Two of the benefiting widows, Rejoice Saidu and Talatu Tsokwa, urged governments at all levels to “try as much as possibly to borrow a leaf from this young man.”