In response to the rising cost of living, Chief Emmanuel Ubah, Otunba Ojoto, Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oto-Awori LCDA and former Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State presidential candidate, has disbursed ₦2.5 million in cash grants to 50 widows and sponsored GCE registration for 20 indigent students in Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area.
The empowerment programme, organized through the Chief Emma Ubah Foundation, was held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Kings Hotel, Oto-Awori LCDA. The event drew traditional rulers, community leaders, women groups, youth representatives, and beneficiaries from the 8 wards in the LCDA.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Ubah Otunba Ojoto said the intervention was borne out of compassion and not politics. “It has been part of me long before I dreamt of contesting for Ohanaeze President. Losing an election does not mean losing your conscience,” he said. “If you wait for a title to help people, you will wait forever. Real leadership is when nobody is watching, and you still choose to show up for your people.”
He described the current economic situation as “a storm that is hitting women and children the hardest.” “A widow crying at night over school fees is a problem for all of us. A child who cannot write GCE because of money is a wasted future. We must act now before we lose a generation,” Otunba Ojoto stated.
Under the programme, 50 widows drawn from across Oto-Awori received ₦50,000 each. The total cash disbursement stood at ₦2.5 million. According to Chief Ubah Otunba Ojoto, the money is intended to help the women grow existing businesses or start new ones in trading, food vending, and tailoring.
In addition, 20 secondary school students, whose parents could not afford GCE fees, had their registration paid in full by the foundation. “This is not charity. This is investment. When a widow’s shop grows, 5 children will eat. When a child passes GCE, 10 children behind him will believe it is possible,” he explained.
Chief Ubah Otunba Ojoto, who also serves as Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oto-Awori LCDA, said philanthropy has always been part of his life. He stressed that the economic realities in the country require community leaders to take deliberate steps to support vulnerable groups.
The event was emotional as beneficiaries received their support packages. Mama Christiana Eze, a widow and food vendor from Ward C, said: “This ₦50,000 has come at the right time. Business has been very slow since January. I will use it to buy more goods and stock my shop. God will continue to bless Chief Ubah.”
Mrs. Halima Yusuf, a tailor, added: “Things are hard, but today I have hope again. I will add this money to my capital. May God lift Chief Ubah higher than he is.”
For the students, the gesture removed a major barrier. Miss Blessing Okon, 17, who received her GCE form, said: “My parents could not afford it this year. I was almost giving up. Now I can write my exams in October. We will make Chief Ubah proud.” Another student, Master Samuel Adebayo, said the sponsorship would allow him to sit for 8 subjects. “Without this help, I would have waited another year,” he said.
Community leaders present described the intervention as timely and people-centered. Mr. Chuks, popularly known as “Solar Empire” and a community stakeholder, said: “This is what true leadership looks like. Chief Ubah has shown that politics should be about service, not just elections. We need more of this in Oto-Awori.” A women leader, Mrs. Ngozi Okeke, thanked Chief Ubah for remembering widows who are often forgotten during empowerment programmes. “You have put food on our tables and hope in our hearts,” she said.
Chief Ubah Otunba Ojoto assured residents that the foundation will roll out additional programmes before the end of 2026. “Through the Chief Emma Ubah Foundation, we will extend interventions to healthcare, skills acquisition for youths, and more educational support. We are in difficult times. Many families cannot feed, talk less of paying for exams. If we don’t invest in our widows and children today, we are mortgaging the future of Oto-Awori,” he said.
He called on other well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to join hands in supporting vulnerable families in the council area. The programme ended with prayers for Chief Ubah Otunba Ojoto, his family, and for continued peace and prosperity in Oto-Awori LCDA.
