The 18 local government councils in Ondo State have commenced a welfare programme under which about 5,400 elderly residents will receive a monthly stipend of N20,000.

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, disclosed this in Akure, the state capital, on Monday.

Takuro said the initiative was introduced to improve the welfare of vulnerable residents, particularly senior citizens.

According to him, each of the 18 local government areas identified at least 300 residents aged 70 years and above to benefit from the monthly payment.

He said the councils were also considering expanding the number of beneficiaries as the programme progresses.

He said, “They (LGs) are providing a stipend to at least a minimum of 300 aged people between 70 years and above in their respective local governments. They are paying them a minimum of N20,000 monthly and they are planning to even increase that number.”

Beyond the elderly support programme, the commissioner said the councils had also launched youth and women empowerment initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and improving economic opportunities across the state.

He explained that the youth programme was being implemented monthly, with local governments identifying young people who could effectively utilise the financial support provided to them.

Women, he added, were also being prioritised because of their contributions to families and communities.

Takuro further disclosed that the councils were strengthening assistance to farmers through the distribution of agricultural inputs, including cocoa and palm seedlings as well as fertilisers.

He said efforts were underway to harmonise the agricultural support programme across the 18 local government areas, while allowing individual councils to determine the specific needs of farmers in their respective areas.

He said the councils were working towards establishing a coordinated system for determining the quantity and type of agricultural inputs to be distributed.

“We are trying to bring ourselves together in a way that we agree that every local government, how many fertilisers are you providing for the farmer? How many of these, how many of that are you providing for the farmer?” he explained.

The commissioner said the various interventions were part of efforts by the local governments to improve livelihoods, support vulnerable groups and promote economic productivity across Ondo State.