01/08/2025
Lokoja Goodwill Widows Association Applauds Governor Ododo for Free Health Insurance Initiative
The Lokoja Goodwill Widows Association has praised Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, for his recent gesture of providing free health insurance coverage to over 65 widows across the state. The association described the initiative as a life-changing intervention that will ease the burden of healthcare for many widows struggling to meet basic needs.
Members of the association, who gathered in large numbers in Lokoja to express their appreciation, described Governor Ododo as “a compassionate leader with the interest of the vulnerable at heart.”
Speaking during the distribution of health insurance cards by the Kogi State Health Insurance Agency (KSHIA), the Founder of the association, Chief (Mrs) Damaris Tumbutu Agbogun, expressed deep gratitude to the governor and his administration for recognizing the plight of widows.
"We are overwhelmed with joy and appreciation to our widow-friendly Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo. His decision to provide free health insurance for widows is timely and thoughtful. This initiative will help our members access quality healthcare, especially when sickness strikes unexpectedly," she said.
"We also commend the Executive Secretary of KGSHIA, Dr. Aledare Adekule, for ensuring smooth implementation of this wonderful policy. It is not just about health cards it is about dignity, care, and inclusion."
Also speaking, the President of the Association, Mrs. Adegbola Elizabeth , highlighted the financial challenges most widows face in accessing healthcare.
“For years, our members have struggled to access proper medical attention due to limited finances. Many of them became the sole caregivers and providers for their families after the death of their spouses. This health insurance scheme will significantly reduce that burden,” she stated.
“With this gesture, Governor Ododo has brought relief to our homes and shown that he truly understands the needs of vulnerable women in the state.”
In her contribution, Eunice Agbogun , a consultant to the association, emphasized the diverse nature of the group, noting that membership cuts across ethnic and religious backgrounds, and includes widows from different states across Nigeria.
“This association is not limited to Kogi indigenes. It welcomes every woman who has lost her husband and is determined to live purposefully,” she said.
“I urge well-meaning individuals, philanthropists, and especially the wife of the governor, Mrs. Sefinat Ododo, to support and identify with this group of strong women who continue to contribute to the growth of their communities.”
Chief Agbogun further appealed for continued government support and called for public recognition of widows who, despite their personal losses, have remained committed to raising their families and impacting society positively.
“The Lokoja Goodwill Widows Association has been in existence for over two decades. Many of our members chose not to remarry, dedicating themselves to raising their children and serving their communities,” she noted.
“We want the world to see that widows are not just survivors—they are contributors, mentors, and builders of society.”
The Lokoja Goodwill Widows Association, founded to support bereaved women emotionally and economically, has grown into a robust support network offering empowerment programmes, moral support, and now thanks to the Kogi State Government access to essential healthcare.
