The 18 local government areas in Ondo State have begun paying monthly stipends of at least ₦20,000 to about 5,400 residents aged 70 and above as part of measures to support vulnerable elderly people.

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

Takuro said each local government area had selected a minimum of 300 elderly residents to benefit from the scheme, while the councils were considering increasing the number of beneficiaries as the programme progresses.

He said the initiative was designed to provide financial support to senior citizens and improve their welfare.

“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,” he said.

The commissioner also disclosed that the councils had introduced other intervention programmes targeting young people and women as part of efforts to reduce poverty and expand economic opportunities.

According to him, the youth empowerment initiative is being implemented monthly, with local governments identifying young beneficiaries considered capable of putting the financial assistance to productive use.

He said women were also being given priority because of their significant roles in households and communities.

Takuro further said the local governments were supporting farmers by providing agricultural inputs, including cocoa and palm seedlings and fertilisers.

He explained that discussions were ongoing to establish a more coordinated agricultural support programme across the 18 councils while allowing each local government to tailor its intervention to the specific needs of farmers in its area.

The commissioner said the councils were working towards an arrangement that would clearly determine the quantity and categories of inputs each local government would provide to farmers.

“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 said.

Takuro said the various welfare and empowerment programmes reflected the commitment of the local governments to improving living conditions, supporting vulnerable residents and strengthening economic activities across Ondo State.