The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for the Bole-Bamboi Constituency, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, has begun the New Year with a major humanitarian gesture, bringing relief and hope to 500 widows and Persons Living with Disability (PWDs) in the constituency.
The outreach programme, held at Bole Kizito A Primary School, formed part of the MP’s commitment to supporting vulnerable groups, particularly widows who he noted, are often neglected in society.
Addressing the gathering, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana said the initiative was aimed at building a lasting relationship with widows in the constituency and ensuring they receive consistent care and support.
“Widows are usually forgotten, but we want them to know that they matter and that this relationship will not end here,” he said.
He explained that Persons Living with Disability were deliberately included in the exercise to ensure that no vulnerable group is left behind in his social intervention efforts.
As part of the support package, each widow received three pieces of cloth and a 5-kilogram bag of rice, enabling them to celebrate the New Year with dignity and without financial strain.
In a further boost to their welfare, the Deputy Minister announced that all 500 widows would have their National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) cards renewed at his personal cost. He also disclosed that those not yet registered on the NHIS would be enrolled to ensure access to healthcare services.
Alhaji Yusif Sulemana further revealed plans to organize free health screening exercises for the widows and PWDs to address their medical needs and promote preventive healthcare.
He reaffirmed his long-term commitment to the beneficiaries, stressing that the support would not be limited to the New Year.
“Anytime there is a festivity, we will call them back and see how we can support them,” he assured.
Sharing a personal reflection, the MP said his compassion for widows and vulnerable persons is rooted in his own life experience, having lost his father in 1987. He recalled how his mother struggled to raise him and his siblings, an experience that shaped his empathy for disadvantaged groups.
The beneficiaries expressed appreciation for the timely intervention, describing it as a rare act of compassion that has brought hope and relief at the start of the New Year.
