There were shouts of joy at the Abakaliki Township Stadium in Ebonyi State on Thursday, when Governor David Umahi announced the birth of a baby during a state luncheon party for elders and widows in the stateby his administration.

The baby arrived just minutes beforethe Governor called out about 1,710 widows to be empowered by the governmentas part of the efforts to lessen their burden.

An elated Umahi drew his wife, Rachael close to him and named the new born girl Rachael Mgborie David, a combination of the namesof his wife and himself.

Umahi, according to a statementon Fridayby his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, advised that themother of the baby girl, Regina Patrick, shouldadd thename of her late husbandas the surname of the baby.

Immediately, he announced a donation of N1 million tobaby Rachael and directed hisSenior Special Assistant on Religious Matters and the Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, Ebonyi State chapter, Rev. Father Abraham Nwali,to openan account for the babywith the money.

Regina Patrick, one of the 1,710 widows drawn from all the political wards in the state, lost her husband six months ago.

Umahi said:“There isa woman whom I was told gave birth in this celebration ground and as I was deliberating with my wife on how she became pregnant, they saidshe took in before her husband died,six months ago.

“Wewill name the child. Her names will be Rachael Mgborie David plus her late dad’s name. Rev. FatherNwali will use the sum of N1 milliontoopen anaccount for the child.”

The Governor also offered scholarship to her from secondaryschool to university levels, saying: “If it pleases God that we are in power after her schooling, wherever we are, we will make her enjoy scholarship for secondary and university.”

TheCommissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Barr. Samuel Okoronkwo, coordinated the programme, which is part of the activities marking Umahi’s two years in office and the 2017 Democracy Day celebrations. Okoronkwo wasfull of gratitude to God for his mercies. He said that the widowand the baby weretaken to the hospital.

Inan interviewon Fridayat the Federal TeachingHospital,Mrs. Patrick from Amagu Izzi in Abakaliki Local Government Area, said she and her baby were in stable condition.

Sheexplained thatshe did not get any sign of the baby’s arrival when she arrived Abakaliki until2pmwhen she started noticing some changesanddecided to rush to a nearby hospital.

The ladywas full of praises forthe Governor and his wife for theirkind gesture and prayed God to promote them to a higher level.

She said: “We went to the stadium because they told us to go there that the Governor wants to see the widows and it wasby2pmthat I started having pains. I was trying to go to hospital but when wewere about to come out, there was big trafficand I gave birth there.

“They told me that Governor and his wifegave mybabyN1 million and gave her scholarship. I am so happy because of how God remembered methrough the Governor and his beautiful wife. I am thanking him and his wife andI am praying that God will elevatethem more.”

While she confirmed that her husband died six months ago, she revealed that she has five children. Her first son, she said, was electrocutednot too long ago.