The Abobo Brown Chieftaincy House in Finima, Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State, has launched a N400 million humanitarian trust to strengthen support for widows, indigent students and other vulnerable members of the community.
The Chief Abinye Owen Brown Excellence and Legacy Trust was unveiled during a ceremony marking the birthday of the traditional leader, Aseme-Alabo Abinye Owen Brown.
The initiative aims to institutionalise his two decades of philanthropic activities and sustain his humanitarian legacy through structured interventions in education, youth empowerment, and welfare.
The trust will operate two major programmes: the Widows Support Scheme and the Students Educational Support Scheme, designed to improve the livelihoods of widows and provide educational assistance to financially disadvantaged students.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Boma Kuronye, said the trust was established to preserve Brown’s values and recognise his contributions to the community.
Kuronye described the traditional leader as a father figure and a pillar of support for widows, students and other residents, noting that his humanitarian activities went beyond his traditional responsibilities.
He said the initiative marked a shift from individual acts of generosity to a structured institution capable of delivering sustainable support to beneficiaries.
A citation presented in Brown’s honour described him as a custodian of Ibani culture, a bridge-builder and a humanist whose contributions to Finima and Grand Bonny extended to community reconciliation, cultural preservation and the defence of the area’s territorial integrity.
The citation also highlighted his commitment to education and the welfare of widows, noting his belief that education was an inheritance that could not be taken away.
The ceremony attracted traditional rulers, members of the chieftaincy house, youth representatives, women’s groups, beneficiaries and other stakeholders.
Organisers expressed optimism that the trust would expand educational opportunities, improve the welfare of vulnerable households and provide a lasting framework for community development in Finima and beyond.
