By Nna Anulumadu
Hon. Dr. Mrs Amaka Obi the executive mayor of Idemili South L.G.A Anambra state has empowered at a stretch a total of 700 Individuals among them disables with starter packs and wheelchairs on various skills ranging from tailoring, hairdressing, confectionaries, leather works in a mega empowerment programme organized by her to empower citizens of the local government area held at council headquarters Ojoto town last Wednesday.
Speaking during the occasion Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo the wife of Anambra state Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo who was the Chief guest of honour during the occasion while praising Hon. Amaka Obi for his consistent efforts in giving the local government area good leadership as well as prioritizing welfare of common masses like petty traders, peasants,as well as all citizens of the council area also urged well to do citizens of the state to emulate her adding that the womenfolk are proud of her wonderful achievements in local government administration.
Speaking to those that where empowered, she urged them to ensure that they utilizes this wonderful opportunity given to them to excel in their chosen career adding that it is expected from them that they will reciprocate the good gesture extended to them by training others to help reduce poverty in the society.
While stating that her foundation will also partner with Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi on further empowerment programmers, She announced that her foundation is Planning to commence training of women on skills like keke mechanic, electronic repairs, carpentry etc even as she announced again the donation of ₦7 million to all the seven hundred empowered individuals for each of them to receive a total of ₦100, 000.00 each as her support for them.
Also speaking, Chief Patrick Aghamba Anambra state commissioner of youth development described the empowerment Programme as unique and significant to ameliorating of poverty in the state and which is in line with the state government policy on betterment of people welfare. Commissioner Aghamba who showered praises on the local government boss Dr. Mrs. Amaka Obi assured that the state government will hence forth partner with her in subsequent empowerment programmes.
On their part, Bar Mrs. Beverly Nkemdiche Ikpeazu, Anambra state commissioner for special duties, Hon. Ebuka Igwe the legislator representing Idemili South in the Anambra state house of assembly, Prof. Nkechi Ikedigwu Chairman of ASUBEB among others showered praises on Dr. Amaka Obi for her efforts to mobilize the people of the local government for Gov. Soludo re- election in the November 8th governorship election noting that her impactful development achievements in the local government has become one of the yardsticks to access the current APGA led state government under Gov.Soludo.
Earlier in an address of welcome, Hon. Dr. Mrs Amaka Obi had stated that she is empowering 700 individuals who has been trained in various skills ranging from leather works, confectioneries, beauty care and gele as well as providing for them necessary equipments to start and sustain their businesses adding that the gestures are not gifts but rather an investment in human capital, families and future of Idemili south citizens.
Noting that beyond skills and tools that she is in addition providing financial support to 250 petty traders across communities in the local government area, she stated that she is doing this because of her understanding of the struggle of market men and women challenges of keeping their business afloat in this era of economic hardship stressing that she is also reaching out to physically challenged brothers and sisters in the local government by providing wheelchairs to them to improve their mobility and Independence.
Speaking to newsmen immediately after receiving their empowerments starter packs ranging from sewing machines, dryers, washing hands basins, oven and startup capitals, Mr. Chidebere Eze, Ngozi Onyekachukwu, Afuogu Virginia, Faith Onuoha among others told newsmen that they were happy and full of smiles for what the local government boss Hon Dr. Mrs. Amaka Obi did for them and prayed God to continue blessing her.While thanking her, they assured that they will not disappoint and will work to ensure that they empowered others by equally training them to be useful to the society at large.
