BY IKENNA ORIOHA
Over one hundred women from Owerri Federal Constituency have benefited from Hon Ikenna Elezieanya’s empowerment program tagged “”Financial Grant to Rural Market Women in Owerri Federal Constituency Phase 1”.
The empowerment ceremony was held in Owerri on Saturday, February 6, 2021 amidst jubilation by the beneficiaries, PDP members and supporters.
In his address, Elezieanya reminded the people that the gesture was part of his promise on assumption of office, having promised them quality and effective representation, in addition to making their welfare and progress paramount.
The women, according to Elezieanya, got cash of a hundred thousand naira each, to help them enhance their businesses so that they take good care of their families and also empower others.
Elezieanya was sad that the coronavirus pandemic affected businesses, slowed down economies, left many people jobless, as well as increased poverty in the land, hence the phase 1 of the rural women empowerment program.
“Therefore, to alleviate hunger and poverty, I set out on this journey of empowerment of which over a 100 women benefited today. We can agree that empowering a woman automatically empowers her family. Women are shoulders on which their families lean on. I strongly believe that supporting our women who are already engaged in small businesses with these grants today will surely have direct positive impact on their families”, Elezieanya said.
He revealed that a second phase of the programme will be unveiled soon and will benefit more people.
Elezieanya encouraged the recipients not to see the gesture as pocket money to be spent care-freely, but to use the money judiciously to improve their petty trade.
Expressing gratitude to the people on their support and prayers, Elezieanya stated that “Owerri Federal Constituency is our home and we must work together to make it a better place for all of us”
Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Ambrose Ejiogu, who described the empowerment as worthwhile, commended Elezieanya for fulfilling his promise.The trainer, Bonita Bay, extolled the donor for allowing the recipients to be adequately trained so that they learn rudiments of trading with a view to growing their businesses.
In his remarks, Legislative Aide to Elezieanya, Hon Victor Bestowe, added that the empowerment was first of its kind in Owerri Federal Constituency, as he charged the women to use the money well so that they benefit greatly to empower others.
One of the beneficiaries, Joy Ekedube, from Emeabiam, Owerri West, who promised to judiciously use the money to boost her stock- fish business to beat poverty, thanked God for using Elezieanya to affect their lives positively.
Among dignitaries who witnessed the gesture included Hon Maria Mbakwe, State PDP woman leader, Hon Philip Ejiogu, member for Owerri North State Constituency, Hon Solomon Anukam, member for Owerri Municipal Council State Constituency, Analyn Nwaneri
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