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…to empower 235 with N250,000 each

By Peter Okutu

ABAKALIKI– APART from Ebonyi State Government’s investment in the area of infrastructural development across the state among others, it has equally demonstrated the political will to economically empower both indigenes and non-indigenes residing in the state and outside in order to improve their standard of living.

*Cross section of wives of federal security personnel being trained before receiving N250,000 empowerment funds in a 3-day workshop at EBSU Law Faculty, Abakaliki

The ongoing empowerment programme of the state government for wives of security personnel is another milestone in the effort of Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State to reach out to various segments of

society, irrespective of party affiliation, religion or social status.

The women who would be empowered with N250,000 each at the end of their training exercise, would have the privilege of using the cash to engage in any business of their choice including Rice Value Chain and Best practices, Business Management, agriculture among others.

Speaking with South-East Voice during the closing ceremony of a three-day workshop organised for wives of Federal Government Security officials serving in Ebonyi State at the Federal College of Agriculture, Ishiagu in Ivo Local Government Area of the state, last weekend, Governor Umahi charged the participants to take advantage of the training and invest the empowerment funds that will be given to them in meaningful businesses.

The Governor who was represented by the Commissioner for Economic Empowerment and Job Creation, Barr. Uchenna Orji charged the participants to utilise the knowledge acquired in the workshop to manage their businesses and thus promote wealth and job creation.

He further admonished them to set up businesses of their choice in the state to avoid any form of capital flight as the present administration was interested in the prosperity of the people and the salt of the nation.

“The vision of Governor  Umahi is to improve the living standard of the people at all levels. For the records, we have empowered 3000 youths/women to the tune of N750m; youths numbering 540 in Lagos with N140m; Ebonyians in Onitsha were given 140 tricycles; while widows numbering 4000 got N400m.”

SEV gathered that a total of 403 participants were trained in Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu Alike Ikwo and Federal College of Agriculture Ishiagu as the Governor had approved the payment of two N250, 000 to a total of 235 spouses of federal security officials in the state.

The women who were filled with praises for the empowerment initiative of the Governor described him (Umahi) as a compassionate and nationalistic governor. According to the women, the initiative of the governor to empower wives of security officials most of whom are non- indigenes, was a demonstration of his love for the unity of the nation.