Okodili Ndidi, Abuja
The lawmaker representing Ohaji/Egbema, Oguta and Oru West Federal Constituency, Hon. Uju Chima, has commenced the empowerment of his constituents to face the much- anticipated post COVID-19 challenges.
Apart from sharing food items, medications and cash to the women and the vulnerable in the Federal Constituency to cushion the effect of the coronavirus lockdown, the lawmaker also distributed generators, grinding machines, among other packages to set up Small Scale Enterprises.
The lawmaker stated that he was more worried about how the people will cope after the COVID-19 pandemic than what they can eat now.
He noted that the idea of handing out palliatives to cushion the effect of the lockdown may be appealing and tend to tackle the immediate challenges but may not be sustained after the pandemic.
This, he said, informed the needs to empower constitutents with viable means of livelihood that will sustain them after the COVID-19 era.
According to him, the gesture was a way of giving back to his constituents, especially the women.
In his words: “What we have done today more importantly is to equip our people for the post COVID-19 challenges. The food items and other palliatives can sustian us now but the greater challenge is ahead of us and that is why it is important that we start making preparations now.
“Even at the national level, with the current price of oil, we all need to brace up for a tough time but we can overcome if we prepare. The time calls for prudence and hardwork. We also be conscious of the new health challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, we should stay safe by complying with the stipulated precautions by the government, such as improved personal hygiene, hand washing, social distancing among others”.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the empowerment kits, adding that “whatever I can do to ensure that my people are taken care of, especially in this lockdown period must be done because they are the ones I represent”.
Commending the lawmaker, the member representing Ohaji-Egbema Constituency at the House of Assembly, Hon Hercules Okoro, said that the lawmaker has always been identified with philantropy, adding that he has addressed the fear of the people by equiping them to face the post Coronavirus pandemic.
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He said: “We have always known him for taking care of his people and what he has done today will go a long way to help our people in this dificult period. We will continue to pray for him and enjoin him to continue in doing good”.
Also commending the magnanimity of the legislator, one of the Women leaders, Lady Diana Nwakudo, confirmed that the lawmaker has done “marvellously well for the women”.
According to her, the empowerment will go a long way to assist the women to become self reliant and take care of their immediate needs and that of their family members. He has already employed them by this single gesture”.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Perpetual Eziohu, described the lawmaker as one of the few politicians that has genuine interest in empowering his supporters.
She said: “This empowerment will change my life and that of other women that benefited because we can now be getting daily income to assist our families instead of waiting to be giving money everyday”.
Hon Miletus Nlemedim, while thanking the lawmaker, described the gesture as a demonstration of his love for his constituents.
According to him, “the lawmaker has shown through this gesture that he has the people at heart. From what we have seen today, the gesture is unprecedented and for taking this step, the people are happy, the traditional rulers, the clergy and the political leaders are all grateful for this act.
“He has shown capacity, he has shown good representation, we are highly impressed, he should keep it up”.
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