For the indigent widows, the physically challenged and unemployed youths in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State, the 44th birthday anniversary of the lawmaker representing Njaba Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Ambassador Uju Onwudiwe will remain a turning point in their lives.
Two hundred of them drawn from the 20 autonomous communities in the constituency received various empowerment packages including 12 brand new motorcycles, cash to set up small businesses and clothing, among other items.
The smile on the faces of the beneficiaries as they lined up at the Central School Okwudor to receive the gifts, spoke volumes of the joy of getting a lifeline that will certainly ease their economic hardship.
Some of the aged women who could not hold back their emotions wept openly as they prayed for God to reward the legislator, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the occasion, the celebrant who was flanked by her husband, Mr Innocent Onwudiwe, said that the gesture was her humble way of given back to her constituents and to share the joy of the moment of her birth with the less privileged in the society.
She noted that the occasion had fulfilled her covenant with God to assist the indigent widows, youths and the physically challenged, if she was elected to serve the people.
According to her, “I could hear the voice of God telling me to celebrate this with indigent widows. I have no choice than to fulfil the promise I made to God. I can see they are very happy. This is the first time I brought people from Njaba for this type of occasion. Today is really one of my happiest days. I am fulfilled and inspired. I am ready to sustain it as long as God keeps blessing me”.
Earlier at the thanksgiving Mass at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Okwudor, Rev Father Jerome Okoronkwo in his homily, spoke on the love of God for mankind, urging Christians to show the love of God in their daily lives.
He commended the celebrant for choosing to celebrate her birthday anniversary with the poor and needy and by remembering them through her empowerment scheme.
The cleric who is also the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Imo State University, called other politicians in the state to assist the indigent people with their wealth.
The visibly excited beneficiaries commended the Lawmaker for remembering them even when the elections were over, “we are happy today because most politicians after voting for them will just disappear only to appear during another election. But Hon Uju has proved that she has the people at heart and we commend her for this kind gesture”.