By Prosper Mene
The Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has empowered 5,000 residents across the state with working tools, equipment and entrepreneurial cash support to strengthen their livelihoods and promote economic independence.
The empowerment exercise was held on Thursday at the Light House in Awka, the state capital.
Beneficiaries, including youths and the elderly drawn from the 376 wards in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, received items such as baking equipment, sewing machines, grinding machines, hair dryers, mannequins, generating sets, grills, and cash support.
Speaking at the event, Dr Soludo said the programme was designed to promote economic inclusion and ensure no one is left behind in building a stronger and more prosperous society. She said the exercise was organised under the theme, “Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya” (Be your brother’s keeper).
According to her, beneficiaries were carefully screened and selected to ensure the support reached those who genuinely need it.
She said, “We gather today, not merely to distribute items or celebrate another social impact initiative, but to reaffirm a simple truth: when we invest in people, we invest in the future.
“Today, through empowerment, about 5,000 people will receive start-ups and empowerment items, as well as entrepreneurial cash support to strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence.
“The empowerment is for poverty alleviation. Don’t sell the items given to you; put them into productive use; use them to also train other people.”
Dr Soludo added that a monitoring mechanism has been established at the ward level to ensure beneficiaries use the items for their intended purposes and not sell them. She described the programme as the mother of all empowerments, noting that it started on September 10 during the visit of the First Lady of Nigeria but could not be completed due to time constraints.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the state government.
Blessing Azuka from Dunukofia LGA, who received a sewing machine, said she had been unable to purchase one since completing her tailoring apprenticeship in February.
“I am grateful to the government. This empowerment is timely. I can now start small from my room until I save enough to get a shop and expand my craft,” she said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Stanley Ezerindu, who received a washing machine for his laundry business, said the support would help him grow his business, attract more customers and increase his income.
