The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Dr Tony Nwoye, of the Labour Party, has empowered no fewer than 14,000 persons in his constituency with palliatives worth millions of naira.
The items distributed to the beneficiaries included engine boats, sewing machines, engineering kits, grinding machines, bags of fertilisers, bags of rice, generating sets and cash, ranging from N10,000 to N50,000.
Nwoye, while announcing the modalities for the distribution of the items, on Monday, said the essence was not for a political campaign, but a way of giving back to society, adding that people from outside the district would also benefit.
He also added that the gesture was part of his resolve to empower his people to reduce crime and unemployment in the senatorial district and beyond.
He said, “The essence of this is not for politics. I am always disturbed each time I see people, especially youths, roam the streets because they have no jobs. This is a way of empowering them to take them off the streets.
“What I am doing here today is to give back to society and to thank God for seeing me through the February 2023 general elections that made me who I am at the moment and not as a political campaign.
“The beneficiaries, mostly, the youths and farmers cut across political parties in all the seven local government areas of Ayamelum, Anambra East, Anambra West, Oyi, Ogbaru, Onitsha North and Onitsha South that constitute Anambra North Senatorial District.”
The Senator also appreciated Prince Arthur Eze and Peter Obi whom he noted had touched his life tremendously.
He advised the beneficiaries, especially the youth, to put the tools to maximum use, pledging to make the gesture every quarter to better the society.
He also commiserated with the bereaved family members of those who lost their lives in the boat accident that occurred in Mmiata Anam, Anambra West LGA.
He blamed the disaster on the lack of a good transportation system, adding that he would provide speed boats for the riverine people under his constituency.
Speaking with the press, the Lawmaker representing Onitsha North in the State House of Assembly, Patrick Okafor, hailed Nwoye for his magnanimity, saying the Senator had endeared himself to the people.
Earlier, the empowerment programme was preceded by Thanksgiving Services at the All Saints Cathedral and the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Onitsha, on Sunday.
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, Peter Obi, all the traditional rulers from Anambra North, Bishop Valerian Okeke, Bishop Owen Nwokolo, Bishop Paulinus Chukwumemeka Ezeokafor, the Senator representing Enugu East, Senator Kevin Chukwu, Senator Victor Umeh, the Lawmaker representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency, among others were at the event.
