OJOTO, ANAMBRA – Idemili South Local Government, led by the council Mayor, Mrs. Amaka Obi, executed a major economic empowerment program on Wednesday August 13th, providing vocational equipment and financial grants to nearly 1,000 residents.
The initiative received a significant boost from the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, who attended the event and made a personal donation of N7 million to the graduates.
The program, hosted at the Idemili South Council Headquarters field in Ojoto, was designed to foster self-reliance. 700 graduates of a skill acquisition training were equipped with starter packs including sewing machines, ovens, and hair dryers.
In addition, 250 petty traders received cash grants to support their businesses, and new wheelchairs were distributed to physically challenged persons.
Speaking as the special guest, the First Lady, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, commended the Mayor for the impactful initiative. She reinforced the administration’s support for such programs, stating, “The 700 persons empowered today has a multiplier effect which will spread to tens of thousands of people because those empowered today will empower others tomorrow.” She pleaded with the beneficiaries to utilize the equipment productively and refrain from selling them.
During her speech, Mrs. Soludo also announced a separate upcoming program by her NGO, ‘Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo’, which will train women in male-dominated trades like solar panel installation and auto mechanics.
She concluded with a political appeal for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) ahead of Saturday’s by-election, urging citizens to support the party to ensure the continuation of the governor’s vision across the state.
In her address, Mayor Amaka Obi emphasized that the program was a strategic investment. “This empowerment is not a gift but an investment in the human capital and future of Idemili South,” she declared.
“The objective is to fight poverty with opportunity, to liberate dependency with productivity, and to create a community where everyone has hope. We want to build a self-reliant Idemili South where our people are not only job-seekers but job creators.”
