Umahi Flags Off Empowerment programmes For 12,000 workers, Youth

Umahi flags off empowerment programmes for 12,000 workers, youths

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has flagged off his administration's empowerment programmes for civil servants and youths in the state. The beneficiaries of the first phase of the programmes comprise 8,000 civil servants and 4,000 youths. At the ceremony which held at the Abakaliki Township Stadium in Abakaliki, the governor noted that a lot of people keyed into the programmes and expressed his gratitude to them for believing in the initiatives aimed at boosting food production in the state and economic potential of the people.

While he explained that no amount of money would be enough to satisfy the yearnings of the people in time of economic recession, Umahi advised those profiled for the schemes to properly utilise the funds in order to increase their income.

The governor, according to a statement on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Emma Anya, said, "I'm very convinced that God wants to use Ebonyi State to set example for the project of Nigeria.
"The speed and the spirit at which our civil servants have demonstrated in support of this programme can be nothing other than divine.  "It is the fault of the situation we've all found ourselves but we offer you an opportunity to change our world and better our days."

"Some people may not have full understanding of what we are about to begin but go and talk to those that benefitted from FADAMA III last year. Talk to those that benefitted from IFAD last year. If 6,000 plus got N4 billion into their coffers within four months, then find out whether we are joking," he said.

The governor later distributed symbolic cheques to some beneficiaries of the empowerment programmes.
Contributing, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Empowerment programmes, Dr. Eric Kelechi Igwe, emphasized that the schemes were in fulfillment of Governor Umahi's promise to prosper the people.

PHOTO: Governor of Ebonyi State, Engr. David Nweze Umahi  presenting a cheque of N250,000 to Elom Chinedu, one of the beneficiares of the state government's empowerment programme at the Abakaliki Township Stadium on Tuesday. With them are Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (centre); Secretary to the state Government, Benard Odoh and Commissioner for Youth Empowerment and Job Creation, Donatus Njoku (right).