Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
10 November 2009
Empowerment is a major key to poverty alleviation in any given environment. It is against this backdrop that the Anambra State government in conjuction with the United Nations Children Funds (UNICEF), have provided some less privileged people in the state with micro enterprises that will enable them earn a living as well as contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the state and beyond.
Though, this was not the first joint effort by Peter Obi's administration since he assumed office as governor of the state over two years ago and the world's agency in that respect, but this time around, the scheme is with a difference.
Under the scheme, tagged: "The adult and non- formal education programme", beneficiaries were not only trained in different trades, they were as well equipped with working tools to face the future challenges straight away. So far and in all, they were 646 people in number, made up of 640 women and six men.
The project according to organisers, is desinged to provide means of livelihood for people in the rural communities, curb dropout of school, sustain non formal education centres and fight poverty especially as it concerns women in the state .
The occasion was the third in the series of Obi's administration since assumption of office as a governor and he has vowed to continue the gesture until poverty is brought to a bearable level in the state. The beneficiaries and their relatives were full of praises for the Governor and UNICEF.
Performing the ceremony at the Anambra State Universal Directorate of Education Board (ASUDEB) building, Awka, Governor Obi, who expressed happiness on the number of beneficiaries so far in the scheme vowed not to leave any stone unturned in ensuring that the welfare of the people of Anambra State is guaranteed.
Obi informed them that they were able to benefit from the scheme because government resources were put to judicious use, adding that his government is looking at every opportunity to empower the citizens of the state in order to eradicate extreme poverty in the state and improve the standard of living of the rural dwellers.
He said the UNICEF/ Government partnership in the Micro Enterprises Equipment is to create jobs and reduce the unemployment rate in the state and provide opportunities of a better society. He said he is not done in empowering and opening up Mmiata Anam area because of his special love for the people but would continue developing the state simultaneously for the benefits of all.
Intimating the audience on the programme of ministry, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Professor (Mrs) Stella Okunna, announced that the empowerment was unique in many ways as it was not easy to attract the donor agencies to partner with a government in giving people grant.
She said UNICEF is partnering with the state government because of his prudence and accountability in administration. She appealed for support to the administration for him to do more and to uplift the standard of living both in the cities and rural communities.
Okunna lauded the resource persons for dedicating themselves to the programme, noting that candidates from 10 communities were trained and empowered. she added that the UNICEF remained in business with the Anambra state Government and that the administration will also provide other platforms by which people would enjoy the dividends of democracy.
On her part, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. (Mrs) Kay Onyechi, announced that Anambra state remained the only state out of 10 in the UNICEF 'A' Field office that has consistently trained as well as equipped those trained under replication of UNICEF supported activities in the state.
She added that the State is the only one that has answered the clarion call of the 10 states in UNICEF "A' Field office for the benefit of their people. She said the Micro- Enterprise equipment has helped a lot to sustain the family institution by curtailing negative vices through the empowerment of women economically and is helping to address the issue of out of school children and youths.
Onyechi said: "I wish to thank the Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, for setting the pace not only in this initiative but in other aspects of developing the education industry for others to follow. The present administration is among the few states that pay Government Counterpart Cash Contribution (GCCC) for donor supported activities religiously.
"The state government is already practicing the paradigm shift of government being at the driver's seat, which UNICEF will practice in the next country cycle.
"I wish to commend the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget for providing the funds for both the training and equipping the centres. The ministry has been a worthy partner in educational development.
She also used the occasion to commend UNICEF for assisting in the education and development of children, youths and women in the state while urging the beneficiaries to avail themselves of the unique opportunity to contribute optimally to the development of the state.
Showing the various 21 equipment purchased for the beneficiaries from the 10 communities to the governor, the Desk Officer, UNICEF Assisted Adult and Non- Formal Education Agency, Mrs Ifeoma Onwudiwe, said the presentation of the Micro -Enterprises equipment is the third in the series and that the total number of beneficiaries so far have reached 646, with only six men from the number.
She said the beneficiaries are from 10 communities including, Mmiata Anam, Nsugbe Omasi Agu, Onneh Odekpe , Umuawulu , Umunya , Ufuma , Ukpo and Urum. She noted that the UNICEF would continue to monitor the progress report of the beneficiaries to ensure its triple down effect is achieved to empower more people.
She further said the empowered specialise in various things both consumable and items most of which are daily needs of their people like cake, Omo, Petroleum jelly, Bar and Tablet soap, pop corn to mention but a few.
Some of the resource persons spoke with Daily Champion shortly after the event. They are Nkiru Nwabufo from Onitsha, Ogunna Uche from the Federal Inspectorate Service Awka, Okonkwo Ebele from Tomeks Beads in Awka and Lucy Ogbodo, a staff of the Agency. Each of them narrated separately on their presentations as regards the training on different trades given to the beneficiaries. They said from these, beneficiaries would choose the suitable ones they are interesting on for further exposure and development.
They, however, thanked the governor for assisting the less -privileged particularly in rural communities.
They also opined that the empowerment given to women in the rural areas is worth the assistance pending the suffering most time in the rural communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Felicia Obiodu, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed happiness over what she described as good gesture from both Governor Obi and the UNICEF.
She said it was interesting that they were remembered for good things even though they are far from the seat of government.
"It is rare for village people like us to be remembered by government whenever it comes to good things such as this," she noted. "So we are surprised that we are not only trained, we are also equipped with necessary instrument to work with. This is a plus to the organisers and we appreciate them. The rest is now for us to face the challenge."
Representatives from communities where the beneficiaries hail from were in attendance at the programme. Two of them, Dr. (Mrs.) M.U. Udeh and Mr. Pius Nweke, who said the opening and closing prayers respectively thanked both the UNICEF and Anambra State government for the kind gesture.
They said the empowerment will reduce idleness and level of poverty ravaging many people in the villages.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Nwandu was also in attendance.
The beneficiaries urged Governor Obi not to relent on his oars and continue to remember indigent people particularly in the rural areas by uplifting them.
At the end of the programme, each of the beneficiaries was given a brochure for their equipment with a view to facilitating their mastery.
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