PHOTOS: Soludo’s wife empowers 5,000 Anambra residents with tools, cash
Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, during the empowerment exercise at Light House, Awka, on Thursday.
The Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has empowered no fewer than 5,000 residents with equipment, working tools/materials, as well as entrepreneurial cash support, as part of efforts to build sustainable development, strengthen their livelihoods and economic independence.
In the exercise conducted at the Light House in Awka, the state capital, on Thursday, the beneficiaries, which also included the youth and the elderly, received items such as baking equipment, sewing and grinding machines, hair dryers, mannequins, generating sets, grills, cash, among others.
Speaking during the event, Soludo said the programme was designed to promote economic inclusion, adding that every individual supported represents a step towards building a stronger, healthier and more prosperous community.
She highlighted the significance of the empowerment, saying it reflects the power of partnership and shared responsibility founded on the conviction that “no one should be left behind” in building stronger and prosperous societies.
According to her, the exercise was organised under the theme, “Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya” (Be your brother’s keeper), adding that the beneficiaries were carefully scrutinised and selected from communities across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.
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.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google
“It is this belief that brings us together today under this remarkable slogan of ‘Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya’ (Be your brother’s keeper). In this scheme, no one should be left behind. 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. If you train others, you have empowered the people.”
She also explained that the screening process for the selection of beneficiaries followed a thorough process, adding that the selection process was to ensure that the intervention reached residents who genuinely needed the support to improve their livelihoods. EFCC’s convictions, recoveries justify my confidence – Tinubu Soludo urges unity, resilience at Nigeria’s 66th independence anniversary 2027: Obi vows not to spend vacation abroad if elected
“We got lots of names from the 376 wards in 21 LGAs, but we did the selection to ensure that only those who need this empowerment get it. We want our people to be self-reliant and able to take care of themselves and their families.
“Our expectation is that the beneficiaries should go back, train and empower others. A monitoring mechanism has also been established at the ward level to ensure that beneficiaries use the items for the intended purposes, rather than sell them, helping them build sustainable livelihoods.
“This is the mother of all empowerments. We started this empowerment on September 10 when the country’s First Lady came, but because of time, we couldn’t finish. So, today we invited them to continue in the exercise,” she added.
She added that such interventions continue to demonstrate that sustainable empowerment becomes possible when people are equipped with the right knowledge, support and opportunities.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the exercise expressed excitement at the empowerment, saying that the items they received would enhance business and economic opportunities as well as improve their livelihoods
One of the beneficiaries, Blessing Azuka from Dunukofia LGA, who received a sewing machine, said she had been unable to purchase one after 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,” Azuka said.
Another beneficiary, Mr Stanley Ezerindu, who received a washing machine, said family expenses had made it difficult for him to save enough to purchase one since starting his laundry business.
Ezerindu expressed gratitude to the government, saying the equipment would help him improve his business, attract more customers and increase his income, promising not to disappoint those who supported him.
Ikenna Obianeri
Ikenna Obianeri is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over 10 years of experience in reporting and storytelling. He conducts incisive interviews, covers crime and environmental issues, and produces engaging feature stories tailored for digital audiences. Ikenna’s work reflects strong newsroom experience, editorial insight, and a commitment to impactful, audience-focused journalism
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