Abia State Government has distributed working equipment and materials to thousands of unemployed persons in the state including women from the 17 Local Government Areas to assist them to be self-reliant and creators of wealth.
At an event held at the Women Development and Skill Acquisition Centre, Umuahia on Monday mainly for the distribution of the items, Governor Theodore Orji, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Nkpa Agu, said that the equipment was part of Government’s strategy and commitment to eradicating poverty, creating employment and tackling insecurity.
Dignitaries from all walks of life were present at the occasion of empowerment of the unemployed.
The project is a well thought-out plan of the government in ensuring that most Abia State indigenes (Abians) are gainfully engaged in skills that could help them meet their needs and equally create employment opportunities which would also boost the socio-economic development of the state.
The governor urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the equipment are put to use as required because the government had set out modality to monitor their growth.
Sewing machines, hair dressing sets, generating sets, among many other items are lined up, ready to be given out, and one after the other, the names of the beneficiaries were called out from the 17 local councils while the wife of the state Governor, Mercy Orji, handover the tools to them.
For some of the beneficiaries, dancing, praise and words of appreciation expressed the way they feel.
In excitement, beneficiaries carry their equipment home to start a new phase of life as employers of labour. The action taken by the state government to make their life meaningful would also improve productivity and minimise poverty.
At the event, the wife of the governor ensured that most of the old women from the rural areas were properly taken care of through a free healthcare service.