By Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa, Owerri
Senator Osita Izunaso, member representing Imo West at the Red Chamber, has trained and empowered 110 women and youths on modern cassava processing techniques.
Izunaso charged the beneficiaries to judiciously use those empowerment items to enable them defeat poverty.
Speaking during a 4-day Capacity Building Program held recently, Izunaso, stated that the aim of the training was to help women and youths of Imo West Constituents liberate themselves from poverty.
He promised his people that he is going to emphasis on agriculture, education, creation of Orlu State and many more dividends of democracy.
“We have handed over to them cassava grinding machines and donation of N100,000 each and asked them to put themselves in cooperatives in the different sector of what they have learnt. After that, we are going to assist them financially to enable them get started.
“So, this is the program that will be on-going. We are going to do it again next year and we will monitor what they have done this year. I told them, if you are not doing well, you will not participate next year. But if you are doing well and expand the scope of the business, then we will invite you”, he said.
The Senator noted that “this is our first agricultural initiative and we are doing this because we are celebrating our one year in office as Senators”.
Izunaso stressed that he has a lot of programs lined-up, saying he just finished establishing 200 scholarship to tertiary institutions, adding that loan scheme for rural women will soo commence in Orlu Senatorial Zone.
Adding his voice, HRH, Eze Dr. Goodluck Obi, Ofo 1 of Dim Ubulu-Ihejiofor, Oru West Local Government Area, appreciated Senator Osita Izunaso for the wonderful opportunity givi to young people from his Senatorial Zone.
Obi described the program as an eye opener for the participants, stating that the gesture will enable them open cassava processing industry which will be of great support to their family, community and Imo State.
Lending his voice, HRH, Eze N. Onyeka, Obi the Fourth of Nkume, Njaba Local Government Area, noted that from the beginning he knew that Izunaso is well prepared for the people of Orlu, admitting that he is giving the zone total representation at the senate.
He described the training as what will benefit Orlu people in the future, advising the beneficiaries to go home and build themselves even as he prayed for God to give Izunaso more strength to do more.
Meanwhile, the modern cassava processing technique training which was powered by Senator Osita Izunaso in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, and supervised by Federal Corporative College, Oji River, recorded a huge success, as one of the beneficiaries, Madam Chidiogu, thanked Osita Izunaso for giving them hope and prayed that God will supply Senator all he needs to do more, promising to make good use of the items to train others in her community.
Earlier, in his remarks, Barr. Tochi Ejimako, Facilitator/Chief Consultant for Appropriation/Budget National Assembly, informed that his office saw to the execution and success of appropriation and budget most of the constituency projects from the members and the senators, describing the project as one of the key projects Izunaso attracted to empower his people.
Ejimako buttressed that “there is number needed about 110 people, but when the advert was going on we see about close to 8,000 to 9,000 applicants from Orlu Zone.
“The Ministry of Agriculture where the training domecile and the money that is coming for the training were made for only 110 persons. The machines, equipments, cash empowerment that will be giving to them is what they want to do for Orlu Zone through the senator because he fights seriously.
“He cried seriously to the federal government, he made a very big case before the President and the Minister of Agriculture, that his people must benefit, that is why he is in the senate, and wants them to start benefit.
“He was able to give me this project and said, okay go and train and empowered 110 persons with cash to enable them buy materials for their work “. He stated.
The event witnessed the presence of the Special Adviser to Senator Osita Izunaso on Agriculture and Environmental Matters, Emeka Ekwonna, Mr. Victor Chinonso Obi, representative of Federal Cooperative College, Oji River, Enugu State, Barr. Tochi Ejimako, MON, Chief Consultant, HRH, Eze Dr. Goodluck Obi, Ofo 1 of Dim Ubulu-Ihejiofor, Oru West, among other dignitaries.
