Pamela Eboh, Awka
Immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, has empowered 240 youths in his home town, Agulu in Anaocha Local Government Area to help nurture a better future for themselves.
The items donated to the youths include N24 million, 42 buses and 20 tricycles popularly known as Keke NAPEP.
Apart from the donations, Obi also awarded scholarship worth N1 million to Miss Chinwe Okonkwo from the community for standing out in her degree programme with a First Class honours and currently pursuing her PhD programme as well as her brother, who also made a First Class.
Addressing the mammoth crowd that gathered for the occasion at the Agulu Town Hall, the former Governor Obi said that the exercise would continue under the Peter Obi Empowerment Scheme until majority of youths in the area have attained an improved standard of living for themselves and their families.
He added: “Every Agulu indigene who makes a first class would in future enjoy his scholarship to pursue PhD programme.
“Henceforth 20 people would be empowered every month in Agulu until the desired impact is achieved.”
Obi further explained that the N24 million donated under the scheme was interest free from the beneficiaries and urged them to use it judiciously and get back to him in an event of any challenges encountered in the course of doing their businesses.
While urging Agulu people to embrace peace, Obi stressed that it was only under a peaceful atmosphere that unity and progress could be achieved in the area.
He also called on the privileged people in the community to always think home so as to turn Agulu into an urban centre.
The former Governor revealed that he would be attracting two banks to the community to be sited at Afor and Nkwo Agulu as a way of opening up the community beyond where its current status.
In their separate remarks, the traditional ruler of Agulu, Igwe Innocent Obodoakor, and the President General of the town, Sir Paulinus Aniagboso, hailed Obi for remaining a worthy son of Agulu, assuring him that they would be strongly behind him in his future endeavours.
They also noted that Obi’s will to further develop and improve Agulu community was something they were proud of and called on other prominent sons of the area to emulate his good gestures.
This year marks the second year of Obi’s empowerment programme under the aegis of Agulu Peoples Union Mass Transit.
He gave a brand new bus to the Igwe Agulu in council and N5 million to over 200 women from the 12 villages in Agulu to enhance their petty businesses.
•Photo shows Peter Obi.
