By Abah Joshua
The Minister for Women Affairs, Honorable Uju Kennedy Ohanenye, has distributed empowerment equipment to six women cooperative societies across Ebonyi State.
The Minister, who was represented by the Ebonyi State Honorable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Barr.Mrs Felicia Nwankpuma, in her address, stated that the women cooperative societies were selected in the State for economic support.
She disclosed that six complete garri processing machines and other empowerment materials were to be given to them to enable them drive the economy and equally contribute to national development.
She, however, applauded His Excellency, Rt. Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and wife, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Mary-Mauldline Uzoamaka Ogbonna Nwifuru for their passion and welfare towards Ebonyians, which has increased Federal Government presence in the State and also created the enabling environment for the numerous programmes to thrive.
The Minister, therefore , charged the beneficiaries to be active and transparent in the use of the equipment and to maximise the opportunity provided for socio economic drive of the State.
She said, “Today, six women corporative societies were selected in the state for another round of economic support through the distribution of six complete garri processing machines and other empowerment materials to enable our women drive our economy and contribute in national development.
“On behalf of Ebonyi women, I want to passionately thank our pacesetter who is relentlessly driving the socio- economic drive of Ebonyi women; I defer to my boss and mother of the state, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Mary- Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru whose passion and welfare has increased Federal Government presence in the state as it concerns our women.
“1000 Ebonyi women petty traders were recently re-capitalized with viable funds of N50,000 each for their businesses under the Renewed Hope Initiative programme of the 1st Lady of the Federation. I am confident that our women will continue to maximize these opportunities and create markets for the socio- economic drive of Ebonyi State”, she expressed the hope.
Earlier in her remark, the HOD Women Affairs Department, Mrs Olughuorji Roseline, noted that empowerment creates a condition that allows individuals take control of their lives, make decisions and contribute meaningfully to the community and society at large.
She further enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment for their benefit.
The equipment distributed includes; cassava processing machine, casava grinding machine, garri fryer, 12.5kg gas cylinder for frying the garri, cassava sieve, sumo engine etc.
The six cooperative societies that benefitted include; Humbly ladies Abakaliki farmers multi purpose Ohaukwu, Ezinwanyidiuko Ndiechi Onuebonyi Igbeagu Izzi farmers, Umuogoani Ezza North farmers multi purpose co-operative society, Divine farmers cooperatives Ohaozara Ndiagu Azu Ndiagu Echara Ikwo, and Ibe bu otu farmers multi purpose co-operative society Afikpo south Edda LGA.