LOVE MEETS POLITICS AS NKECHINYERE UGWU EMPOWERS IDEATO NATION, GIVES CREDIT TO GOVERNOR UZODIMMA

Onwuasoanya FCC Jones, PhD

Many people can give gifts, but the most cherished gifts are those that come with love and genuine compassion. Some gifts are meant for the gains of the giver, while some politicians only remember to give when elections are around the corner. Nkechinyere Ugwu’s Empowerment Scheme for the people of Ideato nation which took place on the 14th of February, was not a mere coincidence, but a deliberate attempt to drive home the essence of these gifts; not for politics or political gains, but for humanity and a genuine demonstration of love for her people.

For seven years, Honourable Nkechinyere Ugwu has consistently reached out to her people, especially, the indigents, women and skilled youths, by extending support, from basic provisions to equipment that aid their trade and skills. So, it wasn’t any surprise to those who have followed her closely for these past seven years, when she unveiled what has been described in many quarters as the most impactful empowerment program in the recent history of Ideato nation.

The Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare is also known by many as “Mama Palliative” due to her unrelenting efforts at coordinating the humanitarian initiatives of Her Excellency Barrister Chioma Uzodimma, the First Lady of Imo State, throughout her years in that office. Nkechinyere Ugwu is seen as a different kind of Women Affairs Commissioner by the women of Imo due to her impactful leadership that has ensured that every empowerment scheme of the First Lady is transparent enough that everyone who should benefit, benefits, which is a departure from the past when these empowerment schemes are either diverted or made to benefit a very small number of people, especially, relatives and friends of those in government. But, thanks to Her Excellency’s insistence and support, and also Nkechi Ugwu’s integrity and non-negotiable insistence on transparency, more and more Imolites continue to benefit from the social welfare programs of both the State and federal government.

Nkechinyere Ugwu did not forget or get carrier away with the encomia that followed her latest empowerment as she reminded the people of the man who made it possible for her to sustain this initiative for this number of years, His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON. Even though she has been known as a compassionate woman who cares genuinely for the people, her job as a Commissioner in the 3R cabinet of His Excellency has been of great motivation to her in sustaining this initiative.

What many people might not know is that, every December, Governor Uzodimma doles out a lump sum of money to senior cabinet members, especially, Commissioners in his administration, with clear instructions for them to use this money to celebrate Christmas with the poor and vulnerable around them. While Hon. Nkechi Ugwu shares the usual Christmas bumpers to people in line with His Excellency’s mandate, she goes a step further by extending the largesse to more people through her annual empowerment initiative.

In addition to empowerment items ranging from sewing machines, grinding machines, good items, clothes, etc, Nkechi Ugwu also took care of many sick people, by not just introducing the free health checks, but also giving free drugs and free hypertension care kits to the elderly while referring others who need extensive care to health facilities that would continue caring for them.

The hundreds of people who benefit from this initiative will not forget quickly how these gifts helped to improve their lives and health, and while they continue to pray for Nkechinyere Ugwu for thinking of them, they will also remember her own words that these things might not have been possible without the support of His Excellency and his beautiful and kind wife.

The cries of joy and deep relief from the beneficiaries of this empowerment program shall continue to resonate across Ideato nation and beyond, not just because of the size of the empowerment items they received but because of the heart from which they were given; a heart of love and care.