Reps Minority Leader to inject over $200,000 in Constituency Empowerment

The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, is to inject over 200,000 dollars, equivalent to 100 million naira, under Constituency Project funding to support initiatives geared to economic empowerment in his constituency.

This was confirmed at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the Foundation for Effective Leadership and Development (FELD), where the Vice-Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the Minority Leader were named Patrons.

Elumelu, who represents Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, announced the N100m empowerment support at the FELD Ceremony held in Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, on Saturday. He noted that the fund is part of his Constituency project before May 2023.

Elumelu, who was named a patron of the Foundation in recognition of his high-quality representation, uncommon empowerment programmes, and attraction of projects for the people of his Federal Constituency, extolled the achievements of Governor Okowa while applauding and thanking God for Chief Adingupu’s accomplishments in touching lives and bringing succor to the less-privileged, the indigent and the disadvantaged.

“I thank God for giving you (Chief Adingupu) the grace to remember the less privileged and the need to improve their situation. We must strive to touch lives, as the government cannot do it alone. Individuals can support, no matter how small, please. Touch lives; give to people, and God’s blessing is on you when you give.

“Let me say on behalf of my office that before I exit office in May 2023, as Minority Leader, I am injecting N100 million to support FELD Foundation. We are considering the budget, and I want to assure you it will be there. N100 million untouched under the money that has been allocated to me through Constituency Project to take care of my people,” Elumelu said.

He assured the people that the money would be available between February and April 2023 and would be transparently disbursed to beneficiaries in Ogwashi-Uku or Asaba, the Delta State capital.

Acknowledging the appointment, Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Ochor Christopher, who represented Governor Okowa, reiterated that the Governor loves every Deltans, which explains his untiring drive and commitment towards the wellbeing of the people and development of the State. Hon. Ochor stated he would inform Governor Okowa of the appointment while assuring his support to the Foundation. “I will relate all that has transpired here to the Governor, and I know he will bring his support to FELD,” Ochor said.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the FELD Local Organising Committee, Mr. Godwin Okoh, said the event was a celebration of the vision given to Adingupu, who saw and felt the plights of the youths, the less-privileged, and the vulnerable adults hence his selfless intervention.

He pointed out that in its ten years of operation, FELD has touched and transformed many lives irrespective of ethnicity, religion, or social affiliations. Okoh informed that over 225 adults and over 60 students in Aniocha South Local Government Area benefitted from FELD’s educational and rural empowerment programmes.

Speaking at the event, Founder and Convener of FELD, Mr. Paul Adingupu, said that the Foundation unanimously appointed Governor Okowa as Patron in recognition of his outstanding and unprecedented achievements in the areas of infrastructural, human capital, and empowerment programmes in the State.

They disbursed n12 million in soft loans to ten beneficiaries from each of the 22 wards covered by FELD, while 300 widows received 5,000 naira and a bag of rice each.

The event’s highlight included a March past and traditional dancing by FELD members across the 22 wards. Ward 4 emerged the winner in the March pass with a cash prize of 100,000 naira while Wards 1B and 6B clinched 50,000 and 20,000 naira, respectively, as second and third runners-up. Ward 6B won the Dancing competition to receive a cash prize of 500,000 naira. Wards 4 and 9A came second and third to clinch 300,000 and 200,000 naira, respectively.