A prominent son of Ibusa community in Oshimili North Local Government Area of Delta State, Mr. Chukwudi Idowu Okeze, has empowered 510 persons with the sum of N100,000 each, totalling N51 million, while 50 persons received tricycles for commercial use.
In his address at the event, which took place at Obi Nwakocha Okeke Cooperative Development Center Ibusa, Mr. Okeze explained that the gesture was his own way of giving back to the society, stressing that the empowerment package was made possible with the support of the Federal Government Cooperative College Oji River.
The Ukpechukwu of Ibusa, who is in charge of eleven states in the South – South and South East under the Federal Government Cooperative Society Oji River, said he attracted the empowerment programme which he also augmented to contribute in uplifting the living condition of the people.
He maintained that the federal government initiated and sponsored the Tricycles project, while he made some additions to ensure that more people from his constituency benefits from the programme.
According to him, “We have given out one hundred and fifty Tricycles so far and we are ready to do more to elevate poverty because there is hunger in the land,”.
Okeze further disclosed that CIDO foundation is his personal centre for Asthma patients where they can receive treatment for free, adding that the facilities at the center are world class and was built to help the vulnerable, including those suffering from malaria and other sicknesses.
The Ibusa born philanthropist, enthused that in the spirit of giving back to the society, he personally carried out the renovation of St Thomas’s College Principal ‘s office, and fencing of the school with the approval of the federal government.
He revealed that other projects he executed for the benefit of his community was the construction of 2.5 km Uzor- Olu farm road in Umueze quarters and Obi Joseph Okeke Development Center Umueze.
Noting that while the road will ease the movement of people living in that axis of the community, the development center is well equipped for community usage for events.
The Obuzor of Ibuzor, His Royal Majesty Obi Professor Louis Nwoboshi, in his speech thanked Mr Chukwudi Okeze for his humanitarian services, and urged those in government to always remember their people as their positions were meant to impact the lives of the people and not for selfish interests.
Mr Odiaka Emmanuel and Hon Austin Okonji, who were among the beneficiaries thanked Mr Okeze, asserting that the empowerment will go a very long way in improving their lives, and lessen the level of poverty plaguing the people.
High point of the event was the presentation of term paper to the beneficiaries on how to manage the money given to them and the facilities for those in transport line.
