Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Labour Party senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Tony Nwoye, has empowered over 12,000 individuals in Anambra state.
The beneficiaries were gifted sewing machines, engine boats, engineering machines, generator sets, grinding machines, medical kits, bags of rice, among many others.
The empowerment took place at the premises of the All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha, and was preceded by a Thanksgiving service that was held at the said ground, and at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity of the same Onitsha, Anambra State.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Senator Nwoye said the event had nothing to do with politics but was to appreciate God for His mercies as well as thank the people for their support and prayers.
“The essence is to give God the glory. We gave Thanksgiving at the All Saints Cathedral presided by Bishop Owen Nwokolo, and at the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, Onitsha administered by Archbishop Valerian Okeke.
“The empowerment has nothing to do with politics but to give thanks to the people of Anambra state. On the day of politics, we do politics.”
According to the senator, the beneficiaries were not only from Anambra North federal constituency.
“Fifty (50) persons from each of the 199 wards in Anambra North benefited from the exercise. Also, 3000 persons from the church and 10 persons from wards outside Anambra North benefited,” he said.
Speaking further, Nwoye said: “We shall be paying people something every month to give back to the society. We shall construct roads this year and it is already included in this year’s budget. Otuocha to Ayamelum will be a dual carriage way.
“Recently, N34 billion naira has been awarded for the Ibaji-Aguleri- Nzam road, leading to Kogi State. There is operation one road for all communities in the state. I built more than 20 roads even without me being in power. I will start putting street lights that will light up Anambra State.”
“God has used people to bless me. God used Arthur to support me in the past even without condition. This time, in 2021, God used Prince Arthur Eze again to give me opportunity. It is God that gives power and I am grateful to Him. I and also grateful to Mr Peter Obi because he gave me the platform to win and become a senator.”
In an interview, the party’s presidential candidate in the last general election, Mr Peter Obi, expressed delight at the senator’s decision to appreciate God and the people for their support during the electioneering period.
Obi said: “I am very happy for him. May he continue to work for the people because he was voted by the people. I’m impressed today attending the thanksgiving. He knew that people voted for him and he is doing the thanksgiving with the people. He did not go to invite people from outside his constituency to accompany him.”
In a remark, the Anambra State Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Ugochukwu Emeh, commended the lawmaker for remembering to appreciate God and the members of his constituency, reminding the people of the need to vote for his party in the 2025 gubernatorial election in the state.
“Anambra should give Labour Party opportunity to rule the state. It is clear to see that our members in the Senate are doing well. This shows that if given opportunity, we can lead well. This empowerment has shown that the Labour Party is productive. It also shows what we can offer when we take over Agu Awka in 2025.
Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency and Chairman, Anambra State caucus at the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Ogene, thanked the senator for showing the way.
“Our senator has shown the way. In the next few weeks, we shall give our own thanksgiving. We need to thank God for the victories because it was not easy. We are the empowerment masters. The people deserve to be empowered and we shall empower them in terms of jobs and good roads,” Ogene said.
Similarly, Hon. Pat Okafor, a member representing Onitsha North at the Anambra State House of Assembly who spoke on behalf of other Labour Party lawmakers urged the people to support the party in the next governorship election in the state.
Others who graced the event include traditional rulers, the clergy, senators, House of Reps members, politicians, friends, well-wishers of the senator, and many others.