Ukpo Women Group Rolls Out Empowerment, Scholarship Programmes
From Mokwugwo Solomon, Awka
No fewer than 300 indigent women, and about 20 school children have received lifeline in Ukpo community in Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The gesture came from a socio-cultural organization, Umuada Ukpo N’akwu N’eziokwu (Daughters of Ukpo that stands on the truth); during an occasion organized to mark official inauguration of group.
The event was attended by town union executives, title holders, members of Ukpo royal cabinet, friends and well-wishers, as well as visitors from far and near.
In her welcome address during the event held at the Oye Ukpo Market square on Thursday, September 21, President of the group, Mrs Ifeoma Nweze, said the group consists of daughters of Ukpo community, who are dully married.
According to her, the aim of forming the group is to bring daughters of the community together, in order to contribute meaningfully to the development of the town, and to improve the standard of living of the less privileged.
She further informed that part of the objectives of the group is to roll out scholarship programme to train school children from primary to tertiary levels; set up businesses for youths after they must have acquired necessary skills; to roll out palliatives in form of food distribution, as well as easy and free access to healthcare services and drugs. She also emphasized that the long term goal of the group is to raise financially independent families for sustainable development of Ukpo community.
Earlier in his opening remarks, chairman of the occasion, Pastor Obi Onwuakpa, congratulated the women, describing their aims and objectives as very noble and exemplary. He further advised the group to be wary of recruiting members that will end up frustrating the efforts and objectives of the organization.
Traditional ruler of the community, HRH Igwe (Dr) Robert Eze, represented by his brother, Prince Mike Eze, also eulogized the aims and objectives of the women group, and promised to assist them in the actualization of their objectives for the sustainable development of the town.
The event featured distribution of bags of rice, items of clothing, tubers of yam and other food items to indigent persons in the community. Some pupils were also selected from few schools in the town for award of scholarships.
