From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Kogi Security Adviser, Jerry Omodara has distributed generators, grinding and sewing machines including cash to 100 persons in his Kabba/Bunu Constituency to enable them embark on self-sustaining ventures.
The gesture is aimed at encouraging hard work as well as complementing government’s efforts in supporting small-scale medium enterprises.
Omodara said that he will not relent in his efforts to continue to carry out his annual empowerment and mobilization programme which has lasted for 15 years.
Speaking with newsmen at this year’s annual empowerment, mobilization, and decamping ceremony at his country home, Oke-Offin Bunu, Omodara noted that it has become a consistent culture for him at the end of every year to come back home and felicitate with his people.
According to him, the festive season calls for a show of love and merriment among every household in celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, stressing that the festive period also serves as an appropriate time to carry out his annual programme.
Giving back to society, he said has long become part of him even before he joined politics, adding that society can only grow especially at the grassroots level if well-to-do individuals who are part of the origin of their communities go back to empower and draw development back to them.
He added that the government can not do it alone, hence the need for individual and collective bargaining in ensuring the basic needs of life and enabling environment is created for the people.
Omodara further disclosed that nothing less than a hundred persons would be empowered with grinding machines, tailoring machines, generators and cash.
While receiving decampees from other parties into the All Progressive Congress, APC, Omodara welcomed them into the party and urged them to be party loyalists as he commended them for taking the right decision.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the state government representative at the ceremony, the Okehi Local Government Chairman, Hon AbdulRaheem Ohiare Ozovehe said that Omodara has displayed the trademark of His Excellency Governor Yahaya Bello in giving back to the people at the grassroots.
He disclosed that Omodara is one of the best hands in the ranks of Governor Yahaya Bello’s cabinet, adding that his achievements in handling the security affairs of the state is laudable.
Also speaking, the front runner for the APC Kogi West Senatorial District election, Hon. Sunday Karimi commended the humanitarian gesture rendered by the host, noting that it will be business as usual for the empowerment of women and the girl child if he’s elected come 2023.
The Executive Chairman of Kabba-Bunu LGA, Hon. Moses Olorunleke described Omodara as the man of the people who has consistently for years given back to the people and helped His Excellence in changing the security narrative of the state.
Responding, beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme, appreciated the opportunity giving them with a promise to make judicious use of the items and also work hard to train and elevate others.