Chris Awhawha
Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Member representing Okpe, Sapele and Uvwie Federal Constituency has launched series of empowerment programmes aimed at creating sustainable opportunities for his Constituents.
Speaking at the commissioning of the ICT Center built by him in Effurun, Hon. Etanabene said that this is part of his commitment to bring dividends of democracy closer to the grassroot.
Etanabene, a lawyer said his style of empowerment is a shift from short-term solutions to long-term empowerment.
According to him, “it is my desire to bring the dividends of democracy to the grassroot in my Constituency. We want to move away from the practice of giving out stipends that last less than 24 hours. Instead, we are creating opportunities that people can leverage on to better their lives and those of their families”.
The newly built Information Computer Technology (ICT) Center is a hub for training young people in modern skills such as computer literacy and sewing,
“ Today, we have a batch undergoing training. The goal is not just to teach them but also to provide them with jobs afterwards. We want the knowledge gained to translate into a sustainable livelihood.”
The Federal lawmaker also introduced a sewing programme aimed at empowering young men and women where beneficiaries were given sewing machines, start-up kits, and contracts to sew uniforms for local schools and aprons for sanitation workers.
He spoke further, “we are providing them with tools and jobs that will help them earn a living. They will be sewing uniforms for secondary and primary schools in the Constituency, aprons for sanitation workers and even for market women. This is a long-term programme that will support their families for years to come.”
Beyond skills training, the lawmaker also launched a farming initiative that targets over 1,000 beneficiaries, he disclosed that the programme would supports farmers with seeds and essential materials, enabling them to produce food from the “fingerlings stage to the dinning table.”
Etanabene revealed that the government would buy the produce from the farmers, ensuring profitability, adding, “we want to empower our farmers, and we are committed to providing them with everything they need, from seeds to marketing opportunities. We are targeting 1,000 farmers in this phase, and the next batch will expand further.”
He called on beneficiaries to take the program seriously, describing it as a “lifetime opportunity” that could end the cycle of poverty. “Poverty alleviation is not about handouts. It’s about equipping people with the skills and resources to sustain themselves. Begging for N1,000 or N10,000 will take you nowhere. This programme is a way out and I encourage everyone to make the best out of it,” he advised.
As part of the initial phase, the lawmaker distributed 41 sewing machines and 31 laptops to the beneficiaries, underscoring his commitment to continuous support.
“Politics or no politics, we are committed to sustaining this initiative. We consulted party members, community leaders and Constituency stakeholders to ensure its success.”
Flagging off the programmes and ICT building, HRM Emmanuel E. Sideso JP, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom commended Hon. Etanabene for his gesture describing it as people-oriented.
HRM Sideso charged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the programmes to better their lots and in future contribute their quota to the overall development of the Constituency.