The immediate past Governor of Abia State and Nigerian Ambassador-designate, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu; former Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Akomas; Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa; and other prominent leaders have commended the lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency, Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, following what has been described as one of the most expansive empowerment programmes ever held in the constituency.
The historic event, which took place at Umuaro Community in Mgboko Umuanunu Ancient Kingdom, attracted political leaders across party lines, traditional rulers, community leaders, and a large gathering of beneficiaries and supporters.
Speaking at the event, former Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, PhD, praised Hon. Erondu Jnr for the scope, foresight, and far-reaching impact of the empowerment initiative, describing it as a practical illustration of the “mustard seed principle,” where a small beginning grows into something great.
Ikpeazu said the programme exemplified purposeful leadership anchored on service and sacrifice. He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the items distributed and encouraged the lawmaker to remain steadfast in his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents.
According to him, “This is how leadership should be measured; by the number of lives touched and opportunities created. What we are witnessing here today will continue to grow and multiply.” He also offered prayers for sustained success in the political journey of the lawmaker.
In a similar vein, former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Dr. Chris Akomas, expressed satisfaction with the magnitude of the empowerment programme, describing Hon. Erondu Jnr as a worthy political son who has demonstrated loyalty, capacity, and commitment.
“I am proud of you,” Akomas stated. “If you are empowered, empower others. That is the true cycle of development.”
To further support the initiative, Akomas announced a personal donation of ₦50,000 to each motorcycle beneficiary, ₦100,000 to each car beneficiary, and ₦1.4 million to be distributed across the 14 wards of Obingwa Local Government Area to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure sustainability.
Also speaking, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, described the empowerment programme as unprecedented in Abia State. He commended the lawmaker’s generosity and urged beneficiaries to deploy the items productively, noting that Hon. Erondu’s spirit of support extends beyond his constituency to fellow lawmakers.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief Raymond Mkpuruoma Aliga, described Hon. Erondu Jnr as a formidable and inclusive representative whose empowerment initiative transcended political party boundaries.
“This programme cuts across party lines. It is not restricted to members of one political party. Hon. Erondu Jnr has shown that we are brothers first before politics. He has mastered the art of representation,” Aliga said.
He passed a vote of confidence on the lawmaker, called for his reelection, and prayed for the multiplication of the empowerment materials in the hands of the beneficiaries.
In his remarks, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to a former Imo State Governor, Hon. Uche Nwosu, said he was overwhelmed by the scale of the programme, describing Hon. Erondu Jnr as an exceptional leader with a rare passion for service. As a show of solidarity, he announced a donation of ₦2 million to support logistics for beneficiaries.
The Chairman of Obingwa Local Government Area, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, described the event as historic, noting that it had clearly risen above partisan considerations. He also advised beneficiaries to make responsible use of the items to enhance their livelihoods.
Other speakers included the Abia State PDP Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, who described Hon. Erondu Jnr as a strong pillar of the party, and the Abia South PDP Chairman, Hon. Enyinnaya Apollos, who attributed the lawmaker’s political growth and success to the mentorship of Dr. Ikpeazu and Dr. Akomas. They noted that the empowerment marked the first phase of a broader development agenda.
The programme featured the distribution of empowerment items valued at over ₦1 billion, targeted at stimulating economic growth, healthcare delivery, education, and entrepreneurship. Items distributed included motorcycles, minibuses, buses, trucks, tippers, cars, desktop computers, laptops, generating sets, car wash machines, spraying and vulcanizing machines, as well as completed houses.
In the health sector, beneficiaries received assorted medical equipment such as five dialysis machines, incubators for newborns, hospital beds, and mattresses. Educational interventions included university scholarships, free JAMB and WAEC registrations, and digital learning tools. Widows were also empowered with female goats and other support materials.
In his address, the Chairman, House Committee on Public Service Matters, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, expressed appreciation to the people of Obingwa-West for their unwavering support, stressing that the empowerment programme was not charity but a deliberate investment in human capital.
“This programme is designed to strengthen education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and economic development in our communities. It is not a one-off event but part of a long-term vision for inclusive growth,” he said.
He reaffirmed his belief in education as a tool for combating poverty and pledged to sustain initiatives that create opportunities for youths and vulnerable groups.
The lawmaker also acknowledged the support of his wife, Deaconess Queeneth Ginikanwa Erondu, and paid tribute to his mentors, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and Dr. Chris Akomas, whom he described as instrumental to his political development.
“Today, I fulfil a vow to publicly acknowledge the instruments God used to find and empower me. I will continue to uphold these lessons with pride and purpose,” he added.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ndubuisi Nwankwo, who received a brand-new Coaster bus, expressed gratitude to the lawmaker, describing him as compassionate and supportive. He disclosed that the vehicle was the third he had received from Hon. Erondu Jnr over the years and noted that he had served as the lawmaker’s driver for over two decades. Nwankwo pledged to put the bus to profitable use and prayed for God’s continued guidance and success for the lawmaker.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of an award to Hon. Erondu Jnr by the Uhie People’s Assembly in recognition of his outstanding representation and dedication to grassroots development.
Presenting the award, a former lawmaker who represented Obingwa-West State Constituency, Hon. Thomas Nkoro, said such an empowerment of this magnitude was rare, particularly from a state legislator, describing it as massive.
As the distribution of empowerment materials continued amid cheers and jubilation, beneficiaries expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly improve their living standards.
The ceremony marked another milestone in the political and developmental journey of Obingwa West, as Hon. Erondu Jnr reaffirmed his resolve to build a stronger constituency and leave a lasting legacy of progress for future generations.
