As the world marked the 2026 Valentine’s Day on Saturday, February 14, love took a practical and transformative form in Isialangwa North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State, as the member representing the constituency in the National Assembly, Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, rolled out one of the largest empowerment programmes in the area’s recent history.
The empowerment ceremony, which held at the Ginger Sam Amanaha Mini Stadium, Ntigha, brought together a broad spectrum of society, including political leaders, captains of industry, traditional rulers, clergy, women groups, youths, party faithful, friends and well-wishers, as well as thousands of constituents who trooped out to witness what many described as “a Valentine gift of hope and dignity.”
Hon. Onwusibe, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said the initiative was designed to translate leadership into tangible impact by directly improving livelihoods and strengthening the grassroots economy.
The event was graced by Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, who was represented by his wife, Mrs. Priscilla Otti. In her address on behalf of the governor, Mrs. Otti urged beneficiaries to resist the temptation of selling the empowerment items, stressing that the tools were meant to create sustainable sources of income, not quick cash.
She listed the items distributed to include motorcycles, tricycles, tricycle pick-ups, electric motorcycles, electric and manual sewing machines, big generators, grinding machines, deep freezers, washing machines, solar-powered generators, and several other productive equipment. According to her, these were not “mere objects” but “keys to unlock potential, build businesses, feed families and create prosperity.”
Governor Otti, through his wife, described Hon. Onwusibe’s empowerment programme as “a beacon of hope” and a clear demonstration that leadership is about lifting others while climbing. She praised his consistency, recalling that just a year earlier, she had joined him to commission several infrastructure projects across the constituency, which she said remain enduring symbols of purposeful representation.
She further noted that the empowerment programme was even more remarkable because it was largely funded from Hon. Onwusibe’s personal resources, describing the sacrifice as rare and commendable. The governor also charged other well-meaning individuals to emulate the gesture through philanthropy, mentorship and community service, urging citizens to continue working collectively to build the Abia of their dreams.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, who was represented by Hon. Chinedu Ogah from Ebonyi State, said politics ultimately belongs to the people. He commended Hon. Onwusibe for “returning thanks to his constituents” through direct empowerment and assured those who were not captured in the current phase that more opportunities would come.
According to him, effective oversight and representation require sincerity and accountability to the people, adding that the empowerment exercise was a clear testimony of Hon. Onwusibe’s commitment to his mandate. He called on constituents to continue supporting their representative to enable him to do even more.
Chairman of the occasion, Sir Cyril Ishmael, described the empowerment as a major economic intervention that would stimulate development within the constituency. He applauded Hon. Onwusibe for what he called “extraordinary representation” and noted that the Valentine’s Day event symbolised love expressed through service.
The Chief of Staff to the Abia State Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, also praised the lawmaker, saying God was using him to touch lives in a manner consistent with the developmental vision of Governor Otti.
Delivering his stewardship address titled “My Journey So Far: Leadership with Purpose,” Hon. Ginger Onwusibe traced his political journey to 1999 when he served as a councillor. He said from the outset, he resolved that public office must never become a throne but a tool for service.
He highlighted several legislative interventions at the National Assembly, including motions for political solutions to security challenges in the South-East, calls for the reactivation of the Nsulu Games Village, demands for a review of increased Nigerian Law School tuition fees, and advocacy against devastating gully erosion in Nsulu.
On institution-building, he disclosed that bills for the establishment of a College of Entrepreneurship and Skills Acquisition and a Federal Medical Centre in Isialangwa had been passed, while the creation of Aba State had reached second reading. He described these as long-term economic and structural interventions rather than mere political rhetoric.
Hon. Onwusibe revealed that beyond the Valentine’s empowerment, his office had previously supported over 1,000 small-scale entrepreneurs with ₦50,000 grants each, trained youths in ICT, tailoring, soap making, paint production and other vocational skills, and facilitated federal employment opportunities for constituents. He also detailed extensive support for education through bursaries, school infrastructure, and learning materials.
In the area of infrastructure and agriculture, he listed the reconstruction of classroom blocks, distribution of fertilisers and improved seedlings to farmers, establishment of a garden and palm oil processing plant at Ikenbosu, construction of roads, health centres, civic halls, water projects and ICT centres, as well as sustained investments in sports development.
On the scale of the Valentine’s Day empowerment, Hon. Onwusibe disclosed that about 1,500 constituents benefited, with the distribution of 250 motorcycles, 100 tricycles, 200 grinding machines, 550 generators, 200 electric sewing machines, 100 manual sewing machines, solar equipment and other tools. He also confirmed the disbursement of ₦50 million in cash support, with individual beneficiaries receiving between ₦500,000 and ₦2 million.
He clarified that contrary to public perception, constituency project funds had not been released, stressing that 75–80 per cent of the resources used for the empowerment came from his personal funds. “This is about sacrificing personal comfort so our people can live better lives,” he said.
The National Secretary of the Labour Party, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, who was the guest of honour, urged beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them to transform their families and communities.
He also reaffirmed the resurgence and stability of the party, calling on supporters to remain steadfast.
Earlier, in a brief homily, the Prelate of First Baptist Church, His Eminence Sunday Oludere, drew lessons from Acts of the Apostles, likening Hon. Onwusibe to the biblical Dorcas (Tabitha), known for her generosity and good works. He said such acts of love would remain unforgettable, especially on Valentine’s Day.
Goodwill messages also came from the mayors of Isialangwa North and South, members of the Abia State house of assembly and other stakeholders, all of whom described the empowerment as an annual tradition of service by Hon. Onwusibe.
Some beneficiaries, including Mrs. Peace Nwokoma, Mrs. Veronica Ori (JP) and Mr. James Nwakerendu, expressed deep gratitude to the lawmaker, pledging to use the items productively while praying for God’s protection and continued success for Hon. Onwusibe and Governor Otti.
