By Wisdom Nwedene
Ebonyi State government has bragged that no man can reject the ongoing one million naira empowerment programme being done by Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru if selected after being criticised over the rationale behind the selection of youth to be empowered.
Recall that last week, Mr Nwifuru during an event at Ngbo, in Abakaliki said he will empower 1,300 youth because they didn’t join the nationwide protest.
Shortly after the announcement, the government constituted a committee to supervise the empowerment programme which generated mixed reactions.
The committee has the Deputy Governor, APC Chairman, others in list.
Many Ebonyians questioned whether the empowerment will really get to the poor masses or will be shared by the Political elites in the State.
Reacting, the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr Leo Ekene Oketa said no Ebonyi man can reject the one million naira.
According to him, “The reason His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and EXCO constituted a committee for the selection of youths to benefit from the N1m empowerment, is to ensure it is not left in the hands of one particular state ministry.”
“It is rather better that you reach out to any of the committee members and suggest to them, best ways to select the beneficiaries and not frowning online at the list.”
“Truth is, no one, even you condemning the list on arrival, will reject the empowerment funds if you are selected. Like the Governor will always say, ‘the job is too easy when you are not the one doing it’.”
“The committee will definitely work sincerely to justify their inclusion in this delicate assignment. But more important than any comment online about them, will be an insightful suggestion on how they can get it right.”
“That is why they are a committee – to deliberate and make the best decision in this matter,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA Hon. Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, Delaw has described the Ebonyi State government’s statement as an insult to Ebonyians.
He said Ebonyians voted the governor and not the committee members.
According to him, “you just goofed. This is unlike your response. Directing us to those we didn’t send any message is demeaning. Ebonyians voted the governor and not the committee members.”
” Also Saying that no one can reject the 1m if given is an insult to many Ebonyians. That one is asking for things to be done right doesn’t mean he or she is interested in it. Some Ebonyians do more than that everyday. This response goes along way to show how miserable APC see Ebonyians to be.”
“Also calling the genuine concern of Ebonyi people whose money is about to be shared a ‘FROWN’ is another insensitive statement.”
“Brother, Nothing concerns a sitting party chairman whose duty is to oversee party affairs in the distribution of Ebonyi people’s money. We are not his party EXCOs.”
