Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State was agog as prominent political leaders, traditional rulers and residents gathered at Umuaro Community, Mgboko Umuanunu Ancient Kingdom, for what has been described as one of the largest empowerment programmes ever staged by a state lawmaker in the area.
The lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Public Service Matters, Abia State House of Assembly, Hon. Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, rolled out an empowerment package valued at over ₦1 billion, targeting economic growth, healthcare, education and entrepreneurship.
Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr
Among dignitaries who graced the event were the immediate past Governor of Abia State and Nigerian Ambassador-designate, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu; former Deputy Governor, Dr. Chris Akomas; and Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa, alongside other political leaders across party lines.
Commending the initiative, Dr. Ikpeazu described the programme as a practical demonstration of visionary leadership anchored on service and sacrifice. He likened it to the “mustard seed principle,” noting that what began as a small political journey had grown into a far-reaching developmental intervention.
“This is how leadership should be measured—by the number of lives touched and opportunities created,” Ikpeazu said, urging beneficiaries to make productive use of the items distributed and encouraging the lawmaker to remain steadfast.
Former Deputy Governor, Dr. Akomas, expressed pride in Erondu Jnr, describing him as a loyal political son who has demonstrated capacity and consistency. He urged beneficiaries to replicate the gesture by empowering others.
In a show of support, Akomas announced a financial boost of ₦50,000 for each motorcycle beneficiary, ₦100,000 for each car beneficiary, and ₦1.4 million to be shared across the 14 wards of Obingwa LGA to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and sustain the initiative.
Speaker Emeruwa described the empowerment as unprecedented in Abia State, commending the lawmaker’s generosity and noting that his support extends beyond his constituency to his colleagues in the Assembly.
Chairman of the occasion, Chief Raymond Mkpuruoma Aliga, said the programme transcended party lines and reflected inclusive representation. He passed a vote of confidence on the lawmaker and called for his re-election.
Also speaking, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to a former governor, Hon. Uche Nwosu, said he was overwhelmed by the scale of the programme, describing Erondu Jnr as an exceptional leader. He announced a donation of ₦2 million to support beneficiaries’ logistics.
The Chairman of Obingwa LGA, Hon. Maxwell Nwadike, described the event as historic and urged beneficiaries to utilise the items responsibly to improve their livelihoods.
Party leaders, including Abia State PDP Chairman, Elder Abraham Amah, and Abia South PDP Chairman, Hon. Enyinnaya Apollos, described the empowerment as the first phase of a broader development vision, attributing the lawmaker’s political growth to mentorship from Ikpeazu and Akomas.
The empowerment package featured the distribution of motorcycles, minibuses, buses, trucks, tippers, cars, desktop computers, laptops, generating sets, car wash machines, spraying and vulcanising machines, and houses.
In the health sector, beneficiaries received assorted medical equipment, including five dialysis machines, incubators, hospital beds and mattresses. Educational support included university scholarships, free JAMB and WAEC registrations, and digital learning tools. Widows were also empowered with goats and other support materials.
Addressing the gathering, Hon. Erondu Jnr expressed gratitude to the people of Obingwa-West for their continued support, stressing that the programme was a strategic investment in human capital rather than an act of charity.
“This initiative 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 commitment to education as a tool for fighting poverty and pledged to sustain interventions that create opportunities for youths and vulnerable groups.
The lawmaker also appreciated his wife, Deaconess Queeneth Ginikanwa Erondu, for her support and paid tribute to his mentors, Dr. Ikpeazu and Dr. Akomas, describing them as instrumental to his political journey.
A beneficiary, Mr. Ndubuisi Nwankwo, who received a brand-new Coaster bus, expressed gratitude, noting that it was the third vehicle he had received from the lawmaker over the years. He pledged to put the bus to profitable use.
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 representation and grassroots development efforts. Presenting the award, former lawmaker Hon. Thomas Nkoro described the empowerment as massive and unprecedented for a state legislator.
As beneficiaries received their items amid cheers, many expressed optimism that the intervention would significantly improve their living conditions, marking what observers described as a major milestone in the political and developmental history of Obingwa-West.
