BY ANDR EW IKEHI

In continuation of its empowerment programme through its job creation initiative, the Delta State government, Thursday, recorded another feat as it restored hope and succour to the family of Five Disabled Sisters in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local government area of the state.

The state government through the office of the Chief Job creation Officer of the State, Prof. Eric Eboh, under its ‘Brown STEP segment of the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP), presented Starter Packs to two of the five Physically Challenged biological sisters in the area.

The exercise which attracted ceaseless encomium, praises, jubilation and prayers for the Senator Ifeanyi Okowa led administration in the state by both the youths and elderly in the community, The Pointer reports, was indeed unique as, against the previous empowerment programmes in the state under the STEP and YAGEP programmes, the state government rather than invite the beneficiaries to Asaba for the package, took the items to them at their Ibusa residence.

Presenting the items to the beneficiaries at their No.148, Ogbe-Owelle Quarters, Ibusa, The Chief Job Creation Officer of the State, Prof. Eric Eboh said that the gesture was in fulfilment of the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa’s promise to ensure that the empowerment programme was all inclusive and encompassing.

Prof Eboh, represented by the coordinator, STEP, Mr. Onyeisi Nkenchor said that the attention of the state government was drawn to the beneficiaries’ family; the Okolie family early this year when one of the children, Linda Okolie, during one of the Town Hall Meetings by the Governor, passionately appealed to the state government to come to their aid.

Moved by the appeal and condition of the family, Eboh said, the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, directed that the family should be included in the state government’s empowerment programme, saying, “the fulfilment of that directive and promise is what we are witnessing here today”.

Giving a brief history of the family, Eboh said, “This family, the Okolie family, we are aware, has five girls; Chinedu Okolie, Rita Okolie, Franca Okolie, Amana Okolie and Linda Okolie. All the five girls we are further aware and, as we can see today, are all physically challenged.

“The good thing about them is that despite their challenge, all of them have trained themselves with one trade and the other. While some trained as fashion designers others trained as hair dressers.

“When the state government got wind of their challenge and present condition, it decided to further train two of them, Linda and Amana on their earlier trade in order to boost their proficiency on the trade. After the six months training, the state government further decided to equip them with state-of-the-art equipment to start up their businesses” Eboh stressed.

He, therefore, enjoined them to justify the state government’s gesture by putting the equipment into profitable use.

Receiving the items, the beneficiaries, alongside their other siblings, expressed appreciation to the state Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, just as they prayed that God should continue to sustain him and his cabinet.

Compare this one too borno siteshoe shine kits...