I don't know where Nigerians especially the political class arrived at the conclusion that the "Marshall Plan" to scurry Nigerians out of poverty is through empowerment- a sort of grant in cash or kind featuring items such as motorcycles, tricycles, cars, items for different apprenticeship skills like sewing machines, generator set, etc. Although not condemnable as it truly can create employment opportunities for the people considering the meaning of the term empowerment- to make one powerful drives one to probe the intent of the plethora of empowerment programs carried out by members of the political class since 2010 when we entered the empowerment frenzy.
Questions that should bother our minds is, has it really created economically self reliant individuals? Is it geared towards poverty alleviation and job creation or making playing to the gallery? The latter seems to hold true considering some ludicrous "empowerment" programs embarked on by some political office holders in the country. Lets get a review.
A member of the NASS once distributed sewing kits to coblers popularly know as "shoemakers" in his constituency.
A Governor in one of the North Central states distributed wheelbarrow , Yes! Wheelbarrow to citizens of his state as "empowerment''.
In one of the South East states, a federal lawmaker distributed Cutlass to members of his constituency all in the name of "empowerment".
What about the former Governor of one of the South West states that shared chicken and rice in an empowerment drive in what was dubbed stomach infrastructure.
In the South South, a federal lawmaker once shared motorcycles to members of his constituency without safety helmets. The LGA chairman thought it wise to empower the motorcyclists with helmets. Both LGA chairman and lawmaker complementing each other.
Our first ladies are not left out in the charade. A Governor's wife from the north once empowered widows with bags of sachet water. Anyway, water is life, just what those who have lost a spouse need.
From bread to goats, the list of ridiculous empowerment is inexhaustive.
In all of these, stats and observation show that Nigerians have become less empowered economically, mentally, politically etc and won't hesitate to queue up for more "empowerment" what has now more like handouts. In 2018, Nigeria overtook India as the poverty capital of the World and observation from from elections show people still sell their franchise for paltry sums or little gifts.
I'm not against empowerment initiatives, but if all you have is motorcycle, what you'll ban with one memo or rope- an apparatus for suicide. I won't mind drinking a sniper. And sniper, I wonder why nobody have thought of empowering us with that? Perhaps the "empowerers" know better.