Abia North: Orji Kalu’s Investment in Education Is the Best Form of Empowerment, Says University Don

A university lecturer, Professor Kalu Eni, has described Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s sustained investment in education, youth development and women empowerment as the most effective and enduring form of empowerment, saying it offers long-term benefits that outlive material handouts.

In an article published on electronic media, on Monday, the academic praised the former Abia State governor for what he described as a consistent commitment to human capital development across Abia North Senatorial District.

According to him, Kalu’s interventions in education have touched virtually every community in the district through the construction of school buildings, renovation of learning facilities and the distribution of educational materials.

“Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has a school building to his name in virtually every ward in Abia North. He has distributed textbooks, school desks, office furniture, school uniforms and other learning materials. For me, this is the best form of empowerment because the beneficiaries are our children, who represent the future of our senatorial district and Abia State,” he said.

Professor Eni also commended Kalu for expanding educational opportunities beyond Nigeria, noting that several young people from Abia North had benefited from overseas academic and capacity-building programmes facilitated by the senator.

“Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has dozens of youths studying medicine, science, technology and business in different parts of the world. More than 100 youths and women have also undergone specialised training programmes in China through his support. This is the kind of empowerment that builds capacity, creates opportunities and prepares people for the future.

“It is not about giving out handouts or motorcycles that may not create lasting value. Sustainable empowerment is about equipping people with knowledge, skills and opportunities that can transform their lives and communities,” he added.

Our correspondent reports that since assuming office as senator representing Abia North in 2019, Kalu has undertaken a series of interventions in education, infrastructure, healthcare and youth development across the five local government areas of the district.

These include the construction and renovation of schools and classroom blocks, distribution of textbooks, school uniforms, desks and other instructional materials, scholarships, overseas training opportunities for youths and women, road projects, rural electrification, healthcare initiatives, industrial projects and various empowerment programmes targeted at improving livelihoods.

The senator has repeatedly maintained that investing in education and human capital remains one of the most sustainable ways of reducing poverty, creating opportunities and driving economic growth in Abia North and beyond.