Hon. Mbora Organises Special Empowerment Scheme For Physically Challenged Artisan, Others

A member representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Hon. Eta Mbora, has organised a special empowerment scheme aimed at promoting enterprise, self-reliance, job creation and boosting agricultural yields for selected beneficiaries.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mbora revealed that the scheme is based on the peculiar needs of the beneficiaries comprising an entertainer, physically challenged artisan, welders and farmer’s cooperative societies.

He praised the “zeal and commitment demonstrated by the welders during their training programme,” and urged other youths to “emulate such enterprising disposition in order to become self reliant rather than wait for white collar jobs.

“Our vocational skills acquisition is free. We only demand  dedication, commitment and seriousness from the trainees. Once you graduate your start off pack and rent for shop are available.

“I want our youths to emulate our brother Ita Ekpenyong. Despite his challenge, he enlisted to learn welding and was zealous and passionate about the programme. Apart from the start off pack I had to add a motorised wheelchair to aid his mobility. He is a great example.”

Also speaking at the event, the State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Cross River State, Hon. Mrs Florence Inyang thanked Mbora for the intervention, adding that the gesture would reduce unemployment and assist farmers.

She promised to mobilise unemployed females to embrace the vocational training programme  to become employers of labour.

In his earlier remarks, a former Councillor in Odukpani Legislative Council Hon Ani Ekpenyong  said the scheme was a milestone which will curtail capital flight, produce middle level manpower and encourage farmers.

One of the beneficiaries, Ita Ekpenyong who was accompanied by his parents commended Mbora for the humane gesture and for assisting to realize his dreams.

Another beneficiary, Mr Evans Okon of Exxon Musical Band said he was grateful to the federal lawmaker for coming to his assistance with a 9 KVA generator. 

He said the timely response will go a long way in promoting his entertainment business, adding that he has lost numerous deals whenever potential clients discovered he lacked a generator to power his system at events venue.

Items distributed include 1,200 bags of fertiliser and over 400 cartons of herbicides, motorised wheel chairs, complete sets of welding equipment with diesel powered  generators and over 20 sets of 9kva Fireman petrol generators.