The 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ebonyi State, Chief Chukwuma Odii has launched a N150 million agric-business empowerment scheme for his youths in his Isuechara community in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The empowerment scheme, according to Odii, will henceforth become a revolving scheme that will cover training, and donation of equipment to the beneficiaries to enable them start the businesses.
Odii, who announced the launch of the programme as a gran reception organised in his honour by the Isuechara community stated that the scheme will cover fishery, animal husbandry, vegetable farming and other areas of modern agriculture that will ensure that the beneficiaries become not just self- sufficient, but job creators.
In a show of appreciation for the honour done him by his community, Odii also announced his support for the community’s N300 Million Naira Town Hall projects, by donating an initial N20 million for the take-off of the project with a firm promise of continuous funding of the project, provided that the money was judiciously utilized.
"Our community is known for its rich in production of rice, yam, Cassava, vegetable and other foods, and that made our community people agrarian and that is why I am supporting them".
The agricultural empowerment according to Chief Odii will involve three persons each from the seven kindreds that make up the community, who will be trained, fishery, animal husbandry, modern vegetable farming and other agric-business management will become an annual practice that is aimed at pulling the beneficiaries out of poverty and also create jobs for young people in the community.
"The beneficiaries will go into training in modern farming and after which, I will give them N3million each to start up agricultural business," he said.
Odii, who was conferred with the Chieftaincy title, "Omeziriobodo 1 of Isuachara alongside other six illustrious sons of the community said the agricultural empowerment would be rotating among the people annually.
Emmanuel Ogudu, National Chairman of Isuachara Development Union said the grand reception and the Chieftaincy award were for the appreciation of Odii for his meritorious service to mankind.
Ogudu, who commended Odii, said the annual occasion would pave way for more unified people of Isuachara, urging Odii to keep the flag flying.