As part of a strategy for medium to long term sustainable interventions in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Onitsha, Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty, Nnaemeka Achebe, Agbogidi, has announced the introduction of an economic empowerment programme.
Igwe Achebe stated this at the Second Onitsha COVID-19 Response Online Town Hall Meeting organized by the Onitsha Community COVID-19 Response Team (OCCRT) in Onitsha.
According to the Monarch, “there is need to plan for how this will affect our community. The economic empowerment programme is designed to change the mindset of Onitsha people from a welfare mentality to a more productive, and entrepreneurial mindset. ‘the difficulties arising from the pandemic should be turned into an opportunity for lifting Onitsha out of poverty.’’
It also aims to foster the adoption and support of wealth creation, and long-term capital development initiatives across existing organs of Onitsha community. Key aspects of the programme include Value Reorientation, Database Validation, Training and Development, Microfinance Bank, and MSME Funding. Others are Cooperative Society, Business Incubation, Mentorship, and Women Empowerment.”
The economic empowerment programme was conceptualised by a panel of Onitsha experts, who were charged by Igwe Achebe, to map out strategies to support the struggling and budding entrepreneurs in our domain in weathering the COVID-19 storm.
The town hall meeting drew 97 persons from eight countries, including various parts of Nigeria, Africa, Europe, and the United States of America. It builds on a 2017, project with the theme, “Take Onicha Ado N’Idu to the Next Level” which explored developmental and repositioning needs of the Onitsha community.
Besides discussing the economic empowerment programme, participants also focused attention on the implementation of the ongoing OCCRT activities. The programme also features fundraising, palliatives distribution, medical outreach and response, and voluntary COVID-19 testing.
Post Disclaimer
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author and forum participants on this website do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Anaedo Online or official policies of the Anaedo Online.