By: uzorigwe Gloria, Abakalik.
The First Lady of Ebonyi State- Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has flagged off the 2025 Constituency Empowerment Programme of the Member representing Ohaukwu North Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly- Hon. Mrs. Esther Chidiebere Agwu while applauding her superlative performance as a state lawmaker.
Mrs. Nwifuru gave the commendation on April 5, 2025, at the Ndiegu Igube Primary School field during the constituency empowerment program of the Honourable Member.
The Ebonyi First Lady, Who was represented by the Director of BERWO- Prof. Mrs. Nkechi Echiegu, lauded Hon Esther Agwu for her scintillating performances in the areas of peacebuilding, constituency empowerment programs, community engagements, quality representation, and robust legislation and assured of unbridled support from BERWO to actualize her vision for the constituency.
Mrs Nwifuru however, charged the Ohaukwu North constituents to sustain the existing peace in the area being championed by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State -Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, noting that no meaningful development will take place in a crisis-ridden environment.
In her opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Mrs Chinyere Elom, said that the wife of Ebonyi state Governor- Her Excellency Chief Mrs. Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru, has set a standard in humanitarian services which Hon. Esther Agwu is leveraging upon to better the lots of her people. She commended Hon Agwu for remembering to share with the needy and scored her high ineffective representation and robust legislation while appreciating Governor Nwifuru and his wife for their exemplary leadership styles.
Earlier in her address, Hon. Mrs. Esther noted that she was motivated to empower the needy by the compassionate dispositions of the Ebonyi First Lady, who encouraged all women in leadership positions to always reach out to the underprivileged ones among them. She equally reeled out some of her modest achievements in the past two years including the installation of solar-powered lights in all 7 electoral wards, the drilling of 5 boreholes, attraction of the construction of the road linking Okposhi-Ndiegu Ubochi Igweledoha community with Ebonyi local government area, training of women and youths on various vocational programs and disbursement of start-up capitals to them, payment of school fees to some indigent students and the distribution of wrappers and food palliatives to her constituents among others.
Hon. Agwu also used the golden opportunity to inaugurate Committees to manage her maiden Constituency Unity Football Cup tournament, Bursary, and Youth Empowerment Programmes, among others. She stated that the football competition is meant to bring together youths from all the wards to forge unity amongst them, noting that the winner will go home with N500k, the Second N300k, and the third position with N100k. She, therefore, mandated the various committees to come up with the best modalities to organize the program.
In his goodwill message, the former chairman of Ohaukwu LGA- Hon. Barr Omekannaya Odah, eulogized Hon Esther on her commitment to delivering democratic dividends to her constituents and her inclusive leadership style, noting that she has performed creditably well and deserves a second tenure.
In their separate goodwill messages, the Deputy Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly- Rt Hon Chinedu Onah, the Executive Chairman of Ohaukwu LGA- Prince Ikechukwu Odono, and the Commissioner for Capital City Development- Hon Sunday Elechi Inyima extolled the leadership qualities and peaceful carriage of Hon Esther Agwu noting that she has surpassed the people’s expectations adding that her second tenure is guaranteed.
Some of the Beneficiaries, Mrs. Elom Chinyere, Nwokpor Ngozi, and Ugo Martina, expressed their happiness with the Hon Member, assuring that they will reward her with massive votes come 2027.
The double-barrel program coincided with the birthday commemoration of Hon Esther Agwu and her amiable husband- Dr Augustine Agwu. While cutting the birthday cake, the chairman wished the couple a very happy birthday and many happy returns.
The event attracted many important dignitaries, including the former and present Council Chairmen of Ohaukwu LGA- EXCO Members, former Honourable members who represented Ohaukwu North State Constituency, traditional rulers, and party faithful across the 7 electoral wards of the constituency, among others. It also featured many activities, including free medical services to the sick, enrollment of over 100 constituents into the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency, empowerment of Widows, and disbursement of start-up capitals to graduates of various vocational skills sponsored by Hon Esther Chidiebere Agwu.
