The Ochor Ochor Foundation (OOF), a foundation owned by Deputy Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Ochor Ochor, has empowered members of the Market Women Association, Ukwuani Local Government Chapter, with N5 million.
The foundation said the gesture is aimed at encouraging traders especially women in their business following the economic hardship caused by ouybreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event which is the second phase of the empowerment programme was held at Obiaruku, on Friday, October 2, 2020.
OOF in December, 2019, also empowered 22 girls and women with different equipment in hairdressing, tailoring and cash gifts to start off businesses of their choice.
In his remark, the Deputy Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Christopher Ochor Ochor said the second phase, targeting 141 beneficiaries from the 10 wards of the constituency, was to help the women in their various businesses, and the money should be judiciously invested to further boost their living standard.
He reminded them that successes in individual businesses, will not only be improving on the social economy life of their homes and close relations, but also the economy of their community and that of Ukwuani.
He stated the empowerment is part of the Greater Delta Agenda, of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, as he has focused on the empowerment of Deltans through entrepreneurial trainings, and support for existing businesses.
Hon Ochor further stated that the contribution of the market women to the success story of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and his election victory at the 2019 House of Assembly Election cannot be complete without the market women and other similar groups, which he said will also be recognised in due time.
Reacting to the kind gesture from the Ochor Ochor Foundation, The Delta State Commissioner for Women affairs, Mrs. Flora Alanta thanked the Deputy Speaker for keying into the Governor Okowa’s mission to decongest the labour market in the state to the barest minimum acknowledging the fact that the lawmaker recognised women as intelligent organisers.
Also speaking, the Market Women Association, Ukwuani Chapter and Women Leader PDP UKwuani Local Government Area, Lady Betty Atagoshi, pointed out that women are power houses for any economic growth in the society so empowering the women means empowering the Nation at large.
She pledged their continued support for the PDP, Okowa administration and Rt. Hon.Christopher Ochor Ochor for his commitment to the women and Ukwuani.
The occasion was attended by the Member Representing Ndokwa West State Constituency, Hon. Charles Emetulu, Uvwie State Constituency, Hon Solomon Irakpata, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. Chika Ossai, State Vice Chairman and Chairman of Delta North Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, DCN Moses Idu, the state Secretary of the Party, and the State Woman Leader, amongst other dignitaries.
