**Beneficiaries Commend intervention, laud Oborevwori, Ashima for bringing succour
By Atu Lucky
There was excitement across Ebokiti, Ekekporo, Ugbege, Eketie Ototo Ewoleba and the disputed Aja-Ebighan communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State on Thursday as the Leader of the 7th Warri North Legislative House, Rt. Hon. Kanu Gift Duakpemi Kunu , empowered more than 200 residents with cash gifts to support their businesses and livelihoods.
The beneficiaries, comprising small business owners, artisans and other residents, across these communities expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as a timely intervention capable of providing succour and strengthening economic activities at the grassroots.
Duakpemi, who is also the councillor representing Ugbege Ward 2, was represented at the empowerment programme by his Personal Assistant, Comrade Destiny Aribo, alongside party leaders and other stakeholders in Warri North Local Government Council.
Speaking through his representative, Duakpemi said the financial support was intended as an appreciation to the people of his ward for their continued support for elected leaders, while also serving as an empowerment initiative for residents in the various communities.
He said: “This financial gift of fifty thousand naira to over two hundred people in my communities will re-awaken their commitment, trust and love for the APC in Delta State. The sense of political participation is already activated, which will boost the chances of all candidates of the ruling party for continuity come 2027 election.”
The lawmaker said his commitment to human welfare and poverty alleviation had remained consistent since he assumed office as councillor representing Ward 2.
According to him, he had been providing regular financial assistance to households in the various communities across all ethnic groups in warri north LGA,, disbursing over N600,000 monthly to various families from his first tenure till date ‘because as leader of the legislative house am a lawmaker for all’ he said.
He pointed out that the latest empowerment programme was therefore not new, adding that his sustained interventions in human capital development in line with what Hon. Festus Ashima is currently doing as Council Boss is to compliment “our ‘MORE AGENDA’ of the governor.
The lawmaker, who also double as the number-one lawmaker in the council Area, commended the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, for what he described as his developmental strides across the state, saying the governor’s directive and financial provision, made the empowerment programme possible.
He also expressed appreciation to the Warri North Council Chairman, Hon. Festus Ani-Ashima, for the prompt release of funds to facilitate the empowerment programme in the council area.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the acting Olare-Aja of Ebokiti Community, Pa. Udume Francis, commended the initiative and appreciated the government for what he described as efforts aimed at alleviating the economic hardship confronting residents.
Pa. Francis, who was among the beneficiaries, said the communities in the ward were looking forward to the 2027 elections, expressing their intention to support APC candidates from the presidency to the House of Assembly.
Similarly, the head and Bale of the Ijaw community in Ebokiti, Pa. Sunday Bekewei, described the gesture as a reassurance of continued support for APC candidates, while commending Duakpemi for what he described as his consistent concern for the people.
He said Duakpemi had remained close to the people and had not abandoned them over the years.
Also speaking, one of the women leaders in Ekekporo, Mrs. Tosan Akinusu, appreciated the legislative leader and the council chairman for the cash empowerment programme, assuring them of the women’s support for APC candidates in the 2027 elections.
The different Olare-Aja’s of the various communities were all in attendance to witness the ceremony as what they described as first of its kind in their political journey.
