An aspirant for Isiala Mbano Constituency seat at Imo State House of Assembly, Chief Lawson Chukwu says he will change the face of youth empowerment programmes in the state if elected.
Chief Chukwu who spoke in Owerri, said he will phase out the days when tricycles (keke), motorcycles, fairly used buses, cars and other household materials are used for youth and women empowerment programmes, because they have not done much good to the youths, women and their communities.
“To me, it is myopic for people to give out things like that in the name of empowerment. What happens when they break down? In most cases, no one monitors these youths and women who get the materials. Some are not trained to use those things and within a short time, you find them going back to where they used be with depression and frustration added to it” He said.
He added that visionary leaders are supposed to have the future at heart while planning empowerment programmes and not just going for things that will fade away with their regimes.
“The same amount of money used to purchase 5 tricycles (keke), can build a standard oil mill for a community. This will not only create direct employment, but will also encourage self-reliance among the youths and women who can easily make a living from palm products which are readily available around them.
Projects like that will not only change the lives of individuals, but will change the face of an entire community. There are many other projects in that line, but only a selfless and visionary leader can toe that path where they can be implemented” He added.
Chief Lawson Chukwu who is gearing to become of the youth Lawmakers of Isiala Mbano LGA in Imo House of Assembly under All Progressives Congress (APC), urged the people of Okigwe zone to support the present speaker of the State House, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogo, in his bid to become the next senator of the zone in National House of Assembly come 2015; stating that the zone will never have anyone better than the Ihitte Oboma LGA born leader.
He charged the youths of Imo State to stand on sound values and never let any politician who has a record of failure fool them with money and empty promises in this electioneering period.
“Youths can win it if they can realize what they have. We just have to regroup, making quality, integrity and humility our focus and not run after every naira that is waved around us. Youths and women will have a big role to play come 2015, but that can only happen if they understand what they have”
