By Okechukwu Onuegbu
A group, Umuokpu Ukpo N'Akwu Na-Eziokwu, Friday, offered scholarships and palliative to about one hundred indigent and vulnerable people from Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area (LGA), Anambra State.
The group, which comprises all the married daughters of the community, gave out scholarships to ten vulnerable pupils in the community, as well as selected 3 women to be empowered by December 2023.
They equally gave out over 100 bags of rice and tubers of yams to the old and indigent women and men, and promised to be engaging with more in future.
Speaking at the inaugural launch of the group, the President, Mrs Ifeoma Nweze, said their long term goal was to raise financial independent families that would ensure sustainable development of Ukpo and her people.
"It seems truth and integrity are speedily becoming scare in our generation. Hence, the emergence of this noble organisation made up of the daughters of Ukpo. Umuokpu Ukpo N'Akwu na eziokwu is a union of sisters, true daughters of Ukpo who are duly married. We have come together as a body, to be a beacon of truth and to foster peace in our community as a whole.
"Some of our beneficiaries are in Central School Ukpo, Obiọma Primary School and Unity Primary School, Ukpo. Also our recent activities include visiting orphanages and motherless babies home. Today, we shall be selecting three women that we will empower by December 2023.
"Our aim is to come together and contribute to the development of our community. The focus is through human capacity development and to improve the standard of living of those who are less privileged. We intend to train some children from Primary School level through to the tertiary level (some of which are present here today).
"We want to setup businesses for the youth after they must have acquired basic skills, knowledge or education in the kind of business or trade they will embark on. Thirdly, palliative in dorm of food distribution easy and free access to healthcare services and drugs especially to the aged amongst us," she stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Pastor Obi Onwuakpa, urged the women to stand by their visions and missions statements so they would achieve a lot.
"Hold unto truth. We need truth to be told. Take the name to your house and everywhere you go. Live up to your name everywhere. They will know from your character. Make sure you hold unto it. Induct only people you know, identify with them and ensure they work in same way. Ensure the grow. Not every woman should be admitted into this Association. Make sure you hold unto it," he noted.
The traditional ruler of Ukpo, Igwe R. C. Eze Okofia, represented by prince Mike Eze, expressed happiness over the emergence of the group, which he said would be beneficial to the community and Anambra State generally.