By Mimi Chiadikobi
The Traditional Prime Minister of Obosi, Chief Austin-Collins Anibogwu, (Iyasele Obosi), has encouraged the beneficiaries of 2025 Isiowulu Day empowerment programme to make good use of their empowerment to better themselves.
Anibogwu said that the empowerment programme is one of the well thought out plans by Isiowulu stakeholders that is yielding positive results by harnessing the potentials of the great people in the community.
Anibogwu stated this on Monday while addressing journalists during the event in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area (LGA) of Anambra.
Anibuogwu informed that Isiowulu clan is formed by the coming together of three villages out of nine villages of Obosi community namely: Mmakwum, Uruowulu and Ugamuma villages with a sole purpose of closely being knitted.
He said “We the stakeholders believes in grooming the younger ones in the right path of the tradition, customs, values and culture of our people for them to thread in life’s right path.
“This family tie can only be achieved if the people are united in purpose, love for one another and take on the burden of helping people that are economically and socially disadvantaged.
“It is the belief of the stakeholders that it will draw more people closer to feel each other beats despite social statutes and know when to be of assistance to one another” he said.
Anibuogwu disclosed that the total sum of over 15 million naira, a collective effort from the stakeholders and friends was expended in the aim to reach more people like students, market women and the elderly in Isiowulu clan.
He said that the clan has 13 kindred and that people were drawn from the kindred making a total number of 780 persons as beneficiaries of the 2025 Isiowulu empowerment day.
Anibuogwu said that the alliance’s common goal has been aligned towards the growth of Isiowulu through the wealthy sons and daughters, the titled men, and elites amongst them.
Chief Chidebe Umolu, another elite believes that the event is an opportunity to showcase their cultural heritage and expose their children from all over the world to their norms, culture and traditions arming themselves with such knowledge.
Chief Sunny Egbunam described the Isiowulu day as a forum to be used in seeking people in need out amongst the clan first without preference before extending help to distant people.
He said that Charity begins at home and commended the initiators for this thought especially in the area of provision for the elderly especially those that do not have anyone to care for their welfare.
“I am happy that widows, indigent children, and youths in need to learn skill are part of the beneficiaries but a special care design for the elderly is most well appreciated” he said.
Iyom Irene Anibogwu described the day as worth sustaining as it is a great canopy for an easy reach out to young people which gives room to chase away social vices amongst them.
She said that with the financial support given to the women hardship will be given a hot chase as the families will be able to attain basic life care as women are the more pushup in home affairs.
Anibogwu said that the exercise is also aimed to checkmate youth restiveness and other social vices associated with idleness like drug abuse, rape, breaking in and others alike.
Iyom Ifeoma Umolu, commended the idea of the day and noted that it is a forum to educate young minds about the way of living of the people of Igbo tribe which is being hardworking and respectful to one’s self.
Umolu, said that it is a room to extend to larger number of young mind and a difference between idolatry and tradition as currently people are misinformed about tradition and idolatry.
“Though the empowerment does not alleviate our plight completely it goes a long way in the assistance of especially market women in taking care of their children’s feeding.
“A diligent woman through the proceeds of their trading will do exploit at home while the scholarship will keep the children off the streets and channel them towards something meaningful” she said.
Mrs Nnenna Obichebe , one the beneficiary and a petty trader disclosed that Isiowulu people lives like brothers and that other natives residents in the clan enjoys same benefits.
Miss Mmesoma Mmadubuko a student and beneficiary said that her distraction is over since she has been given scholarship that no more doing of a part time job to support herself.
Chief Dan Igbokwubuli, chairman of the planning committee disclosed that the event which comes up biannually has now be changed to an annual event to enable the clan reach out more evenly.
Igbokwubuli, explained that the 2025 empowerment is very unique because the 780 beneficiaries was selected based on those in core needs ranging from care for the lonely elderly, to petty traders, students, youth desirous to learn skill.
He said that the most enticing one is for students in sciences who was assured foreign assistance once the make an outstanding results.
