By Ifeanyichukwu Ibe
Senator representing Imo North (Okigwe Zone) in the National Assembly, Senator Patrick Ndubueze, has praised the First Lady of Imo State, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma, for her efforts toward empowering women and the girl-child across the state.
Ndubueze gave the commendation on Saturday, March 14, during the graduation ceremony for beneficiaries of the pilot phase of Project Flourish 200, organised by the Goodhope Women Flourish Initiative, a pet project of the Imo First Lady.
Speaking at the event, the senator expressed satisfaction with the impact of the programme on the participants, describing it as a significant initiative that will promote self-reliance among young women in the state. He also applauded the First Lady for supporting the development agenda of her husband, the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma.
According to Ndubueze, Imo State is fortunate to have a performing governor and a First Lady who is equally committed to uplifting the people through impactful programmes.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to utilize the skills and mentorship they acquired during the training to pursue greater opportunities, noting that the initiative has provided them with a strong foundation for personal and economic growth.
The senator described Barr. Chioma Uzodimma as compassionate and deeply committed to the empowerment of women and girls, adding that the programme would inspire the participants to achieve greater heights.
Corroborating her husband, Lolo Ijeoma Ndubueze, also commended the First Lady for her dedication to improving the lives of women in the state. She described the initiative and other interventions by Barr. Uzodimma as commendable and impactful.
She urged the beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity by remaining productive, resilient, and committed to their chosen vocations.
It will be recalled that Senator Ndubueze has also carried out several empowerment programmes for his constituents, particularly through skills acquisition initiatives that have helped many individuals in the Okigwe Senatorial Zone become self-reliant.
Earlier in her address, Barr. Chioma Uzodimma congratulated the beneficiaries for their commitment and discipline throughout the one-week training programme. She noted that their enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated their readiness to be empowered for personal development and societal contribution.
The First Lady explained that her passion for empowering women and girls stems from her own experience as a beneficiary of mentorship. She expressed delight at the enthusiasm shown by the participants and encouraged them to remain focused and committed to building better futures for themselves.
The programme, organised under the Reaching Forward Mentorship Programme, saw the graduation of 200 young women and female students from across Imo State. Participants were trained in several vocational skills including baking, beading and fascinator making, make-up artistry, gele tying, and content creation, among others.
