Prioritise empowerment, not dashing money, Rep member advises elected officials
By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse
The member representing Isoko federal constituency in Delta State, Hon. Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukhodiko, has advised elected officials including lawmakers to stop dashing money to their constituents.
He said rather, they should design programmes to empower the people to be self reliant.
Jonathan gave the advice when officials of the National Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, visited him in Erawha-owhe.
“It is better to teach person how to catch fish than to gives him fish to eat. I don’t believe in giving people fish to eat, but to teach them how to catch the fish.
“Empowering people has double advantage to both the beneficiary and we politicians, because when they are empowered they would be self reliant and became employers, while on our side, that person would not came back after what you have given him is finished”.
The member house of representatives said that was why he embarked on empowering the youths and the women by organising skills trainings that will impact their lives positively, transcending to the next generation. .
He further advised elected officials to be open, efficient and listen to the demands of the electorates to avoid the recent Kenya experience where citizens revolted against their leaders.
Jonathan said politicians should focus on the reasons why they were elected so as to make everlasting impact.
He told the women journalists to play their role as the “conscience of the people” by holding elected officials to account.
The lawmaker urged his colleagues to ensure that all allocations for constituency projects are judiciously utilised for the benefit of the generality of the people they are representing.
He called on the people of Delta State, particularly the Isoko Nation, to support Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori to succeed.
According to him, the governor has done tremendously well so far and should be supported to do more.
Earlier, NAWOJ Vice Chairperson South South zone, Mrs Stella Macaulay said the visit was to forge partnership with the lawmaker and brief him on the forthcoming 35th anniversary of the association.
Mrs Macualay stated that they will be organising a zonal conference in commemoration of the formation of the association 35 years ago.
According to her, NAWOJ South South has nominated him as Best Legislator of the Year, and will be honoured during the conference in November.
The former Natioal Financial Secretary of NAWOJ, Sarah Ogodo, appreciated the lawmaker for his support, including when she run for the office.
The Syndicate reports that among the NAWOJ delegation were Timinepere Jombo Idoko, former Zonal Vice Chairperson and Mary Samuel, Special Assistant to Delta State Governor on Women Development.
