A lawmaker representing Sapele Constituency in the Delta House of Assembly, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, has empowered no fewer than 120 of his constituents with cash grants of N100,000 each.
Hon. Umukoro addressing the beneficiaries, stakeholders at a ceremony in Sapele, said that the initiative was part of his commitment to improving the lives of his constituents and ensure the dividends of democracy reached the grassroots.
The lawmaker alao explained that the N100,000 grant to each beneficiary was aimed at helping the constituents grow their petty businesses and to encourage youths to embrace small-scale ventures.
His words: “This token is to boost their petty trading. Our youths should consider starting something, anything that N100,000 can do for them instead of waiting endlessly for white-collar jobs”.
The Chief Whip of the assembly, further assured his constituents that the empowerment programme would be sustained and expanded in the years ahead.
His words: “This is not the end, we are just getting started. You can see that this year’s empowerment is bigger than last year’s empowerment programme.
”By the grace of God, next year’s will be even bigger and better than what we are witnessing today.
”My dream is to see more of our people empowered, self-reliant, and contributing to the economic growth of our constituency.
”We pray that Almighty God should keep us alive to do even greater things together.
”June 13th, 2025 makes it two years since I began representing Sapele Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly.
”Public office is public trust. I want to appreciate our Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori, for his support, and I equally thank you all for voting for me,” the lawmaker said.
Umukoro highlighting his stewardship in the last two years, noted that he had not been a “sleeping member”.
“I am a member of the House Committee on Health and Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture. I have ensured the renovation of five health centres across Sapele Local Government Area.
”I have also ensured the upgrading of Sapele Central Hospital, and the construction of a three-classroom block at Palmer Primary School and Abeke Primary School respectively.
“Each time I return home at weekends, I go round to inspect projects that our governor is executing here in Sapele, to ensure they are properly done to standard. ” he said.
The ceremony drew the attention of prominent political leaders and stakeholders from across Sapele and beyond.
Among those in attendance were Sapele Local Government Council Chairman, Mr Bright Abeke; State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ejiro Jamani.
Also, the Commissioner representing Sapele, Okpe, and Ethiope West and the State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Julius Egbedi.
The leaders commended Umukoro for his people-oriented projects and generous empowerment initiative.
They described him as a pragmatic and result-driven legislator whose works spoke volumes.
Beneficiaries also expressed their gratitude to the lawmaker.
One of them, Mr Sunny Emami from Ward 3, said the cash grant would help him expand his roadside food business.
“This is a life-changing opportunity. With this money, I will buy more goods,” he said.
Another beneficiary, Mr David Ajuja, from Ward 11, described the gesture as “timely and God-sent”.
Ajuja said, “I have been struggling to raise capital for my phone accessories shop. This support will go a long way.”
The event ended with prayers for Umukoro’s continued success and a charge to beneficiaries to make judicious use of the funds.
