Human Capital Development is the Best Form of Empowerment and the Surest Path Out of Poverty-Rep Obi Aguocha
Human Capital Development is the Best Form of Empowerment and the Surest Path Out of Poverty-Rep Obi Aguocha
The member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has said that meaningful and sustainable development can only be achieved by investing in human capital rather than distributing material items as a form of empowerment.
Speaking during a radio programme on Don Fm Umuahia ,Aguocha maintained that empowering people through education, skills acquisition, ICT training and employment opportunities creates lasting value, unlike giving out vehicles, tricycles or other items that may not have long-term impact.
According to him, intellectual empowerment remains the most effective way of lifting people out of poverty.
“Would I rather train someone to become a doctor or give that person a Keke Napep? The answer is clear to me. I would rather train the person to become a doctor because that gives the individual an opportunity to add value to his or her life,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that his empowerment programmes are centred on human capital development through ICT training, scholarships for a large number of students, payment of school fees, and the construction of houses for indigent widows.
He also highlighted his legislative efforts, noting that his bill seeking the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Ikwuano has already passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting concurrence by the Senate.
According to him, establishing the medical centre would serve as a generational investment that would create employment opportunities for decades.
“If we establish a Federal Medical Centre in Ikwuano, isn’t that generational empowerment? Who will work there? Generation after generation will benefit,” he stated.
Aguocha further disclosed that he is pursuing the conversion of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike into a conventional university, explaining that such a move would automatically transform the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia into a teaching hospital, creating additional opportunities in healthcare, education and research.
He stressed that the best form of empowerment is giving people access to education and opportunities that enable them to become self-reliant and positively impact their families and communities.
The federal lawmaker recalled that previous administrations distributed cars and other items as empowerment, but noted that many of those vehicles have either broken down or been sold, leaving beneficiaries back in poverty.
“The only sustainable way to lift people out of poverty is through the gift of education,” he said.
Sharing some of his interventions, Aguocha revealed that he facilitated the reinstatement of a woman who had been dismissed from her job about 18 years ago. He also said he successfully intervened in the case of a dismissed police officer who has now been recalled by the Nigeria Police after an out of committee settlement.
“That is what gives me joy that I wake up in the morning and someone says I was instrumental in changing his or her life,” he said.
He added that he has facilitated federal government employment for 15 constituents, describing it as one of the most meaningful forms of empowerment.
“I want to empower a generation of Abia people by giving them the opportunity to acquire education, function as productive citizens and become gainfully employed,” he added.
While acknowledging that some politicians choose to empower constituents by distributing cars, tricycles and other items, Aguocha said he does not fault such initiatives but insisted that his philosophy is centred on developing human capacity for long-term socioeconomic growth.
The lawmaker also highlighted his numerous health interventions at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, where he has assisted many indigent patients in offsetting their medical bills.
On the issue of civic participation, Aguocha expressed concern over voter apathy and urged Nigerians, particularly eligible voters in Abia State, to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
He called on citizens to register, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and actively participate in elections as a means of strengthening democracy and ensuring accountable leadership.
