• Traders in Itobe, Ochadamu, Ugwolawo, Ajaka, Ega markets smile home.
Petty traders in Idah Federal constituency of Kogi state now have reasons to expand their existing businesses and to possibly start new ones, as over two hundred and fifty of them benefited from the constituency empowerment programme of the member representing the constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. David Idris Zacharias.
Usually proactive and known for his spontaneous actions, the lawmaker while traveling to his constituency on Friday, as it is characteristic of him, alighted at Itobe the market, his first point of call, and commenced the distribution of envelops containing cash of ten thousand naira to petty traders in the market.
To the amazement of the traders, the lawmaker said his decision not to publicise the move was to surprise the businesswomen and to ensure that no party indices was used to distribute the cash.
He said politics was over and the time for representation is to ensure that all across board have a feel of the dividend of democracy irrespective of political, religious or ethnic divide.
The elated women who could not hold their emotions, chanted slogans like “Davido”, “Davido”, “this is our own lawmaker”, “you are a leader”, among other slogans, in appreciation for his gesture.
On his part, Zacharias said he was motivated to encourage the traders considering the dwindling economic situations in the market, and their efforts to continue to strive and make ends-meet.
He said women remains the strongest pillar of support to their homes and the society at large, hence his decision to have a special package for them.
As little as it may be, Zacharias said it was his modest contribution to their economy while assuring them that he will continue to empower them as resources improves from time to time.
According to the lawmaker, “this cash of ten thousand is given free without repayment or interest, but I enjoin you, the beneficiaries to use it effectively by starting new business or expand your existing one. It is small but I know it will go along way.
“It is free, justify it and expand and see how you can make more gains prudently from it. No political leader was involved in this because this is far from politics.”
Similar actions happened at Ochadamu Market where some of the beneficiaries extolled his uncommon initiatives, which they say, has not happened before in the history of the constituency.
Other beneficiaries at Ochadamu, Ugwolawo and Ega markets said the package came at the appropriate time when they were struggling to get on business after the Christmas expenditure, which left them bankrupt.
Frontline chairmanship contender for Ofu local government, Hon. Mohammed Alfa who accompanied the lawmaker to some of the markets, said he was overwhelmed by his show of love to the women.
According to Alfa, the move has further strengthened the confidence they have in him. He assured Zacharias of their prayer and support as he continually holds the people at heart.
The sum of two million, five hundred thousand Naira, covering fifty traders in Itobe, Ochadamu, Ugwolawo, Ajaka, Ega markets, was distributed and same was promised to continue in days to come unannounced in strategic markets across the constituency including parts of Ibaji local government.
Zacharias was on his way to the constituency where he will be flagging of the distribution of enrolment fees for some selected candidates, mostly indigent students for WAEC/JAMB registrations across the four local government in the constituency.
Those who benefited from the gesture includes petty traders of consumables such as fish, tomatoes, pepper, kerosene, vegetables, yams and others, just as new businesses were also activated.
In another development, the lawmaker at the weekend, showed love to the members of the physically challenged association who also benefited from his cash donations, both to them and their children in various institutions in Idah constituency.
In what looked like a surprise valentine visit, Zacharias stormed their meeting venue and celebrated the valentine with them. He said they should see their condition as God’s plans for them, but encouraged them to always think positively.
He said they should always be conscious of the fact that ability or disability is in the mind, hence his admonishment to them to make the best use of what nature has granted them.
The lawmaker who is still in Idah constituency where strategic meetings are going on for the peace and security of the constituency ahead of the educational empowerment programme scheduled for the new week, beginning from Monday 17th February 2020, assured that he will live for the people, but want them to be law abiding.