Emeneka, A Promise Fulfilled

By Jude Atupulazi

Can one’s heart be as large one’s size? That is a question the member representing Anambra East State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly has answered by his gestures to his people. Towering well over six feet in height, Hon Pharm Obinna Emeneka, is easily spotted in any crowd. But it is not just his massive size that has made him outstanding. He is blessed with enough cerebral matter which has also contributed to his rating by those who have come across him.

As a representative of his people of Anambra East, which he is doing for a third time now, his focus isn’t just about making good laws but sowing the seed that will germinate future leaders. And what better way for the germination of such leaders than through education?
That was why on June 18 this year, the lawmaker issued cheques of a total of N600, 000 to three students of the area as part of his scholarship scheme.

Said he, ‘My gesture is to encourage students to read. Education, rather than money, I believe, opens doors for people. It is easy for the educated to manage resources and impact positively on their immediate and distant environments.’

The three lucky students and year of graduation were Rita Abisi (2018/19); Julius Ndive (2015/16) and Julius Chukwuemeka (2013/14).

Rita read Banking and Finance at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; while the other two read Chemical Engineering at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University.

But Emeneka did not stop there. He also gave out Sienna cars to some of his constituents, as well as monetary gifts to supporters on a day many from the area would not forget in a hurry.

Speaking to me on the rationale behind the cars, he said they were given to those who had served him well but who could also maintain those cars and use them to generate money too via commercial transportation; hence the brand of cars given (Sienna)

The gestures were Emeneka’s way of thanking his constituents of Anambra East for believing in him for the third time.

To him, he had no alternative than to do that, having won all the 200 polling units in his constituency.

Emeneka’s cars were adjudged sound and functional, a departure from the situation where people like him give out vehicles that only increased the problems of the recipients.
The gifts to his constituents were distributed thus:

• Five cars to five supporters
• Scholarship up to Ph’D level to First Class students from Anambra East, among whom was the Unizik overall best graduating student 2019, Mrs Abisi Adaobi Rita.
• Scholarship to children drafted from all the wards in Anambra East, ranging from primary to secondary school.
• Monetary gifts to some supporters

For the lawmaker, the events of June 18 will not be the last. For the time being, however, he will focus on joining his colleagues in the House to make good laws for the state and to support Gov Willie Obiano in making the state better for the citizens.