The people of the South East have been cautioned against neglecting Federal government intervention programs aimed at alleviating economic difficulties.
Eze Godfrey Onwuka, the traditional ruler of Umutowe autonomous community in Umuahia South LGA, made this statement during a sensitization event organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation in Umuahia. He highlighted several programs, including student loans, the Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, and micro and small business loans, which should be embraced rather than left for other regions to benefit from.
Eze Onwuka urged Abia State residents and the wider South East community to take advantage of these Federal government initiatives. He called on the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to work with the Abia State Orientation Agency to promote awareness in both rural and urban areas, helping to change any misconceptions among the people of Abia.
“Our community must start participating in these programs now. If we don’t, we will miss out,” he warned.
Additionally, Jerry Uzosike, a former member of the Abia State House of Assembly, criticized universities in the South East for failing to effectively inform students or upload their data for the student loan scheme. He pointed out that the loan initiative is intended to alleviate the financial burden on parents resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies.