BREAKING ‼️ HON. CHIMAOBI SAM ATU EMPOWERS 10 WOMEN WITH MINI POULTRY FARMS, DEEPENS GRASSROOTS AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN ENUGU

Enugu, October 22, 2026 — In a renewed commitment to women’s economic empowerment, grassroots development and agricultural advancement, the member representing Enugu North and South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, has empowered 10 women through the construction and equipping of mini poultry farms in selected rural and semi-urban communities across the constituency.

The initiative, titled Construction and Equipping of Mini Poultry Farms for Livestock Farmers in Selected Rural and Semi-Urban Areas in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, Enugu State, represents another significant step in Hon. Atu’s efforts to promote livestock farming as a sustainable means of livelihood, income generation and economic independence for women.

The intervention also marks the second consecutive time the federal lawmaker has extended livestock farming support to women in his constituency, following a similar empowerment programme organised last year for nine women.

Under the previous scheme, each beneficiary received a standard poultry farm, 30 live chicks, five bags of poultry feed, essential poultry equipment and medications to support the successful take-off of their businesses.

Speaking during the event, beneficiaries of the previous empowerment programme testified to the positive impact of the initiative on their livelihoods, personal development and entrepreneurial aspirations.

The Woman Leader of Akwuke Ward in Enugu South, who benefited from last year’s programme, expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as a turning point in her economic journey.

According to her, the empowerment provided her with an opportunity to move away from the menial job she previously depended on for survival and embrace poultry farming as a more promising venture.

She disclosed that she had grown her poultry business from the initial 30 birds provided under the scheme to 100 birds, demonstrating the potential of targeted agricultural interventions to stimulate small-scale enterprise and improve household income.

Her testimony offered a practical illustration of how agricultural empowerment, when properly utilised, can create opportunities for women to develop sustainable businesses and gradually expand their economic capacity.

Similarly, the Woman Leader of Ugwuaji Ward recounted how the initiative rekindled her interest in livestock farming, which she now intends to develop into a retirement plan.

She also shared the personal circumstances that influenced her renewed commitment to the venture, explaining that the loss of her mother two years ago had been an emotionally difficult experience.

Following the bereavement, she said a medical expert advised her to engage in activities that could bring her happiness and help improve her emotional well-being. She subsequently found livestock farming to be a meaningful and fulfilling pursuit.

Her account underscored the broader significance of productive agricultural engagement, demonstrating that beyond its economic benefits, farming can also provide individuals with a sense of purpose, renewed motivation and personal fulfilment.

Addressing the beneficiaries at the ceremony, Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu reiterated that his decision to serve in the National Assembly was driven by a commitment to improve the lives of the people he represents rather than pursue personal ambitions.

He maintained that public office should be measured by its capacity to translate promises into tangible benefits for the people, particularly those at the grassroots who need opportunities to improve their living conditions.

The federal lawmaker reaffirmed his commitment to advancing agricultural development in Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, describing the poultry farming empowerment programme as one of the practical steps being taken to fulfil that promise.

He emphasised that he regards every commitment made to his constituents as sacred and important, stressing that he does not take promises lightly and remains determined to honour them through purposeful representation.

According to him, his approach to constituency development is informed by the need to identify practical opportunities that can improve livelihoods, encourage productivity and strengthen the economic capacity of ordinary citizens.

Explaining the rationale behind his decision to invest in livestock farming, Hon. Atu highlighted the importance of the microeconomy in driving broader economic growth and improving the welfare of individuals and households.

He noted that empowering women to engage in productive ventures such as poultry farming could help stimulate economic activities at the grassroots, create sustainable sources of income and contribute to the wider economy.

The lawmaker's position reflects the importance of supporting small-scale agricultural enterprises as a means of strengthening local production, improving economic participation and creating opportunities for self-reliance.

He further pledged that the livestock farming empowerment programme would continue to expand annually, expressing his determination to reach more beneficiaries and sustain the initiative as part of his constituency development agenda.

However, he urged the newly empowered women to make judicious use of the facilities and resources provided, stressing that the success of the programme depends significantly on their commitment, responsible management and determination to grow their poultry businesses.

He encouraged the beneficiaries to see the intervention not merely as a gift but as an opportunity to build viable enterprises capable of supporting their families and contributing to the economic development of their communities.

The empowerment of the 10 women further highlights the potential of constituency-based agricultural initiatives to promote economic inclusion and strengthen grassroots development.

By investing in poultry farming, the programme seeks to provide beneficiaries with productive assets that can generate recurring income, encourage entrepreneurship and reduce dependence on irregular or unsustainable sources of livelihood.

The experiences shared by previous beneficiaries also suggest that the long-term value of such interventions lies not only in the initial support provided but in the opportunities they create for business expansion, personal fulfilment and financial independence.

As Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu pledges to sustain and expand the programme in subsequent years, the initiative stands as another effort to connect legislative representation with practical economic empowerment.

For the 10 women who benefited from the latest intervention, the newly constructed and equipped mini poultry farms represent more than agricultural facilities; they offer a foundation upon which to build productive ventures, strengthen their households and pursue greater economic independence.

The ultimate measure of the programme will be its sustained impact on the beneficiaries, the growth of their poultry enterprises and the extent to which the initiative contributes to a more productive and economically empowered constituency.

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