A university lecturer, Professor Kalu Eni, has described the educational and human capital development initiatives of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as the most effective form of empowerment, arguing that investments in education, youth development and women empowerment deliver lasting benefits beyond material assistance.

Eni made the remarks in an article published on electronic media on Monday, where he commended the senator representing Abia North for what he described as a consistent commitment to building human capacity across the senatorial district.

The academic noted that Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, had undertaken several educational interventions in communities across Abia North, including the construction and renovation of school facilities as well as the provision of learning materials.

According to him, the former governor has left a visible footprint in the education sector through projects spread across the district.

“Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has a school building to his name in virtually every ward in Abia North. He has distributed textbooks, school desks, office furniture, school uniforms and other learning materials. For me, this is the best form of empowerment because the beneficiaries are our children, who represent the future of our senatorial district and Abia State,” Eni said.

He further praised the lawmaker for creating opportunities for young people to pursue academic and professional development programmes outside Nigeria.

According to Eni, several youths from Abia North are currently studying medicine, science, technology and business-related courses in different parts of the world through Kalu’s support.

He also stated that more than 100 youths and women had benefited from specialised training programmes in China facilitated by the senator.

“Former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has dozens of youths studying medicine, science, technology and business in different parts of the world. More than 100 youths and women have also undergone specialised training programmes in China through his support. This is the kind of empowerment that builds capacity, creates opportunities and prepares people for the future.

“It is not about giving out handouts or motorcycles that may not create lasting value. Sustainable empowerment is about equipping people with knowledge, skills and opportunities that can transform their lives and communities,” he added.

Since his election to the Senate in 2019, Kalu has carried out a range of constituency projects and interventions across the five local government areas of Abia North, covering education, healthcare, infrastructure and economic empowerment.

The projects include the construction and renovation of schools and classroom blocks, distribution of educational materials, scholarship programmes, overseas training opportunities, road construction, rural electrification, healthcare interventions and industrial development initiatives.