An empowerment programme targeted at creating and enhancing numerous economic opportunities for youth and women has been established in Rivers State. The programme known as the Opuda Empowerment Scheme (OPUDEMS) is meant for the economically disenfranchised and was officially inaugurated recently by Opuda, High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs, OON, DCF.
The inauguration was a special highlight of the formal opening of the Oruwari Briggs Memorial Hall, which Lulu-Briggs also recently re-built. The ceremony was graced by dignitaries such as H.M. King (Prof.) T.J.T Princewill, CON (JP), (Amachree XI), Amayanabo of Kalabari kingdom; the Asantehene of Ashanti (Ghana), H.R.M. Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II; His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, the Obong of Calabar. High chiefs from the Owa Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Ekiti State as well as distinguished chiefs from the Kalabari kingdom were also in attendance.
Lulu-Briggs has by this gesture, demonstrated the kind of unrelenting, foundational love that gave rise to Abonnema being called Nyemoni, which means ‘admire your own’. He has remained consistently focused on bridge building and encouraging collective and individual progress and wellbeing.
Close to a hundred youths and women benefitted from the Opuda Empowerment Scheme during the Oruwari Briggs Hall opening ceremony, which also featured the official recognition of High Chief (Dr.) O.B. Lulu-Briggs as the Paramount Head of the Oruwari Briggs House of Abonnema.
According to the Opuda Ta, Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, OPUDEMS is a conscious effort to promote self-reliance, encourage the growth of small-scale businesses and promote general economic wellbeing of the people. The empowerment scheme, she explained is structured to function under the O.B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation, to ensure its sustainability. “The beauty of the scheme is the opportunity created to change lives – turning helpless people, even those who constituted a nuisance to the community into active and positive economic actors in our society,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries were enrolled for formal training in pipeline welding, pipefitting, crane operations and electrical works at reputable capacity building organizations. Others were given adequate capital to kick-start their various businesses.
OPUDEMS is a novel scheme, which has generated spontaneous expressions of appreciation from the beneficiaries to O.B. Lulu-Briggs and his wife.
“Now, I have hope. I can achieve my dreams at last with the empowerment scheme founded by High Chief. Life will be much better for me and my family henceforth”, said George Briggs -a beneficiary of OPUDEMS.
Another beneficiary of OPUDEMS is Oton-aye, a trainee crane operator. In his words, “This is the best thing that ever happened to me. I dropped out of school and ever since, I have been looking for an opportunity to make it in life. Now with OPUDEMS, life will be better for me”.
Mrs. Blessing Briggs, a fashion designer, is another beneficiary of OPUDEMS. She received sewing machines and financial assistance to set up her business. “I am more than happy because of this help. I can now start the business I have finished training for, a long time ago. I thank High Chief and Mrs. O.B. Lulu-Briggs for giving me this big opportunity.”
According to Mrs. Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs, “As we celebrate OPUDEMS, we look forward enthusiastically to the bright future of our people that will benefit from this scheme. OPUDEMS is a manifestation of the legacy of love that characterizes the Oruwari Briggs House and the Kalabari kingdom as a whole.”
High Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs’ legendary love for people is further exemplified by the comprehensive social responsibility programmes of Moni Pulo Limited, an indigenous Oil and Gas company he founded in 1992. From commencement of Moni Pulo’s exploratory activities, the company has supported and sustained the socio-economic development of its host communities.
Some of its corporate social responsibility initiatives include educational development and social welfare support activities like free medical outreaches, which provide state of the art medical care to people mostly in rural areas.
Lulu-Briggs always strives to carry out development programmes that will leave positive imprints on the lives of people.
