DR CHIMA AMADI QUESTIONS GOVERNMENT FAILURE AS WOMEN RAISE FUNDS FOR SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Dr Chima Matthew Amadi on Saturday continued his engagements with communities across Imo State, attending the August meetings of women in Obinze, Aboh Mbaise and Ngor Okpala, where he spoke extensively on the challenges confronting ordinary citizens and the growing burden being placed on communities to provide basic amenities.

At the August meeting of women held at the DEACON OBINNA AMANZE ONYEAGUCHA HALL inside First Baptist Church, Obinze, Owerri West, the women expressed their delight at receiving Amadi, noting that they had previously been informed of his planned visit and were pleased that the commitment had been fulfilled.

In their address, the women prayed for God's protection and guidance for Amadi as he continues his political journey. They also highlighted their ongoing project involving the construction of 24 shops, which they said had reached the roofing stage.

Speaking to the gathering, Dr Amadi said some politicians had advised him against visiting Obinze, arguing that he might not find loyal voters there. Amadi, however, said he rejected such an approach, maintaining that political differences should never determine how people are treated. He said that as long as they are people of Imo State and Owerri Zone, they deserve to be treated with dignity and supported whenever they are in need, regardless of who they intend to vote for.

He also spoke about the economic difficulties confronting families and communities, arguing that the situation was partly the consequence of decisions made over the years in choosing political leaders.

According to him, communities and women's associations are increasingly being forced to raise money for projects that should ordinarily be provided through government institutions. He said the development had placed additional financial pressure on people who were already struggling with the rising cost of living.

Amadi said the period of another election provides citizens with an opportunity to examine the performance and responsibilities of those seeking public office. He criticised the practice of approaching elections primarily through the distribution of money and food items, arguing that Nigerians require ideas and policies capable of addressing the problems affecting their communities.

He urged the women to pay attention to the value of their votes and to remain committed to whatever choices they make at the ballot.

During the engagement, Amadi supported the women's ongoing project with a donation of ₦3 million.

ABOH MBAISE

From Obinze, Amadi proceeded to the August Meeting of the Mbutu People Assembly Women's Wing held at Mbutu Secondary School, Aboh Mbaise.

The women told him about their plans to provide additional seats for students of the school, explaining that many students currently sit on the floor during classes because of inadequate seating facilities.

Reacting to the situation, Amadi questioned why members of the community should have to raise money to provide basic facilities in a government-owned secondary school.

He argued that the provision of basic infrastructure and learning facilities in public schools is fundamentally a government responsibility, adding that the situation illustrates the extent to which communities are being compelled to fill gaps created by institutional failure.

Amadi said the burden had become particularly painful because ordinary citizens were already facing significant economic hardship, yet were still being asked to contribute financially towards essential public services.

He urged citizens to recognise the importance of choosing leaders who understand and are prepared to discharge their responsibilities to the people.

He thanked the women for inviting him and supported their school-seating project with ₦2 million. He also donated another ₦1 million to be shared equally among the women.

HOMECOMING IN NGOR OKPALA

Dr Amadi later attended the August Meeting of women at Comprehensive Secondary School, Umuekwune, Ngor Okpala, in what was also a homecoming engagement for him, as Umuekwune is his hometown.

Addressing the gathering, he expressed concern about the condition of many communities and asked how long ordinary people would continue to live with inadequate opportunities and basic infrastructure.

He described the present period as an important moment for citizens to demand better governance and renewed attention to the needs of their communities.

Dr Amadi also spoke to members of Ward 3, urging them to remain committed to the development of their communities and to participate actively in efforts aimed at improving the conditions of the people.

He said the difficulties confronting society were not inevitable, but were connected to the quality of leadership and decisions made over the years.

During the engagement, he supported the women's project with ₦7 million.

Across the three engagements, a recurring theme was the growing responsibility being transferred from government to citizens, with women and community associations increasingly raising funds for projects involving schools, markets and other community infrastructure.

Dr Amadi said the development should prompt deeper reflection about governance and the responsibilities of public office holders, particularly at a time when households and community groups are already struggling with increasing economic pressures.