By Francis Atume, Makurdi
The Senator representing Benue North West Senatorial District, Senator Titus Zam,has distributed empowerment items to constituents as part of his renewed commitment to empowerment, opportunity and shared prosperity.
The items distributed at the mega empowerment programme Zam facilitated in collaboration with the North Central Development Commission, NCDC, include include 180 motorcycles, 320 sewing machines, 300 grinding machines, 60 power hand tillers and 40 car-wash pumping machines.
Speaking at the event,held Friday at the Pastoral Center Makurdi,Zam said the items are not merely equipment but instruments of enterprise, sources of livelihood and opportunities for economic independence.
“It is with a heart filled with gratitude to Almighty God and a profound sense of responsibility that I welcome you all to this Mega Empowerment Programme. Today is another opportunity to reaffirm my commitment to the people of Benue North West Senatorial District, whose trust and mandate I hold in the highest regard,” Zam said.
He stated that from the outset of his representation, he has been guided by a simple conviction that the true measure of leadership lies not merely in the promises made, but in the positive difference made in the lives of the people.
According to him, the programme is the sixth major empowerment exercise since his assumption of office, building upon earlier interventions in leatherwork, small scale ventures of grinding and hairdressing, as well as agricultural initiatives involving pepper and dry-season rice farming, support through motorcycles, motor vehicles and computers.
He added that his commitment to human capital development is equally reflected in scholarship awards to 350 indigent students in tertiary institutions, noting that education remains one of the most enduring investments a society can make in its future.
The senator said beyond these initiatives, he has undertaken food distributions during festive periods, provided food and relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons, and maintained annual fertilizer distribution to support farmers.
He listed other constituency interventions to include construction of classroom blocks, clinics, examination halls, police stations, streets and roads; provision of motorized boreholes, electricity extensions, transformer installations; and installation of solar-powered streetlights covering key sectors of education, agriculture, health, water/sanitation and security.
Zam said his legislative interventions align with the broader economic reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which seek to address long-standing structural challenges and establish an enduring foundation for sustainable socio-economic growth.
He commended President Tinubu for the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, NCDC, as a special purpose vehicle to convey development to the grassroots, stating that with the commission, his re-election in 2027 will be as simple as A, B, C.
He thanked the Chairman of NCDC, Barrister Cosmas Akighir, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Cyril Tsenyil and the entire leadership and management team for sponsoring the empowerment programme in his senatorial district.
He also expressed appreciation to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for appointing him as the pioneer Senate Committee Chairman of NCDC, and to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, whose guidance and support he described as significant in his political journey.
He urged beneficiaries to regard the items as valuable economic assets, use them wisely, maintain them properly and allow them to become sources of sustainable income for themselves and their families.
Also speaking, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue State, Comrade Austin Agada, said the party is proud that Senator Zam, whom the party supported alongside President Tinubu, has not disappointed the people of Zone B.
Agada noted that the programme is the sixth empowerment since Zam assumed office, adding that he had attended three of them.
He said the empowerment, where Zam got the name “Zam Cares”, was evidence of quality representation, stressing that Zam has represented the party and his zone well in the National Assembly.
The APC chairman assured that the party will repay the senator and President Tinubu in 2027, assuring that the party and the Rainbow Coalition will mobilize votes for the President and dedicated members of the party who have supported the President and the leader of the party in the state, Senator George Akume.
He advised the senator to Keep doing the good work, assuring him of the loyalty of the entire party across the zone.
Chairman, North Central Development Commission, NCDC,Barr. Cosmas Akighir, assured the people that the commission will always support programmes that will benefit the people.
