Assessment Impact Initiative Launches In Imo State , Takes First Women, Youth Empowerment Scheme
By Anselem Anokwute
The Assessment Impact Initiative, (AII) a humanitarian organisation focused on women and youth empowerment, has officially launched its empowerment schemes in Imo State, with a call for greater collective efforts toward poverty reduction, human capacity development and community advancement.
The maiden empowerment programme, which was held at Rock View Hotel, Owerri, on Friday, September 11, 2026, attracted beneficiaries, government representatives, community stakeholders and other participants.
Speaking at the event, the founder and initiator of the initiative, an Imo-born United Kingdom-based legal practitioner, Barr. Mrs. Adaora Amurun, described the programme as a human capacity-building and humanitarian intervention designed to complement government efforts in improving the lives of vulnerable members of society.
Amurun said the initiative was established on the belief that government alone could not address all the social and economic challenges confronting the people, stressing the need for individuals and organisations to contribute to the development of their communities.
According to her, the programme seeks to equip beneficiaries with practical skills that can enable them to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to their families and communities.
She disclosed that the initiative offers more than 60 areas of skills acquisition and vocational training, including fashion and design, makeup artistry, catering, soap and body-lotion production, welding and fabrication, among others.
Amurun said the objective was not merely to distribute materials but to create sustainable opportunities for beneficiaries to acquire skills, establish businesses and improve their standard of living.
She further called on wealthy individuals to look beyond their immediate families and extend their philanthropic gestures to people within their communities, stressing that collective responsibility remained essential to building a peaceful, healthy and prosperous society.
She said the initiative was also in line with the philosophy of shared prosperity, adding that society would be better when individuals with the capacity to help others deliberately invested in improving lives.
On the selection of beneficiaries, Amurun explained that the process was conducted through social media platforms and subjected to assessment and evaluation.
She said the selection was based on factors including integrity, accessibility and identified needs, rather than sentiment or favouritism.
According to her, efforts were also made to ensure that beneficiaries were drawn from different local government areas in order to spread the impact of the programme and promote the idea of building one united community across Imo State.
She disclosed that Imo State was the first location for the launch of the initiative’s empowerment programme, adding that similar programmes would subsequently be introduced in other states and locations.
Amurun urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the materials and opportunities provided to them, assuring them that the organisation would continue to monitor their progress to ensure that the empowerment scheme achieved its intended objectives.
She described the initiative as an intervention aimed at individual advancement, women and youth development, and community building.
Also speaking, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Uzoma Osuoha, popularly known as Eze Buguma, commended Amurun for establishing what he described as an ambitious empowerment initiative.
Osuoha, who is also the founder of Eze Buguma Foundation for the Less Privileged and Widows, said initiatives of such magnitude could only be sustained by people genuinely inspired to serve humanity.
Representing the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, at the event, former Special Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment, Michael Brown, commended Amurun for investing her personal resources and experience in supporting vulnerable people.
Brown said the initiative was consistent with the administration’s philosophy of shared prosperity and its emphasis on empowering citizens to become economically productive.
A beneficiary, Miss Chizomam Matthew from Owerri North Local Government Area, expressed appreciation to the organisation for the opportunity to benefit from the programme.
Matthew, who had previously trained in fashion and design, said she was particularly grateful to receive a new sewing machine, describing the gesture as an opportunity to begin her journey towards becoming a business owner.
She prayed for God’s continued blessings and elevation for Amurun and members of her team, while promising to put the equipment to productive use.
She also urged other beneficiaries to properly utilise the materials given to them, stressing that responsible use of the empowerment items would encourage the organisation to sustain and expand the programme.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Youth and Talents Hunt, Dr. Mandela Emeka Ukaegbu, was represented at the event.
The commissioner’s representative commended Amurun for what he described as a remarkable humanitarian gesture, particularly her decision to use her personal resources and experience to reach out to people in need.
The founder, while assuring beneficiaries of the organisation’s commitment to sustaining the programme, said the Assessment Impact Initiative would continue to work with its partners and relevant stakeholders to bridge existing gaps in women and youth empowerment and promote programmes capable of meeting international standards.
