Former Minority Leader of the House of Representatives and APC candidate for Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, OON, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, supported an empowerment initiative in Ward 11, Oshimili South Local Government Area, with an additional N3.5 million contribution for the enrolment of 500 residents into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
Elumelu made the commitment and immediately effected the payment while serving as Special Guest at the Back-to-School Programme organised by the Ekwueme Movement for Sheriff, led by its Executive Chairman, Engr. Smart Meka, at Ahabam Primary School, Cable, Asaba.
The programme combined educational support with healthcare intervention, as the Ekwueme Movement for Sheriff distributed more than 1,500 customised 80-leaf notebooks to over 300 pupils across five primary schools in Ward 11, while also facilitating the enrolment of 150 persons into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme.
Moved by the initiative, Elumelu announced the additional N3.5 million intervention, bringing another 500 residents of the ward into the health insurance programme.
Addressing the gathering, Elumelu commended Engr. Smart Meka for what he described as his consistent commitment to the educational and healthcare needs of children and residents of Ward 11.
He described Meka as his “pride and beloved brother,” noting that he was proud of his consistency and commitment to causes that directly affect the people.
According to Elumelu, the Back-to-School initiative was particularly significant because it helped reduce the financial pressure on parents while encouraging children to remain focused on their education.
He also commended parents and teachers for their efforts in nurturing the children, stressing that investments in education and healthcare were investments in the future of the community.
The APC candidate said the interventions by the Ekwueme Movement aligned with the broader development objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the MORE Agenda of Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori.
Elumelu, who was accompanied to the event by the Chairman of his Campaign Council, Chief Edwin Uzor, as well as directors and coordinators of his campaign organisation, also used the occasion to appreciate the people of Ward 11 for their large turnout.
Earlier, Engr. Smart Meka explained that the programme was designed as a two-in-one initiative designed to support families while taking the message of the APC to the grassroots.
Meka disclosed that his group had sustained the distribution of educational materials to pupils for about three years, giving five notebooks to each beneficiary at the beginning of every school term.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of the APC for its efforts towards unity and assured the gathering of the group’s continued commitment to the people of the ward.
He also announced plans by the group to distribute rice to residents of the ward in December.
The former Delta State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mordi Ononye, who represented the immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, conveyed the former governor’s greetings and commended Meka for sustaining empowerment initiatives in the community.
Ononye said empowerment could take different forms and praised the Ekwueme Movement for Sheriff for consistently remembering the people at the grassroots.
He also acknowledged the additional intervention by Elumelu, particularly the payment for the enrolment of 500 residents into the state health insurance scheme.
The Delta North APC Chairman, Engr. Dan Ossai, said he attended the event because of Meka’s consistency in supporting children and residents of the ward.
He recalled that the group had empowered 100 children the previous year and increased the number to 150 beneficiaries in the current programme.
He also commended Elumelu for supporting the health insurance enrolment and urged the beneficiaries and residents to continue to support the APC.
The Commissioner for Primary Education in Delta State, commended the initiative, particularly its support for teachers and school children.
Similarly, the Coordinator of Tinubu’s Torch Bearers, Mrs. Meme Ibrude, said the group was working to mobilise support for APC candidates across the various levels of government.
Chairman of the Elumelu Campaign Council, Chief Edwin Uzor, commended Engr. Smart Meka for the initiative and called on other political appointees to emulate the gesture by supporting their communities.
The event featured cultural dances and presentations by pupils of Ahabam Primary School, while representatives of the political leadership presented the educational materials and witnessed the health insurance enrolment exercise.
The beneficiary schools included Ogboli Primary School 1, Ogboli Primary School 2, Ahabam Primary School and Enechara Primary School, among others in Ward 11.
The event attracted several political leaders and community stakeholders, including Hon. Bridget Anyafulu, Member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, immediate past Delta North APC Chairman, Ogbeshi Eluaka, and other party leaders and supporters.
The intervention by Elumelu provided a major additional component to the Back-to-School initiative, linking educational assistance with access to healthcare for residents of Ward 11, cable, Asaba.
