Mr Pius Okoye, Deputy Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, said the purpose of politics is to improve the standard of living for the majority.
Okoye, who represents Awka South Constituency 2 under the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), made this statement in Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area, on Saturday.
He spoke during a courtesy visit to his country home by the Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu-led State Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State Council.
Okoye stated that he joined politics to uplift the downtrodden within his reach.
He said, “I have organised empowerment programmes for children, youth, women, and the less privileged since 2014 to create a society of industrious and self-sufficient people.”
He added that he spends millions of naira annually on school fees, housing for the elderly and disadvantaged, free vehicles, soft loans, and other empowerment initiatives.
“I give out of passion. Politics has given me the opportunity to reach more vulnerable people in society.
“My goal is to make people happy, support them in their careers, and give back to the society that has done so much for me,” he said.
He also said he provides shelters and security for schools, children, and the elderly, seeing it as service to God and humanity.
“Politics enables people to access funds to serve the public, which they may not be able to do due to financial constraints,” he added.
Earlier, NUJ State Chairman Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu commended the lawmaker for delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents.
He assured Okoye that the union would support his charity and political efforts for the benefit of the people.
Odogwu said the council’s visits aim to remind public office holders to be accountable and leave lasting legacies for posterity.
Mrs Tochukwu Ifejirka, Chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Anambra chapter, praised Okoye’s efforts to improve public welfare.
She urged him to show more interest in issues affecting women and the girl child in his legislative duties.
Ifejirka stressed that violence against women and girls should be taken seriously through effective law-making and enforcement.