Distinguished Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, on Saturday, July 19, 2025, embarked on another far-reaching phase of empowerment and skill acquisition across the region, equipping hundreds of participants with transformative vocational training and the tools to succeed.
The initiative, held under the banner of her 2025 Training and Empowerment Programme brought together beneficiaries not just from Kogi Central but from across Kogi State in a clear demonstration of her inclusive and people-centered approach to governance. The event was greeted with fanfare, appreciation, and emotional gratitude from the people, who described the Senator’s intervention as life-changing and unprecedented.
Senator Natasha H Akpoti -Uduaghan who has gained national acclaim for her commitment to grassroots development has again shown that effective leadership transcends legislative chambers. At a time when her representation at the Senate remains embroiled in suspension controversy, she continues to demonstrate that her heartbeat remains with the people on the ground not just in political circles.
The July 19 empowerment program featured four technical training tracks, each tailored to meet the growing demands of a fast evolving economy and prepare beneficiaries for both local and international opportunities. These training programmes were not symbolic or theoretical but practical, deeply relevant and economically valuable in today’s world. Participants were intensively trained in Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques, Drone Security and Environmental Remediation, Data Analytics and Digital Transformation, and Renewable Energy Systems and Installation.
At the end of the training sessions, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan took an extraordinary step further not only ensuring that the participants acquired world-class technical knowledge, but that they left with the equipment necessary to hit the ground running. She distributed 80 state-of-the-art drones to 80 participants trained in Drone Security, Environmental Sustainability, and Remediation. For the Data Analytics and Digital Transformation trainees, she handed over 50 brand new HP laptops, enabling them to pursue careers in tech, remote work, and freelance analytics.
In the welding track, all 50 participants walked away with a full set of welding equipment, a move that places them instantly in a position to provide skilled metal fabrication services and even set up their own small-scale enterprises. For the 50 participants in the Renewable Energy Systems and Installation course, Senator Natasha provided full installation kits and industrial toolboxes—critical starter assets in the booming field of solar and sustainable energy.
But the empowerment didn’t end with tools and training alone. In a gesture that further reflects her empathy and thoughtfulness, Senator Natasha provided each participant across all four sectors with a transportation stipend of ₦100,000, ensuring that no one left the program burdened or financially stranded. It was a personal touch that many described as not just generous, but deeply humane.
The significance of this empowerment programme goes beyond the distribution of tools. It reflects a deep understanding of the challenges of unemployment, underemployment and youth disempowerment across Kogi State. It also reaffirms Senator Natasha’s belief that true leadership is not about making promises; it is about implementing solutions.
In her address during the event, Senator Natasha expressed her satisfaction with the passion and commitment shown by the participants during the training and urged them to remain focused, resilient, and productive. She stated that the goal of the empowerment initiative was not to offer temporary relief but to create long-term opportunities that would elevate families and communities out of poverty.
She emphasized that every laptop, every welding kit, every drone, and every solar toolbox distributed was an investment in the future of Kogi, a future that belongs to trained, skilled and empowered youth and women.
According to many community stakeholders and local leaders present at the event, Senator Natasha’s actions continue to distinguish her as a rare breed of public servant whose dedication is deeply rooted in the realities of her people. Even beyond her senatorial district, her developmental projects and inclusive programs have reached other zones ( Kogi East and Kogi West ), reinforcing her reputation as a pan-Kogi leader.
The 2025 empowerment initiative is part of an ongoing series of interventions led by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan since her assumption of office. With each new phase, she has broadened the scope of inclusion, raised the standard of impact and deepened the reach of her work. Her actions are shaping lives, transforming communities and building a foundation for a more self-reliant, economically vibrant Kogi State.
Suspended or not, Senator Natasha H. Akpoti-Uduaghan remains firmly committed to her mandate. She is not just representing Kogi Central in name, she is redefining what it means to serve, uplift and empower.
This is not just politics. It is purposeful leadership in action.
