By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
In a rare display of legislative accountability and grassroots engagement, the member representing Oshimili South State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. (Barr.) Ifechukwukwu Bridget Anyafulu, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, rendered a comprehensive account of her stewardship to constituents, while simultaneously empowering over a thousand residents through far-reaching economic and healthcare interventions.
The town hall meeting, which took place at the Arts and Cultural Ground along Saint Brigid’s Road, Umuaji Quarter, Asaba, drew a cross-section of community leaders, beneficiaries, civil society actors, traditional rulers, and top government officials, underscoring the political and social significance of the engagement.
The exercise fulfilled one of the cardinal promises made by Hon. Anyafulu during the 2023 electioneering campaign, to run an open, transparent, and people-centred representation that carries constituents along every step of the legislative journey.
Presenting her stewardship report, the former Commissioner for Humanitarian and Community Support Services described the town hall as more than a ceremonial gathering, but “a civic obligation to the people who entrusted me with their mandate.”
A renowned human rights crusader before venturing into partisan politics, Hon. Anyafulu reaffirmed that her approach to representation is anchored on transparency, accountability, inclusion, and measurable impact, particularly for vulnerable groups.
“Our democracy only works when leaders periodically return to the people to give account, listen, and recalibrate,” she said, while thanking the people of Oshimili South for their unwavering support.
Central to her stewardship scorecard were two flagship social intervention programmes formally flagged off at the event:
The Sustainable Micro Economic Empowerment Scheme (SMEES)
The Sustainable Health Insurance for Transformative Inclusion Initiative (SHIFT-I)
Under the SHIFT-I programme, 1,000 vulnerable persons were instantly enrolled into the Delta State Contributory Health Insurance Scheme, granting them access to free and quality healthcare services in hospitals of their choice for a period of one year.
The initiative, observers noted, represents a strategic response to the growing challenge of healthcare affordability, particularly among low-income households, elderly persons, and people living with disabilities.
Complementing this was the SMEES programme, through which about 400 micro-business owners received financial and material support to strengthen their livelihoods. Persons living with disabilities also benefitted from assistive aids distributed through Hon. Anyafulu’s non-governmental organisation, the Initiative for Community Welfare and Capacity Development (ICWECD).
Beyond social interventions, Hon. Anyafulu highlighted major achievements across education, healthcare infrastructure, and lawmaking.
She disclosed that following a constituency-wide needs assessment, her office provided educational materials to pupils in over 620 primary and secondary schools, sponsored quiz and essay competitions, executed infrastructure upgrades in public schools, and paid WAEC and JAMB fees for students from indigent backgrounds.
In the health sector, she announced that three plots of land have been secured for the construction of primary healthcare centres at Umueze Quarters and the 74 Area of Infant Jesus, while land has also been provided for a secondary school at Oko Ogbele. She further cited sustained free market medical outreach programmes at Ogbe-Ogonogo and Abraka markets.
On the legislative front, the lawmaker revealed that she has co-sponsored several bills within the period under review, contributing to policy frameworks aimed at social protection, development, and inclusive governance in Delta State.
The initiative received widespread commendation from dignitaries present at the event. In goodwill messages, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Emomotimi Guwor; the Director-General of the Delta State Contributory Health Commission, Dr. Isaac Akpoveta; and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, described Hon. Anyafulu as a “worthy representative” whose performance aligns with the aspirations of her constituents.
Representatives of the Oshimili South Local Government Council Chairman, the Commissioner for Child Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) also praised the town hall as a model of responsive leadership.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of health insurance cards and empowerment items to beneficiaries, many of whom openly expressed gratitude for what they described as life-changing interventions.
In recognition of her advocacy and support for universal health coverage, Hon. Anyafulu was conferred with a Health Insurance Ambassador Award by the Delta State Contributory Health Commission.
The event was attended by members of the Delta State House of Assembly, senior government officials, community leaders, and the traditional ruler of Oko Community, Dr. Osita Onwuka I, among other dignitaries.
As constituents departed the venue, the prevailing sentiment was that beyond speeches and promises, the Oshimili South lawmaker had presented tangible evidence of representation grounded in service, empathy, and accountability, qualities many believe should define public office.