By Ifeoma Anokwuru
50 Youths from Owerri Municipal, Owerri North and Owerri West have been empowered with one million naira each and nine others received N500.000 each by Eze Mitchell Egbukole foundation, as a seed capital to start or expand their existing business.
Speaking during the disbursement of the cheques to the beneficiaries at Eze Mitchell Egbukole palace , Egbu in Owerri North LGA , the founder of the foundation , Prince Ikenna Egbukole , noted that the foundation was established to honour the legacy of his late father, HRH Eze Mitchell Ezesomaga Egbukole ( Ochoronma IV Of Egbu Autonomous Community )
Who was a visionary leader who believed deeply in the power of education and entrepreneurship to transform lives and communities.
” In 2019 we launched our first youth entrepreneurship scheme to commemorate the 20th anniversary of his demise . That initial program focused in Egbu Autonomous Community, awarding one million naira each to five promising young entrepreneurs and 300.000 each to three others, totalling 5.9 million naira . This second edition of the scheme has expanded it’s reach to include 48 communities across Owerri North, Owerri West and Owerri Municipal Local Government Areas”.
Prince Egbukole, said that the empowerment program was designed to honour the 25 memorial service of the late royal icon .He revealed that the 59 beneficiaries were selected based on merit . He urged them to use the golden opportunity widely.
The elder brother of the benefactor, Eze Mitchell Uchenna Egbukole, congratulated the beneficiaries . He described the grants as a talents planted in the lives of the beneficiaries which is expected to multiply in years time . Eze Egbukole reminded the beneficiaries that their businesses will be reviewed from time to time and the successful ones will receive more aid.
In his address, the Director General of Eze Mitchell Egbukole Foundation, Rear Adm. Sunday Baje ( Rtd) , said the grant initiative will serve as a job creation, innovation, productivity and reduction in crimes and criminality. He urged the beneficiaries to think outside the box and add value to their ongoing businesses.
He recalled that Late Eze Mitchell Ezesomaga inculcated the virtues of kindness and integrity to his children who have now taken upon themselves to give back to the society. He congratulated the beneficiaries and urged them to be good ambassadors.
” We heartily congratulate the beneficiaries of the Eze Mitchell Ezesomaga Egbukole Foundation, from the three local government councils of Owerri. Let me use this golden opportunity to urge you to be good ambassadors of your families. It is time to think outside the box to add value to your ongoing businesses and take them to a higher level, as the subject of today’s celebration has done for Egbu Community” .
Also speaking , the wife of the founder, Princess Jennifer Egbukole , encouraged the beneficiaries to put in their best in their respective business so as to add value to the society.
Some of the beneficiaries , Duru Childera George , Akunna mere , Onyejekwe Chidimma and Njoku Silver , in their separate speech , thanked the foundation , they prayed God to continue blessing the royal family and enlarge their coast.
The event was graced by political leaders, royal fathers , religious leaders among others .
