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From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
HRH Igwe Samuel Asadu (Igwe Ogadagidi), the traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State has splashed N63m to 63 youths of the community to enable them to start up any business of their choice.
The monarch disclosed this in Nsukka on Wednesday during the presentation of cheques of N1m to the 63 beneficiaries at the community center school
He said that the empowerment programme is part of his transformation agenda for the community that would empower and prepare a generation of youths that will be free from social vices, gainfully engaged, and bring positive change in the community in the nearest future.
“To maintain peace, crime and drug-free society, the well-being of the youths must be put into consideration by engaging them meaningfully and profitably.
“Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community is proud to have intelligent and well-behaved youths who are determined to be useful for themselves, their family, and the society.
“So, for this first phase, I am giving out N1m each to the selected 63 youths to start up any business of their choice, by God’s special grace more youths in the community will also be empowered,” he said.
“We want to prepare you all for the future where you will be able to cater for yourself and will be able to help other people around you.
“I am very optimistic that in the next ten years, this community will have many millionaires and billionaires that will bring enviable developments in the community,” he said.
The US-trained Nurse commended Hon. Chidozie Ogbu led selection and disbursement committee for undertaking the tedious job of selecting the beneficiaries equitably.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money and ensure that the purpose for which the money was given to them is achieved.
Speaking, Hon. Ogbu said that the committee selected the beneficiaries based on their viable business proposals, adding that they will be monitored to ensure that the money is utilised and not diverted.
“The beneficiaries were carefully selected based on their business proposals and to maintain representation from all the hamlets of the community.
“We will assist them to secure and start up the businesses they proposed to do as well as monitor them closely to ensure that the aim of this empowerment is achieved.
“We commend Igwe Ogadagidi for his benevolence and his human capital developments, this singular gesture is no doubt a life-changing opportunity for beneficiaries,” he said.
Earlier in a remark, Mr. Emeka Ugwoke,l President General, Edem-Ani Town Union, represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Grace Onyishi, commended the monarch for his magnanimity and described him as the saviour of their time.
He said that it is a good omen that all the good things are happening in their community courtesy of Igwe Ogadagidi during his time as town union president, even as he urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they use the money for what it was meant for so that other members of the community in no distance time will benefit from them.
Also speaking, Hon. Kenechukwu Omeje, Youths President, Edem-Ani Ogwugwu community commended the traditional ruler for having special interest in youth empowerment and pledged that the youths of the community will not disappoint him and would continue to support him.
“Igwe Asadu has done so much for our community and the youths are happy to have him as our traditional ruler.
“I urge the beneficiaries to be focused and dedicated in their chosen businesses so as to become millionaires and billionaires in the next decade which will positively impact the well-being of the entire community,” he said.
Speaking with newsmen, some of the beneficiaries said that the luck words to express their gratitude and appreciation to the traditional rural on the empowerment of 1 million naira to them.
He pledged that they would do everything within their capacity to ensure that they would not only make more millions from the empowerment but would also ensure that they empower others from it.
They pray to God to replenish the pocket of the traditional ruler as well as guide and protect him and his family against all evils.
