In a bid to render community development support and foster business growth, Nnobi Special Title Holders, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State have empowered fifty-one market women and thirty youths selected from various villages in the community with over 20 million nairas.
The donated funds, our correspondent reports, are aimed to support their businesses, keeping them off crime by engaging them in lucrative ventures and improving their livelihoods.
The event attracted distinguished personalities from the community, including the traditional ruler of Nnobi, Igwe Engr Nick Obi FNSE, who blessed the beneficiaries and advised them to use the seed money judiciously.
President of the Special Title Holders made up of twelve members, Super High Chief Obinna Ufudo while explaining the reason for the empowerment said the initiative was borne out of the desire to assist the beneficiaries who had already established businesses to grow them.
He further explained that it was the maiden edition of the gesture away from the usual distribution of food items that could not be invested to assist business growth.
One of the members of the group, Chief Jude Anyichie (Ebubedike Nnobi), said that the empowerment would enable the beneficiaries to have a sustainable business expansion.
“We decided that instead of giving them fish all the time, to teach them how to catch fish. We helped them in what they are doing with over N20 million naira.
“We have a programme in place to teach them financial management and how to handle the issues of profit and loss in business. The money is to help them increase their business capacity, “he explained.
Another member, High Chief Hamilton Ezeonu (Ikemba Nnobi), argued that what the group had done would in no small measure help the growth of the Nnobi economy.
He said they would be able to grow their businesses and also assist others who would need their help.
Ezeonu said: “The event has come and gone. We pray that those who were empowered will channel the money to make profits.
“The criterion for selection is that you must have something doing as a business. The essence is to make many people busy to look away from crime. This is just the beginning and the number will be increased next year. We are trying to grow the economy of Nnobi.”
Corroborating, Chief Linus Umeh said the gesture would fight poverty in the community.
He commended the initiative, describing it as worthy of emulation.
Also speaking, the Secretary General of Inyom Nnobi, Mrs Nwigwe Ginika, who represented the President General of Nnobi (Women Wing), Mrs Nnekwelugo Ifeyinwa expressed satisfaction with the Special Title Holders for the initiative.
She said that would go a long way in ameliorating the hardship of beneficiaries.
From the over N20 million naira disbursed, each of the thirty youths received N500,000, while each of the fifty-one market women received N100,000 to boost their businesses.
The beneficiaries were full of gratitude to their benefactors, who strictly advised them to invest wisely.
One of the empowered youths, Mr Emma Ogbuchi, spoke for the youths.
