By Chidi Dike
Igwe Samuel Asadu, traditional ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, has announced the empowerment of 63 youths with N1 million each to start a business of their own.
Presenting cheques to the beneficiaries on Wednesday, Asadu said the gesture was to build youths as future leaders.
“As the traditional ruler of this community, I am sowing this seed of empowerment on youths because they are future leaders. I am very optimistic that in the next 10 years, this community will have 63 millionaires and even billionaires who will bring giant developments to the community.
“This is the first phase of this empowerment as more youths in the community will benefit in no distant time by God’s special grace,” he said.
The traditional ruler urged the beneficiaries to ensure that the money was invested for what it was meant for so that others in the community would also benefit from their successes.”
Asadu said empowerment was part of his transformation agenda to empower, prepare, and equip youths for the future.
“I am empowering our youths to become future millionaires and billionaires to enable them to bring rapid development to the community. To maintain peace, crime and drug-free society, the interest of youths must be put into consideration by empowering them meaningfully and positively.
“I am happy the community has intelligent and well-behaved youths who are determined to be useful for themselves and the society.”
He commended the selection and disbursement committee for thoroughly selecting the beneficiaries from every part of the community.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Selection Committee, Chidozie Ogbu, said the committee selected the beneficiaries based on their viable business proposals presented to the committee.
He said that the committee would monitor beneficiaries to ensure the money was well utilized and not diverted to frivolities.
“We will monitor them closely to ensure that the aim of this empowerment is achieved,” Mr Ogbu stated.
Emeka Ugwoke, the president general of Edem-Ani Town Union, praised the ruler for always having the community’s interest at heart.
Kenechukwu Omeje, youth president of the community, commended the traditional ruler for having a special interest in empowering youths.
(NAN)
