An Abuja-based businessman and philanthropist, Mr Clement Okorie has empowered over 1000 persons in his Ishiagu community, Ivo local government area of Ebonyi state with over N200 million.
The grant is a business advancement empowerment for the beneficiaries drawn from the area to help them boost their businesses.
The grants, which were disbursed under the Ifeanyi Clement Okorie Foundation in his OGWOR Ishiagu country home, attracted notable philanthropists from across the South East of Nigeria, with guests describing it as a remarkable show of generosity and commitment to community development.
Speaking during the event, Okorie announced that the funding initiative aims to alleviate poverty and promote entrepreneurship within the community.
Each beneficiary received individual grants of N200,000 aimed at nurturing small businesses that will lead to economic growth and sustainability.
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Okorie said: “First and foremost, I want to thank God for giving me the strength, wisdom and capacity to make this empowerment possible. Without God’s guidance and blessing, this initiative could not have been possible. This initiative is more than a gift; it’s not just about giving money, but about transforming lives and creating opportunities for our people.”
While emphasising the importance of self-reliance, he urged beneficiaries to utilise the funds effectively to build sustainable enterprises.
Okorie said: “I implore you to employ this fund effectively to better your lives and those of people around you with courage and purpose. Let us all continue to work together to create a brighter future for ourselves.”
The Chairman of the occasion, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, described Okorie’s empowerment scheme as a significant aspect of the new dawn which has enveloped Ishiagu community, producing lasting fruits of goodness.
In a goodwill message, a special guest at the event and the National President of Akuluo Uno United Brothers Association, Chief Mike Duru, admonished all wealthy people to always think home.
Duru, the Chairman/CEO, Citygate Group of companies, commended Okorie for the gesture and described him as a worthy ambassador of the group in his community.
Some of the beneficiaries: Rosemary Okoro, a poultry farmer, and Jewel Nkemjika Ike, a cosmetics seller, expressed profound gratitude to the host and donor, Okorie.
They said they were surprised at being called as beneficiaries out of the over 7,000 applicants who jostled for the opportunity, pledging to make their benefactor proud by meaningfully multiplying the funds.
Ike stated: “This support is a dream come true for many of us. It will go a long way in boosting our businesses so that we can turn our dreams into reality.”
The empowerment implementation Committee Chairman, Prof. Ifeanyichukwu Iroha, said the initiative was borne out of Okorie’s love for his people.
He explained that the committee followed a rigorous process to identify eligible beneficiaries.
Iroha said: First of all, we placed an age limit: prospective beneficiaries must be between 25 and 50 years, preferably, someone already in business or those whose businesses are facing some setbacks, to enable them to pick up.
We also looked at each person’s business proposal, the kind of trade he/she is engaging in, and what the person intends to achieve with the money as an outcome of the empowerment, among other considerations.”
Iroha, the Dean of Postgraduate Studies at Ebonyi State University, assured that the committee has also set up a monitoring subcommittee to follow the progress of the beneficiaries and make recommendations for further assistance.
He said: “We have already employed two persons under salary for one year to monitor the beneficiaries and that’s why we have documented their details for easy identification. We have also set a mechanism whereby, by this time next year, those who are doing well will be empowered the more.”